Ideal bike lights for ALL cycling adventures. Bikepacking, mtb, gravel, etc

[@daveschultz3132]

I’ve been using a Raveman FR300 for my road bike for a daytime front. It’s ok but not impressed in the dark. And a Garmin Varia radar taillight and am extremely happy on all my bikes.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing :) ride on!

[@jackschonely592]

Great stuff as always Alan. LOVE the "Longmire" shoot photo. Don't ever change the pace of what you say. It is part of your trademark. Happy New Year!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks, Jack!!! Ride on :)

[@richardharker2775]

As a commuter and solo adventurer I've been obsessed with the efficiency of lights that put the light where you need it. Focused beams seem to be better for battery efficiency in general although If I was offroad in the woods I would want to see overhead branches or hanging snakes.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing :)

[@iowen8585]

Great info! Hey 80%... subscribe already! And pace of speech critics, click on the settings .75 playback. Or for some fun, go .5, just sayin. Thanks for the content Alan, nailed it again! I have a Fenix BC30 on the bars and a Bontrager ION 35 with a magnet mount on my helmet. Happy with both for vision and the speeds I ride at (slowish). Great advice with night riding... very peaceful! Keep the content coming! So appreciative of your insight! I'll watch for the glow to the north and know when you're night riding.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for the kind words my friend 🙏 ride on!!

[@PumpkinVillage]

What a great review. I have used Nightrider lights for years just because they were what the shop had when I got my bike years ago. Have been thru three lights since. Lost one. I love night riding and use our local rail trails a lot. Just opened a new trail 90 miles in length. Can't wait to get the 520 loaded up and headed out. Thanks for the videos and love how you get your family in the videos. Take care, Al

[@oelrichsr]

I would like to see you review Outbound Lighting Trail Evo, and the Hangover (helmet light). USA built and mostly domestically sourced. I run their Detour light (road and gravel) and am thoroughly impressed with their throw, fill and width of the beam. A little pricey, but it is hands down the best light I've ever used.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

I’d love to try Outbound lights… but I’m pretty spent $$$ already- you know how that goes!!! Thanks for sharing :)

[@clbaker2024]

I'm an older cyclist just getting into bikepacking from backpacking. I love your tempo, energy, and humor, and really appreciate your sharing your knowledge base! Great job!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for your kind words! Ride on 🙏

[@larspetersen2688]

Presentation⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐No nonsense approach, I like that.👍

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks, Lars!!

[@91F2Z]

Fenix HL60R with the front clip-in helmet mount. And either of the Fenix BT-10 or BT-20 lights on bar mounts. Riding through the Borrego Desert at night during the Stagecoach 400 race = magic!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@ronbrown553]

Super excited for your huge adventure on the Iditarod! Ron and Steph are praying for you!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks, Ron!! It was so amazing, miss you guys and can’t wait to get home to the girls 🙏🙏

[@mike158193]

I have an older lezyne 700 that I use for commuting and works well. I’m a backpacker as well so the nitecore NU25 has swept the community as an ultralite headlamp that has become a mainstay and defeats all others with its minimalist, ul, reliability features that no one can really compete with. At a mere $35 bucks they have a new version called the NU25 UL as well. New or old version you can’t go wrong.

[@Spider-Matty]

Another great video thank you for all the awesome tips!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching!!

[@bgrelewski]

Big up to You from Poland, sub button clicked. I am only a one-day tourer (or a credit-card biker, if You prefer) and the 750lm lamp (Eyen Streak 750) with some handy features does the job. As for the tail light nothing better than Bontrager Flair. Cheers!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing, Bartosz! Ride on :)

[@tyebragg2522]

Great video and advice. Poor lighting was the main reason for a night bikepacking crash several years ago. Never again! Love my helmet Fenix PD36R and have been planning to upgrade my bars this year to the 26R for the spare battery swap if needed.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for chiming in, Tye!! Ride on :)

[@CanadianSledDog]

I appreciate how much info you pack into these, it makes them worth watching. I didn't know anything about quality bike lights before watching this, and now I know something.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thank you for watching! Ride on :)

[@HUKIT.]

