What To Look For
High-intensity discharge, or HID, lights are the brightest available on the market as of 2010, and the most expensive. Bike lights with multiple LED bulbs also do a remarkable job of lighting your way for a little less money. Before choosing a light, decide whether you want a helmet-mounted light, a bike-mounted light or a system that offers both. If you ride the trails at night or commute, time your rides. You will need a light that lasts longer than your longest ride.
Bike Magazine named the Nite Rider Pro 1200, a four-LED bulb system, the best of 2010. Other review sites awarded many of Dinotte's LED lights with five out of five stars.
Common Pitfalls
Battery cords tend to be the weakest part of any bike light system. Be sure the cord is long enough. Bottle-shaped batteries slide into the bottle holders; make sure it is a snug fit or the battery can bounce out.
Bike lights offer different settings. Lower settings reduce the amount of light cast but lengthen battery life. HID lights tend to eat through battery power faster. The brighter the light, even with LED lights, the shorter the battery life.
In actual tests, manufacturer listed lumens (brightness) and battery life came in less than stated. Manufacturer statements are based on ideal conditions.
Where To Buy
Independent and Internet bicycle stores carry the better light systems. With an independent bicycle store, you can test out the brightness of the light and its mounting system before you buy. Check with any groups you ride with; most cyclists are willing to allow others to test out their gear or share their best places to purchase. Both Dinotte and Nite Rider offer sales directly through their website.
Cost
For a single light, helmet- or bike-mounted, expect to pay $200 to $500. The brighter lights and longer lasting batteries start at $400. A complete system including tail light runs $700 and up. Dinotte offers pre-packaged sets. Nite Rider allows you to pick and choose so you can make your own set tailoring the system to your exact needs. This also allows you to upgrade or replace individual parts down the road.
Comparison Shopping
Helmet-mounted lights allow you to see all around, including the sides of the trails and turns ahead, without turning the handlebars.
For road use, frame-mounted lights offer steady forward illumination and readily recognized as a bicycle by motorists. Lights with flashing options make a cyclist more visible. The same is true of flashing tail lights.
Accessories
Consider purchasing a spare battery, especially if you ride multiple nights in a row. This allows one to always be charged.
Some light systems include car chargers, while others offer fast-chargers that will fully recharge a battery in as short as two hours.
Insider Tips
HID lighting systems offer LED backup lights that kick in as the battery starts to drain. This is an automatic setup that ensures you will not be left completely in the dark.
Nite Rider offers programming software for its high end models. The software allows you to plug in the light aned adjust the brightness from 1 to 100 percent of capacity. You can also set and adjust different flashing patterns for optimum visibility to motorists.
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