Lights

Requirement

Front lights will be required beginning in the fall and going through March every year (Daylight Savings) for all weeknight practices. Rear 'blinky' lights will be required for any practice where we will be on the road (Tuesday, Saturday, any rainy day, etc.). A combination of a helmet light and a bar light is the superior option and makes for the best experience. With a helmet and bar light, the rider can see the trail as it meanders due to the helmet light pivoting with the athlete's gaze while the static bar light keeps a puddle of light in front of the rider at all times. If you must only have one light, a helmet light is the better option. 

The team has 100s of years of combined cycling experience, when in doubt ask a head coach or director. They'll help you with any questions you have after you read this page. 

Why

Good lights are essential for safety and enjoyment. Riders without lights will be sent home if a coach doesn't have a light to loan that night. There can be no exceptions to this rule as riding without lights is unsafe for the rider and those around the rider.

Cost

Prices can range from $20 - $400. The cheapest lights are disappointing but the most expensive lights are often unnecessary. 

Terms and Metrics

• Light location:

  • Helmet: Weight is a concern for a helmet light. 50-75 grams is ideal, 100-130 grams is acceptable. Helmet lights can have more of a 'spot' pattern vs flood, but honestly most bicycle specific helmet lights have a decent pattern at this point. 

  • Bar: Weight is not as big of a concern. Look for lights with a broad, 'flood' pattern and not a spot pattern. 

  • Rear: A 'blinky' light (rear red light) is required for any road riding - day or night. 

• Lumens:

  • This is a sticky subject. In many cases, lumen ratings seem to be completely made up. A reputable company that we will recommend, Outbound Lighting, has a bar light that has 2,200 lumens and it costs $250. You can also find lights on Amazon with claimed lumen ratings of 4,000 for < $15 dollars...

  • If you're going to purchase by lumens, 800 - 2000 from a 'real' company (Outbound, Gloworm, Gemini, Niterider, Lezyne, Cateye) is a good bet. From a fake Amazon company - your guess is as good as mine. Check the reviews to see if any of it seems legit. 

  • There are some legitimate 4,000 lumen lights (Gemini Titan for example). Those can be counterproductive. The limestone soils around Austin are nearly white and very bright lights reflect back at the rider from the soil, washing out all relief and making it difficult to see terrain/relief in the trail. Riders with those lights generally ride in other areas of the country with dark soils. Around here, they run the lights on lower settings. 

• Battery life:

  • Practices are 1 - 1.5 hours under the lights. Minimum battery life should be 1.5 hrs at full brightness which will often allow for 3-5 hours at low brightness settings. If an athlete gets injured or has a mechanical, they'll need lights until they are out of the woods...

• Water resistance: 

  • Critical. Being in the woods, in the dark, when it's (presumably) raining is a bad time. 

Recommendations: 

  I will be listing manufacturer websites when possible. Some are out of stock, have exorbitant shipping, etc. You can usually find these lights at normal retailers (Amazon, Jensen, TreeFortBikes, Performance, etc.) with the exception of Outbound. 

• Recommendations:

  • Best proven option for the money: 

    • Outbound Lighting Hangover  on the helmet

    • One of the Nightrider Lumina Boost options at or over 1000 lumens for the bar

  • Best if money isn't an option

    • Gemini Titan/Duo 2200 (if you prefer a remote battery)

    • Outbound lighting kit   (if you prefer all-in-1)

  • Minimum requirement option. This isn't a recommendation, but if you are not sure you want to spend $200 for a headlight and bar, here are some options

    • Preferred: Just get one of the recommendations above (helmet OR bar)

    • Not Preferred: Look at Amazon and roll the dice. Read the reviews. 

What do team members use? This is a common question.

• • My eldest and I use a Gemini Duo 2200 on our helmets. Gemini are very light on the helmet (60gr) but have a cord and a battery pack that sits in the rider's jersey pocket. 

  • My youngest runs an Outbound Lighting Hangover on her helmet. This is a all-in-one (no cord) helmet light that isn't that heavy (~120gr)

  • All 3 of us run Towild CL1200 as bar lights. This is a 'fake' Amazon brand light but I needed something to mount under our bicycle computers and this fit the bill. They've been solid for over a year now. 

•  What are other coaches running? 

  • One family runs all Niterider models ranging from 650 - 1200. These are solid lights, proven performers, and relatively inexpensive. They can, however, be heavy on the helmet. They excel as bar lights

  • Another coach runs the Gemini Titan and Duo. His son runs a full Outbound lighting kit

  • A coach runs the Bright Eyes Ember on helmet and bar. It uses a go-pro mount making it versatile. It's another 'fake' Amazon brand, but seems to stand behind their products when riders have an issue. 

  • The BlitzU Gator 320 seems to be a decent backup light from what I can tell. Yet another Amazon brand, but in a pinch it'll get you out of the woods.