Bicycle Lights for Commuting

[DHans]

With the time change I will be biking home in the dark. I’m curious about your light setup for riding in the dark. Also favorite light brands. Thanks.
Doug

[velomann]

You really can't beat a Son hub with Edelux light. I commuted in the dark for several years with this system and it always performed flawlessly.

However, I'm between generator-powered bikes right now - the Rambler is dead, the custom not finished. So I'm investigating less expensive options. The USB headlight market has exploded in the last couple of years. No real reason to use disposable batteries for bike lights any more. I don't have many miles with it yet but the Cygolite Metro 800 is my current choice. BRIGHT, wide (not spotlight) beam, compact.

Mike

[PaulS]

I had an Edelux II which was excellent. However, I didn’t ride for an extended period in the dark to justify a dynamo hub. So now I just ride with a battery powered light, front and rear. I really like Lezyne. One I have is 1200 lumens. Other is 750 lumens. Both are about 4 years old and still holds charge well. I’d not hesitate to buy them again.

[Matt C.]

I second a cygolite metro for a cheapish battery light for dark rides. Make sure you keep the batteries charged though. Nothing worse than trying to navigate home on a light that is quickly fading away. I rode with a cygolite metro 360 for several years and still use it on my tandem (maybe 7 years of use now), so longevity of life is pretty good.

If you are willing to spend the money on a dynamo set up, it is completely worth it to not have to think about your lights. On my Bleriot I'm currently riding an SP dynamo PV-8 hub with a Busch and Muller IQ-XS and it is plenty of light for my commute on a road without street lights. I also use a B&M Secula rear light too.

Matt Cook in CT

[John McBurney]

I have a number of battery powered lights as well as dynamo light, the Bush and Mueller IQ-x Senso. Love the beam and the brightness. 

The slickest battery powered light I have is the Knog PWR which comes in a variety of sizes and light outputs. The form factor and fact that it can double as a battery bank to recharge a phone or other device sets it apart. 

https://www.cycleexif.com/knog-pwr-review

https://cyclingtips.com/2017/08/knog-pwr-lights-review/

I also like Light and Motion urban line which comes in a variety of strengths and are US Made. 

This is an interesting model:

https://www.lightandmotion.com/shop/bike-lights/lights-for-urban-cycling/rando-500

For commuting the night rider 900 boost is nice because it is easy to get on and off the bike. 

https://www.niterider.com/product/6781-lumina-1200-boost/

But I never or almost never use high with my lights when commuting in urban areas with street lights etc. 1200 or even 1000 lumens is over kill in my opinion. But a high lumen light has a higher amp battery so more life on lower settings. 

John

On Tue, Nov 5, 2019 at 9:06 AM PaulS <shin...@gmail.com> wrote:

I had an Edelux II which was excellent. However, I didn’t ride for an extended period in the dark to justify a dynamo hub. So now I just ride with a battery powered light, front and rear. I really like Lezyne. One I have is 1200 lumens. Other is 750 lumens. Both are about 4 years old and still holds charge well. I’d not hesitate to buy them again.

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[Cody Bartz]

I am also a fan of the Light & Motion Urban series. USA built, good components, good customer service. I have the Urban 700 and 900. I use them on high once in a while, otherwise the medium setting works well for leisurely rides around town.

: ) 

Cody

[Marc Irwin]

I really like the BM Eyc for city riding.  It works well with either a dynohub or sidewall dynamo.

Marc

[James / Analog Cycles]

We do lots of lighting set up here at the shop.  I've seen how they age, and where potential failure points come into play.  

Currently, we only sell 4 light brands, and really, only 1 is ideal for commuting in a busy area.

If you are commuting on a bike path, or in a quite rural area, you can run one of the following with less risk to motorists (and as a result less risk to yourself).

• Rechargeable:  Cygolite.  If you can find a Expillion, they have replaceable batteries, so you can pack a back up if it's cold out or if you are out for a long period.  Ugly, but functional. 
• Dynamo:  Sinewave or kLite both make solid options.  The Sinewave can mount on the bars, fork crown or front rack.  The kLite, which is a bit brighter at speeds over 12mph, is handlebar only.  

Best light for high traffic areas:  Schmidt Edelux II.  It beats all the others in terms of durability.  B+M makes good lights from an optics perspective, but the wiring is under built and the light housings don't like water.  The Schmidt takes the optics of a B+M light and puts it in a better housing with better wiring.  Can mount to fork crown, front rack, handlebar.  Front rack being the best spot.

We wire our lights to either Shutter precision hubs, Schmidt hubs or Velogical dynamos.   All are efficient.  The Velogical is cool because you don't have to build a new wheel, it runs on your rim.  The best bearings/strongest flanges are found in the Schmidt hub.  We've had zero issues with Schmidt hubs, despite hundreds sold.  3 warranty issues with SP hubs, so far.  Not a terrible rate of issues, but it's a factor to consider.  

