Re: Riding with lights: Bikefanclub.com

I bought a Jetlite system to use on the 508 this year after renting one earlier in the year. They unfortunately no longer rent the full light set, only batteries. I like the battery life of the system and I like the cost, but I have an issue with the handlebar mount.

The mount clamps onto the bar and then provides a short metal pole (like a bird's perch?) parallel to the bar for the light head to swivel up and down on so that you can aim it. The flexability is nice, but the light head doesn't hold onto the bar tight enough so a few bumps down the road and the light is pointing directly in front of your bike. On the 508 I had to tape something under the light head to hold it in place. It's a disappointing 'feature' of the bar-mounted light.

As for the brightness, I thought they were bright until I rode with my friend and his Light & Motion $600 light. His looked like a car headlight (It's HID) and had the same battery life as my Halogen Jetlite. At over 2x the cost I'm not surprised.

The Jetlite also only comes with either a water bottle shaped battery (bar mount) or a rectangular battery (helmet mount) that has nothing to secure it to the bike. The L&M comes with a frame strap for the battery. I'd rather not give up one bottle during a race at night. If I used it more I'd fashion some type of frame strap thing.

I think the Jetlite is a good entry-level alternative to Niterider and other proper lights. There are a bunch of reviews on mtbr.com (http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/lights) where the Jetlite and L&M lights are at the top of the chart.

If I need a good light for a dark commute, I'd find a way to afford the L&M. For occasional use on double centuries (and for the convenience of renting batteries when I need extra) I'm okay with the Jetlite.

*Jason

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64cm Dragonfly custom geometry

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