I have the kLite system on my bike as I like to support my fellow countrymen, but this is definitely, without saying the best review of the kLite system I've ever seen. great job
Super impressed with your testing, and thx again for the feedback, it was a bit of a juggle to get a bright light from the good old dynamo hub, turns out there were a few tricks we had to do, to make it all happen, by upping the voltage of the light with 3 leds, we could then offer USB recharge at the same time, few systems offer this and its a great back up, should get stuck at nite, with a dead cache battery and dead GPS and it starts to snow.... with kLite you have the super back up mode, of direct GPS recharge and lights at same time, so you can move and get safe if conditions go bad. This is one upside to the USB charger, its got extra smoothing caps so to go 'direct to device' with sensitive equipment, trade off, yes its bigger. its also a SOLD block, you can kick it around, and ziptie gates to lock in cables on bumpy roads So 3 LED is the magic number. we did have a smaller head unit, that is for sure, but after testing we found using the SAME power and same LEDs same electronics, BUT bigger optics / lens, we could get a much higher lux or throw, a much brighter looking light, for no extra drag or power used, just by using bigger optics, we got way more light, but, you said it, trade off was size...then my choice to make the light in SOLID rubber means you can kick it like a football and its all good, but again, trade off, its a bit heavier but only by grams... Now the LOW speed power booster, as you said is no gimmick, I feel its the #1 reason these lights are so good, as we created a extra power boost down in the low speed band, at the same time, we charge an internal supercapacitor bank, this gives back power when slow or stopped, IMO this is the biggest difference in kLite and the rest, way more power down low and very little flicker, again yes its a bit bigger light for the supercaps, but not by much, I guess the light looks like that, as this was the only way to maximize output by riding the science of all aspects and at the same time make it super robust and very reliable. its not fancy gear, its just sold as hell, for me this is what I wanted, something to get me home, no matter what, something keep me safe at all times when I ride, a fit and forget system that just works, that I never need to stuff with. Your feedback is noted and can say new CNC mounts and other stuff is in the pipe works.... once again, you have an amazing understanding of this product, well done, and thank you again!!
Hello kLite! I don't know if you know about Jens During the guy who build the Aheadlader v6, but I think you two should definitely get in touch, look it up! Your philosophies seem very close. The Aheadlader is a charging unit that fits in the headset (also exists in a bigger separate version), and is best known for being very (the most?) efficient on a large speed range. It's actually not sold as a whole, the assembly instructions are public and it's up to you to build the unit. Maybe if you two collaborate you could achieve the most efficient, powerful, bright, solid, versatile dynamo USB charger & light ever seen! PS: He's german, I don't know how well he speaks english but DeepL is there for you
I don't know what happened to my first comment but here is a short version. I have the v1 of the Ultra gravel hooked to a SON and it has been great since I got it in July 2019 and run over 24k road kms. Love it enough that I have recently purchased two more kLites - another gravel model (for an MTB project) and a road model for a road bike. Kerry has great customer service and is always on the ball, ready to help you out. I will be using K-Edge combo mounts...solid as a rock.
I was recently racing the Tour Aotearo. I followed another rider with this setup at night along a really sketchy trail. Was super impressed with the way it lit up the whole trail.
Excellent!! Very happy to see you using the kLite system. Matt at Jefe Velo is superb and Kerry knows his stuff. Top of the range kit for adventure biking or evening city biking. Bravo!!
As an aside, with regards to the brightness of the light (road/gravel v1 version), I have had two people tell me that they thought a motorcycle was approaching.
I looked at dynamo hubs and lights but went with a PedalCell and an Outbound EVO light. More power output at lower RPMs (like, 5~6mph), and you can move to different bikes if you want. Also, zero drag when you don't need charging, unlike a hub dynamo. The power output is so good I may not even bring a cache battery. I will use it on the Tour Divide this summer.
Right on, sounds like a great setup... I've heard good things, almost makes me wanna build an alloy wheel just to test it out... best of luck on the TD :)
@@DirtyTeethMTB I appreciate your review and that looks like a solid setup. FWIW, I'm actually running carbon rims. PedalCell won't recommend it but there have been people who have had no issues with carbon rims. For insurance, I've actually cut sections of helicopter tape that cover the running surface of the rim. So far with a few hundred miles of dynamo use I'm seeing no wear on the tape (and thus no wear on the rim). I may add an extra layer of tape just for some added safety for the long TD. I'm interested to see how it does on a long, grueling ride like that. Time will tell!
Excellent video Been using K-lite with Son hub for 6 years … I am guessing mine is V1 as it has never failed me and I am also “ if it ain’t broke , don’t worry bout it “ 😉😉 Keep ‘em turning Alan
Great Review! I just installed my mtb version and used it on an overnighter. I already had a K-Edge mount that works perfectly with the GoPro adapter. I have been impressed with the light so far, but haven't been out long enough to get a feel for the charging capabilities. It did keep my Garmin InReach mini and my Garmin Edge 530 fully charged. I opted not to purchase the rear blinky at this point.
This is such a great, comprehensive video. Well done! I had it in my mind that the exposure revo+sinewave revolution would be my best option but that involves a whole headache of figuring out the wiring. This being plug and play is the main draw for me but it seems so well thought out in general.
You can't go wrong either way. I used a sinewave revolution and the Revo for years - both great units... kLite used to wire revolution's for use with their system before they came out with their own usb chargers... but I think they've since stopped for obvious reasons (you can double check with them)... In my experience, the kLite Ultra v2 is definitely brighter and kicks in earlier than the Revo, and I'm enjoying it... so I just sold my Revo on eBay :) Ride on!
