Lights for Road Riding at Night - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

12-08-2003, 08:11 PM

I am looking into purchase of a good light system for riding exclusively on
long country roads (100% paved, and mostly straight) and about 1 mile of
city streets to get out to the country. I want to maximize the length that
I can see debris, potholes, etc. in order to react in time. I am riding a
Gold Rush and am capable of speeds in excess of 20mph and over 30mph
downhill or with the wind. (I would slow down, if necessary, at night time
for safety. However, part of the reason for getting a really good lighting
system would be to avoid having to slow down much.)

I would like to get at least 2 hours of riding time before recharging. I
would also like to avoid helmet mounted lights. Price is not a major
obstacle, I am looking at a system right now which would cost $340, and
that's OK, if "that's what it takes." I willing to use both of my water
bottle holders if necessary for battery storage. Based on the above..., in
consultation with one of the major light system producers (Turbocat) I am
seriously considering the following system:

Two light fixtures, independently aimable, with one 15 watt bulb in each
light with two separate 6V water bottle batteries (Ni Cad). One 15 watt bulb
would be a flood light, focused fairly low/near in. This would hopefully
provide decent lighting up to about 60 feet out, while simultaneously
providing some light for cornering, lighting up signs in front of me, etc.
The other light would be a 15 watt medium spot, focused further out, beyond
where the flood light is illuminating. This would give me advance warning
of anything in the road about 60-80 feet out or perhaps a bit more.

I'm looking for 2nd opinions on the above setup. Any suggestions in terms
of different approaches which you think could work better are appreciated.
Of course, any system such as this is a tradeoff between weight of
batteries, riding time between battery recharge and expense. I am generally
OK with the "promised parameters" of the above system:

Desired Performance
==============
80+ feet of straight ahead illumination on the road
2.2 hours with both lights running full time

Cost / Weight
=========
$340
total weight just under 5 pounds.

What I'm asking is whether, in your experience, the above described system
will deliver something close to the above "Desired Performance". Also, if
you have any suggestions for how to modify this system to improve "desired
performance attributes" without raising cost/weight or keep the same Desired
Perforance while reducing cost or weight...I'm all ears...er...eyes.

Also...if there are any obvious concerns with the above system...such as the
potential for excessive glare for oncoming traffic, etc., etc. please point
out such things as well. Currently, I would intend to ride with both lights
on...all the time (at night). If I need to turn off either the flood or the
spot for oncoming traffic I should buy handlebar switches which are not part
of the current plan.

Thanks,
Ken Huizenga
Appleton, Wisconsin
Folding Gold Rush

12-08-2003, 09:34 PM

Read this:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] to build a 20-watt system.
I built one of these lights for about $60 total, including battery and charger,
and it's so bright that cars flash their high-beams at me. It illuminates
reflecting road signs 1/2 mile away. And you would save around $280.

Ken Huizenga wrote:

