So, I have started to think about my season for next year. And, I know my bike it currently my weakest link. So, once I get back
from Worlds, I would like to start training for next season. The bearathlon Tri is in early Feb and it is killer hills.
So, I just do not have anymore waking hours in the day, and trying to see how I can fit biking, swimming, work and life
into the day. So, I commute 2 hours a day. I actually rode my bike down the hill to work on sat and back up the hill to home.
67 miles in a little under 4 hours. So, I am thinking of maybe riding my bike to work 2 days a week, and then do a long ride on Sat.
But, if I leave home at 4:50, it will be dark the entire trip to work during the winter. So, I do not like doing this to start with because of cars,
let alone it will be dark. So, to even consider this, I need to find the best, brightest light for my bike. (Got to keep my ST reputation alive.)
So, I have heard of getting lights for both the helmet and bike.
I would suggest going with a traditional MTB night setup, consisting of a bar mounted flood light, and a helmet mounted spot. There are many companies that make decent lighting prducts, but if you really want the creme de la creme of “brighter than car headlights” lighting, and if you want to make sure you can see and be seen, seriously check out JET lights.
It’s a relatively small company, but they make outstanding products and if you call you’ll likely get the owner who can walk you through what you need, without trying to oversell.
Also check out this link to a light shootout - it’s a great illustration of the differences between companies. You should be impressed by the JET stuff.
Thanks, another honest reply. I have heard the comment setup the bike like a MTB. I am talking my life here so in the scope of things,
spending money on the best light there is will be small potatoes.
Really, give Jim at JET Lites a call. Even if you don’t end up going with him, he’ll certainly tell you what you do and don’t need. There are many things to consider. Sometimes the brightest lights are a waste of their burn time is minimal, or if the battery is heavy or slow to charge. His lights have a great multi-stage charge indicator, so you get a pretty accurate representation of how much “real” light is left.
I use JET’s for night riding, both road and MTB, and regularily get flashed at by cars on the road who think I have my high beams on. Combine a JET dual setup with a cheapo flasher on the back (those $3 LED’s available at all running stores), and it’ll be like riding in day time…a car would have to be blind to hit you. You’ll be this big bright supernova on the highway, and more importantly you’ll be safe.
I’ve been doing a lot of night trail riding using a NiteRider MOAB HID on my handlebar and a NR Flite on my helmet…Plenty of light and very good burn times.
With that said, wait a few months. I believe NR will be releasing some super-bright LED-based lights for 2008 (announced at Interbike)…
I also know a bunch of commuters who swear by the MiNewt.
I agree with the other poster(s). A MTB setup is great. I used to race 24 hr MTB races and had the NR HID setup. My night laps (pitch black night in the forest at night) were only approx 2 to 5 minutes slower than my day laps with HID.
