(Part 2) Best bike headlights according to redditors
We found 573 Reddit comments discussing the best bike headlights. We ranked the 203 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
Where do you live? Wikipedia has a great rundown of bike laws and rules, especially for California, which is where I live. I'm assuming the same thing exists on Wikipedia for other states.
As far as I know though, anywhere you live, you're a vehicle by law. In most places it is illegal for you to ride on the sidewalk, but even if it isn't, it is much safer to ride on the street if you know what you're doing. Look on google maps for a while to check out various routes to your school. I consider myself to be pretty good at planning routes. If you want, you can reply or PM me about where you start and where your school is.
You'll definitely want a good U-lock for your bike, as well as anything from another U-lock or a cable. From the picture, it looks like that cable is a combination or keyhole lock cable. I'm not sure, but I think I've heard that the locks on those can be fairly weak, so getting a regular cable like this one, which is four feet long (there is also a 7 foot long one). The best way to lock up a bike with a U-lock/cable combination is to lock the frame and back wheel with the U-lock to the bike rack, then the cable loops through the lock and front tire
What kinds of things do you need to take to school? Just books and stuff? If you need to take a laptop like I do (and it's a large laptop), I found that the Topeak racks like this one is fantastic because with this bag, you can fit the laptop in to the bag, and slide the bag on to the rack. I use some bungee cords when moving my laptop in it just in case, but it's very secure and the laptop has worked fine. It even comes with a water proof cover. I've taken my laptop through heavy rain at least a few times now. If you look around online for those enough you can find some good deals. I got the bag for about 80 dollars, when MSRP is around 150.
I just noticed the bag under your seat. I use that space for my light, but what I did with my bag is I strapped it to the side of my bike rack, as you can see in the picture of my bike below.
Looks like you have regular thumb shifters. Left hand is for the front derailleur (The gears around the pedals), and the right hand is for the rear derailleur. On the left hand, the larger the gear is, the harder it is to pedal. On the right hand, the smaller the gear (or cog) is, the harder it is to pedal. You'll figure it out. Just go to a parking lot somewhere and experiment. You may need to do some adjustments if the bike is old or something.
You will definitely need lights then. I don't care what the laws state, you should have at least one rear and one front light. I have two of each.
You should get a front light that will cast a good amount of light ahead of you. A "too see" light. Most cheap bike lights are "to be seen" lights. They let other cars see you, but you won't be able to see where you are going well. You might as well get a smaller "be seen" light that flashes for day use, just to help drivers see you. The more they see you, the better.
For rear lights, I would even recommend two lights. With a rack, you'll be able to put one light on the end of the rack, and another on your seat post, like my bike. I always have my lights on during the day, just to help with people to see me. It probably isn't too noticeable, but with very bright lights it definitely can be. If you're in a shaded area or under a bridge though, they will help. At night, a flashing light will be the most noticable to other drivers, but it is difficult to judge distance and speed on a single flashing light when the bike cannot be seen, so I have one light on flashing, and my other light steady so drivers can see my movements and judge how far they are from me. Try to angle the lights so they'll be a little higher that parallel with the ground. You don't want your light to be pointing at the ground, or worse, hidden behind your bike rack.
Headlights: Very bright and cheap Chinese copy of a more expensive light by MagicShine. I got this a few weeks ago and it's great for night use. The handlebar mount is a little rickety though. I'm going through the same problem. If you don't want to gamble with cheap parts, there are two other okay lights that will be more secure, but sacrifice brightness. Link and Link
Taillights: This is a review of a bunch of lights with a lot of info. I use This and the tail light from this. I plan on replacing the Schwinn light with a brand new light that came out recently, the Solas 2-watt. It's hard to find right now, but if you search it on google there are several stores selling it from 38 - 45 dollars.
Bicycling Street Smarts
Bicycle Driving
Commuting Tips
Bicycle laws in California
Taillights review
Good luck on your future endeavors and have fun!
It's $300 on Amazon. I'll probably pick one up now after seeing how great it is in this video.
usb chargable, and I use both myself:
rear light
front light
https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Streak-Hotshot-Light-Combo/dp/B01IO12ZPO/
I have a friend who has a MagicShine 808e, and he says "it's like riding your bike with a fucking car headlight. I love it."