Excellent presentation! I use a bar and helmet setup with Nitecore stuff and all USB rechargeable. And a 1 mile visible adjustable rear blinky. Doubt I'll ever have the need for a Dynamo though...
Thanks for uploading! I have the V2 MTB with a SON hub (no rear blinker). Have made great use of the USB charger, but tbh, have not been overly impressed with the light: I have an old, cheap Magicshine (lists 900 lumens, I believe the independent tests measured ~ 840) which subjectively appears to provide better illumination…. The hub connector has given issues in that it can pop off on rough terrain at times (tried crimping connectors on firmly..no luck): if anyone knows a better solution I’m open to suggestions. Thanks again for another detailed review!
Thanks again for your time and effort required for awesome content! I'm assuming neither the gravel nor road versions of these lights offer a cut-off beam pattern similar to many of the German-designed lighting systems. My current bikes have either dynamo or battery-powered (Busch + Müller) lights with a "car-friendly" cut-off beam.
Thanks for watching, Todd - I don't think any of the kLite units have a cut-off beam pattern... great questions, and you might wanna double check with kLite to confirm - ride on!
love the excitement in your presenting. As i start to bike back & take part in ultra events more dynamo lights seen the odvious choice. Started to look more at the k-lite system. - subscribed :)
Thanks, man. Great and complete overview, learned a lot from your insights. Never thought that there would be so much to this - I just run a simple, large powerbank to power my lights, and your video got me thinking :) Also, I completely relate to the "redundancy" side of things - I work in IT and we get weird kinds of issues like the ones you describe: ports failing, connectors breaking mid-journey, you name it! So yeah, peace of mind is great to have.
Super timely video, Alan! Was just about to pull the trigger on almost exactly the same setup. How has the SP PD-8X worked out for you, especially for Divide? I understand it isn't nearly as efficiently as the (rather expensive) SON 28. Watched all your vids but would love to hear your experience and if it's worth springing the extra coin for the SON28 or if PD-8X is perfectly adequate. Cheers and thanks!
The pd-8x is perfectly adequate in my experience- I’ve got at least 6k miles on it in all kinds of conditions- zero problems. I don’t think you can go wrong with either hub. That said, I’ll probably switch to son next go around, based on others experience and feedback, I’d like to give it a shot- not sure if it’s worth the extra $$ but at that point with the overall investment… why not go big 😜 ride on!
you know you will loose around 15-20% when charging a battery then to a divice..... instead of derectly in you phone/gps .... also 2 smaller batterys has another benefit then backup.... how bigger the battery the slower the charge with dynamo systems because bigger batterys have more resistance 2x5000mah instead of 1x10000mah the big bricks like 20000mah+ are pretty hard to fill with a dynamo system. I myself use a SON dynamo hub (no lights got some small ones but never ride ad night) for my AC/DC converter I use Forumslader V5 It has a battery build in around 3000mah (around phone charge) In a general day 18km/h avarage around 100km I can easy Charge my phone (in 2hrs with 2700mah battery) Garmin head unit and 1 Drone battery from my DJI mini and have some room to fill my backup battery. you should check out the Forumlader V5 if your in need for more power during your ride it seems to be the most efficent one on the market it even has a app so you can see your power output from the dynamo, and howmutch power you get pull out of it and many more stats....
Great review! I’ve been using a V1 Klite Backpacker Ultra setup for about three years now on my Fargo Ti and loved it so much I just put one on the Blackborow rig I built last year. Klite and Jefe have both had exceptional service! With regard to the Qube light, have you given thought to mounting it on the non drive side stay? Most cars will be passing you on that side so it will give better visibility to them. Also less likely to get hit with flying chain grime. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for watching and commenting, Paul :) That's awesome you put a kLite on your Blackborow! I chose DS for the qube to hide the wire with my shift cable housing...but yes, you're right... technically probably a little better to put on NDS - ride on :)
Great video ! Not a huge fan of the 3D printed finish of the charger and the clamp. I don’t ride at night enough to justify the purchase so I’ll stick with my PD-8X and sinewave revolution charger paired with cache batteries and my trusty lezyne lights that I charge overnight.
Def a big investment… and overkill for most… unless you’re doing a big bikepacking adventures/long tours… I dig your setup - Lezyne + revolution for the win !
@@DirtyTeethMTB Am I the only one freaking out with using 3D printed parts that will be required to hold load bearing, structural integrity and resistance to vibrations? On the video you can already see some of the layers are separating already. Maybe they use some kind of epoxy inside to at least ensure water resistance, like Sinewave does? (Also the cache battery itself would require a separate video, and maybe review some other models. Some charge-through batterie start charging, then use power from the hub as you cycle faster to power the USB devices, but sometimes fail to switch back to battery power when you stop, or when you ride slightly too slowly. It's actually a complex piece of electronic to get right.) Thanks for your content, super interesting as usual, especially from Europe where we use slightly different kit. Gives a very nice alternative perspective.