I’ve been riding for 15 years and I’ve never done a bike packing trip but started to plan it his past fall so I’ve been researching the hell out of lights. Perfect timing, great video lad!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Right on! Thanks for watching :)

[@waisinglee1509]

Great video! I have always loved bike lights starting when I was an impoverished youngster and I could only drool at those bottle dynamos. Now, my bike light collection surpasses the cost of some new bikes. Anyways, love the video! Thanks for the timestamps. I have just purchased my first Exposure light for my helmet after almost being t-boned by a taxi. The manual is a bit vague but the light has been great. Cars respect you just a bit more... Magicshine has been around for well over a decade and has only gotten better and better. PDW...the only light I had from them died after a rain shower. And they're from the Pacific Northwest! Klite...love affair continues. Am going to get the Qubes...

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for your detailed comment! Much appreciated 🤙

[@caseyfraser2643]

Loved all the light info …but loved how you included the Fam ❤😂

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

😂😂 ride on My friend!

[@montechie]

I love this info, great reviews! I definitely want to find a handlebar light/mount that can mount "taller" so it clears my bar bag and preferably with a remote battery that I can keep warm. So far I had a Serfas that met that criteria, but the rechargeable battery didn't last a single winter season and no help from their support. I've had a great experience with NightRiders, both a 1200 lumen and 650, the 650 goes on the helmet for trails otherwise I just use a basic BD Spot headlamp. Using an enduro style bike helmet makes most headlamps fit the helmet, because of the moveable brim design. The NRs have performed awesome, although the 1200 lumen one is overkill on highly reflective snow (but the bigger battery is welcomed). I also stick reflective stickers all over my stuff and fatbike frame to just to create reflective movement since I ride a ton on country roads and snowmobile trails in the winter.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your insight! Ride on :)

[@themindunset]

Dude... Your channel is the best.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching, ride on!

[@davidalderson7761]

Exposure are my favourite lights but KLite I used on 4000k Ride and it’s fantastic. I hadn’t looked at the ones in the video but I will now. Recharging lights is a tough call amd time consuming out on the road. and KLite is excellent at taking away that worry. The rear blinkies are excellent.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Can’t beat the kLite! Thanks for watching and commenting, David - ride on 🙌

[@omare_biketonature]

Yours is one of my favorite KZbin cycling channels! Entertaining and always useful information. Cheers buddy, happy new year 🎆

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks, Omare!!

[@davidferguson9109]

Thanks again for another great review. Although the K-Lite is my primary bikepacking light, I have a couple of 10+ yo Magicshine 900’s that are still my favorites (even though you have to deal with separate battery packs/cords). The most recent Magicshine Monteer 8000s looks very appealing,simply due to its retina-scorching output, and long burn time coupled with their 10,000mah battery pack

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing!

[@outbackwack368]

Happy New Year! Excellent! I love geeking out on this stuff too 🙂 My bike lights for day riding on roads are the cheapest Chinese ones that do the job. HOWEVER, I have a drawer full of Streamlight, Nitecore and Lezyne 🙂

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for chiming in - Ride on!!

[@gravelpack8536]

Love all your videos but this one came in so handy thanks as I ride almost exclusively at night and also do bike packing adventures I ended up going with the Fenix BC30

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks, Gravel Pack :) glad o can be of service! Ride on 🤙

[@jeztv9014]

Good to see back on tubeU 🥳. Great video v interesting. I use a sinewave beacon, and an Exposure Sirius mk10 under the bar extension or on my helmet. I plug an exposure micro red light in the rear of the mk10, it lights up the lower front and gives great side visibility. Or if on my helmet great high up rear light. 🥳

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for your detailed notes- much appreciated!!

[@mycoachdave]

Great 411! Thanks for sharing!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching 🙌

[@SebastianDeBeer]

Just bought two MJ 900Ss from Magicshine last night and then see this video! Still happy with my choice though. I don’t find having a separate battery pack a pain and I like the fact that it future proofs the lights to some extent.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing Sebastian!

[@eledin99]

Love your stuff man and so does my ADD. Ha

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

😂😂 thank you!

[@CurdPattysRoll]

I like your speech pace, please, keep it as it is

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Ok

[@larslarsen1149]

Great video!! I’m definitely going to be looking into some of these lights for my big bike trips coming up!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Best of luck on your upcoming adventures!! 🙌🙌

[@barrydimelow822]

Love your reviews and wealth of knowledge - great stuff

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks, Barry!!

[@ivicabozinovic9450]

Hi Alan. Nice video and usefull information. I use a bontrager a profesional cyclist friend of mine recomended me. Some 800lm on the front one, called Ion Elite R, sturdy, aluminim made and lasting. The rear one small and reliable, called Flarer city

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Those are great, we sell them at the shop - thanks for the reminder 🙏 ride on!

