Bike Light Thread?

[Linneke]

There was a thread a few weeks ago about bike lights that highlighted a specific, well-performing light that could be bought from Performance Bike. I've tried a bunch of search terms and read through a number of the "What light should I buy..." threads, but none seem to point directly to a great light to buy from Performance. Does anyone recall which light that was or where I can find that thread?

Thanks!

[jvanbrecht]

Not sure which light your talking about, but by well performing, if you mean HID, Performance and a number of other entities have the Niterider Enduro HID light for 299, which is about as cheap as you will be able to find an HID light (other then buying one second hand)

[Linneke]

I think that's the one I was trying to find. Thank you!

Is that a decent light for the money? It will be the only light I will have on the trail at night, at least until I can afford a second one.

[MMMark]

I believe it was this one. It's on sale for $349 but I got one when they had a 20% off coupon that brought it down to around $280. Very nice light.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17588&subcategory_ID=4320

[jvanbrecht]

I think that's the one I was trying to find. Thank you!

Is that a decent light for the money? It will be the only light I will have on the trail at night, at least until I can afford a second one.

It is an HID, so for the money, it is worth it. However, you should be aware of the hidden costs.. namely bulb replacements (if you crash and break it, or it burns out over time), they are pricey, I believe about $80 to $120 depending on where you look.

Edit: I have fallen/crashed many times with my light on, as have others, they are not exactly easy to break, but it "could" happen. I am also not sure about its lifespan, but a bulb should last you a few years atleast.

[allencb]

Different perspective...

More light is better, but unless you're an agressive rider, a standard halogen light such as the 6v/10w models from Niterider, will be plenty adequate. This is especially true if you're riding in a group (everyone has lights, it's a cumulative effect). For less than the cost of a HID replacement bulb, you can get an entire halogen system.

Chris

[tomn]

Performance still has the NR Enduro HID light for $299, plus they have a 15% off deal right now that brings it down to $254. And they are offering free ground shipping for orders over $75. But if you pony up the $20 for your first year of a Team Performance membership, you'll get 10% back in store credit ($25) which will more than pay for the cost of the membership. And they'll upgrade your free shipping to 2nd day air (it's a standard perq of the membership).

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22593&subcategory_ID=4320

[punga]

Different perspective...

More light is better, but unless you're an agressive rider, a standard halogen light such as the 6v/10w models from Niterider, will be plenty adequate. This is especially true if you're riding in a group (everyone has lights, it's a cumulative effect). For less than the cost of a HID replacement bulb, you can get an entire halogen system.

Chris


I'd like to point out that riding with a group and having HID lights behind you isn't always a good thing: I've been riding with only a 10W Trailrat on my helmet lately because my bar mount is on my bike in the shop. What happens is HIDs w/their power of the sun light actually causes a cast shadow from myself into my own light. This makes riding difficult since my eyes are having to adjust between brightly lit and my own shadow. Usually when I have my bar mount light, it's enough to over power this effect, but the one halogen isn't enough. That also takes us to the discussion about helmet vs. bar mount and if I had to only have one, I'd prefer the bar mount since it shows better definition of the trails. (Tuba Transport can vouch for that one last night)

Hoping the light (http://www.rei.com/product/760294) I asked for for my birthday shows up ;) (it was on sale a week or 2 ago for $179)

p!

[Linneke]

Performance still has the NR Enduro HID light for $299, plus they have a 15% off deal right now that brings it down to $254. And they are offering free ground shipping for orders over $75. But if you pony up the $20 for your first year of a Team Performance membership, you'll get 10% back in store credit ($25) which will more than pay for the cost of the membership. And they'll upgrade your free shipping to 2nd day air (it's a standard perq of the membership).

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22593&subcategory_ID=4320
I'm already a member, so this deal is pretty tempting. It's just a nice chunk of cash and I keep trying to tell myself that I can wait a bit longer.

Thanks for all the input from everyone. :)

Edit: Can this headlight be mounted on my handlebar, or is it helmet-mounted only?

[drewdane]

I'd like to point out that riding with a group and having HID lights behind you isn't always a good thing: I've been riding with only a 10W Trailrat on my helmet lately because my bar mount is on my bike in the shop. What happens is HIDs w/their power of the sun light actually causes a cast shadow from myself into my own light. This makes riding difficult since my eyes are having to adjust between brightly lit and my own shadow.
WaaWaaWaaah!

Suck it up, princess! :p

[Brizn]

WaaWaaWaaah!