@@mrr9166 the 3D printed plastic mount is pretty dang beefy, and I'm not worried about it's integrity at all - it's hasn't budged once since I started using it... as I mentioned in the video, it's actually too beefy for my taste, so I'll be switching to a more svelte kEdge mount anyway. Re: the charger... I believe they do use epoxy like Sinewave to make the connections waterproof. I've used both the Revolution and the kLite dual USB plenty - both are fantastic and I've yet to have a single issue with either. Yes, I like the traditional construction of the Revolution over the 3D printing of the kLite, and it's slightly lighter and more streamlined... but I like the dual output ports on the kLite, that the input/output ports are all on the same side, and it doesn't have a permanent cable... so def pros and cons to both... re: cache batteries, that would make a good video... I'll keep it in mind, thanks!
Nailed it as usual. Great video. 👍 I went with a pedal cell external. Main reason was that I can move it from my cutty to the madone. It also puts out much more power.
Thanks for your comment. Was going to ask about external dynamo setups. This fits the bill for me. Did a France Spain bike trip back in the 80s in December-January. Did a lot of night biking with a cheap wheel dynamo light as I used to like lying on the beach until about two or three in the afternoon drinking a few beer then biking until about ten at night. Blew tons of light bulbs but worked well never the less.
@@KowalskiVanishing_Point no. The connector for this light plugs in to the kLite wiring loom, which plugs into my dynamo hub. It doesn't plug directly into the hub. Ride on :)
Oops, hit enter too soon. Great video and super helpful information. I'm adding the gravel set up with rear blinky to a new frame build and like you, still want helmet lighting..... Which do you prefer using the Fenix or Joystick and what mount do ya use with the Fenix!? Thanks so much!!
Hi Mark, depends on the ride - length, speed, etc - but most often I use joystick, love that little thing... It's a little fatter than joystick, but I have shoved a PD36R in the joystick helmet mount and it hasn't broken yet :) Ride on!
@@kLiteRacing well I spoke to the Aussie guy and they told me to talk to the America rep and never got a reply from the America rep. So I suppose I was half wrong to my reply.
There are many scenarios where I prefer not to have a dynamo system- shorter, singletrack, techy routes, where I’m riding slower, etc) I just use lights with replaceable batts…but for longer multi-day tours and bikepacking races like tour divide I think dynamo is worth it
The complexity, such as it is, is only during the install. I ride almost exclusively at night and with a dyno setup, I never have to worry about recharging the front light. The back is a different story, I have multiple lights and just today I recharged three battery lights. Cygolites are great...been running them for almost a decade.
I already have the sinewave charger. Can I only buy the light and switch and still continue to use the sinewave charger? Excellent review. I'm impressed!
Hi Tobias... you should be able to buy the light, harness, and switch... and then attach a kLite connector to your sinewave usb charger... I used to have that exact setup and it worked great :) - the guys at kLite are awesome and should be able to help ya with any questions - ride on!
I was unable to use it on my bike it is way to thick, I also found that the plug keeps disconnecting from the hub because the wire is too stiff, I would recomend making the wires yourself if you are planning a neat set up.
The thick cables definitely don’t fit in the cutty fork… That hole is tiny… I’d rather have expedition worthy wires/connectors… not as clean, but I just tape it to the fork and you barely notice it…
Nice video.. thankyou for posting. Someone told me that the Klite system can only be powered from the Dynamo Hub and cannot use the power bank if the Dynamo fails. Is that correct?
Yes, depending on ride/race, I often carry two smaller batteries vs one large… redundancy in case I damage/break one, and I can cycle them- charging one while the other one charges items… without having to deal with pass through, etc… ride on!
@@DirtyTeethMTB they look amazing... I have toyed with so many styles and Have never seen these!!! I need to scour the internet now again for newer version or like them! thanks. videos are top notch btw!
boom got me a pair... time to play around with the set up thanks! Been wanting to get a lifted posistion abouve the bar bag and lights. @@DirtyTeethMTB
Ledlenser and you'll never be without,,, a bit of over kill but there nothing like spectacular viewing at objects at 30 + mpr on out past 330 meters with different settings for wide view... They are self contained and adaptable too all kinds of sports and hobbies as well as job sites,,, hunting and trapping or running the dog sled team... Yha won't be disappointed with 4000 luma
For some reason my Klite isn't charging my iphone pro max 13 - not even registering that it is plugged into a charger at all. Have you seen this? Any tips?
Hmm never heard that before… but I usually charge a cache battery with dynamo and use cache batt to charge phone with constant power… if you haven’t figured it out, hit up the folks at jefe.bike - they should sort you out 🤙🤙
Thanks for watching, Chris :) If you have time to recharge lights in towns, restaurants... and/or are carrying big cache batteries... and aren't riding hours upon hours through the night, it definitely might be overkill - ride on!
Bike was fine and got me the next 400 miles to finish the race :) I was lookin at the view of the river off to the side and lost concentration for a sec….
@@andrewhamilton3486 for the handlebar I typically use the twofish flashlight holder… cheap and secure, but can be a little bouncy on technical descents 🤙
not a problem, design feature... . it's called "stand light" - so that you continue to have light for a little bit, even when you slow down/stop... most people prefer that vs just having the light turn off right away... ride on!
@@DirtyTeethMTB just saying , my mountain bike was about 1800 quid (£gbp) this is an investment indeed 😬 Like the vids anyhow good to see what’s out there
Sorry, way too much cheap 3D printing here. 3D is supposed to be us for prototypes before full production, not for actual production. It's cheap, looks cheap and would be the lowliest component on my hand built expedition bike. SineWave it is then.
@@simonsharp9162 that's a bummer. I use a k-edge out front GoPro mount... I don't like the 3D printed stuff either, but the light itself is solid... you can't go wrong with the beacon either - ride on!