> I am looking into purchase of a good light system for riding exclusively on
> long country roads (100% paved, and mostly straight) and about 1 mile of
> city streets to get out to the country. I want to maximize the length that
> I can see debris, potholes, etc. in order to react in time. I am riding a
> Gold Rush and am capable of speeds in excess of 20mph and over 30mph
> downhill or with the wind. (I would slow down, if necessary, at night time
> for safety. However, part of the reason for getting a really good lighting
> system would be to avoid having to slow down much.)
>
> I would like to get at least 2 hours of riding time before recharging. I
> would also like to avoid helmet mounted lights. Price is not a major
> obstacle, I am looking at a system right now which would cost $340, and
> that's OK, if "that's what it takes." I willing to use both of my water
> bottle holders if necessary for battery storage. Based on the above..., in
> consultation with one of the major light system producers (Turbocat) I am
> seriously considering the following system:
>
> Two light fixtures, independently aimable, with one 15 watt bulb in each
> light with two separate 6V water bottle batteries (Ni Cad). One 15 watt bulb
> would be a flood light, focused fairly low/near in. This would hopefully
> provide decent lighting up to about 60 feet out, while simultaneously
> providing some light for cornering, lighting up signs in front of me, etc.
> The other light would be a 15 watt medium spot, focused further out, beyond
> where the flood light is illuminating. This would give me advance warning
> of anything in the road about 60-80 feet out or perhaps a bit more.
>
> I'm looking for 2nd opinions on the above setup. Any suggestions in terms
> of different approaches which you think could work better are appreciated.
> Of course, any system such as this is a tradeoff between weight of
> batteries, riding time between battery recharge and expense. I am generally
> OK with the "promised parameters" of the above system:
>
> Desired Performance
> ==============
> 80+ feet of straight ahead illumination on the road
> 2.2 hours with both lights running full time
>
> Cost / Weight
> =========
> $340
> total weight just under 5 pounds.
>
> What I'm asking is whether, in your experience, the above described system
> will deliver something close to the above "Desired Performance". Also, if
> you have any suggestions for how to modify this system to improve "desired
> performance attributes" without raising cost/weight or keep the same Desired
> Perforance while reducing cost or weight...I'm all ears...er...eyes.
>
> Also...if there are any obvious concerns with the above system...such as the
> potential for excessive glare for oncoming traffic, etc., etc. please point
> out such things as well. Currently, I would intend to ride with both lights
> on...all the time (at night). If I need to turn off either the flood or the
> spot for oncoming traffic I should buy handlebar switches which are not part
> of the current plan.
>
> Thanks,
> Ken Huizenga
> Appleton, Wisconsin
> Folding Gold Rush

12-08-2003, 09:49 PM

They are steering you wrong. If price is not an object and you want to
ride fast on dark roads then get an HID light. Also get NIMH batteries and
not NI-CAD. I've been on total dark road rides with people that have HID
lights and they are like car lights, it's amazing. As far as batteries,
NIMH don't have memory problems and can be re-charged at any point in the
discharge cycle, are lighter, and last longer on a charge.

"Ken Huizenga" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote in message
news:zXbBb.115487$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]-kc.rr.com...
> I am looking into purchase of a good light system for riding exclusively
on
> long country roads (100% paved, and mostly straight) and about 1 mile of
> city streets to get out to the country. I want to maximize the length
that
> I can see debris, potholes, etc. in order to react in time. I am riding a
> Gold Rush and am capable of speeds in excess of 20mph and over 30mph
> downhill or with the wind. (I would slow down, if necessary, at night
time
> for safety. However, part of the reason for getting a really good
lighting
> system would be to avoid having to slow down much.)
>
> I would like to get at least 2 hours of riding time before recharging.
I
> would also like to avoid helmet mounted lights. Price is not a major
> obstacle, I am looking at a system right now which would cost $340, and
> that's OK, if "that's what it takes." I willing to use both of my water
> bottle holders if necessary for battery storage. Based on the above...,
in
> consultation with one of the major light system producers (Turbocat) I am
> seriously considering the following system:
>
> Two light fixtures, independently aimable, with one 15 watt bulb in each
> light with two separate 6V water bottle batteries (Ni Cad). One 15 watt
bulb
> would be a flood light, focused fairly low/near in. This would hopefully
> provide decent lighting up to about 60 feet out, while simultaneously
> providing some light for cornering, lighting up signs in front of me,
etc.
> The other light would be a 15 watt medium spot, focused further out,
beyond
> where the flood light is illuminating. This would give me advance
warning
> of anything in the road about 60-80 feet out or perhaps a bit more.
>
> I'm looking for 2nd opinions on the above setup. Any suggestions in
terms
> of different approaches which you think could work better are
appreciated.
> Of course, any system such as this is a tradeoff between weight of
> batteries, riding time between battery recharge and expense. I am
generally
> OK with the "promised parameters" of the above system:
>
> Desired Performance
> ==============
> 80+ feet of straight ahead illumination on the road
> 2.2 hours with both lights running full time
>
> Cost / Weight
> =========
> $340
> total weight just under 5 pounds.
>
> What I'm asking is whether, in your experience, the above described
system
> will deliver something close to the above "Desired Performance". Also,
if
> you have any suggestions for how to modify this system to improve
"desired
> performance attributes" without raising cost/weight or keep the same
Desired
> Perforance while reducing cost or weight...I'm all ears...er...eyes.
>
> Also...if there are any obvious concerns with the above system...such as
the
> potential for excessive glare for oncoming traffic, etc., etc. please
point
> out such things as well. Currently, I would intend to ride with both
lights
> on...all the time (at night). If I need to turn off either the flood or
the
> spot for oncoming traffic I should buy handlebar switches which are not
part
> of the current plan.
>
> Thanks,
> Ken Huizenga
> Appleton, Wisconsin
> Folding Gold Rush
>
>
>
>

