Best bike lights on a budget
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Best bike lights on a budget
Can someone recommend 1 or 2 front and back lights on a budget of $50? I see the sticky posts for lights but it seems dated
#2
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,522
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7359 Post(s)
Liked 2,497 Times
in
1,449 Posts
Here is a combo for $62. Sorry it's more, but the cheap stuff is crappy in performance and durability. Cygolite stuff is very good, and so is customer service. If you care, it's made in the USA.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#4
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,522
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7359 Post(s)
Liked 2,497 Times
in
1,449 Posts
Search Amazon for Cygolite. They do have it even on amazon.ca.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Space Coast, Florida
Posts: 2,465
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Her's what I've done. I got a 400 lumen rechargeable front light for around $30 (I think that's what it cost, it was a while ago). I then got two small high intensity flashlights which I've duct taped to the bike light. I took a while to get things balanced and aimed right, but the combination works great. With one flashlight on a wide beam and the other set to narrow, I get great coverage and plenty of light. I ride a lot before dawn and I'm very happy with how the combo works.
#6
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,522
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7359 Post(s)
Liked 2,497 Times
in
1,449 Posts
Her's what I've done. I got a 400 lumen rechargeable front light for around $30 (I think that's what it cost, it was a while ago). I then got two small high intensity flashlights which I've duct taped to the bike light. I took a while to get things balanced and aimed right, but the combination works great. With one flashlight on a wide beam and the other set to narrow, I get great coverage and plenty of light. I ride a lot before dawn and I'm very happy with how the combo works.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#8
Banned
#9
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,522
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7359 Post(s)
Liked 2,497 Times
in
1,449 Posts
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#10
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,512
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4560 Post(s)
Liked 2,804 Times
in
1,801 Posts
Best way to read the sticky threads is from the end. That's the most current info.
Check REI in Canada. Recently they've been heavily discounting older but still very good head and tail lights from NiteRider and Serfas, including some combo head/tail lights for under $50 US. Right now I see the Serfas E-Lume 450 on sale for $22 at REI in the US. That's very good.
But don't get stuck on any particular brand. I've compared most of the popular brands and models at REI and other shops that have displays for customers to try lights. They're all very similar: Cygolite, NiteRider, Serfas, Light & Motion, a few others.
There are also hundreds of variations of the same three or four types of generic Chinese made lights sold under various names. The main difference described by customer reviews is battery performance. Consistent battery performance may be one of the reasons why the better known brands cost a little more.
Check REI in Canada. Recently they've been heavily discounting older but still very good head and tail lights from NiteRider and Serfas, including some combo head/tail lights for under $50 US. Right now I see the Serfas E-Lume 450 on sale for $22 at REI in the US. That's very good.
But don't get stuck on any particular brand. I've compared most of the popular brands and models at REI and other shops that have displays for customers to try lights. They're all very similar: Cygolite, NiteRider, Serfas, Light & Motion, a few others.
There are also hundreds of variations of the same three or four types of generic Chinese made lights sold under various names. The main difference described by customer reviews is battery performance. Consistent battery performance may be one of the reasons why the better known brands cost a little more.
#12
C*pt*i* Obvious
A bit more than $50, this is what I would buy if I needed new lights on a tight budget. (a more realistic budget would be 100USD)
Front: Fenix BC25R
Rear: Nitecore NU05 (I've had this over a year now, weighs almost nothing, battery life is 5 hours+ in flash, lights up street signs 200 meters away)
Front: Fenix BC25R
Rear: Nitecore NU05 (I've had this over a year now, weighs almost nothing, battery life is 5 hours+ in flash, lights up street signs 200 meters away)
Last edited by SHBR; 07-21-18 at 08:09 PM.
#13
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,522
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7359 Post(s)
Liked 2,497 Times
in
1,449 Posts
Best way to read the sticky threads is from the end. That's the most current info.
Check REI in Canada. Recently they've been heavily discounting older but still very good head and tail lights from NiteRider and Serfas, including some combo head/tail lights for under $50 US. Right now I see the Serfas E-Lume 450 on sale for $22 at REI in the US. That's very good.
But don't get stuck on any particular brand. I've compared most of the popular brands and models at REI and other shops that have displays for customers to try lights. They're all very similar: Cygolite, NiteRider, Serfas, Light & Motion, a few others.
There are also hundreds of variations of the same three or four types of generic Chinese made lights sold under various names. The main difference described by customer reviews is battery performance. Consistent battery performance may be one of the reasons why the better known brands cost a little more.
Check REI in Canada. Recently they've been heavily discounting older but still very good head and tail lights from NiteRider and Serfas, including some combo head/tail lights for under $50 US. Right now I see the Serfas E-Lume 450 on sale for $22 at REI in the US. That's very good.