Suck it up, princess! :pI just can't believe there's another Bike Lights thread.

BTW, Can anyone recommend me a good tire that grips AND corners, but still rolls pretty smoothly?

[jvanbrecht]

I'm already a member, so this deal is pretty tempting. It's just a nice chunk of cash and I keep trying to tell myself that I can wait a bit longer.

Thanks for all the input from everyone. :)

Edit: Can this headlight be mounted on my handlebar, or is it helmet-mounted only?

It can be bar mounted, but it only comes with a helmet mount, you would need to purchase the bar mount separately.

[Linneke]

I just can't believe there's another Bike Lights thread. I was just hoping somebody could shed some light on my search for a very helpful thread from the past.

[blacknell]

Hoping the light (http://www.rei.com/product/760294) I asked for for my birthday shows up ;) (it was on sale a week or 2 ago for $179)

I picked up the single version of this, and quite like it. Amazing burn time. Have the helmet mount on order now, to see how it works with that.

[allroy]

Lume Lighting (http://www.lumelighting.com/)

Been happy with mine. I have the Strada HID widebeam, been using it hard for 4 years. I got the bulb replaced this past winter, the fast charger also went bad so they sent me the regular charger for free since they were out of fast chargers.

Some of the higher priced models from L&M and NR have some nicer features (such as adjustable bar mounts) but bang for the buck Lume is hard to beat. Most HID's use the same bulb, just package it differently.

[allroy]

no amount of halogens equal 1 good HID. Lights are an investment and a good light will make night riding much more enjoyable.

I'd like to point out that riding with a group and having HID lights behind you isn't always a good thing: I've been riding with only a 10W Trailrat on my helmet lately because my bar mount is on my bike in the shop. What happens is HIDs w/their power of the sun light actually causes a cast shadow from myself into my own light.

[Jackson]

I just can't believe there's another Bike Lights thread.

BTW, Can anyone recommend me a good tire that grips AND corners, but still rolls pretty smoothly?

Green dot.

[jvanbrecht]

Hoping the light (http://www.rei.com/product/760294) I asked for for my birthday shows up ;) (it was on sale a week or 2 ago for $179)

p!

You may wish to reconsider purchasing that light.. if you go by the description in the link you posted...

"Provides 1.75 hours of burn time on low and 3.5 hours on high; also has a flashing mode"

Or on the other hand, I would like their battery technology for my laptop.. I'd like to get longer running times at full power rather then gimp mode it goes into on battery :D We can skip the flashing mode though, that might annoy me watching the screen blink alot.

[tuba_transport]

I'd prefer the bar mount since it shows better definition of the trails. (Tuba Transport can vouch for that one last night)
What trail? All I saw was a dustcloud kicked up by your back tire.

[warchild]

ok so no halogen, and if i can only get 1 light it has to be helmet mounted,right?but dont other lights have short batery life?

and to ask brizn's question again .what grips are the best?

[punga]

You may wish to reconsider purchasing that light.. if you go by the description in the link you posted...

"Provides 1.75 hours of burn time on low and 3.5 hours on high; also has a flashing mode"

Or on the other hand, I would like their battery technology for my laptop.. I'd like to get longer running times at full power rather then gimp mode it goes into on battery :D We can skip the flashing mode though, that might annoy me watching the screen blink alot.
Seriously, our average night rides don't go more than about 2 hours anyway, so I can live with the battery time. Between the 2 other lights I have and the Newt, I should be covered. HIDs are overpriced and I wanted something LED based.

p!

[punga]

I totally lost the trail on parts of the lower creek and in the bowl. When I rode off the side near the end, it was for that reason.

And, its funny about the dust: one of the benefits of leading is not eating anyone else's dust ;) I gave my friend Jane a pair of clear lenses glasses because she was sucking up my dust on the pre-ride we did.

p!

[Linneke]

and to ask brizn's question again. what grips are the best? I think this question may have been asked in irony.

Do a search on the forums and you'll come up with some good answers for tire choices, as this has been discussed a bunch of times in the past. Or you can check out www.mtbr.com for reviews of potential tire choices.

[Jackson]

I totally lost the trail on parts of the lower creek and in the bowl. When I rode off the side near the end, it was for that reason.

And, its funny about the dust: one of the benefits of leading is not eating anyone else's dust ;) I gave my friend Jane a pair of clear lenses glasses because she was sucking up my dust on the pre-ride we did.

p!

Upside: No dust.

Downside: Spider webs.