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Basic Guide to Bicycle Lights If you plan on riding in the colder months, lights are a crucial accessory. Whether you are commuting or riding trails at dawn, dusk or commuting in inclement weather, an appropriate light will allow you to see and be seen. There are 3 basic types of bicycle lights. When choosing a light setup, consider your riding style, where you will be riding and your budget. »Find a Light 1. Basic Commuter Lights ("To be seen" lights")  If you are riding in low light conditions, you will need both a front and a rear safety light so that you can be visible to cars, pedestrians and other riders on the road or path. These lights are typically battery powered and simple to install and use. - Front safety lights provide enough light to allow you to see where you are going in moderate, low light conditions like dusk or rainy weather. They employ LED, halogen or xenon bulbs, and are typically attached to the handlebar and can be powered by standard alkaline batteries or rechargeable batteries.
 - Rear safety lights (taillights) emit a constant or flashing red light so that you can be seen from behind. They are usually attached to the seat post of the bike and powered by standard alkaline batteries.
Headlights Safety lights are affordable and convenient to install, but they do not provide enough light for serious nighttime riding sessions. If you're going to be riding trails at night or commute in the dark, you'll need a higher powered headlight. You can choose between a Medium or High Power Headlight depending on the type of riding you will be doing and your budget. Also, note that you will need a rear safety light to be seen from behind if you are riding on the roads. 2. Medium Power Headlights  Medium power headlights are the most inexpensive rechargeable lights available. Perfect for the serious commuter, these mid-priced lights may have a halogen or LED bulb(s) and are powerful enough to light your way instead of just making you visible to oncoming traffic. Typical run times are between 2 and 3.5 hours. Medium power headlights are great for both road riding and commuting. Use one on the handlebar combined with one on your helmet for off-road riding. A good example of a Medium Power Headlight is the NiteRider Sol with its new generation LED bulb and is ideal for road riding and commuting. It emits a bright, even beam, has a sturdy, compact and weatherproof casing and a Nickel Metal Hydride battery. 3. High Power Headlights  High power headlights blast out the light. With as much as 1200 lumens of brightness - that's more than a car headlight - high output lights can be used for just about any night time activity, even technical, off road trails. High Output lights typically have a long run time. The NiteRider TriNEWT Select is a good example of a headlight employing a high output LED. It is very bright with a long-lasting lithium ion battery, a weather sealed electrical system and a blinding 500 lumens. Or the NiteRider Pro 600 is a favorite among 24 hour racers with its programmable sun-bright beam , very light weight and 4 hour run time. Rechargeble vs. Non-Rechargeable Lights Non-Rechargeable Lights For the rider on a tight budget, non-rechargeable head lights and tail lights fit the bill. They are inexpensive and use easy-to-replace and widely available batteries. They do a fine job keeping you safe when riding at dawn or dusk, or when commuting on well lit city streets. These are situations where you can see but drivers may not be able to see you. Remember, you cannot see well with these lights and the batteries have to be replaced regularly, depending on the light, every 20 to 30 hours of use. Rechargeable Headlights
Battery replacement is not an issue with the super bright, rechargeable lights now available for bikes. The batteries can be recharged hundreds of times and they're from 4 to 60 times brighter than their non rechargeable cousins. Batteries 5 years ago, NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE batteries were at the top of the battery heap. They were lighter and stored more power than the more common Seal Lead Acid and Nickel Cadmium batteries. They are relatively light and compact, fairly inexpensive and can be recharged hundreds of times. They can also be readily recycled, as they contain no heavy metals. Enter LITHIUM ION batteries. These are the new “IT” batteries. They have the highest energy density meaning they hold more power in less space. That makes them the lightest and most compact and with that dense power they can have the longest run times (the amount of time the battery will power the bulb between charges). But, they are the most expensive kind of battery. Lithium-Ions are perfect for extended rides, like a 24 hour endurance race. Bulbs Halogens are incandescent bulbs with a filament that heats up the halogen gas within the bulb, producing light. They are inexpensive, relatively bright, fairly durable and relatively long-lasting. LED's (Light Emitting Diodes) have come a long way in recent years and are now the technology of choice. Lights with multiple LED’s are as bright orbrighter than the most expensive HID's (see below) but are comparatively inexpensive, very long-lasting and very durable. HID (High Definition Lights) are brighter than Halogen and LED bulbs and are relatively long lasting. However, they can be fragile. Where should I mount my light? Handlebar mounts keep weight off the rider while providing the most stable and secure attachment. This is a good arrangement for most uses. Helmet mounts allow the rider to see where he is looking- rather than where the bike is heading. This is best for for twisty single track and as a supplement to a handle bar mounted light.
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