This is ridiculous, get a BM IQ-X thats is a better light and add a Forumslader V6 thats way more efficient. This video is a an ad-joke. The cost for a way more efficient system is sub $200..takes 2 seconds to google. I have done 2xTCR, TransAM (top 10). The $600 price is just hilarious, dont even has a battery cache, just capacitors.
Thanks for sharing your opinions, sirulrich88 :) I'm glad you've found a system that works for you :) - As far as "ad jokes" - I just try to make videos I think people will find useful... sorry if you disagree... Ride on :)
@@sirulrich88 In my mind, the nearest competitor for an expedition-rated bikepacking dynamo light would be the Sinewave Beacon - 800 lumens... by all means, "enlighten us" with other options :) ride on!
@@DirtyTeethMTB I hope you also ride on, but that is factually wrong. The IQ-X from BM has tested way over 1000 lumen, which I stated as a better option above...
@@sirulrich88 I didn't realize that the IQ-X was expedition-rated and was designed to take an off-road beating... which is why I didn't consider it as a competitor to kLite. I thought it was more of a "road/commuter light" So thanks a bunch for clarifying :) Ride on!
@@DirtyTeethMTB i have shimano dynamo on my bikes with led ligth , pay around 20euro , dose not light much , but for city bike is ok , and have a ebay ligth with external battery pack , work well , pay 20 for it but need wall power to charge ,
@@DirtyTeethMTB and one more thing for 500$ you can get a pretty good new bike no mater what your need are ,, 10-30 is a normal price for head ligth , 100 is the max some one should pay for hi end stuff ,
My guy you talk like a living version of reddit and a Tim and Eric sketch, I can tell you read a lot of modern advertising blogposts. Maybe try being a little more off the cuff and casual.
![ลองสุ่มไอโฟน 990 โกงมั้ย? [ โกงมั้ยครับ ep.101 ] | DOM](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bfsWe0j492k/mqdefault.jpg)
I have the kLite system on my bike as I like to support my fellow countrymen, but this is definitely, without saying the best review of the kLite system I've ever seen. great job
Thanks for your kind words :) kLite is definitely doing it right! Ride on :)
Super impressed with your testing, and thx again for the feedback, it was a bit of a juggle to get a bright light from the good old dynamo hub, turns out there were a few tricks we had to do, to make it all happen, by upping the voltage of the light with 3 leds, we could then offer USB recharge at the same time, few systems offer this and its a great back up, should get stuck at nite, with a dead cache battery and dead GPS and it starts to snow.... with kLite you have the super back up mode, of direct GPS recharge and lights at same time, so you can move and get safe if conditions go bad. This is one upside to the USB charger, its got extra smoothing caps so to go 'direct to device' with sensitive equipment, trade off, yes its bigger. its also a SOLD block, you can kick it around, and ziptie gates to lock in cables on bumpy roads
So 3 LED is the magic number. we did have a smaller head unit, that is for sure, but after testing we found using the SAME power and same LEDs same electronics, BUT bigger optics / lens, we could get a much higher lux or throw, a much brighter looking light, for no extra drag or power used, just by using bigger optics, we got way more light, but, you said it, trade off was size...then my choice to make the light in SOLID rubber means you can kick it like a football and its all good, but again, trade off, its a bit heavier but only by grams...
Now the LOW speed power booster, as you said is no gimmick, I feel its the #1 reason these lights are so good, as we created a extra power boost down in the low speed band, at the same time, we charge an internal supercapacitor bank, this gives back power when slow or stopped, IMO this is the biggest difference in kLite and the rest, way more power down low and very little flicker, again yes its a bit bigger light for the supercaps, but not by much, I guess the light looks like that, as this was the only way to maximize output by riding the science of all aspects and at the same time make it super robust and very reliable.
its not fancy gear, its just sold as hell, for me this is what I wanted, something to get me home, no matter what, something keep me safe at all times when I ride, a fit and forget system that just works, that I never need to stuff with. Your feedback is noted and can say new CNC mounts and other stuff is in the pipe works.... once again, you have an amazing understanding of this product, well done, and thank you again!!
"not fancy gear, just solid as hell" - 100% thanks for pushing the envelop and sharing your passion!! Ride on :)
Not fancy, but a price tag of $600? Lol
Hello kLite!
I don't know if you know about Jens During the guy who build the Aheadlader v6, but I think you two should definitely get in touch, look it up!
Your philosophies seem very close.
The Aheadlader is a charging unit that fits in the headset (also exists in a bigger separate version), and is best known for being very (the most?) efficient on a large speed range.
It's actually not sold as a whole, the assembly instructions are public and it's up to you to build the unit.
Maybe if you two collaborate you could achieve the most efficient, powerful, bright, solid, versatile dynamo USB charger & light ever seen!
PS: He's german, I don't know how well he speaks english but DeepL is there for you
I don't know what happened to my first comment but here is a short version. I have the v1 of the Ultra gravel hooked to a SON and it has been great since I got it in July 2019 and run over 24k road kms. Love it enough that I have recently purchased two more kLites - another gravel model (for an MTB project) and a road model for a road bike.
Kerry has great customer service and is always on the ball, ready to help you out.
I will be using K-Edge combo mounts...solid as a rock.
Thanks for adding your input, Wai Sing Lee :). Ride on!
Your reviews are so thorough and helpful. Quite a service to the bikepacking community
Thanks for your kind words, Corey! Ride on :)
I was recently racing the Tour Aotearo. I followed another rider with this setup at night along a really sketchy trail. Was super impressed with the way it lit up the whole trail.
