MTB Headlight

[Greg]

Never thought I'd consider one, but after tonight riding in the fading light, I thought it might be a lot of fun to do a few night rides this fall. Nothing crazy, but the twisties at Nassahegan would be a blast in the dark. I think my wife would kill me if I said I was heading out night riding though. :-o

 

[bvibert]

I definitely want to get one, but they seem pretty expensive... I've seen plans to make them cheaply out of submersible pond lights though...

 

[marcski]

I definitely want to get one, but they seem pretty expensive... I've seen plans to make them cheaply out of submersible pond lights though...

Weight would be an issue in this homemade version, no?

I, too, have wanted one and have done some research but have yet to take the plunge.

 

[bvibert]

Weight would be an issue in this homemade version, no?

I, too, have wanted one and have done some research but have yet to take the plunge.

The home made ones that I've seen didn't look any more heavy that any consumer ones I've seen. The heaviest part is going to be the battery pack...

 

[gorgonzola]

i'm looking as well and the best bang for the buck so far seems to be the dinotte 200L at $150-170although i haven't pulled the trigger - if i find anything else i'll post it up

 

[gmcunni]

could you do something with this on/under a bike helmet?
http://www.backcountry.com/store/PRT0018/Princeton-Tec-Aurora-Headlamp.html

 

[gorgonzola]

my guess is not enough throw - people i talk to say 180 lumens min, thats why the big bucks. i've heard the only real cheap ($75) altenative is mounting cree(?) flashlight(s) to you helmet somehow but it sounds like a pita and a waste of 75 beans if it doesn't work out

 

[severine]

Good idea for the fading light as the season's change, but pretty pricey. :-? No suggestions here... At least you guys have your headlamps, right? Maybe you can get by with those somehow for now?

 

[Trekchick]

My advice:
A light on your bike so you can see where your bike is headed, but also one of these clipped to your helmet vizor so you can see where you're looking.
http://www.amazon.com/Hybrid-Light-...28-2152810?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1220013782&sr=8-1

 

[Greg]

Good idea for the fading light as the season's change, but pretty pricey. :-? No suggestions here... At least you guys have your headlamps, right? Maybe you can get by with those somehow for now?

The problem is that it needs to be pretty dark to get much of an effect. At dusk, it just won't help much, I'd imagine. Kinda like how when you head into a night skiing session, there are those few runs where there's enough natural light to offset the lights and everything is flat. Once it gets good and dark the terrain lights up nicely.

 

[bvibert]

The problem is that it needs to be pretty dark to get much of an effect. At dusk, it just won't help much, I'd imagine. Kinda like how when you head into a night skiing session, there are those few runs where there's enough natural light to offset the lights and everything is flat. Once it gets good and dark the terrain lights up nicely.

It was dark enough in the woods by the end of our ride that lights would have made a big difference, IMHO.

 

[Trekchick]

It was dark enough in the woods by the end of our ride that lights would have made a big difference, IMHO.

Seriously, if you don't have a light on your bike, then put one of these clip on style for your helmet in your camelbak.
I've been caught in the dark and its not fun, when you're not prepared.

My advice:
A light on your bike so you can see where your bike is headed, but also one of these clipped to your helmet vizor so you can see where you're looking.
http://www.amazon.com/Hybrid-Light-...28-2152810?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1220013782&sr=8-1

 

[Greg]

Seriously, if you don't have a light on your bike, then put one of these clip on style for your helmet in your camelbak.
I've been caught in the dark and its not fun, when you're not prepared.

I have a hiking headlamp in my pack just in case. I have to see if I can rig it to my helmet somehow. I guess in a pinch, I could zip tie it on. It wasn't totally unnavigable. We knew how far we had to go as well as the trail system so we didn't worry about it.

 

[bvibert]

Seriously, if you don't have a light on your bike, then put one of these clip on style for your helmet in your camelbak.
I've been caught in the dark and its not fun, when you're not prepared.

I have a hiking headlamp in my pack just in case. I have to see if I can rig it to my helmet somehow. I guess in a pinch, I could zip tie it on. It wasn't totally unnavigable. We knew how far we had to go as well as the trail system so we didn't worry about it.

Like Greg said, it was still navigable, but a light would have helped. If it wasn't a trail we were very familiar with it might have been more of a problem.

I also have a headlamp in my pack, but I'm also not sure I could get it to stay on my helmet. I figured at the very least I could use it to walk out without my helmet on if we really got in trouble.

 

[Trekchick]

I have a hiking headlamp in my pack just in case. I have to see if I can rig it to my helmet somehow. I guess in a pinch, I could zip tie it on. It wasn't totally unnavigable. We knew how far we had to go as well as the trail system so we didn't worry about it.

Greg, this one is inexpensive and light weight.

You can see how it fits on Kris' helmet vizor. Barely know its there.

 

[bvibert]

Greg, this one is inexpensive and light weight.

You can see how it fits on Kris' helmet vizor. Barely know its there.

That does look like a good idea, but I don't think I have enough visor on my helmet to attach it to.

 

[Trekchick]

That does look like a good idea, but I don't think I have enough visor on my helmet to attach it to.

Just sharing what works for me and my ride group.
Headlight on the bike to see where the bike is headed, and a headlight clip on the visor to see where I'm looking.

This one is the smaller version like Kris has, but it has 3 bulbs instead of 5.

Any way............ride in the dark if you prefer. I'll keep using my nifty little light. ;-)

 

[bvibert]

Just sharing what works for me and my ride group.
Headlight on the bike to see where the bike is headed, and a headlight clip on the visor to see where I'm looking.

This one is the smaller version like Kris has, but it has 3 bulbs instead of 5.

Any way............ride in the dark if you prefer. I'll keep using my nifty little light. ;-)

I'm not knocking it, just saying I don't think it would work for me. Not did I say I wanted to ride in the dark. I will come up with some solution. Do the lights you posted give off enough light to see anything while traveling at speed?

My helmet and shorty visor in case you don't believe me.
http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/LIM0002/Limar-911-Bike-Helmet.html

Maybe those lights are smaller than they look and would fit??

 

[tjf67]

Just sharing what works for me and my ride group.
Headlight on the bike to see where the bike is headed, and a headlight clip on the visor to see where I'm looking.

This one is the smaller version like Kris has, but it has 3 bulbs instead of 5.

Any way............ride in the dark if you prefer. I'll keep using my nifty little light. ;-)

I keep two on my handlebars and one on my helmet. Great for those 24 hr races

 

[cbcbd]

LEDs just don't cut it for me. I have a small headlamp I carry, but that's just for emergencies, because its really not enough for real riding. When you're bombing down a rocky trail you just want a bright-a** light, and preferably something with a spot, not a hazy glow. HIDs are the best and most expensive.

I have some Halogens which is a price compromise for me - used this one all last winter season. Mounted it on my helmet:
http://www.bikelights.com/Products/solo_logic.htm


Then I got this one on Chainlove recently to use in the city and on the handlebars of the mtb, complementing the other one:
http://www.bikelights.com/Products/Solo.htm

...you can never have enough light when riding at night. Its one thing if you are low speed and riding on fireroads, but another if you still want to hit all the fast techy trails of Summer.

I think lights are worth it, especially in CT, where the shoulder season is pretty long and dark, so you have plenty of night riding to do before the snow starts falling.