Wiring is important, and our current go to set up, if using a Schmidt hub, is to use Coaxial jacks at the hub for easy connection.  

We prefer Schmidt fender, rack or seatpost tail lights because the wiring is more robust.  

Decent rechargeable tail lights abound out there.  We like the B+M ixxi, which is made in the EU.

Hope some of that helps!  

-James / Analog Cycles 

On Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 12:48:18 AM UTC-5, DHans wrote:

[masmojo]

B&M IQ-XS

Not too expensive, plenty bright, but not bright enough to irritate oncoming cars, beautifully made. Paired with a Shutter Precision hub, you get a whole lotta bang for your buck.

[Jeffrey Arita]

SON hub + Edelux II.

SON hub + Sinewave Cycles Beacon.

Another recommendation is to wear those ankle reflectors.  Good luck!

Jeff

On Monday, November 4, 2019 at 9:48:18 PM UTC-8, DHans wrote:

[John McBurney]

These are great too!

https://www.flectr.bike

John

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[S]

NiteRider Lumina 1200 headlight and Planet Bike Superflash taillight. The NiteRider is better than the light I had, but I am not entirely happy with the shape and strength of the beam, especially in the fog. Maybe it doesn't get better. I don't know.

On Monday, November 4, 2019 at 9:48:18 PM UTC-8, DHans wrote:

[Merrill Ryan]

I have two Bontrager Ion lights and also 2 Nite Rider 700 lights. I like the Ions the best and use them all the time. They are small, bright, have multiple settings and flashing settings, plus are easily removed from the bike and charge up quickly. They also work excellently as a flashlight...I was using one last night when I was doing an oil change on the motorcycle. Can’t recommend them enough.

[Justin Kennedy]

I have a budget dynamo set-up on my commuter Cheviot. Shimano DH-3N dynamo hub (under $100) with a Busch & Müller Eyc headlamp ($40 floor model). Rear light is currently a USB Cygolite HotShot 100 lumen, but had a Dyno B&M Rack-mount Light with Pulse previously when i was running a rear rack. 

Very happy w/both of these set-ups. Have been using them for nighttime and/or dark morning commuting for about a year with no issues. You can read about the weight and efficiency differences b/t Shimano vs SON etc at Peter White's website. 

On Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 12:48:18 AM UTC-5, DHans wrote:

[Chris Corral]

Best value (being performance/cost) for me, would be a Busch+Muller IQ-X with a Shutter Precision or Shimano dynamo hub. Pair it with your rear light of choice from Busch+Muller.

TBH don't be afraid of battery powered setups. You just get spoiled with a dynamo, but it is a high start up cost. A dynamo is a good option if you're planning to ride every day in all conditions, and have a bike with other accessories that improve your commute such as rack and fenders.

On Monday, November 4, 2019 at 9:48:18 PM UTC-8, DHans wrote:

[Patrick Moore]

I'm curious if you dynamo users always carry battery supplements. I do; a battery blinker (or steady light, for Sacula) in rear and a batter headlamp in front; for "just in case" and, for the headlight, for use as a flashlight if needed.

My dynamo systems are: SON 20R with Edeluxe I + Topline + button blinkie on seatpost; SP + K-Lite + Sacula dynamo + Sacula battery; BioLogic (for 74 mm fork spacing on Dahon; made by SP) and Lumotec IQ Premium and Topline and button blinkie. Auxiliary headlamp is Ixon IQ Premium.

If many of you have put tens of thousands of miles on such dynamo systems with nary a failure, I may start being less scrupulous about carrying battery backups.

[Eric Norris]

Patrick:

I use an Exposure Lights “Joystick” as a helmet-mounted light in conjunction with my dynamo lights. Other than that, I don’t carry a spare headlight. 

I’ve never had a problem with a dynamo light that would lead me to want to carry a spare light.

--Eric Norris
campyo...@me.com

@CampyOnlyguy (Twitter/Instagram)

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[masmojo]

For my commuting I only use battery powered lights on the bikes I ride infrequently. The main commuting bikes all have dynamos.
Of course it depends on where you have to park!?
If you are parking on the street or in a public place, battery lights may be the way to go.

[Michael Morrissey]

The dynamo stuff is cool, but I am satisfied with Knog Blinders. I have commuted with them for many years and I also carry them as flashlights when camping!

m

On Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 12:48:18 AM UTC-5, DHans wrote:

[chris]

Patrick, I have two dynamo systems that have both been on thousands of miles touring, commuting, bouncing down rocks, and wading through rivers.

Never an issue. I do not carry any backup system. I have also never had a problem with theft after years in Oakland, but I am careful where I lock and always lock my front wheel. I have had the rear and seat post and handlebars stolen, separately.

So, managed risks. I consider high quality dynamo tech (Shutter Precision or Shimano) very reliable.

--

Daniel Christopher Corral
Sociology, University of California, Berkeley.

Outreach Coordinator, Bike East Bay.

corral...@gmail.com | (562)331-3937

League of American Bicyclists LCI #6198

RUSA Member #12868

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