So...there's that.
nite rider 950 / 1100. Worth every penny, long lasting and easily charged via micro usb. Their customer support is also amazing.
https://www.amazon.com/NiteRider-Lumina-950-Boost-Headlight/dp/B01HEF5A2G/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1522161249&sr=8-7&keywords=Niterider+Lights
https://www.amazon.com/NiteRider-Lumina-Boost-Headlight-BLACK/dp/B071LRBF78/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522161249&sr=8-2&keywords=Niterider+Lights
This is a great option that's not overly expensive. Both USB rechargeable, both decently powerful and made by a reputable company. Relatively inexpensive too, but getting up there in price.
Welcome to the wonderful world of bike commuting, we’re happy to have you! For a lock you’ll want a short and thick u-lock for the frame and a cable lock for wheels/accessories. Kryptonite makes some great products I highly recommend. Definitely make sure you read up on proper locking methods (https://www.kryptonitelock.com/en/proper-lockup-landing/bicycle-lock-up-bike.html), it might seem like a lot but it’s worth it to take care of your equipment. As far as lights go I have great success with this(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IO12ZPO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_iaYxDbJ27Z7E5Cygolite) set I bought on Amazon. It’s bright, waterproof, the battery lasts a long time, and it has plenty of different settings. Definitely take pictures of your bike and record all identifying information (including the serial) and keep it somewhere safe. r/bikecommuting has lots of great tips, stay dry out there!
It really depends on the condition of the roads, presence of streetlights, etc, etc. I use a niterider 650 on med or low mostly as where I am is well lit. I'll go high if it's dark and the pavement is shitty. Right now, best price for lumens is the Cygolite Metro 360. They also have a Streak 280 model for $10 less. One thing to keep in mind is run-times with the battery. Read up on all the modes and what the runtime is for each.
Hybrids are designed for commuting well suited for people new to cycling. A low end hybrid from a bike shop (not a supermarket) should serve you well.
Sounds like you'll be riding on unlit roads which means you'll need lights that you can see with, not just regular bike lights so others can see you. These used to be very expensive but have recently plummeted in price so that $20 will get you an impressively bright light with more than enough battery life to do a 20m round trip. As generic chinese made unit build and quality control leave something to be desired but you'll pay many times the price for a good quality branded light that's as bright. I got my brother one for Christmas in 2012 and it's been invaluable on his 20m each way commute.
Mudguards/fenders improve cycling in the rain immensely, this kind of mudguard doesn't give quite a much coverage as the traditional design however they are a fraction of the price. If you can afford them a rack and pannier/s a much nicer to cycle with than a backpack, all the more so if you've got much to carry.
For my night mtb rides I go out with two Sahara sailors (one on the head and one on the bars). $25 each, ridiculously bright, cheap. They might actually be too bright for city riding.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0188I6YNM?ref=yo_pop_ma_swfEDIT: Looks like the manufacturer has changed the product. The one I use has a separate battery pack and was rated at something like 2400 lumens. The new product is only rated to 800 so I don't think it'll be as bright.
Or you could spend almost a third less for a cycling specific product that is has 3.75 times more lumen output and comes with all the mounts you need... Why even post this?
Night riding implies using lights IMO. All the trails I ride are in heavily wooded areas where it is pitch black dark at night. I originally paid around $100 for a helmet-mounted Magicshine light. This kind of light almost makes the area you shine it on look like its daylight. Oncoming riders (not too common at night) will be blinded as if they glanced at the Sun.
Magicshine was a Chinese knock-off of some other major brand charging hundreds of dollars like most lights for sale in LBS's. Since buying my 1st light, you can now buy essentially a Chinese knock-off of the Magicshine at half the price.
Cree bike light for $45. They are twice the brightness of a Magicshine (MJ-808) but have a lot of the light near the center. I bought a wide angle lens for it which spreads the brightest part of the light over a 30 degree angle instead of 10-15. This works well as handlebar-mounted.
Two lights is pretty much required if you want to see the trail well and have proper perception in order to control your bike well at night. I have done numerous night rides with only a helmet-mounted light, but I found that it was hard to track the front wheel and keep looking ahead at the same time. Riding skinnies at night with only one light proved to be a bad idea!
Night riding is interesting and I think it can actually improve your riding. You can focus better on just the trail and everything else is hidden by the darkness of night. It's like tunnel vision and you can really flow when you get in the zone.
Damn, glad to hear you're on the mend. I hope the person at least stopped/was held accountable. I'm pretty close to getting a bike camera that that kind of scenario, I've met and read about way too people involved in hit-and-runs in this area.
