YamiRider1316

With it getting dark earlier I figured its time to start branching out into the world of night riding. Was curious as to what lights you guys are using or recommend. Have been looking at some of the Niterider stuff but also found a light made by Gemini that seems pretty sweet. The Gemini claims 1800 lumens with over a 2hr run time at full capacity and is coming in at about $300. Any thoughts?

mrgrunt99

[QUOTE=The Gemini claims 1800 lumens with over a 2hr run time at full capacity and is coming in at about $300. Any thoughts?[/QUOTE]

1800 Lumens Shoot I regularly ride some fairly knarly single track at 4am, pitch black, and my helmet light is a cygolite 430 lumens, and handlebar light is a cygolite 350 lumens. I have no issues at all...run time on each is about 3.5 hours. I think I got both of them for under $200. aluminum bodies.

MC Hank

I run a Gemini Olympia on my bars and two MS 808s on my helmet.

The Gemini is brighter than the 2 MS lights.

lubes17319

https://amoebalight.blogspot.com/

one.piece

Outstanding!

mystolenbikes

when it comes to buying lights ebay is your best friend.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CREE-XML-XM-...item2a22dfb54d

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3x-CREE-2400...item2c65c88415

https://www.ebay.com/sch/Outdoor-Spor...nkw=led+lights

ColinL

ebay or dealextreme. great lights, cheap.

you absolutely need a minimum of 3 lights for singletrack in the dark:

strong light on your helmet, medium or strong light on handlebar, and bright red taillight (solid if others riding with you, blinking if riding solo).

ed 

You don't need a tail light. That will become distracting on singltrack. I actually highly oppose it.

Minimum for traversing trails at night would be a 300lm helmet light. Ideal would be 700-1000. The hot setup for "shredding" at night is 1000 on the helmet and 1000 on the bars. It can be done relatively inexpensively if you don't have much tooling but are crafty. Check out the light building threads in other forums for how-to's.

Prepare to get addicted.






The new XM-L emitters are pretty fantastic, but I find that an excellent helmet light (to build) is with 2x XP-G's with Regina reflectors. A nice bar light would be a 20mm 3-up xpg setup with Carclo narrow optics. The Regina reflectors do a sensational job of harnessing the whole beam and giving you just enough spill.

ColinL

Well, I totally disagree but I am very used to seeing taillights riding motorcycles.

At the least you want one on the bike and if you find yourself on road or anything close to it where there could be motor vehicle traffic, you need a taillight.

ed 

Definitely on the road.

RobertFrapples

Several of the guys I ride with use the JetLite F1. No wires and field replaceable battery: https://www.jetlites.com/F-Lite-Series-F-1/

I use Ay-Up lights. I like that I can ride to the trail with my helmet light facing backwards with the red caps and then turn it around and take the caps off in a minute. The batteries are excellent as far as burn time per mass. Customer service is excellent. The only downside is that if you order them it takes a while as they are coming from Australia. https://www.ayup-lights.com/products/103

If you are riding with people, a cheap little taillight pointed towards the ground behind you is nice. Anything pointed at the guy behind you is annoying.

frankenmike 

Half the Year the Wed. night ride is in the dark where I used to live(4 corners area). I did this ride for ~10yrs. with the same nightsun XC on the handlebars, no other lights. That is ALOT of logged trail hours. There are much svelter lights available now, for less money, all of which should be adequate. Riding singletrack with a rear light is laughable at best, annoying and distracting at worst.

DinoShepherd

when it comes to lights.... two is one and one is none. always have a plan for when your light takes a dump.

I absolutely love niterider. great product. great company. great support. sure you can go cheaper, but why bother.

I run one of their 1600 race units on my bars and a 650 on my helmet. good to go for whatever.

BTW, when I commute the 1600 looks like a car. Love it.

ColinL

that is a good point, and you need two good lights. your backup light can't be <100 lumens which you usually use as a blinker on your commuting bike. that type of light is only good for walking singletrack... you will hit something and crash even if you know the trail if you can only see poorly.

Ride916

I have a Cygolight 3 bulb LED that's pretty awesome. It's a different kind of light than a HID, but I like it more. It's more than bright enough, far more durable, lighter and cheaper. Score!