For cycle commuting, hub dynamo-powered lights are just superb. I normally also carried spare battery-powered lights - just in case of electrical faults - but in 25 years of commuting, I never needed them. They are so reliable that would never buy a bike without getting a hub dynamo fitted.
For brevets, I recently bought the Detour by Outbound Lighting. It is designed with a shaped beam for good light distribution and clear cut-off so as to not blind cars and pedestrians. It also has pass-through charging, so can be used while being charged and is compatible with standard quick charge (QC 3.0). It is also very well priced. Really love this light. If this was available earlier, I might not have invested in a dynamo system for my other brevet bike.
It looks pretty good! I can see it being used in conjunction with a dyno system; dynohub charging up a USB pack, then, the USB pack charging up the light. Thanks for the FYI! I knew about these guys years ago but haven't kept up.
Many thanks for your comment and recomendantion, will check it out as thats a recurrent issue I have with some lights, they tend to blind cars when riding on busy roads. Safe rides :)
I know this video isn't recent but something to remember is that the Exposure products can be repaired either free if you have proof of purchase or very cheaply if you do not. I had two strada's repaired like this and was very impressed. I am not connected to Exposure in anyway but a happy customer.
I bought my Gravelbike in November 2020. I wanted the „naked“ variant, but only the „Full equipped“ one was available: It‘s got a dynamo hub and a Supernova E3 pure (205 lumen). I really love it for winter riding since I can also go for evening rides without having to carry lights. Great alternative if the new M99 seems expensive and overkill for casual riding.
I use the same dynamo light (and the E3 dynamo tail light) plus a battery powered Giant Recon HL 1100 front light and a saddle mounted battery powered rear light (Giant Numen + Uniclip. The battery powered lights compliment the dynamo lights when required.
I have the Exposure Six Pack. Its a mountain bike light but i use it for everything. It offers a wider beam pattern than the Strada with each bulb set up to compliment the others which avoids sharp contrasts at the edge of the beam, which if you are doing gravel rides too could be really useful. Its max is about 5000 lumens but there are so many settings to choose that it offers run times between 2-36 hours and even the low settings are perfectly adequate for road riding usually. It is a bit bigger as the battery is large, its a Li-ion with 17,000 mAh, so depending on the time of year, if there is 8-12 hours darkness per day, you would be able to go for 3-4.5 days between charges, and although the charge time is 8 hours you could partially charge when you rest and then top it up further when you sleep, because even you must need to sleep after 4 days 😂. An added bonus is that it can be used as a power bank to charge other devises too which can be useful. Just my thoughts but I would recommend the exposure lights.
Many thanks for your comment Tom and info, good points! I like the Exposure lights the beam distribution is great! My only issue is the charging time and I really wish they use a different charging system, like USB-C. However I will keep using them for bikepacking trips :) safe rides
Late to the party here, but you CAN charge the bigger Exposure lights using a battery pack. You just need one with a higher output (e.g. Anker 537) and you need a little USB-C to USB-A converter so you can use the Exposure charger lead with the higher output USB-C port. Then you can charge the light as you ride in the day and just charge the battery pack when you stop, which takes about 3.5 hours with a 30watt plug.
Great review of different lights at various price points. I am running the Schmidt dynamo hub with Schmidt Edelux lamp. Its German road approved and although the output is only 250 lumens the beam is focused on the road. I have a Lumicycle light which i run ar 500 watts max. I find for road use even on the darkest roads too much light affects my peripheral vision. Less is more i find.
just started testing my dyno setup for ultra races. in contrast to my several battery lights dyno lights definitely need additional light both for when stopping, fixing mechanicals and also cornering and trying to find a way. the lights is exposure revo (a beam a bit narrow for me), hub is SON 28. I’d think twice or more before buying dyno setup. It’s very expensive, heavy and perform worse than cheap battery lights
Thanks for your reviews and straight forward opinions. I have a dynamo hub and thought I knew all the lights, but didn't know this supernova, so that's good!
Thank you :) best light i ever tried, now testing the Supernova version of this one battery powered and a new one that can be charged while plugged on a power bank :)
I have the Reelight RL700 series on one of my recumbents. No batteries to forget and doesn't have an on/off switch. I use a cheap 18650 based headlamp on my helmet for when it gets dark enough to really care. It wasn't inexpensive to import the Reelight to the States from Denmark, but it was worth it.