These are my favorite for dead simple, no fuss installation. Would recommend one for each wheel plus a head and tail light: https://www.amazon.com/Nite-Ize-Spokelit-Bicycle-Wheels/dp/B001TKFZ7S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502007692&sr=8-2&keywords=nite+ize+bike+light
Some cheapo LED lights will crap out on you - I've had a set of these longer than my current bike. Been to 4 burns and still working beautifully with just battery changes.
I'm a fan on Nite Ize stuff in general - has treated me well for Burns :)
Check this out at Amazon.com
NiteRider Lumina 1100 Boost USB Rechargeable MTB Road Commuter LED Bike Light Powerful Lumens Water Resistant Bicycle Headlight, LED Front Light Easy to Install Cycling Safety https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LRBF78/ref=cm?sw?r?other?apa?i?HQnLDbK2RG6N0
Super bright super easy to mount
2 of these and youre set. Check out https://youtu.be/oHAE5EkkpFs
NiteRider Lumina Micro 750 USB Rechargeable MTB Road Commuter LED Bike Light Lumens Water Resistant Bicycle Headlight, LED Front Light Easy to Install Cycling Safety https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071FKT3NT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QItQDbRXBRP8Y
There are two types of lights, ones to see by and ones to be seen by. Any that is good enough to see by will be too bright to be seen by (dazzle etc). You want one that can do both. Something like the Cateye Volt 1600 can be ran full brightness when on the MTB trails and can be turned down to commute by.
If you just want one for commuting the Volt 300 is fine (and cheaper!)
I'd go with this
https://www.amazon.com/EdisonBright-Rechargeable-Pedestrian-Friendly-Charging/dp/B07H2STB8P/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=fenix+bc25r&qid=1564198166&s=gateway&sr=8-1
What kind of lights are you using?
For the front, you may want to check out the Design Shine Lights ( http://www.DesignShineLighting.com ) which are quite bright, and should be available soon. Or check out the Planet Bike 2w headlight which blinks:
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blaze-2Watt-Headlight/dp/B0015R1NE4/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_img_b
I am actually using the Nu Flare LED flashlight and a handlebar flashlight mount because it's a lot brighter than the Planet Bike headlight, but it doesn't blink so that may not work for you ...
http://www.amazon.com/Nu-Flare-77R92L-Ultrabright-Aluminum-Flashlight/dp/B001LYYO10/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1318951039&sr=8-3
http://www.amazon.com/Flashlight-Mount-for-Bike-Handlebar/dp/B004OADU22/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1319730599&sr=1-1-catcorr
NOTE: This mount is okay for my use, you may not like it it you have to remove your lights.
For the rear, I love my Planet Bike Turbo Superflash:
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Superflash-Turbo-Light/dp/B004U5PV5A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318366148&sr=8-1
I emailed Planet Bike and asked them to make a White and Yellow Turbo flash, which I think would take care of front-mount for me.
Finally, you may want to get a little air horn for your bike. Someone did a write here on Reddit a few weeks ago. This is the horn:
http://www.amazon.com/SeaSense-1-4oz-50074011-Image-Reference/dp/B000XQ5B1Y/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1VY5NBV2BPVP6&colid=2ANXR60WOJLC
This is the write-up and image.
http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/lf42p/i_installed_a_compressed_air_horn_this_weekend/
http://i.imgur.com/X6vLI.jpg
I posted this at r/cycling with no responses so I'll try here since it seems more active.
I am in need of a light (soon).
I am starting to ride my bike to work, and with winter setting in I'll be riding in the dark when it's not freezing out. I ran across these two lights on Amazon, are they any good?
1st choice: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Rechargeable-Lumen-Bicycle-Light/dp/B00GJZ015Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1410199224&sr=1-1
2nd choice: http://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-LIFETIME-GUARANTEE-SHIPPING-INTENSITY/dp/B00GGR0XD0/ref=sr_1_3?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1410199224&sr=1-3
Those were the top two ranked so I'm not married to them, just trying to get a feel for what I should look at.
I'm riding on streets/frontage roads for 10 miles each way, about 40 minutes of ride time each way. I'm not opposed to an external battery pack. If it matters my bike is a Trek 3900 that is a few years old.
Thanks!
I have this one(http://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-HeadLight-headLamp-improved-battery/dp/B005WPXNQ6/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=1-3&keywords=bike+light+led+1200), i consider it to be identical to that one. A guy i know spent 300 on one that looked the same and his died after 2 years, mines still going strong after 2, for $20 you can't really loose even if it only lasts a year IMO.
Nightrider Minewt 600 - Cordless, rechargable & 600 lumens for $100. Drivers will notice the shit out of you.
