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Lights for night rides...
Last Post 10/27/2014 08:00 PM by Mike Shea. 4 Replies.
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Gonzo Cyclist

Posts:568

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10/25/2014 05:18 PM
Do you night MTB guys prefer a bigger light on the bar, and smaller light on the helmet, or vice versa? Or do you just put a big light on the helmet only? Any Thoughts?
Been doing some night MTB rides with some new lights I picked up since I saw them at Interbike. Bought a Light and Motion Seca 2200, and then I have a Serfas True 550 for the helmet. Loving the 2200, it will run 1200 lumens for three hours, which is perfect, and the 550 is a perfect companion for the Seca, perfect shadows, etc, great light when you look for the switchback or turn, or when things go bump in the night! ;-)
79pmooney

Posts:3180

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10/25/2014 10:31 PM
One fellow at the old forum came back to us after a 24 hour MTB race and stated emphatically that he would never go helmet only for lights again. Said that with the light so close to his eyes, he could see no shadows and crashed several times on obstacles that were in plain sight but that he could not judge how big they were. He said that later in the night, when his "A" light had died and he was on to his much weaker "B" light on his HBs that he could judge stuff far better.

Ben
Oldfart

Posts:511

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10/26/2014 11:59 AM
You need two lights in case one fails. That could be a flashlight or headlamp in your pocket or pack but one might as well do as you did and have two proper lights. If I only used one, it would be a helmet light. I have no depth perception issues using just that one. Currently running a Gemini duo claimed 1200 on the helmet. Very compact and lightweight. On the bar I run a Nightrider 1800. I don't use full power that much. But it is generally wet here from now until May. Wet dark soil does not reflect much so brighter lights are more important now than in summer or when it's frosty when the reflectivity of light soil is good.

I need a lightweight helmet light because heavier ones need a tight helmet and it's hard on the neck. I often leave my bar light at low or second level brightness whereas the helmet is more often at second level or full. Long climbs and I use the helmet only on low.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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10/26/2014 07:03 PM
The best answer is "Both". With a HB light only, the light is very flat and you lose shadows which are critical for depth perception.

A helmet light is critical for looking where you want to go, not where your HB is pointed, and for depth perception.

How you mix them is personal preference. I prefer a bigger light on the HB.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Master50

Posts:340

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10/27/2014 08:00 PM
When I started night riding we only had bar mount and they were pitiful. Today it seems helmet light is considered primary and bar light as backup secondary light. The year I was first to HID was the last time I ever had an advantage on the trails. get 6 meters and no one could catch me as they slid into darkness.
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