I hope to get the nerve to try an over-night ride one day but as a rule I don't ride in the dark so a battery light is all I really need. For my day rides on American roads I run a MeteorX and Nebula in double-flash strobe mode to wake up the drivers. I also have an Exposure Link as a backup. It can be front, rear or both. Heavy and expensive but I still have my beefy Dinotte head lights and tail lights which have separate battery packs. These are by far the brightest things I have. I think the tail light is only rated for daytime use it is so bright. If I run it at night it goes on dimmest setting and I point it down at the ground to not blind drivers.
Longtime tourist, bb dynamos were best, sidewall types wore out the tires but wouldn't skip as often, work better on knobbies. I backed it with battery, 6v lantern style, a lithium far better, lights were 2-3w, mounted on the fork blades did ok showing rocks h potholes, one focused on the shoulder, one ahead. Front pannier mounts work for this, works in rain fog snow. On tours I'd eat a hot meal, if parks have outlets recharge there while repacking store supplies doesn't waste time, a meal isn't long enough, the 6v lasted about a week. Hth, cheers 🍺
I do almost all of my riding in the dark so I run a SON dyno and a KLite Bikepacker light. I have a Cateye Volt 800 to provide a flashing light, has immense run times.
@@Buzzalong.cycling You're welcome! I have the Cateye installed along the drops of the handlebar. The 400 model outputs the same amount of lumens in flash mode so that might be a lighter choice.
One consideration with Dynmo is adding USD charging when not running the light, but this required a minimum speed that is hard to maintain on techy off road trails like the Arizona Trail or the Colorado Trail. It's better to use pass-thru style power banks while charging devices with the usb, as the start/stop nature of the hub causes most USB devices to confuse themselves with unpredictable results.
Blackburn Dayblazer 1000 works for me, commuting or for evening rides, USB rechargeable and in low mode lasts around 6 hours! But I’m planning on doing an ultra endurance race so i have my eyes on the Fenix lights with interchangeable rechargeable batteries or dynamo hub powered light. Cheers!
I have a bike specific light capable of beaming 400 lumens. The problem with that light is only runs 2 hours and 50 mins on full brightness. It does NOT charge will in use. Not good for a whole night ride. Now, i used a cheap flashlight that uses a Cree T6 LED and a flashlight holder that clamps onto my handlebar. This flashlight can be used while charging. This is the most important feature as I can use the flashlight with my 10000 mah powerbank. Definetly can be used on max brightness for more than 5 hours. Cheap too.
For long distance and backpacking? Both. Use the dynamo to charge a large powerbank and charge everything via this. Never directly off of the dynamo due to fluctuating voltages. Use what ever light you use.
It would be nice to know what happens when you connect a power bank during operation. Some turn off, some stay on. I took me some time to find one which i can use more than 4 hours with a power bank connected if i want
I use the ixon rock now, cause I wanted a light which I can combine with my powerbank, and not have to carry a second battery or a second charger. Ideal would be a light without a battery, just powered by usb. I know there are some, but quite expensive
Thanks Marko, good point! I found the Lenzyne and BBB light you can run while charging with a power bank, I try that with the Exposure lights but it was not working, I found this two lights you can not run them while using a power bank.
@@Buzzalong.cycling Great content, exactly what I've been wondering about lately. I wonder if you can pin your own response to the top, or update the "info" with which units can be charged while in use (folks seem call that "pass through" charging), and if not can they at least be charged with a power bank during daytime riding (the need for Toro to be charged via mains, and the dedicated charging unit make it a poor candidate for Ultras, but otherwise awesome for single day affairs). I those will be reoccuring questions. Thanks, keep doing what you're doing 😀
@Maksym Biednov is spot on - Are there any high quality trail lights with replaceable 18650 or 21700 cells? 99% of the lights on the market use these cells but you just can't access them. You could carry a spare cell (or two) on ultras, you can easily check the capacity over time with a $20 charging units at home so you've "A Team" batteries for any big event, and it would massively improve the lifespan of the device (#RightToRepair). A high end 18650 costs $8? Basically, can someone make an Exposure Diablo, where you can unscrew the back and swap batteries ? 🤷 Thanks !
