Nite Lites

Dear Chicago Commuters: I'm about to start doing a 40 minute commute home around around 7 PM. I'm hoping to buy a more powerful white light, something in the 150-350 LED range -- any recommendations? I appreciate your thoughts - Thank you!

-Nate

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Permalink Reply by John S. on January 13, 2012 at 5:44pm

+1 on the Peter White Cycles lighting page.

Check out the MTBR 2012 Lights Shootout

Only buy 2012 model lights. Check out this list and you'll see that the newer lights are a much better deal, even from the same manufacturer.

The Lumens per Dollar ratio has never been higher on the latest lights.

The Dinotte Lighting XML-1 is one of the better values and the manufacturer has a stellar reputation.

In many instances, the manufacturers Lumen listings are the theoretical maximum that could possibly be achieved, in the lab. Look at the MTBR list for the Claimed Lumens and actual Lux measurements to give you an idea of how much light you're really buying. While the Lux measurement isn't perfect (they have their own way of measuring Lux) every light is measured in the same way.

Here are some backyard beam comparisons

Here are some trail beam comparisons

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Permalink Reply by BikeBoy5 on January 16, 2012 at 5:35am

As has been said, front white light is more for being seen than for seeing with. I use two LED Cats Eye lights on handlebars and set them to strobe. I also wear a conspicutity vest with big reflective stripes and a flashing red light on the back of my helmet. I leave Bucktown for downtown around 245AM so I ride in the dark alot.

I use Silcone Caulk to hold lightmounts to my helmet. It is flexable so won't crack and fall off if the helmet is dropped or bumped. Epoxy and SuperGlue is too brittle on the plastic shell of helmets.

Enjoy riding in the dark. You'll see some cool stuff.

BikeBoy5