[@veryscarygary]

Fantastic overview of lights. I have the older BC30, love it.. have always dreamed of a wireless remote. Good to know it exists! I really dig their Fenix E-Light. USB-C, tiny.. quite bright and clips on a ball cap peak. Great for around camp when you don't want to use a strap head lamp. I have been looking for a accessory pouch for a hydration pack/backpack. What are you using at 8:46? Thanks for the fun content. Really dig it..

[@teddgram]

Lights are just like seats - everyone has their personal preferences. At the end of the day, I really don't think anything sold at a bike shop would be a mistake. I've always run NiteRider lights and the only time it's let me down is when I dropped one on the pavement. The light in particular has a display on it that shows things like what mode you are in, how much time the battery has left, etc. When I dropped it, it ruined the circuit board under the display which disabled the light. However, NiteRider does repairs pretty cheap, so I just sent it in and they fixed it. I have a 2nd light that has the same amount of lumens but it just has a single button that toggles through the modes. Both my headlights are from the Lumina series and they have a GoPro mount adapter for them. Since both my computer mount and my helmet have GoPro mounts, I can swap out the lights really easy in case one of them dies. For my rear light I use a NiteRider Bullet. It does 200 lumens flash for 16.5 hours. I also have a NiteRider Solas, which is a very reliable light. You can clip it to a bag or use a seat mount. I just wish they had USB-C, but other than that I haven't had much to complain about.

[@SebastianDeBeer]

Their styling is just too blingy for me. If they did an all black version would be there like a shot as they have a great reputation.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching and commenting, ride on!!

[@ryanthompson1442]

Think I'm going to pull the trigger on a bc30 would love a dynamo but with the singletrack bikepacking I primarily do the hike a bikes would be a problem.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Great light - you’ll like it 🤙

[@sometimerving6849]

Alan thanks for another great review, I have been using the Bontrager Flare light on the rear for a few years and have liked it. They are rugged, small with great blink patterns that help keep you visible. I just ordered two of the Portland lights so I can compare. I have also been using the Light & Motion headlights a couple years and have liked each of those that I have. I have a few different ones that I happen to purchase from my LBS. They are also rugged, bright and last for many hours. My only gripe is that the really bright (I think 1100 Lumens) one I have will shut off if it overheats which has happened, when it does I turn it off to cool and put in one of my lower power ones. I have not gotten on the K-lite bandwagon, but I think I need to, but I only have a dynomo hub (SP) on one of my bikes so I have not bothered, but I think I will need to jump in a give them a try.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing and your detailed comment! We sell the bontrager lights at the shop, and they are great 👍

[@erinclaudio9211]

Love it. Any KZbinr or site that has more light comparisons

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Haha 😂 thanks for watching :)

[@DJhunta]

Another stellar informational video!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks, Hunter :)

[@uknowbass]

Hard to beat the value of the Garmin Varia UT800 front light. $100 and mine lasted 3 years and I ride a lot. To be fair, I mostly used it for flashing during day rides

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@michaelmetcalfe795]

very good..thanK yoU 👍

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks you for watching :)

[@LeifStanbury]

What is the face mask you are using around 8:17?

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Cold Avenger - ride on :)

[@dannyzuehlsdorf3697]

Company is "Touhuhot" front light waterproof and super bright, claims 8000 - 9000 lumens. Less than $50 on scamazon. It's held up nicely for 2 years but I'm not too hard on my gear. My son's bike has a front light from "Ovetour." Probably 1000 lumes plus or minus but has also been a workhorse.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing, Danny

[@welshbikepackingadventures]

great advice bro

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Glad it was helpful!

[@whirving]

Thanks for including lights for cold riding like here. I currently use a Ledlenser 600 lumen headlamp and an 800L Bontrager similar to the Fenix BC 26. I'll probably follow your example and get the BC30! By the way, do you know Karl Zeller?

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Hi William... thanks for watching and commenting :) I don't know Karl Zeller... sorry!

[@gerard7829]

Have you ever had problems with your exposure buttons? I had to return 2 joysticks because the button either didn’t work or would get stuck. The 3 rd is working “better” but still Problematic and cold weather prevents the button from pressing alltogether

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Nope, never had any problems with the buttons - bummer to hear about yours :(

[@BorneoAgent]

What do you think about the kLite rear blinky cube for long rides like the Tour Divide? Worth occupying one of the two USB ports on the accompanying charger port, or better to get a rear light like the one you showed to keep those ports open?