Have you found any battery lights with a true low beam, i.e. somehing that lights up the ground and not just blinds the cars? I find that you need to point a normal light too much downwards to not blind the cars, and then the area being lit is too short for fast rides. Currently using the cateye ampp800, usually in 200 lm mode which lasts 4-5 hours.
So far the supernova light does a very good job not blinding the cars and illuminating the road at the same time. Also the exposure joystick did a good job in this regard
Thanks for your insights. I'm on the market for a bike light such that Lezyne that can be charged while in use by an external power bank. Are you aware of any? Cheers
The lenzyne lights are very good and affordable, the Classic DRIVE both 700 and 1000 XL I was able to run them while being connected to a power bank, also the BBB light works while connected to a power bank :)
What do you think about the exposure joystick and it’s proprietary charge cable. I’m concerned if it breaks or I lose it I’m without a Light and may add weight.
I really like the exposure light, great beam and visibility with it, my only complain is the charging system they use but good quality otherwise :) is also light weight
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For cycle commuting, hub dynamo-powered lights are just superb. I normally also carried spare battery-powered lights - just in case of electrical faults - but in 25 years of commuting, I never needed them. They are so reliable that would never buy a bike without getting a hub dynamo fitted.
For brevets, I recently bought the Detour by Outbound Lighting. It is designed with a shaped beam for good light distribution and clear cut-off so as to not blind cars and pedestrians. It also has pass-through charging, so can be used while being charged and is compatible with standard quick charge (QC 3.0). It is also very well priced. Really love this light. If this was available earlier, I might not have invested in a dynamo system for my other brevet bike.
It looks pretty good! I can see it being used in conjunction with a dyno system; dynohub charging up a USB pack, then, the USB pack charging up the light. Thanks for the FYI! I knew about these guys years ago but haven't kept up.
Many thanks for your comment and recomendantion, will check it out as thats a recurrent issue I have with some lights, they tend to blind cars when riding on busy roads. Safe rides :)
@@Buzzalong.cycling Btw, love your videos! Please keep it up. 👍
I know this video isn't recent but something to remember is that the Exposure products can be repaired either free if you have proof of purchase or very cheaply if you do not. I had two strada's repaired like this and was very impressed. I am not connected to Exposure in anyway but a happy customer.
I bought my Gravelbike in November 2020. I wanted the „naked“ variant, but only the „Full equipped“ one was available: It‘s got a dynamo hub and a Supernova E3 pure (205 lumen). I really love it for winter riding since I can also go for evening rides without having to carry lights. Great alternative if the new M99 seems expensive and overkill for casual riding.
Many thanks for the tip! Will check the E3
I use the same dynamo light (and the E3 dynamo tail light) plus a battery powered Giant Recon HL 1100 front light and a saddle mounted battery powered rear light (Giant Numen + Uniclip. The battery powered lights compliment the dynamo lights when required.
I have the Exposure Six Pack. Its a mountain bike light but i use it for everything. It offers a wider beam pattern than the Strada with each bulb set up to compliment the others which avoids sharp contrasts at the edge of the beam, which if you are doing gravel rides too could be really useful. Its max is about 5000 lumens but there are so many settings to choose that it offers run times between 2-36 hours and even the low settings are perfectly adequate for road riding usually. It is a bit bigger as the battery is large, its a Li-ion with 17,000 mAh, so depending on the time of year, if there is 8-12 hours darkness per day, you would be able to go for 3-4.5 days between charges, and although the charge time is 8 hours you could partially charge when you rest and then top it up further when you sleep, because even you must need to sleep after 4 days 😂. An added bonus is that it can be used as a power bank to charge other devises too which can be useful. Just my thoughts but I would recommend the exposure lights.
Many thanks for your comment Tom and info, good points! I like the Exposure lights the beam distribution is great! My only issue is the charging time and I really wish they use a different charging system, like USB-C. However I will keep using them for bikepacking trips :) safe rides
Late to the party here, but you CAN charge the bigger Exposure lights using a battery pack. You just need one with a higher output (e.g. Anker 537) and you need a little USB-C to USB-A converter so you can use the Exposure charger lead with the higher output USB-C port. Then you can charge the light as you ride in the day and just charge the battery pack when you stop, which takes about 3.5 hours with a 30watt plug.