Absolutely. If he'll be commuting year-round and he doesn't already have a decent light, this will be at the top of the list. I'd currently recommend the NiteRider MiNewt 600 as a very good value for the money you spend. It's bright, has a nice wide beam pattern and comes with both handlebar and helmet mounts. It's made in the US to boot.
I really light these for front and rear but they are for city riding where you only need to be seen and not see the road in front of you. https://www.amazon.com/Serfas-Thunderbolt-USB-Headlight-Black/dp/B009NZVQ7O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1519866746&sr=8-2&keywords=serfas+bike+light
I went with the Planet Bike Blaze 2watt LED Headlamp for just about the same price as the combo you are looking at, and it has served me well. It can easily be detached for security and general flashlight use, has a low/bright/flash system, and that flash has an attention grabbing pattern. As another commenter mentioned, the light spill is better on a bike light than a more focused general use flashlight. Plus, this thing is 2watts, it's bright! I've actually had a driver thank me for my lights (then again, I also had this tail light blaring and another cheap Wal-Mart light on the rear).
I used these if you want a clean set up with no wire. I carry an extra battery just in case. However the headlight last like 5 to 6 hours
Vision 2 USB Rechargeable Bike Light, Powerful 1000 Lumen Bike Headlight LED Fits all Mountain Bikes, Road Bicycle, Waterproof & Installs in Seconds https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GGR0XD0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Z9LaAbAR4B2SD
Man, I know this feeling!
Hey, what camera is that? I have a knock-off also, but the "1080" is horrible!
You should check out the Sahara Sailor headlamp. I haven't charged mine in five days. :) Those 4400mAh batteries with the 5600 lumens. :D
The thing with reflective gear is that someone else's light has to bounce off of it for you to be seen. Around sunrise and sunset, lots of drivers won't have their headlights on. Reflectivity also won't save you if someone's about to door you.
Personally, I've taken to riding with my front light on at all times (rear on at night). We have bike share bikes in town that do it anyway, so it's not that out of place. The difference between having it on and off in traffic is noticeable. People actually see me, and don't try to turn in front of me. To avoid going through so many batteries, I've tried a few USB rechargeable lights. The Cat-Eye Volt 300 has been my favorite. Serfas is a little bit cheaper, and more aesthetically pleasing, but doesn't last as long between recharges as the Cateye.
I used these and they held up ok. Just have to wipe the dust off them every day or so.
Seems like most ride with a nite rider.
NiteRider Lumina 950 Boost Headlight https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HEF5A2G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_CZnWzb5R7MV47
USB rechargeable & bright enough to trigger traffic lights.
About $325, for the lights and the niterider helmet strap. Could probably have spent a fraction of that and had enough light, but decided to throw down in order to get better battery life and customer support.
The DiNotte in particular I think is worth it, for their repair and trade-in program. In a few years when the battery is hosed I'm confident that they'll have a replacement available for significantly less than I'd spend on a new light, and when the light is wrecked or outdated, they'll take it as trade-in on whatever new hotness they have at the time.
http://store.dinottelighting.com/2018-dinotte-xml-3-headlight-2100-lumens-p174.aspx
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071FKT3NT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I got these have two straps that goes on the trucks nicely:
https://www.amazon.com/Serfas-Thunderbolt-USB-Headlight-Black/dp/B009NZVQ7O/ref=pd_bxgy_468_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B009NZVQ7O&pd_rd_r=A7W2A3YVPPQG0F2AFHF9&pd_rd_w=Q0HWB&pd_rd_wg=QyUm2&psc=1&refRID=A7W2A3YVPPQG0F2AFHF9
I just bought this Cygolite Metro 360 head light and this Cygolite Hotshot tail light a few days ago. They are well reviewed and seem blindingly bright when I look at them inside. Several different flash modes and are both USB rechargeable.
As for other products which can save your life, a cell phone and a credit/debit card will be useful if you're stranded somewhere. Wearing a Road ID will be helpful to emergency personnel if you're unable to communicate.
I've used one of these. It works pretty good and is quite bright for the price.
How long do you plan to own this bike? Schwinn's are junk. The only time I got a schwinn was when I knew I would ditch it in a year. I'd suggest investing a little more in your bike if you plan to be riding it regularly and for a longer period of time. For just practical reasons, taking public transit a lot means you may be carrying your bike up and down stairs, which I would never have wanted to do with the schwinn, cause it was kinda heavy for a bike.
If you can plan your route well, a single speed should be fine. It might take a little while for you to condition your legs well, but 4 miles 1 way is not much. I can do that easily on my single speed, which I paid $325 new cause I had to have pink :) .
