Front and rear Lights for MTB

[Mike Mac]

Hi 

 

I am looking for recommendations for a front and rear light for my MTB for the upcoming winter, where my commute to the trails will be in the dark.

 

Any recommendations for what is available in SA?

 

M

[Vaultboy]

I bought this night riding light set on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082GXHD4P/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

 

I couldn't see a local light with that brightness for a comparable price. The headlight also functions as a power bank, which is useful for me, because i use my phone as my cycling computer. Not sure if it is actually 4000 lumens, but it is hella bright, and spreads nicely. The rear light is ok, but not as solidly constructed as the front, plus the LEDs aren't as bright or have as good a lateral spread as other rear lights I've had. 

[splat]

Hi 

 

I am looking for recommendations for a front and rear light for my MTB for the upcoming winter, where my commute to the trails will be in the dark.

 

Any recommendations for what is available in SA?

 

M

 

Extreme lights have a range of good products

 

For riding trails in the dark:

https://www.extremelights.co.za/collections/bicycle-lights/products/endurance-bicycle-light-phoenix-rear-bicycle-light-combo

 

For commuting:

https://www.extremelights.co.za/collections/bicycle-lights/products/nifty-bicycle-light

 

Or perhaps something from Ryder that is a bit more compact, but not as bright:

Concept 900

 

https://www.rydercycling.co.za/ryder-products/lights

Edited February 12, 2021 by splat

[rorydewet]

Extreme lights have a range of good products

 

For riding trails in the dark:

https://www.extremelights.co.za/collections/bicycle-lights/products/endurance-bicycle-light-phoenix-rear-bicycle-light-combo

 

For commuting:

https://www.extremelights.co.za/collections/bicycle-lights/products/nifty-bicycle-light

 

Or perhaps something from Ryder that is a bit more compact, but not as bright:

Concept 900

 

https://www.rydercycling.co.za/ryder-products/lights

best guys in RSA for lights are extreme lights

[Jackie Thamsanqa Maholwana]

Hi 

 

I am looking for recommendations for a front and rear light for my MTB for the upcoming winter, where my commute to the trails will be in the dark.

 

Any recommendations for what is available in SA?

 

M

https://twowheelstrading.co.za/product/lezyne/led-lights/combos-connect/l-set-lezyne-connect-pro-1000xl-s-drive/

[Jackie Thamsanqa Maholwana]

https://twowheelstrading.co.za/product/lezyne/led-lights/combos-connect/l-set-lezyne-connect-pro-1000xl-s-drive/

[RocknRolla]

For light (scuse the pun) riding, to the trails where you dont need the battery endurance of a light that will last for 24 hour night rides...I do like the Bontrager flare/ion series of lights. They are lightweight, unobtrusive, and usb rechargeable.

 

I have a magicshine front and rear, but always rather go for the bontrager for that hour or two prior to sunrise.

[rorydewet]

for a smaller light with an internal usb chargeable battery the blackburn does a good job

[Red Robin]

I use the Marvel brand for headlight (1600 lumens), on my helmet for trails and on my handlebars for road. 

I got that brand as I needed lights for the children as well so I wanted them all to be interchangeable and didn't want expensive ones as well you know children...

 

It's a cheap brand but it's lasted pretty well. 

[Sepia]

For light (scuse the pun) riding, to the trails where you dont need the battery endurance of a light that will last for 24 hour night rides...I do like the Bontrager flare/ion series of lights. They are lightweight, unobtrusive, and usb rechargeable.

 

I have a magicshine front and rear, but always rather go for the bontrager for that hour or two prior to sunrise.

This!!

[Thermophage]

For riding trails...

Handlebar - Giant Recon 1800

Head - Cheaper crap 900 lumen boys available most places

 

Commuting only....

Handlebar - Giant Recon 1800

 

From experience, skimping on a light (and yes I know, even these options are a bit krap compared to the really expensive ones) is simply pi$$ing money down the toilet.

[splat]

For light (scuse the pun) riding, to the trails where you dont need the battery endurance of a light that will last for 24 hour night rides...I do like the Bontrager flare/ion series of lights. They are lightweight, unobtrusive, and usb rechargeable.

 

I have a magicshine front and rear, but always rather go for the bontrager for that hour or two prior to sunrise.

 

Yep, highly rate my Bontrager Ion Pro for road and mountain adventures in the dark

[The Ouzo]

https://twowheelstrading.co.za/product/lezyne/led-lights/combos-connect/l-set-lezyne-connect-pro-1000xl-s-drive/

currently using the smart version of this. Brilliant for road use, I never leave home without it anymore.

I do think though it wont light up enough at night on the trail and you might want a helmet light to supplement it.

 

Although just thinking about this and remembering back to my night rides, in the darker areas where there were no oncoming lights from cars it was very good, it was only when there was light facing me from oncoming traffic that I struggled to see the road surface. So it may actually work well on the trails. In blast mode it has a nice bright and wide light spread.

[ChrisF]

Jip, as others pointed ... do want a light so drivers will (hopefully) notice you. Or do need a very strong light to light up dark roads ....

 

For the former - I use a very small Ryder light in front, USB rechargeable. Flash mode gives about 4 hours of use, and VERY visible.

 

I use a flashing Bontrager for a tail light.

 

 

 

Getting a light for dark roads and trails .... others can advise uou better for that

[Ryan I]

My wife and I both use the Ryder Concept 900's and we have been using them for about a year. We ride in the pitch dark sometimes and these work great. They have 4 brightness settings and last about 1.5hrs on the brightest setting. The nice thing is that they use standard lithium ion 3.7V 18650 batteries so we always carry a spare set. Spare batteries are cheap if you look around. We have never had a problem with them falling off either. For the rear i just buy cheap R100 lights at sportmans wearhouse and replace batteries when needed.  

[Mike Mac]

Thanks everyone for the advise. It has given me a good few options to look at.