12-09-2003, 06:31 AM

>They are steering you wrong. If price is not an object and you want to
>ride fast on dark roads then get an HID light.

My 15 watt halogen light is ok for visibility. Cars can see me just fine. In
facts even much lower wattage lights do well for visibility as long as there
isn't a lot of dazzle along the road - neon lights and stuff.

But at 15 watts, I start "outrunning" the light at around 17 mph. If I were
riding country roads at night and wanted a light for illumination so I could
see things like road kills and junk that fell off of trucks, I would go with
the HID systems. They produce far more light then a halogen light can. A
friend of mine tells me his HID light is good up to a 25 mph cruising speed
which I think will get your through about any circumstance except descents.

12-11-2003, 03:24 AM

On Tue, 09 Dec 2003 05:49:33 GMT, "GWB" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>They are steering you wrong. If price is not an object and you want to
>ride fast on dark roads then get an HID light. Also get NIMH batteries and
>not NI-CAD. I've been on total dark road rides with people that have HID
>lights and they are like car lights, it's amazing. As far as batteries,
>NIMH don't have memory problems and can be re-charged at any point in the
>discharge cycle, are lighter, and last longer on a charge.
>
modern nicads with normal use dont experience a memory effect. its a
myth.

>
>"Ken Huizenga" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote in message
>news:zXbBb.115487$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]-kc.rr.com...
>> I am looking into purchase of a good light system for riding exclusively
>on
>> long country roads (100% paved, and mostly straight) and about 1 mile of
>> city streets to get out to the country. I want to maximize the length
>that
>> I can see debris, potholes, etc. in order to react in time. I am riding a
>> Gold Rush and am capable of speeds in excess of 20mph and over 30mph
>> downhill or with the wind. (I would slow down, if necessary, at night
>time
>> for safety. However, part of the reason for getting a really good
>lighting
>> system would be to avoid having to slow down much.)
>>
>> I would like to get at least 2 hours of riding time before recharging.
>I
>> would also like to avoid helmet mounted lights. Price is not a major
>> obstacle, I am looking at a system right now which would cost $340, and
>> that's OK, if "that's what it takes." I willing to use both of my water
>> bottle holders if necessary for battery storage. Based on the above...,
>in
>> consultation with one of the major light system producers (Turbocat) I am
>> seriously considering the following system:
>>
>> Two light fixtures, independently aimable, with one 15 watt bulb in each
>> light with two separate 6V water bottle batteries (Ni Cad). One 15 watt
>bulb
>> would be a flood light, focused fairly low/near in. This would hopefully
>> provide decent lighting up to about 60 feet out, while simultaneously
>> providing some light for cornering, lighting up signs in front of me,
>etc.
>> The other light would be a 15 watt medium spot, focused further out,
>beyond
>> where the flood light is illuminating. This would give me advance
>warning
>> of anything in the road about 60-80 feet out or perhaps a bit more.
>>
>> I'm looking for 2nd opinions on the above setup. Any suggestions in
>terms
>> of different approaches which you think could work better are
>appreciated.
>> Of course, any system such as this is a tradeoff between weight of
>> batteries, riding time between battery recharge and expense. I am
>generally
>> OK with the "promised parameters" of the above system:
>>
>> Desired Performance
>> ==============
>> 80+ feet of straight ahead illumination on the road
>> 2.2 hours with both lights running full time
>>
>> Cost / Weight
>> =========
>> $340
>> total weight just under 5 pounds.
>>
>> What I'm asking is whether, in your experience, the above described
>system
>> will deliver something close to the above "Desired Performance". Also,
>if
>> you have any suggestions for how to modify this system to improve
>"desired
>> performance attributes" without raising cost/weight or keep the same
>Desired
>> Perforance while reducing cost or weight...I'm all ears...er...eyes.
>>
>> Also...if there are any obvious concerns with the above system...such as
>the
>> potential for excessive glare for oncoming traffic, etc., etc. please
>point
>> out such things as well. Currently, I would intend to ride with both
>lights
>> on...all the time (at night). If I need to turn off either the flood or
>the
>> spot for oncoming traffic I should buy handlebar switches which are not
>part
>> of the current plan.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Ken Huizenga
>> Appleton, Wisconsin
>> Folding Gold Rush
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