But don't get stuck on any particular brand. I've compared most of the popular brands and models at REI and other shops that have displays for customers to try lights. They're all very similar: Cygolite, NiteRider, Serfas, Light & Motion, a few others.
There are also hundreds of variations of the same three or four types of generic Chinese made lights sold under various names. The main difference described by customer reviews is battery performance. Consistent battery performance may be one of the reasons why the better known brands cost a little more.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 63
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Best way to read the sticky threads is from the end. That's the most current info.
Check REI in Canada. Recently they've been heavily discounting older but still very good head and tail lights from NiteRider and Serfas, including some combo head/tail lights for under $50 US. Right now I see the Serfas E-Lume 450 on sale for $22 at REI in the US. That's very good..
Check REI in Canada. Recently they've been heavily discounting older but still very good head and tail lights from NiteRider and Serfas, including some combo head/tail lights for under $50 US. Right now I see the Serfas E-Lume 450 on sale for $22 at REI in the US. That's very good..
#16
Senior Member
Whenever I see a thread like this I always Iike to inform the person who started the thread that they really didn't give enough information. Really hard to recommend a light when we have no idea what kind of riding you do, where do you ride, how long do you ride, how fast do you ride... etc, etc. Do you prefer something with a self-contained battery or with a separate battery? Fifty bucks ain't much of a budget but doable depending on the questions I asked. If you ride on normal roads and not faster than 18mph on average I would recommend something like the the Raveman CR-500. Only a 1.6 hr run time on high though. Has an excellent wide cut-off road beam pattern and includes a wired remote control. I've seen the CR-500 on sale in the range of $45. You can buy a cheap rear light off of Amazon from anywhere from $5 to $20. If you ride road I would highly recommend a tail light that is at least 60 lumen.
#17
UO8
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Bikes: '17Momentum iNeedStreet
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Get two pair and you're still under 40 USD. Rear is also rechargeable. My handlebar is not thick enough for the included mounting gear but adding a cut-up inner tube as a shim makes them snug.
Amazon name:
TOPTREK USB Rechargeable Bike Lights Set,Super Bright CREE LED Bicycle Front Light and Tail Light Set,Quick Release Compatible with Mountain,Road,MTB,Kids & City Bike, $17.99, delivered.
It had lots of 5-star reviews but Amazon removed them all. They did sound too good to be real reviews. But the kit is good value. I did not like the idea of just one front/rear, so got two.
Get two pair and you're still under 40 USD. Rear is also rechargeable. My handlebar is not thick enough for the included mounting gear but adding a cut-up inner tube as a shim makes them snug.
Amazon name:
TOPTREK USB Rechargeable Bike Lights Set,Super Bright CREE LED Bicycle Front Light and Tail Light Set,Quick Release Compatible with Mountain,Road,MTB,Kids & City Bike, $17.99, delivered.
It had lots of 5-star reviews but Amazon removed them all. They did sound too good to be real reviews. But the kit is good value. I did not like the idea of just one front/rear, so got two.
#18
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 14
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Another Cygolite Metro user, here! I have both the 750 as well as the new 1100. Honestly, there's not much difference between the two, so I usually recommend whichever one is cheaper! You can often find them used for around your price range, though! And in fact, you can buy the 700 or 850 lumen model right now for $50 on Amazon, new. I also have one of the lower lumen models (400?), but I don't usually recommend it because the light is more yellow and it doesn't have the diffuser lens so the beam pattern doesn't spread very much.
Fantastic lights! You can't go wrong with them.
Fantastic lights! You can't go wrong with them.
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 19
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#21
You gonna eat that?
I think the combo noglider suggested is a good starter set. Eventually the original poster can upgrade and have a spare. At this point I have 3 headlights ranging from 200 to 700 lumens, and about a half dozen tail lights (I also use them for walking the dogs in the neighborhood since a lot of the streets here don't have sidewalks).
#23
The Geeky Cyclist
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For $50, you can consider the Cygolite Metro 550 or Light and Motion 500.
If you're not fussy about the design, the Cygolite is actually top quality stuff.
If you're not fussy about the design, the Cygolite is actually top quality stuff.
#24
Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 35
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
1 Post
I recommend Cygolite brand. I have a rear Cygolite Hotshot 150 and I get a lot of compliment from Driver and cyclist. The light output great in daytime and night time.
I picked mine up, at MEC the equivalent to a REI in Canada.
I picked mine up, at MEC the equivalent to a REI in Canada.
#25
Gravel Rider
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: CT
Posts: 153
Bikes: 2019 Trek Checkpoint ALR5 | Trek Farley 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Look up bike lights on Amazon and you will find a pair for $20 then get a headlamp with that and that will be under $50.