Get a kryptonite lock that is as small as you think you can handle locking up your bike with. Lights are a matter of preference. You'll want something that you can easily remove and take with you. I personally like a really bright light in front so i purchased the Serfas Thunderbolt.
I use the CatEye Volt 300 USB Rechargeable Headlight and it has been working great for about five months. I work 1-9pm so my night rides are dark. It does a great job of making myself visible as well as lighting the road for me. There are brighter lights out there but this one has a pretty good pricepoint IMO. Not sure if it was said elsewhere but don't blind people with the strobe, solid works just as well.
Unfortunately, for around $50, you're severely limited. I have a NiteRider Mako 200 USB that I've been using for over a year and it's been decent for city riding. It's the absolute bare minimum that I could recommend.
But there's a newer NiteRider Lumina Micro 250 that looks promising. Apparently 50 more lumen. Can't hurt. And if the Mako 200 is decent to ride safely with, then this has got to be ok.
I actually have a NiteRider MiNewt 600 from ages ago and it still works great. It is noticeably brighter than my Mako with a more pleasant, whiter, color. I only use this when the weather conditions get worse. I have a habit of forgetting my light when I lock up the bike so I'm kinda "saving" it.
If I was in the market for a new light, it would be the Light & Motion Urban 700. Their beam pattern is better and unlike my old 600, the L&M is true to it's lumen rating. I know that this is out of your budget but you still have time to save up before the time changes and it gets dark sooner.
IMHO, it's nice to have more light than you think that you'll need because sometimes, the road surfaces get sketchy and weather can change quickly.
For my commute, this is what I do:
-I track it using Strava
-I keep a flat tire repair kit with me (mini pump, tire levers, patch kit, and spare tube)
-I have a headlight and a taillight and I use them DAY and night.
Taillight - http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-3034-1-Blinky-Superflash/dp/B0015R40JE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1333388151&sr=8-3
Headlight - http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blaze-2Watt-Headlight/dp/B0015R1NE4/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1333388229&sr=1-1
-If it's hot and/or the rainy season, I keep a change of clothes with me in a pannier, as well as the necessary supplies to clean up before changing into them.
-For long distance commutes like yours, I always have a change of clothes, because the sweat will be inevitable.
-Water!
-Plastic bags to hold my shoes/sandals/wet clothes
https://www.amazon.com/NiteRider-Lumina-Boost-Headlight-Black/dp/B071ZJYF78/ref=pd_cp_468_3?pd_rd_w=1JaU8&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=AV9Y4VA6XCT4EN2A43TZ&pd_rd_r=fa9bf33f-52a9-4004-b558-dc644e645d85&pd_rd_wg=w9ZRV&pd_rd_i=B071ZJYF78&psc=1&refRID=AV9Y4VA6XCT4EN2A43TZ
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015HBGDDE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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These are the two that I use. They both light it up back in the woods at night no problem. The top one has more of a concentrated beam, while the other is a lot wider of a beam.
In addition to good front and rear lights (maybe more than one on each end), I also really like Fiks Reflective wheel strips for side visibility (and for badass color coordination, depending on what color you get).
And these cheap little spoke lights also add to side visibility, plus girls under the age of 12 and drunk frat boys seem to get REALLY excited about them every time I use them.
I bought a magicshine a few years back (probably 808e model), and it has worked very well for me. Single led 900lm, the pack had 4x18650 I believe, solid mount and good runtime. I eventually got the matching taillight and like it a lot - very bright, one battery so less fiddling.
The light above looks like a copy of it. I can't really get a good look at the reflector though. It looks like it may be a simple polished reflector, which might not be as good. The magicshine I got had an orange-peel bumpy reflector and had a very nice light. It had spill nearby that was not bright enough to blow your night vision, while it maintained the good throw.
Here's a link to the magicshine on amazon. You can definitely see the reflector surface.
By the way, before I got to the magicshine, I tried a bunch of flashlights + mounts and was disappointed in many ways with them. The flashlight mounts basically mostly sucked, and even if the mount was ok, flashlights never had good spill. You could either have a bright illumination near you that you could overdrive while you killed your night vision, or good lighting at a distance that would have you riding into potholes because lighting near you was crappy.
I just got a Niterider Boost 1000 from Amazon for $50. They have it listed as a Boost 900 but sent me the 1000. Either one is a nice light.
This one: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B071ZJYF78
What kind of cycling? Mountain biking, road cycling, just commuting? I ride at night all the time, I usually ride to a bar a few times a month. My 10 yo son and I rode to the movies the other night.
