Every fall, the daylight you became accustomed to over the summer slowly disappears. Pretty soon it's dark ... well, pretty much all the time.
At some point, you'll probably need lights. The biggest, brightest LED blinker will work for the back, but up front there are more specific needs. See or be seen?
Here's what GamJams Ambassadors use when the daylight wanes:
- Sigberto doesn't do a lot of night riding, but when he does it's all about the inexpensive blinkies: "Just because I don't need light to brighten up the evening doesn't mean I don't want folks to see me."
- The Unholy Rouleur has a very thorough, hands-on look at headlights. He's very particular, you know. "I like 'em kinda big, and in pairs, and really nice looking." It only devolves from there.
- There's a thorough review at n Plus One, too, but without references to pairs or hangers. And there's also a good thing to remember when riding at night. "Just because you can see a car coming doesn't necessarily mean they can see you. Please use lights (front and back) and reflective clothing whenever you ride at night."
- Kmax Trax breaks down the Light and Motion Stella 200N, which has served him well in rugged off-road conditions. "One of the most impressive things about this light is the run time. At the highest output the run time is stated at 5 hours!"
- If the Rouleur's review wasn't enough, BRILF.net has a review that includes things like Knog and Frog. They're doing the trick for bright, inexpensive lighting. " ... they do what they were intended to do, which is get me out of the house by 6 a.m., even if the sun's not up until 6:30 a.m."
- There's not a ton of night riding at Algomaha, but when there is, a simple blinky will suffice. This is due to the city's insistence of being well-lit at all hours of the day — even in subdivisions that include completed streets but no houses. "Were I a more regular commuter I would, indeed, go with a headlight system, like NiteRider. But for my neighborhood connections and Keystone (trail) connections, I'm OK."
Upcoming reviews: New favorites (Sept. 3)
About GamJams Reviews:
All cyclists are experts, at least when it comes to our equipment choices. We know why we chose what we chose, and what we think of the product after we've been using it. GamJams Reviews channels that collective expertise - category by category - into a tidy package of articles designed to help all of us make better equipment decisions. Buying what pros get paid to use is one way to go. But the candid testimonial of fellow racers who paid out of their own pocket - that's an endorsement that really counts.
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