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Kinda depends on your setup- I’ve grown to like the “set it and forget it” qube… and it runs all day… otherwise, I’m turning my other light off to conserve battery, or changing modes to conserve - I only use one usb port at a time, and just focus on charging battery bank usually 🤙 hope that helps!

[@jeffballuff6773]

Another great informative video. One question, does the BC26R fit into the Joystick helmet mount? Fenix makes a great light, but their helmet mount is not the handiest. One last thing, their handlebar mount is robust but the mounting bolt can work itself loose and fall off since there is no retaining mechanism. Keep up the great work.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

BC26R is rectangular and doesn’t fit in joystick mount like the PD36R- thanks for the note about the mounting bolt… my friend also broke the spring release lever off… ride on :)

[@ellerybice3787]

Except for the suggested alcohol poisoning at the end, this was a stupendous video. 🚴🏼🥴🚴🏼!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing ;)

[@intheflownutrition]

Which helmet mount do you use with the Fenix lights?

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

I use exposure helmet mount

[@paulb9769]

Surely you can run a dynamo light off a battery pack?

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for commenting :) Would you recommend that?

[@pgreenx]

Hi! If you only bought one like for GDMBR/touring would you go with joystick or BC26R or bc30 or ? Thanks.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

That’s a trick question! I’d probably say bc26r… ride on!

[@pgreenx]

@@DirtyTeethMTB thanks for responding. I did some research and I would actually never buy an exposure light. I think it’s terrible in 2023 that you have a proprietary charging cable and input (no USB-C). I don’t ever want to have to carry a separate charging cord on a backpacking trip or tour that I could possibly lose. Or extra weight. For your use case, this may not matter

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

@@pgreenx thanks for sharing your opinion :)

[@helloeveryone906]

Night riding in wooded areas 😂😢 " ghost 👻 👽 "

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

😂😂

[@mattsmith800]

We absolutely love the Outbound Lighting lights. Check them out.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Lots of people seem to love Outbound - thanks for sharing!! Hopefully I’ll try some one of these days 🤙🤙

[@chadkline4268]

Cmon, most people want a dynamo that flicks on and off a tire. Who makes the best light and dynamo for a no battery permanent LED setup?

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Pretty happy with my kLite setup

[@chadkline4268]

@@DirtyTeethMTB kLite now offers two versions of the ULTRA gravel lamp--the Adventure model and the Race model-each uniquely designed for a different branch of endurance cycling. Both rely on high-end Cree XPGv3 LEDs with SquareTECH trail riding optimized optics, which work together to provide the world’s brightest and most efficient dynamo light. Please note that ULTRA V2 is intended for dynamo use only. The entire kLite ULTRA lineup is “expedition rated”-waterproof, vibration proof, and tested over thousands of miles by elite cyclists worldwide. Sounds great, but they just had to add a bunch of nonsense to make it $500??? Omg. A dynamo+light for $100 would've been good enough. Can't they make a light without adding switches and features and boxes and wiring and capacitors and USB. KISS. I need to see holes in the road at night. Things like that. I don't want clutter and expense. I need to lock my bike up outside stores. I can't afford to have a $500 item on my bike. It will get stolen before I can even use it.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

@@chadkline4268 yeah, maybe they should offer a "basic" option with no frills.

[@johnshannon]

Lezyne sounds like la-zine

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks John

[@alexdrinkwater28]

Hi!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Hi Alex!

[@TheWpruden]

I guess your family is glad video is over; sounds like my family.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

🤣 thanks for watching until the end!

[@davidlang9939]

ALL LIGHTS THAT CAN SIT IN A BRACKET MUST HAVE A GLOBAL FULL-SETTING BRACKET TO MATCH THE ANGLES OF UR EQUIPMENT AND RIDING NEEDS.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

thanks for commenting!

[@GrahamFootBicycleLover]

I love your content but just can't listen for too long, cutting every gap in your sentences is hard work after a while.

[@mrjackson6327]

I’ve been trying to put my finger on what it was

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

I hear ya, but also get plenty of folks who seem to like the fast pace- wish I could please everyone 🤙🤙

[@JeanFrancoisDesrosiers]

These are all way overpriced. 300$ no thanks. Esp considering a handheld electrically equivalent is 70$. Just make a mount for it.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for commenting and watching - ride on 🤙