Make sure you have a decent light setup. I use an urban 500
https://www.amazon.com/Light-Motion-Urban-500-Headlight/dp/B01F0FCAKW?th=1 for a head light and this rear blinker
https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Intensity-Accessories-Helmets-Flashlight/dp/B015IEJ0GC/ref=sr_1_25_sspa?keywords=amazon+rear+bike+light&qid=1556798034&s=gateway&sr=8-25-spons&psc=1
along with a neon green jacket and two led wheel lights. I find that people actually see me more at night than during the day.
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I have this setup for my kids https://www.amazon.com/Ascher-Rechargeable-Headlight-Resistant-Included/dp/B01EUQ7ZQG/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_468_bs_lp_t_1/147-0384363-3958821?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=58XK20AREYT4CNVC9WYV
and it's actually really decent.
I definitely agree that you'll be a lot happier hitting that trail with lights. A cheap chinese light can be had on eBay for $25 and a fairly reliable MagicShine goes for $80. If you go the $25 route I'd get a second one in case the first shuts down mid-descent…
True, it is quite interesting. One thing about it is that generally speaking I ride as if nobody even sees me (in other words extremely defensively) and if I am riding around on that premise, then why would I need to signal - assuming no one even sees me to begin with..?
Now I don't want to make it seem as if I'm *trying* to not be seen, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact I use the built-in headlights/tailights on my scooter as daytime running lights, as well as an extremely super-bright aftermarket headlight https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071ZJYF78 as well as *two* rear aftermarket tail lights with turn signals https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XXHDQLN and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NJ7B693 yes I actually have all of those installed just so I can be seen!
But.... I still drive with the assumption that most drivers are not looking for me, because that is in fact the unfortunate truth.
Front:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WPXNQ6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
rear:https://smile.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-eXtreme-Bicycle/dp/B000KBEH1W/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1473138954&sr=1-1&keywords=planet+bike+superflash+rear+bike+light
And I got this from somebody as a gift, works well so far:
https://smile.amazon.com/Bike-Lane-Laser-Rear-Light/dp/B01BGYF3RI/ref=sr_1_8?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1473138992&sr=1-8&keywords=laser+tail+light
I'm a big fan of my magicshine bike lights. Between the wife and I we have 3 of these. You might be able to find them a little cheaper if you shop around. Their throw is pretty good while having a decent near field spread (you can get a nice spot in the distance, but still see all the ground around you nicely)
If he rides at night or low light, wheel lights are neat and add a lot to visibility .
I have these on my little fixed gear I use for commuting.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001TKFZ7S/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1407162031&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40
Waiting on his one to arrive. $50 seems like a good deal.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GGR0XD0/ref=ya_st_dp_summary
This guy, quality is hit or miss, but it's literally the cheapest thing out there and its brighter on its top setting than the lights on most cars.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GGR0XD0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Super bright. I owned one for three years and the switch stopped working. Lifetime warranty....they sent me another one.
Dude, if he's a nerd and a mountain biker, the coolest thing you can get him for $100 is a legit night light to ride with after the sun goes down, thus extending the season and expanding his exposure to new experiences in the sport.
Riding trails at night is a whole new experience and us mountain bike nerds love it!
There are a bunch of trash lights out there, but here's a great one ...
NiteRider Lumina 1100 Boost USB Rechargeable MTB Road Commuter LED Bike Light Powerful Lumens Water Resistant Bicycle Headlight, LED Front Light Easy to Install Cycling Safety https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LRBF78/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ucbmDb132K3FZ
Front
Rear.
You're welcome.
Edit: I also wear these on my not-so-bulging biceps
I have one of these mounted to my helmet with one of these. They used to make a version with a flashing red light on the back but I haven't been able to find that in a while.
I bought three sets of these, three of these main 950lmn a roll of 3m and a couple cams
Cygolite Metro 360. Bright, USB rechargeable, and very cheap at $60. Outperforms $100 lights.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E1NQ4P2?pc_redir=1407570264&robot_redir=1
This is the one I have.. It's bright as hell, and yeah about $20..
I ride with this on both my road and mountain bikes. It comes with an adjustable helmet mount. When on the road I aim it to about 5 feet in front of my wheel, seems to work well. On the mountain bike I think I need to get a second one and mount each on the sides of the helmet.
http://www.amazon.com/Nite-Ize-Spokelit-Bicycle-Disc-O/dp/B001TKFZ7S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416410853&sr=8-1&keywords=bike+spoke+lights
These are cheap lights that sit in your spokes, so they make bright circles when you start cookin'. I have gotten these for friends and they always love em'.