Christopher, thanks for watching and sharing your input :) Ride on!
Excellent!! Very happy to see you using the kLite system. Matt at Jefe Velo is superb and Kerry knows his stuff. Top of the range kit for adventure biking or evening city biking. Bravo!!
Thanks for watching, Jon... I agree with ya 100% - ride on :)
As an aside, with regards to the brightness of the light (road/gravel v1 version), I have had two people tell me that they thought a motorcycle was approaching.
Wow 😮 thanks for sharing 🤙
I looked at dynamo hubs and lights but went with a PedalCell and an Outbound EVO light. More power output at lower RPMs (like, 5~6mph), and you can move to different bikes if you want. Also, zero drag when you don't need charging, unlike a hub dynamo. The power output is so good I may not even bring a cache battery. I will use it on the Tour Divide this summer.
Right on, sounds like a great setup... I've heard good things, almost makes me wanna build an alloy wheel just to test it out... best of luck on the TD :)
@@DirtyTeethMTB I appreciate your review and that looks like a solid setup. FWIW, I'm actually running carbon rims. PedalCell won't recommend it but there have been people who have had no issues with carbon rims. For insurance, I've actually cut sections of helicopter tape that cover the running surface of the rim. So far with a few hundred miles of dynamo use I'm seeing no wear on the tape (and thus no wear on the rim). I may add an extra layer of tape just for some added safety for the long TD. I'm interested to see how it does on a long, grueling ride like that. Time will tell!
I run the Bikepacker ULTRA V2 Ultra Gravel fantastic light and the charger makes bike packing a no brainer always works never a drama
Thanks for chiming in, Bryan - ride on 🤙
Excellent video
Been using K-lite with Son hub for 6 years … I am guessing mine is V1 as it has never failed me and I am also “ if it ain’t broke , don’t worry bout it “ 😉😉
Keep ‘em turning Alan
Ride on, Ken :) the son hub and klite will likely outlive all of us!
Sweet set up, and great detailed explanation! Thanks bro!
Thanks for watching, Isaak - glad you enjoyed it :)
Great video. By far the best insight into the klite setups 👍
Glad you enjoyed it, H O O N - ride on!
Be nice if they have a USB C option in the future. Less bulky cables need and I would suggest USB C connects might have a greater reliability?
never version will be rubber coated and 2x USB C connectors... :)
great points :) and glad Kerry is listening!
Great Review!
I just installed my mtb version and used it on an overnighter. I already had a K-Edge mount that works perfectly with the GoPro adapter.
I have been impressed with the light so far, but haven't been out long enough to get a feel for the charging capabilities. It did keep my Garmin InReach mini and my Garmin Edge 530 fully charged.
I opted not to purchase the rear blinky at this point.
This is such a great, comprehensive video. Well done! I had it in my mind that the exposure revo+sinewave revolution would be my best option but that involves a whole headache of figuring out the wiring. This being plug and play is the main draw for me but it seems so well thought out in general.
You can't go wrong either way. I used a sinewave revolution and the Revo for years - both great units... kLite used to wire revolution's for use with their system before they came out with their own usb chargers... but I think they've since stopped for obvious reasons (you can double check with them)... In my experience, the kLite Ultra v2 is definitely brighter and kicks in earlier than the Revo, and I'm enjoying it... so I just sold my Revo on eBay :) Ride on!
Excellent presentation! I use a bar and helmet setup with Nitecore stuff and all USB rechargeable. And a 1 mile visible adjustable rear blinky. Doubt I'll ever have the need for a Dynamo though...
That Nitecore stuff is sweeeeet... !!!
the best video ever!!! im searching for a dynamo set up and i think i found mine..
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for uploading! I have the V2 MTB with a SON hub (no rear blinker). Have made great use of the USB charger, but tbh, have not been overly impressed with the light: I have an old, cheap Magicshine (lists 900 lumens, I believe the independent tests measured ~ 840) which subjectively appears to provide better illumination….
The hub connector has given issues in that it can pop off on rough terrain at times (tried crimping connectors on firmly..no luck): if anyone knows a better solution I’m open to suggestions. Thanks again for another detailed review!
Thanks again for your time and effort required for awesome content! I'm assuming neither the gravel nor road versions of these lights offer a cut-off beam pattern similar to many of the German-designed lighting systems. My current bikes have either dynamo or battery-powered (Busch + Müller) lights with a "car-friendly" cut-off beam.
Thanks for watching, Todd - I don't think any of the kLite units have a cut-off beam pattern... great questions, and you might wanna double check with kLite to confirm - ride on!
love the excitement in your presenting.
As i start to bike back & take part in ultra events more dynamo lights seen the odvious choice.
Started to look more at the k-lite system.
- subscribed :)
Thanks for watching!!! Glad you’ve got the “bikepacking bug” 🤙🤙
Very timely. Thank you!
Thanks for watching, Cliff! Cheers :)
Thanks, man. Great and complete overview, learned a lot from your insights. Never thought that there would be so much to this - I just run a simple, large powerbank to power my lights, and your video got me thinking :) Also, I completely relate to the "redundancy" side of things - I work in IT and we get weird kinds of issues like the ones you describe: ports failing, connectors breaking mid-journey, you name it! So yeah, peace of mind is great to have.
