What’s a good light for pre-dawn training rides? As the length of the days and the sunrise change I’m finding that my ‘be seen’ Knog Frog isn’t helping me ‘to see’. What are the recommendations for a budget-minded guy? Ideally, it would be a 2-lamp configuration with smart-charger variety, but I’m open to anything.
Performance has a killer deal right now:
For “seeing”, go with the best – Night Rider or Night Sun. A helmet mounted light is best (prevents oversteer in corners), coupled with a handlebar mounted light. If you’re doing any off-roading with it, the helmet mount is a must.
Depends on how bright you need it to be and how long you want to ride. I just ordered a Niterider HID. I can’t believe I spent almost $300 on a light, but I hear Niterider’s are super-bright and last a long time. I figure, I don’t want to get hit by a car and have the excuse be they didn’t see my $69 light . . . so I bought the big gun.
Here is a good website with tons of light reviews: http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/
Thanks for the link! That Cateye LD300 Tailight looks really sweet, but I can’t find it at any of the usual suspects (Performance, CC, Supergo, etc). Anyone know where I can get this?
How about this on supergo?
http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?LPROD_ID=25493&hotdeal=true
Two 10 watt lights. Run time up to 4 hours on 10 watts.
I disagree with your best comment! Light & Motion is the best!! Their battery pack is much smaller and lighter than Night Rider and it straps to the frame versus using the water bottle holder. Also I’ve been told it’s best to go with a handlebar mount first and then a helmet mount, as the helmet mount solo, distorts your vision or something like that!? 
If it fits your budget go with the helmet mount AND the dual beam bar mount - almost like riding in the daylight. Also good to have a backup - I’ve been stuck with no light before when one mysteriously went out (not a charging issue). Not so fun.
Well, every one has their favorites based on the criteria that is most important to them. When a frame has at least 3 bottle mounts, the fact that a battery takes up one isn’t such an issue. I did have a NiteRider that did not use a bottle, though.
ANd yes, if you have to select one, you can go with a bar mounted light first. I’d say get a dual beam for the bars. But once you try the helmet mount, you’ll never want to go without it. And I believe I said it eliminates the shadows that normally clue you into the depth of holes and such (because the light is above your eyes). It doesn’t “distort” your vision, but takes some getting used to in that regard.
Thanks all! I ended up scanning reviews on mtbr.com and purchased a Cygolitwe Night Rover NiMH dual beam headlight and a Cateye TL170 taillight. I’ll suplement with my existing Knog Frogs and should be good to go.