What do you use and where do you use it?
I'll be using an Exposure Maxx (when it's posted!) and a Petzl Myo RXP on the noggin. This'll be around Stanmer and the South Downs.
Bike Forum
Night riding
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Posted 9 months ago #
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Exposure joystick. Really don't get handlebar lights that much, half the time they're pointing in the wrong direction. Much prefer a nice helmet light that's always shining where I'm looking. Most of the riding is done around portsmouth area, around the coast and such. Get some night riding in now and then at exeter too.
Posted 9 months ago # -
6 Troutlights. 2 on my head, 4 on the bars. Otherwise I'll be in shadow of other riders, won't I?
(seriously - Hope Vision2 on bars, L&M Stella on helmet)
Posted 9 months ago # -
DX 900 lumen light on the lid and a cateye triple shot on the bars. Ride in the pennines and I need plenty light to see the big rocks
Posted 9 months ago # -
troutie lumen liberator
Posted 9 months ago # -
Really don't get handlebar lights that much, half the time they're pointing in the wrong direction. Much prefer a nice helmet light that's always shining where I'm looking...
with a light on your handlebars, you get shadows behind all the little lumps and bumps, you get an increased sense of depth.
or at least i do, with my rubbish eyesight...
and a little light* on my head pointing where i'm looking.
(*not so bright that it fills in the shadows cast by my bar light)
i find the bar/head combo better than just one really big bright light.
Posted 9 months ago # -
with a light on your handlebars, you get shadows behind all the little lumps and bumps, you get an increased sense of depth.
Really?
Posted 9 months ago # -
Lupine Tesla 5 - South/North Downs, Surrey Hills
Posted 9 months ago # -
with a light on your handlebars, you get shadows behind all the little lumps and bumps, you get an increased sense of depth
+1.
Not sure if 'depth' is the right word, but with just a helmet light everything goes all flat and I really struggle to read what's coming up.
With a bar/helmet combination, you get more contrast (or something) and I can make better sense of the terrain as there is more shadow detail. The helmet light helps to look ahead and avoid those 'can't see round the corner' moments, while the bar mount helps see what lumps/bumps are coming up.Posted 9 months ago # -
Surely the answer is both!
It depends on how wiggly your trails are too. For comfort it makes sense to put the heavier one on your bars, with a wide beam it shouldn't be too bothered by steering. But yes, a helmet light will always be pointing at the right area.
Posted 9 months ago # -
RealMan - Member
"with a light on your handlebars, you get shadows behind all the little lumps and bumps, you get an increased sense of depth."Really?
er, yes.
maybe 'depth' is the wrong word, Stumpy said it better than i can, maybe 'texture' is a better word...?
Posted 9 months ago # -
yea, although I find my bar light makes even small jumps look like huge doubles as you approach them!
Posted 9 months ago # -
Hope Vision 4 on the bars. Too many low branches in the woods for one on the noggin. Shame though, I can see the advantages just cant afford the repair costs.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Airbike SL2 on the bars
Magicshin on my head
Spare Magicshine in my camelbak in case of emergencies
Posted 9 months ago # -
Really don't get handlebar lights that much, half the time they're pointing in the wrong direction
Try riding in fog/snow/dust-cloud with just a helmet light...Oh, Hope Vision2 on the bars, DX torch on me helmet.
Same places I always ride. Just in the dark.Posted 9 months ago # -
Four4th's jobbie on the handlebars & joystick on the helmet, I really find the two lights make a difference.
The bar light is wide beam, the joystick more focused.
Posted 9 months ago # -
ahwiles - Member
RealMan - Member
"with a light on your handlebars, you get shadows behind all the little lumps and bumps, you get an increased sense of depth."Really?
er, yes.
maybe 'depth' is the wrong word, Stumpy said it better than i can, maybe 'texture' is a better word...?
I'd also add that ride in heavy rain (or fog or snow) with a helmet light and all you get is glare into your eyes from the weather.
Edit : ^^^ someone got there while I was working!
Posted 9 months ago # -
herman shake : i used to have a petzl myo wen i first started nite riding.... i just found it wasnt bright enuff....brilliant underground for caving tho !
since then ive been using Hope vision 2 on my helmet...i prefire it on the helmet to the handlebars cos you cam pan round and see alot whats coming ahead in the distance... i have a back up light to go on the handlebars tho just incase.....you never no...
Posted 9 months ago # -
Lumicycle 20w flood / 12w spot combo - Swinley forest.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Lupine Wilma on the bars, Lupine Piko on my hat.
find it difficult to ride as fast with just one of them - bars gives a texture to what you see so you can judge depth more and helmet points where you are looking.
south downs and associated wooded singletrack.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Trout LL - bars
Fenix torch - helmetAgree both is best. Went riding recently without head torch and really missed it, even though it's a bit underpowered compared to the LL!
Posted 9 months ago # -
Having tried loads of DX torches (because I'm cheap) I've settled for a P7 on the bars and a tiny XML torch on my bonce. I cant recommend the 350 lumen torch enough, i'ts bright, gives a great beam pattern and works a treat.
I'm considering wasting more money on the DX 4 XPG jobby though.
Posted 9 months ago # -
I use both an Exposure Six Pack on my bars &
an Exposure Diablo Mk 2 on my head
I prefer a bright light on the bars as, when it's misty, rainy, cloudy or just raining, a bright head torch reflects off the moisture in the air and can reduce visibility, ref. fog lights in cars as an example of why a dipped light low down is good. In winter, when I do most my night riding, it's often like this. I also don't want a big weight on my head for hours.
However, given above, here's a good illustration of why a head torch is a good idea going around corners, look where I'm looking (and about to try and ride) and look where the bars are pointing!
Posted 9 months ago # -
Troute Liberator 3 on the bars and a Cateye DoubleShot Pro on my head.
Malvern Hills.Posted 9 months ago # -
Twin cans on the bars....... sod all on the lid.
With Darth Vader Light Sabre grips!Posted 9 months ago # -
Troutie Liberator. More light than I'll ever need. West pennine moors and the surrounds.
Posted 9 months ago # -
DX Bastid, helmet mounted, good for the forest or the hills.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Hope twin LED on the bars, and another on the helmet, gives me a light spread like this...
More than enough in my opinion for a spin in the local woods, up Dumyat, Carron Valley, or scaring car drivers on my commute home from Glasgow.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Troutlight liberator for the dark bits, new 1200 dx light on low for the urban bits and some small 'flashers'. Mainly on my commute.
Posted 9 months ago #
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