Thanks for watching! Ride on :)
Super timely video, Alan! Was just about to pull the trigger on almost exactly the same setup. How has the SP PD-8X worked out for you, especially for Divide? I understand it isn't nearly as efficiently as the (rather expensive) SON 28. Watched all your vids but would love to hear your experience and if it's worth springing the extra coin for the SON28 or if PD-8X is perfectly adequate. Cheers and thanks!
The pd-8x is perfectly adequate in my experience- I’ve got at least 6k miles on it in all kinds of conditions- zero problems. I don’t think you can go wrong with either hub. That said, I’ll probably switch to son next go around, based on others experience and feedback, I’d like to give it a shot- not sure if it’s worth the extra $$ but at that point with the overall investment… why not go big 😜 ride on!
@@DirtyTeethMTB thanks, Alan! Appreciate the thoughtful response and all the great content. Will go with the PD-8X. Cheers!
Got one. With rear red lights too. Not used it yet as I am keeping it specifically for a Ultra Race in europe summer 2022. I hope it’s good enough.
David, it should be plenty good enough 🤙
How did you get on with it? Any feedback?
Subbed, two words i dont hear together is bikepacking & race lol.. good info
Thanks for watching and commenting, JMKC - ride on!
Awesome review!! Now wondering if I shouldn't buy the blinky light :)
Thanks so much for watching!
exactly what I was looking for. Thanks
Glad I could help! Ride on!
Great review. What helmet mount do you use for your Fenix PD36R? I have a UC35 and want to mount it to my helmet?
I just pop it in the same mount that came with my joystick- it’s a little fatter than the joystick, but works fine :)
you know you will loose around 15-20% when charging a battery then to a divice..... instead of derectly in you phone/gps .... also 2 smaller batterys has another benefit then backup.... how bigger the battery the slower the charge with dynamo systems because bigger batterys have more resistance 2x5000mah instead of 1x10000mah the big bricks like 20000mah+ are pretty hard to fill with a dynamo system.
I myself use a SON dynamo hub (no lights got some small ones but never ride ad night) for my AC/DC converter I use Forumslader V5 It has a battery build in around 3000mah (around phone charge) In a general day 18km/h avarage around 100km I can easy Charge my phone (in 2hrs with 2700mah battery) Garmin head unit and 1 Drone battery from my DJI mini and have some room to fill my backup battery.
you should check out the Forumlader V5 if your in need for more power during your ride it seems to be the most efficent one on the market it even has a app so you can see your power output from the dynamo, and howmutch power you get pull out of it and many more stats....
Thanks for chiming in, Paul 🤙
Great review! I’ve been using a V1 Klite Backpacker Ultra setup for about three years now on my Fargo Ti and loved it so much I just put one on the Blackborow rig I built last year. Klite and Jefe have both had exceptional service!
With regard to the Qube light, have you given thought to mounting it on the non drive side stay? Most cars will be passing you on that side so it will give better visibility to them. Also less likely to get hit with flying chain grime.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks for watching and commenting, Paul :) That's awesome you put a kLite on your Blackborow! I chose DS for the qube to hide the wire with my shift cable housing...but yes, you're right... technically probably a little better to put on NDS - ride on :)
Great review and details.
thanks for watching and commenting :) much appreciated!
Great video ! Not a huge fan of the 3D printed finish of the charger and the clamp. I don’t ride at night enough to justify the purchase so I’ll stick with my PD-8X and sinewave revolution charger paired with cache batteries and my trusty lezyne lights that I charge overnight.
Def a big investment… and overkill for most… unless you’re doing a big bikepacking adventures/long tours… I dig your setup - Lezyne + revolution for the win !
@@DirtyTeethMTB Am I the only one freaking out with using 3D printed parts that will be required to hold load bearing, structural integrity and resistance to vibrations? On the video you can already see some of the layers are separating already. Maybe they use some kind of epoxy inside to at least ensure water resistance, like Sinewave does?
(Also the cache battery itself would require a separate video, and maybe review some other models. Some charge-through batterie start charging, then use power from the hub as you cycle faster to power the USB devices, but sometimes fail to switch back to battery power when you stop, or when you ride slightly too slowly. It's actually a complex piece of electronic to get right.)
Thanks for your content, super interesting as usual, especially from Europe where we use slightly different kit. Gives a very nice alternative perspective.
@@mrr9166 the 3D printed plastic mount is pretty dang beefy, and I'm not worried about it's integrity at all - it's hasn't budged once since I started using it... as I mentioned in the video, it's actually too beefy for my taste, so I'll be switching to a more svelte kEdge mount anyway. Re: the charger... I believe they do use epoxy like Sinewave to make the connections waterproof. I've used both the Revolution and the kLite dual USB plenty - both are fantastic and I've yet to have a single issue with either. Yes, I like the traditional construction of the Revolution over the 3D printing of the kLite, and it's slightly lighter and more streamlined... but I like the dual output ports on the kLite, that the input/output ports are all on the same side, and it doesn't have a permanent cable... so def pros and cons to both... re: cache batteries, that would make a good video... I'll keep it in mind, thanks!
Nailed it as usual. Great video. 👍 I went with a pedal cell external. Main reason was that I can move it from my cutty to the madone. It also puts out much more power.
I’ve heard good things about that - might have to test one out! Thanks for sharing 🤙
Thanks for your comment. Was going to ask about external dynamo setups. This fits the bill for me. Did a France Spain bike trip back in the 80s in December-January. Did a lot of night biking with a cheap wheel dynamo light as I used to like lying on the beach until about two or three in the afternoon drinking a few beer then biking until about ten at night. Blew tons of light bulbs but worked well never the less.
