Bicycle Head Light ?

[johnsondasw]

Yea, I've done it that way too and it works fine.  However, I prefer the handlebar mount ones--one for light and the other on blink mode to be visible.

[whittierider]

I call spam on that last post!  First post, and the ones that have a tiny lens and no mirror for each LED do not have a good focus.  Light goes out everywhere, uncontrolled, mostly where it's not useful, instead of being intensified where you want it.  It also has a super long battery life on AAA's, meaning there's very little power being delivered.

[johnsondasw]

Hmmmm.  Tis suspicious. And weird syntax, too.   I think Whittierider's on to something.

[janschipper]

If you’re planning an extended tour or a daily commuter in rainy/dark areas, I’d recommend a Blinky on the back and a waterproof, bright LED headlight of at least 2 watts.

[velo]

If what you want is a "be seen" light I'd recommend a Planet Bike Superflash 1 watt (or 2 watt, or 1/2 watt) front and a PB Superflash 1/2 watt rear. They are great lights and have an extremely bight flashing pattern. The front runs on 2 AA batteries and the rear runs on 2 AAA batteries. 

If you need to see you'd want something brighter. I've finished rides by the light of a 1 watt and it was just enough, but a little marginal for true night riding.

[Tourista829]

I am sure by now, you have purchased lighting. What did you end up with and do you like it?  Although we are now using Shimano dyno hubs and Busch Muller lighting, we use a second set of lights as a back up. In the front a Minoura LH-50 mount attached to our head tube, with a front Flea from Blackburn. (Since we tour with f/r panniers & a handlebar bags) I agree with Velo, the Planet Bike Super Flash is our preferred choice. We attach them to the rear of our helmets either via a clip or velcro strap. The height is easier for motorists to see. The main reason we keep them on in flash mode, beside increased visibility, is like yesterday, when my rear light was working intermittently. As they say, "one can never be too visible." 

[cyclocamping]

I like the Princeton Tec EOS Bike because you can use it as a headlamp around camp or on your bicycle mounted on the handlebar. It is also more powerful than regular Petzl headlamps so the beam provides light further away (headlamp are usually designed to provide light rather close to the user not to a distance)

[whittierider]

I like the Princeton Tec EOS Bike because you can use it as a headlamp around camp or on your bicycle mounted on the handlebar.

Most bike headlights can be used in this way, unclipping from the bar in an instant.  We've used ours this way for the last 12 years or so.

[cyclocamping]

I meant that this bike light can be unclipped from its handlebar mount and mounted on its strap to be used as a headlamp? I haven't see many that can do that, and certainly not most bike light can do that. There are only a couple of them on the market.

[Pat Lamb]

If what you want is a "be seen" light I'd recommend a Planet Bike Superflash 1 watt (or 2 watt, or 1/2 watt) front and a PB Superflash 1/2 watt rear. They are great lights and have an extremely bight flashing pattern. The front runs on 2 AA batteries and the rear runs on 2 AAA batteries. 

I love the Superflash, but I can't recommend touring with one.  I had one last summer.  After a couple of rains, it leaked and the contacts corroded so it stayed on (and drained the battery).  Got another when I got home, and the same thing's happened to it.

Cateye make some that aren't quite as bright, but they do know how to do waterproof.

[waynemyer]

I like the Princeton Tec EOS Bike because you can use it as a headlamp around camp or on your bicycle mounted on the handlebar. It is also more powerful than regular Petzl headlamps so the beam provides light further away (headlamp are usually designed to provide light rather close to the user not to a distance)

+1  I use a PT Eos Bike on my helmet with an IXON IQ mounted on my forks.  This combo has worked for me for riding all night long (brevets), speeds up to 42MPH, and year-round foul weather commuting. 

About the only possible improvement I could dream of would be a Schmidt SON dyno hub with a Supernova E3 headlight.  On my last 400K, one of the other riders had this combo and it was eye-searing.  When he was behind me, I could safely shut off my lights and still navigate road hazards easily.

[pptouring]

If you can swing it, go ahead and invest in the SON Dynamo hub with a Busch&Müller Lumotec IQ Cyo R Senso Plus for the front and Busch&Müller Toplight Line Plus rear light. This is a great setup and should last you for many years (at least I hope so)! You'll have light anytime you need it or just leave them turned on always for 24/7 coverage. These lights have a built in capacitor, so even after you stop the lights stay on (~5-8 minutes) so you're seen!

[cyclocamping]

Nice hub, but it is quite heavy (over 1lb if I remember well and that's just for the hub) and it adds some resistance to the wheel.

[pptouring]

Nice hub, but it is quite heavy (over 1lb if I remember well and that's just for the hub) and it adds some resistance to the wheel.

Nah... a pound? I don't think so, but maybe! I was surprised how light the hub was and as for resistance, I think that is negligible too. I notice more drag just by adding the handlebar bag! Seriously, the weight and drag (which I feel are a non-isuse) are well worth the payoff of having not only lights whenever they're needed, but also the added advantage of adding the Busch & Müller e-Werk gadget to my bike.

Busch & Müller e-Werk

[cyclocamping]

I just checked 1.3lb... still better than the Shimano NX-30 though (1.6lb). And you're right, I heard people saying that the drag is better than it used to be several years ago. Does the SON have an automatic function where it turns on when it gets dark?