12-11-2003, 03:58 PM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>, Gary Smiley
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> Read this:
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] to build a 20-watt system.
> I built one of these lights for about $60 total, including battery and
> charger,
> and it's so bright that cars flash their high-beams at me. It illuminates
> reflecting road signs 1/2 mile away. And you would save around $280.
>

Most of the cost of expensive lights are on the battery. The lighter
the battery, the more it will cost. Lead acid battery is the cheapest
of the lot. It is also the heaviest and not very environmentally
friendly.

12-12-2003, 02:09 AM

On Tue, 09 Dec 2003 04:11:11 GMT, "Ken Huizenga"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote:

>I am looking into purchase of a good light system for riding exclusively on
>long country roads (100% paved, and mostly straight) and about 1 mile of
>city streets to get out to the country. I want to maximize the length that
>I can see debris, potholes, etc. in order to react in time. I am riding a
>Gold Rush and am capable of speeds in excess of 20mph and over 30mph
>downhill or with the wind.

I use a SON coupled to a 12V system with a SON E6 lamp (the Bisy
optics on a slightly better housing) and a Busch & Muller Lumotec.
Battery life? What battery life? I am the battery!

I also do use a headtorch, because every now and then it's useful to
be able to point the light round corners. If your roads are straight
this ain't a problem, obviously.

Not what you asked, of course, but I do recommend you lok at dynamo
(generator) systems because they are so good these days. Hubs are
best but you can even get a 12V bottle dynamo now. Standlights are
also common.

Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

12-13-2003, 08:21 PM

"Just zis Guy, you know?" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> I also do use a headtorch, because every now and then it's useful to
> be able to point the light round corners. If your roads are straight
> this ain't a problem, obviously.

What do you use as your headtorch? I've been thinking it would be nice to
have one to shine at cars trying to turn into me where there's a lot of
competing lighting. It would be nice to be able to read street signs without
lifting my bike and aiming the headlight at the sign. I'd like to be able to
see more off road, check out a sidepath, a creekbed.

I guess those big $ & watt systems with the battery on your body would work
but could long-lasting LEDs be bright enough?

Doug
For email, a sense of wonder.

12-14-2003, 11:30 AM

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 04:21:53 GMT, "Doug Purdy" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>What do you use as your headtorch? I've been thinking it would be nice to
>have one to shine at cars trying to turn into me where there's a lot of
>competing lighting.

Either a Petzl Zoom Zora Belt with a homebrewed connector in the
battery cable and the elastic straps removed (it's attached to my
helmet using velcro computer cable tidies), or the VistaLight
Nightstick 5W head torch unit.

>I guess those big $ & watt systems with the battery on your body would work
>but could long-lasting LEDs be bright enough?

I don't rightly know. The Petzl runs on four C cells and one set
usually lasts me a year, and the Vistas are rechargeable.

Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]