If you want a bit more power than Jixr_ suggestion, Cyrgolite makes an 850 version. I've been using one for three years now on my commute. It has a blinky mode too.
http://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Expilion-Light-Helmet-Mount/dp/B00LXTOPNU/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1458011173&sr=1-1&keywords=cyrgolite+850
i use this
cateye volt 300
https://www.amazon.com/CAT-EYE-Rechargeable-Headlight-Helmet/dp/B00ED2P3U8/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1538368843&sr=1-3&keywords=cateye+volt+300
Thanks for another amazing giveaway
Trying for the Fenix BC25R this time. Thanks for the giveaway!
https://www.amazon.com/EdisonBright-Rechargeable-Pedestrian-Friendly-Charging/dp/B07H2STB8P/
Do you also do any cycling? One thing you could do is buy a nice bike light which could also be used as a handheld torch. If you don't bike, this would probably add cost unnecessarily.
I have used this one for about a year now, and I love it. It's super bright, waterproof, and comes with 2 usb rechargeable batteries. I've also used it handheld to supplement a headlamp for night trail running. Not sure about shipping outside of us.
Sounds like a really cool adventure!
Amazon!
I use two of these but with bigger capacity batteries that I bought separate
Front and rear. The headlight is USB chargeable and the tail light is powered by 2 triple A batteries. I'd prefer to only have to charge one thing at a time, but that's just me.
It IS a matter of personal comfort for doing those hills. If the road is not too busy, consider zig zagging down the hill. On the entire commute, I would just say to give it a try for the day and see how it is for the entire 8 miles.
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The DLX might be the wiser choice for you. It's got the higher... lower portion of the deck for better ground clearance.
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As far as a headlight goes, this one's my favorite rechargeable. I've used this brand for 2 years and it holds its charge nicely - it doesn't discharge too much when not in use.
Cygolite Expilion 850. I have been using these for over 4 years and they have taken some massive hits on the ground and never have had an issue. I keep an extra battery/light in my bag because I always forget to charge until I am already out.
My recommendation is the Niterider Lumina micro 750:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B071FKT3NT
Second option is a Cateye Volt 1200.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00FRMTEUI
Both of these are still useable as handhelds
Bike specific lights are rarely recommended on this sub, however they will have the most solid bicycle mounts, with a beam pattern designed for bike riding and will be waterproof. runtimes will also usually be pretty long.
I'm primarily a cyclist actually and I first saw the material on a runner. I'm convinced it's saved me on the road when I'm riding in low-light conditions. Still, I also have been taking initiative to upgrade my bike lights and now ride with:
My tail light is a little weak and I need to double-up or get a brighter one, I think.
Stay safe!
i use a light similar to this and it really lights up the road at night. i'm definitely more visible to motorists as they typically slow down as they approach head on. i can see all the bumps and potholes in the road with that light. highly recommended and you can't beat the price for the power. there are many knockoffs of the magicshine light on amazon, just gotta find the right one for you.
Rising at night is my favourite. I actually feel safer when it's dark out. Invest in lights. I use this [front light](light & motion urban 500 bike light (2016), onyx https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F0FCAKW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mMRwDbHR7Z8ES) and rear light combo. I feel like its bare minimum though. I bought reflective tape and put it on my helmet too. (Wear a helmet) But the fact is, no matter how much effort you put into making yourself visible, a drunk driver wont see you. I have a cheaper GoPro mounted on my handlebars. That way you have some sort of evidence if anything goes awry.
Side streets are your friend, even if it takes you 5 mins out of the way. I try and avoid Milwaukee and Lincoln mainly because of all the bars on those streets. Just remeber to ride defensively, gont go 35mph just because the roads are clear. It's not a race. Ride safe, buddy!
I think it's time to modernize to a 400 lumen plus light. The strobe mode greatly increases your visibility to others. Where I am, I see some cyclists using two or three of these headlights during the day strobing.
Just upgraded my 600 lumens to 2000 lumens version that can be plugged into my Bionx battery.
A head mounted camera is a great visual deterrent. Research the battery life however. Some may be limited to 20 to 30 minutes before needing a recharge.
I think Cycliq's products are the only dashcam solution at this time. Check reviews.
Another thought.... with the summer heat and earlier sunsets... I'm now adding affordable spoke lights to my wheels for the cool sunset twilight rides. Running on rechargeable AAA's, these lights increase my visiblility at night...
