Bicycle Headlight Recommendation

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Herr Kutz

Platinum Member
Jun 14, 2009
2,545
242
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I'm looking to purchase a more powerful bicycle headlight that will actually let me see others and not just let them see me.

As you can see in the picture below I have almost no room on my handlebars so the mounting solution needs to be very compact. My iPhone 6 goes in the white rubber holder on the bike stem and sticks a bit over the handle bars so the light also needs to project forward and not really go back over the handlebars. I am willing to remove the reflector (you can see my existing light is attached to the reflector) to make room for the light.

Any suggestions?

EJYB0M3.jpg
 
Carson Dyle

Carson Dyle

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2012
8,173
524
126
If you want to see others, get a head lamp. And it won't take up any room on your handlebars, so you can keep the iPad and the coffee and beer holders.

The other thing about head lamps is that you're much less likely to blind oncoming pedestrians and bicyclists, simply by not looking at them. I walk and run on a nearby bike path at night and can't stand the idiots riding with bright headlights that are completely unnecessary.
 
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Herr Kutz

Platinum Member
Jun 14, 2009
2,545
242
106
I think I've narrowed it down to either the Intey 1000 lumen light or a Cygolight metro (probably 850) light. I borrowed a coworkers Serfas Lume 1100 which has a similar style to the Intey 1600 lumen light and I think it provided enough light. Every time I passed someone I had to make sure to cover the light with my hand because it is pretty blinding. Since the Cygolite is not a random chinese br The only other issue is of course mounting which still needs to be worked out. The light I borrowed went too far back and prevented me from putting my phone in its holder so it was relegated to the small pouch I have on the top post of the bike, which is much less safe when looking down to check my speed.

I also found out I need a new rear light since some water got into mine and rusted some of the battery terminals and connections where the wires are soldered to the switch. I tried cleaning off the terminals but it's operation is still somewhat sporadic. I'm going between the Cygolite hotshot 50, cygolite hotshot 100, cygolite mini hotshot, and cygolite hotrod 50. They're all within a few dollars of each other and any of these will be bright enough, but I'm now more concerned with the waterproofing.
 
Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,902
9,597
136
I've been bike riding for decades, mostly around town. Used to have a light that was removable I'd hang off the front of the handlebars. It had rechargeables in it and I fashioned a plug in it for recharging.

For a few years I went to device you wear on your head with removable rechargeables.

Nowadays I just use my EDC LED flashlight which has a clip. I wear a baseball cap and if it turns dark I clip the flashlight to the cap's bill, instant headlight. I always have my EDC. Light enough. If I have one that doesn't have a clip on it, I just hold it between my teeth! If I have two EDCs with clips, I clip both to the cap's bill. Plenty light! They use one AAA Eneloop.

I am aware that it's annoying to have light shined in your eyes. I can turn my head away from cars, bikes, pedestrians, whatever... whether I'm wearing a headlamp or my EDC's on my cap. Either of these solutions are bright enough where I can avoid potholes or objects in the road, my main concerns when night riding around town.

I've had a few and my current fave EDC is the cheapest, not because of the cost. One brightness is a blessing not a shortcoming when it's good and bright:

Olight AAA (silver only is 120 lumens). Doesn't come with a clip. I put one on from my other now-unused AAA EDCs. A fully charged Eneloop AAA lasts 50 minutes in this.
 
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Herr Kutz

Platinum Member
Jun 14, 2009
2,545
242
106
Capt Caveman said:
This is what I use. Lights up the whole street. I also use it as a regular flashlight when I go running or hiking at night.

I would push your brake levers out a little bit more even if you have to cut off a little bit of your handlebar tape.
Click to expand...

The handlebars are thinner under the tape. Can the levers be moved to the thinner portion?
 
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