The brightest bike lights on the market vastly improve your safety when riding at night. A bright headlight makes you more visible to motorists, and also provide your with an increased field of vision. High intensity discharge, light-emitting diode and dynamo-powered bulbs are the among the choices.
HID Lights
High-intensity discharge lights utilize metal halide technology, and emit a high number of lumens per watt, allowing you to obtain strong light with smaller batteries. The light in an HID bulb comes from an electric arc instead of a filament, so it lasts longer. HID kits cost up to $1,000, according to bicycle lighting expert Steven M. Sharf.
LED Lights
Light-emitting diode bulbs are efficient, but not as strong as traditional bulbs. Manufacturers of LED lights use several bulbs in a unit to surpass the brightness of single-bulb filament lights. High-powered LED bulbs are available, but are more costly. LED lights have a very high running temperature, which makes them dangerous to handle. They also have a relatively short lifespan. A decent unit costs under $150.
Dynamo-Powered Lights
Dynamo-powered lights allow you to save money on repeat purchases of costly batteries because you supply your own power when you cycle. Three types of dynamo-powered lights generate light different locations on your bicycle. Bottle dynamos rub against the tire rim. Roller dynamos are mounted near the bottom bracket, and touch the tread of the rear wheel. Hub dynamos are encased in the hub of the bike wheel, which protects them from bad weather. You have to build a new front wheel with your existing rim to accommodate a hub dynamo. A good-quality system can cost $250. But some bicycle experts express concern that these systems often don't generate enough light to see and be seen properly.
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