imbloke

I personally use the Bontrager 800R for my road bike headlights in the dark mornings. At around 20-22mph, I can clearly see 60-70 feet in front, which I'm comfortable with. I guess it all depends on your comfort level.

I'd also suggest to have light with at least 8-900 lumens with a more focused beam rather than wide/diffused. If you're in for a fast descend in the dark. Try tilting the light upwards a little before the descend to increase the range.

79pmooney

A light I rarey hear mentioned is the Serfas. I have one from around 9 years ago and it has been a workhorse. Not the brightest, not the longest lasting charge but it is the only light I have used for 5 bikes since I got it. Original battery. No noticeable change in run times. Everything else is original. I think even the elastic strap for the HB is original. I love that it goes on and off really easily. Also that it is easy to aim, both side to side and for beam height with one hand while riding. I paid $160 at a shop for it. Given how it has served me, that was a bargain.

It has 5 settings, high though low and flashing. The light last a long time flashing and the flashes are long enough to actually see so while I don't like using the flashing at night it is very nice to know I can use it to both see and be seen when I screwed up on the charge.

I keep thinking its time to get a new light, that technology has progressed, etc., etc. Then I use it again and realize it suits my riding style just fine, it is paid for and apparently thieves have no use for it. Might as well keep it.

Ben

dmanthree

My first "real" headlight was NiteRider, and while I can't recall the lumen rating my current L&M is much, much better. On most roads I can use the low setting, and save high for faster riding and descents. I have a L&M Seca Enduro and use the "race" setting most often. It toggles between high and low. Just an excellent light.

It's funny, when I start night riding, the same rides seem very, very different. It's like starting fresh. When all else fails, well, there's the trainer and TV.

Maelochs

Sounds like a great light. If I didn't respect you so much, I'd come and steal it.

kcblair

Great Idea, I too, don't want to sink a lot of money into night riding. I like the idea of Cree lights, just ordered a pair and universal handlebar mounts.

How is your set up working ? Thanks for a great idea (and keeping the funds into other gear). KB

cycledogg

Are you still using your Taz 1500? I have been looking at the two lights you mentioned and was wondering which you prefer for night road riding?
Cheers

Caliwild

I don't think you can go wrong with either but I have a slight preference for the Taz...

wayne310

how tough are these bicycle specific lights?

i use a tactical flashlight with 1000 lumens..it has less of a spread..but it survived crash and being run over by a car...slightly bent but still works flawlessly

Reeses

my advice is refrain from descending at 40mph in the dark

wingless

For night operation, in addition to either my Stupidbright SB3000 headlight or my Ourbound Lighting Road Edition headlight, I also use a pair of taillights and wheel spoke lights.

At night the Cygolite Hotshot Pro 150 taillight is set to blink every second, plus a normal taillight is set to constant illumination. The blinking provides attention and the constant permits accurate location for the person sitting behind the steering wheel.

These wheel spoke lights are amazing for vehicles to notice the bicycle.

Maelochs

I had bad luck with cheap CREE flashlights ... but others have spent a little more and got better quality (the ones I had didn't like cycling vibration.) I am going with a double Light-and-motion urban set-up now, a 750 and a 500 ... and I still do most riding with just the 500 on low. If i were going to do do fast descents I would max out both lights .... but i'd avoid such descents int he dark Too many variables, too little reaction time, and if I see an obstacle int eh long light ... i cannot tell if it is safe to go around it until i am too close to make a high-speed maneuver.

The mega-lights are great if all your rides are short, but 1.5 hours burn time ... not getting me home too many times.

burnthesheep

When riding in dark, very familiar routes are an asset. Familiar enough that you know where the bad spots are in the pavement.

It's one less variable of danger.

I live in a more urban/suburban area. I link the neighborhoods together and hit up some hill intervals. 1 min hills, 2 min, 3 min, etc.....

I do dial back the descending and overall "cruise" speed a bit. It's not about avg speed, it's about watts and kilojoules.

rousseau

The CREE XM-L T6 LED lights have worked for me. They're nice and cheap, and nice and bright. I've been using them for six years now. After a few years they do start to get unreliable, flickering off and on or dying at inopportune times, which is why I always have two on the bike at a time.

The reason? Low quality means that the contacts seem to loosen after intensive use, requiring new plugs and some wiring handiwork. But that makes them as good as new again, and you really can't beat the price for that kind of kind of luminatory firepower.

This is my standard setup for the dark half of the year.