Cheap Chinese LED light with LiIon battery pack from Amazon. My Bell helmet has a breakaway gopro mount, so I modified the light with some gopro parts. Now it's easy to put on, take off. Will run 2 hours on high output easily. Not this exact model, but very similar: https://www.amazon.com/Sahara-Sailor-Headlight-Rechargeable-Battery/dp/B0188I6YNM/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1504633129&sr=8-6&keywords=led+headlight+mountain+bike
As far as kit goes i am referring to at least a jersey, bib shorts, socks, and if your roads are not the best i.e. bumpy then some gloves to go with that.
As far as lights go i would say your front light is for seeing and your rear light is for being seen, the lights i have are Front Rear they are more expensive on amazon that at my LBS but they should do the trick, i use them on the lowest setting and they last quite a while 950 lumens is way too much but you can tone them down and get a little extra battery life out of them.
Assuming a total budget of $1500-1750 for everything not just the bike i would budget around $1100 for a bike. I will split up bikes by brand and within the brand i will split them up based on geometry with more comfortable endurance bikes and more areo oriented race bikes.
Cannondale
Relaxed geometry Race Geometry
Pros of the relaxed geometry bike are than it is $100 under the allocated $1100 for the bike, however the components are not the best but that shouldn't matter all that much as long as you take care of the bike. Pros of the Race Geo bike are that it will be slightly faster due to you having a more areo position on the bike and the components will wear out slightly slower. My pick would be the race geometry bike but considering i have not ridden either of them it is hard for me to be 100% confident in recommending them, however cannondale is a reputable brand with alot of history in making quality bikes that last a long time as long as you take relatively good care of them.
Specialized
Race Geo 1 Race Geo 2
Pros of race geo 1 are that it is light for a alloy bike and from what i can tell in my limited time riding the new allez decently stiff and has good components. Cons are that it is expensive at $1200 leaving only $300-550 for kit and other necessities. Pros of Race Geo 2 are that it has the same components as race geo 1 but last years frame and it is $50 cheaper, i own the previous years model from this bike and that bike has been great the components have held up (except for the chain which needs to be replaced around 1-2 times a year anyway depending on how much you ride) and considering how strong it is especially considering it is relatively entry level.
Relaxed Geo Pros relaxed geometry if you're into that sort of thing wide tire clearance, can easily handle offroad use and disc brakes, cons components are not the best, not going to be as fast for racing and may suffer in fast paced group rides.
Trek
Race Geo
Looks like a good bike i have a friend with a lower level level version, same frame and fork, and it seems to be a pretty good bike so far, cons are that its expensive and doesn't come with pedals but that shouldn't be a problem because you are going to go clip less.
Overall if possible try to look at a few of these bikes and tell me what you think, do you favor race or relaxed geometry and if i was correct ish on your price point. i have a sneaking suspicion that you meant 1500-1750 for just the bike and if that's the case just tell me and ill recommend some bikes based on that as well as gear.
Planet bike 2 watt headlight. It is very bright so that you can see the road well and people can see you. If it is a bit too pricey you can go for the 1 watt, which is still very useable but not as bright.
Metro Flash tail light
works fantastically for indicating where you are. Very bright, affordable and effective.
https://www.amazon.com/Fenix-BC25R/dp/B07H2STB8P/?tag=parametrek-20
Thanks!
Sure!
I wear a Bell Drop on my noggin, with a Drift Stealth 2 attached up top and a Cygolite Expilion 850 on the side and a bunch of reflective tape all over it. On the back of my head is a Cygolite Hotrod.
On my bod I've got a SixSixOne Rage Pressure Suit, and an Ergodyne Assault hi-viz MOLLE vest.
On days when I need my laptop, I bring along an Ortlieb 20L Velocity backpack.
On the vest I wear a Boombotix Rex, a 26" folding baton, an air horn, my cell phone case, and a Sharpee marker. If I'm not wearing a backpack, I wear a MOLLE pouch for my toolkit and another for my rain gear mounted to the back of the vest. I wear another Hotrod back there, too.
I also keep a Cygolite Dash 450 on my bars in flashing mode, and a second Stealth 2 mounted off my seatpost pointed backwards.
My jeans are swrve slim cuts.
I wear a Mixed Works Lark on my waist for wallet/misc, and for a waterproof place for my phone in case it rains; that's where I keep my Kryptonite as well.
Generic biking gloves, and the shoes are Specialized, but I don't know the model/make (bought them off Ebay).