One question. Does the connector for this light fit your external dynamo? Thanks.
The moment you get some mud or snow on the rim, the PedalCell stops working…game over.
@@KowalskiVanishing_Point no. The connector for this light plugs in to the kLite wiring loom, which plugs into my dynamo hub. It doesn't plug directly into the hub. Ride on :)
Oops, hit enter too soon. Great video and super helpful information. I'm adding the gravel set up with rear blinky to a new frame build and like you, still want helmet lighting..... Which do you prefer using the Fenix or Joystick and what mount do ya use with the Fenix!? Thanks so much!!
Hi Mark, depends on the ride - length, speed, etc - but most often I use joystick, love that little thing... It's a little fatter than joystick, but I have shoved a PD36R in the joystick helmet mount and it hasn't broken yet :) Ride on!
I still haven't gotten my Klite fixed it broke. I wasn't able to get support to see if I could send it back to get fixed.
love to hear from you, we are very good with support, can I ask who you contacted??
@@kLiteRacing well I spoke to the Aussie guy and they told me to talk to the America rep and never got a reply from the America rep. So I suppose I was half wrong to my reply.
@@DJhunta can you re-send the email to me again please???
just wondering about a dynamo set-up vs a battery pack... weight for weight, seems that you could forgo alot of the complexity of a dynamo set up
There are many scenarios where I prefer not to have a dynamo system- shorter, singletrack, techy routes, where I’m riding slower, etc) I just use lights with replaceable batts…but for longer multi-day tours and bikepacking races like tour divide I think dynamo is worth it
The complexity, such as it is, is only during the install. I ride almost exclusively at night and with a dyno setup, I never have to worry about recharging the front light. The back is a different story, I have multiple lights and just today I recharged three battery lights. Cygolites are great...been running them for almost a decade.
@@waisinglee1509 that’s why I like the kLite qube rear light… so easy and never have to charge :)
I already have the sinewave charger. Can I only buy the light and switch and still continue to use the sinewave charger? Excellent review. I'm impressed!
Hi Tobias... you should be able to buy the light, harness, and switch... and then attach a kLite connector to your sinewave usb charger... I used to have that exact setup and it worked great :) - the guys at kLite are awesome and should be able to help ya with any questions - ride on!
Are you able to use the internal cable routing of the fork? Seems that the cable is too bulky and the connectors cant be removed?
Same question here. ?how to take advantage of my 2021 Cutthroat internal fork routing?
I was unable to use it on my bike it is way to thick, I also found that the plug keeps disconnecting from the hub because the wire is too stiff, I would recomend making the wires yourself if you are planning a neat set up.
The thick cables definitely don’t fit in the cutty fork… That hole is tiny… I’d rather have expedition worthy wires/connectors… not as clean, but I just tape it to the fork and you barely notice it…
Do you have a detailed video on how you devised your aerobars?
Sorry, I do not- just Syntace C3ms mounted to a Fred Bar :)
@@DirtyTeethMTB Dern! The stem part confuses me. Be safe.
Ok I will buy !
You’ll be stoked!
@@DirtyTeethMTB used your link to order now. Thank goodness for whiskey courage 😂.
@@DJhunta hahhaaaa!
Nice video.. thankyou for posting. Someone told me that the Klite system can only be powered from the Dynamo Hub and cannot use the power bank if the Dynamo fails. Is that correct?
I believe that is correct… unless something has been updated recently. Thanks for watching 🤙
Thanks for the review. Did you say you carry two of the voltaic cache batteries?
Yes, depending on ride/race, I often carry two smaller batteries vs one large… redundancy in case I damage/break one, and I can cycle them- charging one while the other one charges items… without having to deal with pass through, etc… ride on!
Loving the angle of those middle bars can you tell me what set up that is?
Those are syntace c3 aerobars… I think they might be discontinued 🤔
@@DirtyTeethMTB they look amazing... I have toyed with so many styles and Have never seen these!!! I need to scour the internet now again for newer version or like them! thanks. videos are top notch btw!
boom got me a pair... time to play around with the set up thanks! Been wanting to get a lifted posistion abouve the bar bag and lights. @@DirtyTeethMTB
Which of the lights would you recommend for mostly road touring. You said the road version is for Road racing. What about just touring?
I’d recommend the gravel for road touring - ride on!
Ledlenser and you'll never be without,,, a bit of over kill but there nothing like spectacular viewing at objects at 30 + mpr on out past 330 meters with different settings for wide view...
They are self contained and adaptable too all kinds of sports and hobbies as well as job sites,,, hunting and trapping or running the dog sled team...
Yha won't be disappointed with 4000 luma
What mount do you use for the Fenix 36R on your helmet?
I use an exposure joystick mount on my helmet… the Fenix light is slightly bigger, but still fits :) ride on!
Thanks so very much! Peace and all good things….
For some reason my Klite isn't charging my iphone pro max 13 - not even registering that it is plugged into a charger at all. Have you seen this? Any tips?
Hmm never heard that before… but I usually charge a cache battery with dynamo and use cache batt to charge phone with constant power… if you haven’t figured it out, hit up the folks at jefe.bike - they should sort you out 🤙🤙
Is this overkill for a non racer that does weekend to week long touring on pavement to dirt? Great dl video.
