Night riding setup for eMTB — what lights are you using?

[CyclingInsights]

I recently tried the ME 2000 and it has been a solid option so far, but I’m still curious about different setups.

Do you guys run a handlebar light, helmet light, or both?
What beam pattern and brightness do you find works best for night trail riding?

Always interested to hear what other eMTB riders are using.

 

[RustyIron]

Do you guys run a handlebar light, helmet light, or both?
What beam pattern and brightness do you find works best for night trail riding?

I like bright lights. For many years I used the MagicShine clones because they put out a lot of light and they were dirt cheap. I always liked TWO lights: one for the bar, one for the helmet. The helmet is good so you can point the light where you want to go. But since it's in line with your vision, you can't see shadows and it "flattens out" the terrain. For that reason, you need a handlebar mounted light. Two of these lights in the 1000 to 2000 lumen range is good.

However... last year I wanted something new, so I picked up the Monteer 8000S V2. The amount of light it puts out is absurd. I just have one on my handlebars, and it eliminates the need for a light on the helmet. If an unfortunate rider is coming the other way, he'll be blinded. If you ride too closely behind your buddy, his tire might burst into flames. Realistically, the 8000S is overkill, but it's cool to know that no one will be able to outshine you.

 

[RustyMTB]

Exposure six pack on the bars & a Moon Meteor storm on the helmet. The Exposure turns night into day & the Moon looks round corners. If you're in America, then Outbound looks like a well regarded company. The Magicshine stuff is ok if you're happy to have yet another battery strapped to the bike. IMO it's a major drawback but people's mileage varies.

 

[Fangs2k]

Similar to Rusty, I’ve got an Exposure six pack on the bars and an Exposure joystick on the helmet.

As they get switched between a lot of bikes, it’s handy to not have to faff with batteries etc.

 

[CarolinaCrawler]

Since your in the US, Outbound is by far the way to go. They may not be the brightest, but whatever they do to the lens really make the light super usable. They are not cheap, but have a great warranty and will last forever.

 

[Powerslider]

I run Outbound Lighting's "Portal Downhill Package" that includes their Trail Evo bike light, and their Portal helmet light.

 

[teethgrinder]

Exposure Maxx-D Mk13 on the bar, Exposure Zenith Mk1on helmet.

Makes absolutely no difference whether it's on the blue badge bike or the meat bike.

 

[F4Flyer]

I like bright lights but very white and overly bright lights wash out trail details. Anyway, I have a few different Lupie light- Betty on bar, Piko on helmet mainly. If it is a bright night with moonlight, I use my old Lupine Tesla on the helmet.

 

[paul.williams_1981@yahoo.]

Exposure Dmax and Equinox mk2been using both since 2018 and still going strong

 

[Sander23]

I run Outbound Lighting's "Portal Downhill Package" that includes their Trail Evo bike light, and their Portal helmet light.View attachment 188823

That is the light I'm planning on buying for next winter. How is the runtime of the trail evo

 

[nickf]

Do you guys run a handlebar light, helmet light, or both?

IMO both always best. I have two old Lezyne pen style lights, small and light, probably not as powerful as the bigger more recent lamps but work fine for me in combination.

 

[MOG]

Magishine monteer on the bars. Great light let down by a cable that melts where it enters the lamp unit. Have had to shorten the cable and re-solder it a couple of times now as the outer gets hot and goes brittle which falls off and causes intermittent shorting.
After years of a helmet mounted lamp up top I was fed up of hitting trees and breaking mounts and from the inevitable shadow cast by the helmet peak. So now I use a Fenix head torch same as below

Fenix HM70R 21700 powered LED headlamp

www.fenixlight.co.uk

It is simple to remove the headstrap and I fix it to my helmet below the peak using one of these

Fenix ALG-03 V2.0 Headlamp Mount

www.fenixlight.co.uk

No more problems with tree strikes or shadows. Light output is great. I can carry a spare battery for longer rides, and it can still be used as a normal head torch with the original strap whenever needed.

Discclaimer: I am in the Cave Rescue organisation and we get a generous discount on Fenix gear.

 

[Tetley]

Magicshine MONTEER 12000 - Magic Shine UK

✔ Max Lumen: 12000 LM ✔ Battery Capacity: 14.4V/10,000mAh (144Wh) ✔ Max Runtime: 121hrs ✔ Max Throw: 360m ✔ Floodlight with cutoff line & Spotlight: Support ✔ Waterproof: IPX6 ✔ Charger: USB-C(charging & discharging) ✔ Remote Control: Support ✔ APP Customization: Support The new MONTEER 12000 is...

magicshineuk.com

I use one of these, it's insane! I also have an old 2000 lumen Magicshine as backup on my helmet.
I've had 3 Magicshine lights over around 15 years, and they all still work. Mates that have bought cheap Chinese lights go through around one a year, they produce nowhere near the lumens claimed, and the optics are often harsh. Magicshine may be expensive, but they are well built and last.

 

[ozzybmx]

Loving all these guys with Exposure lights.

Both my boys and I rode bikes, so I had to supply light for 3 bikes and also we did 24hr races, so they needed to last all night for at least 2 riders.

I went Magicshine as we could swap batteries, we have 6 x 902 (helmet)and 3 x 906 and I have recently got a Monteer 5000. 10 batteries all compatible. I also have a set of AyUps which are still great for the helmet but lack spread at distance.

Rear, Ive has a few Exposure rears, BlazeR, TraceR etc... currently running a MagicShine SeeMee 300 which is probably the the best rear available currently.

My thoughts were to grab an Exposure Six pack for the bars and a Zenith/Joystick/Diablo for the helmet when they were no longer needing me to supply their shit but I have so many batteries and they just work.

Maybe someday I'll get on the Exposure train.