Thanks for watching, Chris :) If you have time to recharge lights in towns, restaurants... and/or are carrying big cache batteries... and aren't riding hours upon hours through the night, it definitely might be overkill - ride on!
@@DirtyTeethMTB We ride deep into the night a majority of the time. Just at a party pace not at a race pace. ;)
@@30bones I love me some party pace :)
What's the cap you're wearing, looks rad?!
It's from a tv show called Seal Team that I used to work on :) Ride on!
Are VOLTAIC only selling in USA. in U.K. I wonder if it’s only double the price or more via EBay???
wow that seems crazy the price would be double! I'd check on Amazon...
@@DirtyTeethMTB not available in U.K. on Amazon. Not checked DE yet though ( DE is Germany - “it’s in Europe” ) lol
Haha 😆 that’s a bummer… Voltaic is missing out!! Maybe you should start importing :)
So what made you loose traction and crash? Was you bike ok?
Bike was fine and got me the next 400 miles to finish the race :) I was lookin at the view of the river off to the side and lost concentration for a sec….
Wondering how you mount the fenix pd36r?? Thanks
I have a helmet mount that came with my exposure joystick that I use… the pd36r is a little wider than the joystick, but still works- ride on!
@@DirtyTeethMTB thanks mate does that same mount also works on handlebar?? Looks like an impressive output and runtime for the fenix!!
@@andrewhamilton3486 for the handlebar I typically use the twofish flashlight holder… cheap and secure, but can be a little bouncy on technical descents 🤙
Your a review pro.
Thanks for the kind words 🤙 ride on!
time crucial here as I search for new wheel build parts, and a budget....
Good luck with your build, Greg - you must have some fun adventures planned!! Ride on :)
I noticed I can't turn off the light after its had some juice to it and takes awhile to completely go dead anyone else have this problem?
not a problem, design feature... . it's called "stand light" - so that you continue to have light for a little bit, even when you slow down/stop... most people prefer that vs just having the light turn off right away... ride on!
Can you use the dynamo hub to generate enough electricity to charge up the battery on your electric bike?
Hahahhaa :) Love it!! Not yet, but probably soon, right?
Over priced but when you want the best you pay for it
Thanks for watching and commenting 🤙
$670 to have lights and a USB charger
Thanks for watching and commenting :) ride on 🤙
Not antiquated, too expensive...
thanks for commenting :) ride on!
That is one expensive bit of kit 😬 fuck man you must be made of money
Thanks for watching and commenting - yep, not cheap… and probably overkill for most … definitely an investment
@@DirtyTeethMTB just saying , my mountain bike was about 1800 quid (£gbp) this is an investment indeed 😬
Like the vids anyhow good to see what’s out there
Sorry, way too much cheap 3D printing here. 3D is supposed to be us for prototypes before full production, not for actual production. It's cheap, looks cheap and would be the lowliest component on my hand built expedition bike. SineWave it is then.
thanks for commenting - since I made this video, kLite has changed their mounts... ride on!
@@DirtyTeethMTB They're still 3D printed in the UK market it seems.
@@simonsharp9162 that's a bummer. I use a k-edge out front GoPro mount... I don't like the 3D printed stuff either, but the light itself is solid... you can't go wrong with the beacon either - ride on!
Such a god damn rip off considering the cost of the components
Thanks for watching and commenting, Jacob :)
This is ridiculous, get a BM IQ-X thats is a better light and add a Forumslader V6 thats way more efficient. This video is a an ad-joke. The cost for a way more efficient system is sub $200..takes 2 seconds to google. I have done 2xTCR, TransAM (top 10). The $600 price is just hilarious, dont even has a battery cache, just capacitors.
Thanks for sharing your opinions, sirulrich88 :) I'm glad you've found a system that works for you :) - As far as "ad jokes" - I just try to make videos I think people will find useful... sorry if you disagree... Ride on :)
@@DirtyTeethMTB you say things like “500 lumens brighter than the nearest competitor” which is not true at all etc
@@sirulrich88 In my mind, the nearest competitor for an expedition-rated bikepacking dynamo light would be the Sinewave Beacon - 800 lumens... by all means, "enlighten us" with other options :) ride on!
@@DirtyTeethMTB I hope you also ride on, but that is factually wrong. The IQ-X from BM has tested way over 1000 lumen, which I stated as a better option above...
@@sirulrich88 I didn't realize that the IQ-X was expedition-rated and was designed to take an off-road beating... which is why I didn't consider it as a competitor to kLite. I thought it was more of a "road/commuter light" So thanks a bunch for clarifying :) Ride on!
500$ what is so special about it ,
Maybe nothing? All depends on your bikepacking/dynamo needs & goals... Thanks for watching :)
@@DirtyTeethMTB i have shimano dynamo on my bikes with led ligth , pay around 20euro , dose not light much , but for city bike is ok , and have a ebay ligth with external battery pack , work well , pay 20 for it but need wall power to charge ,
@@DirtyTeethMTB and one more thing for 500$ you can get a pretty good new bike no mater what your need are ,, 10-30 is a normal price for head ligth , 100 is the max some one should pay for hi end stuff ,
@@darkphotographer sounds like you're dialed - thanks a bunch for sharing your opinions :)
dude...mayB cut down on the coffee and a bit shorter vid
Ok dude 🤙
My guy you talk like a living version of reddit and a Tim and Eric sketch, I can tell you read a lot of modern advertising blogposts. Maybe try being a little more off the cuff and casual.
Thanks for watching, Finn 🙏 I appreciate your candor - ride on 🤙