Great review of different lights at various price points. I am running the Schmidt dynamo hub with Schmidt Edelux lamp. Its German road approved and although the output is only 250 lumens the beam is focused on the road. I have a Lumicycle light which i run ar 500 watts max.
I find for road use even on the darkest roads too much light affects my peripheral vision. Less is more i find.
Many thanks for sharing Andrew, will check the Schmidt dynamo
I use the Pedal Cell generator to charge stuff and the Ravemen 1600 as my primary light. Good combo and can be moved between my different bikes.
Great, many thanks for the tip Mark! I will check it out
A Sofiane Sehili AND a new BuzzAlong video in the same day ?? Woop Woop !!
Just ordered the Cerberus, thank you for the review !
All the best :)
Many thanks :)
just started testing my dyno setup for ultra races. in contrast to my several battery lights dyno lights definitely need additional light both for when stopping, fixing mechanicals and also cornering and trying to find a way. the lights is exposure revo (a beam a bit narrow for me), hub is SON 28. I’d think twice or more before buying dyno setup. It’s very expensive, heavy and perform worse than cheap battery lights
Many thanks for your comment, good points :)
Thanks for your reviews and straight forward opinions. I have a dynamo hub and thought I knew all the lights, but didn't know this supernova, so that's good!
Thank you :) best light i ever tried, now testing the Supernova version of this one battery powered and a new one that can be charged while plugged on a power bank :)
Thank you ! I will go for the dynamo regardless of the cost, and keep the battery lights as safety.
Good choice!
I have the Reelight RL700 series on one of my recumbents. No batteries to forget and doesn't have an on/off switch. I use a cheap 18650 based headlamp on my helmet for when it gets dark enough to really care. It wasn't inexpensive to import the Reelight to the States from Denmark, but it was worth it.
Thanks for the tip :)
I hope to get the nerve to try an over-night ride one day but as a rule I don't ride in the dark so a battery light is all I really need. For my day rides on American roads I run a MeteorX and Nebula in double-flash strobe mode to wake up the drivers. I also have an Exposure Link as a backup. It can be front, rear or both. Heavy and expensive but I still have my beefy Dinotte head lights and tail lights which have separate battery packs. These are by far the brightest things I have. I think the tail light is only rated for daytime use it is so bright. If I run it at night it goes on dimmest setting and I point it down at the ground to not blind drivers.
Good choice, better ride safe with enough lights to be visible :)
Longtime tourist, bb dynamos were best, sidewall types wore out the tires but wouldn't skip as often, work better on knobbies. I backed it with battery, 6v lantern style, a lithium far better, lights were 2-3w, mounted on the fork blades did ok showing rocks h potholes, one focused on the shoulder, one ahead. Front pannier mounts work for this, works in rain fog snow.
On tours I'd eat a hot meal, if parks have outlets recharge there while repacking store supplies doesn't waste time, a meal isn't long enough, the 6v lasted about a week.
Hth, cheers 🍺
Many thanks for your comment Tom :)
For rear lights Exposure trace is worth a look have turned me into a fanboy for this brand.
Thanks for the tip
I do almost all of my riding in the dark so I run a SON dyno and a KLite Bikepacker light. I have a Cateye Volt 800 to provide a flashing light, has immense run times.
Thanks for your comment :) Will check out the Cateye light
@@Buzzalong.cycling You're welcome! I have the Cateye installed along the drops of the handlebar. The 400 model outputs the same amount of lumens in flash mode so that might be a lighter choice.
One consideration with Dynmo is adding USD charging when not running the light, but this required a minimum speed that is hard to maintain on techy off road trails like the Arizona Trail or the Colorado Trail. It's better to use pass-thru style power banks while charging devices with the usb, as the start/stop nature of the hub causes most USB devices to confuse themselves with unpredictable results.
thank you Mike, good point :)
Blackburn Dayblazer 1000 works for me, commuting or for evening rides, USB rechargeable and in low mode lasts around 6 hours! But I’m planning on doing an ultra endurance race so i have my eyes on the Fenix lights with interchangeable rechargeable batteries or dynamo hub powered light. Cheers!
Many thanks for the tip, will check out this lights :)
I have a bike specific light capable of beaming 400 lumens.
The problem with that light is only runs 2 hours and 50 mins on full brightness.
It does NOT charge will in use. Not good for a whole night ride.
Now, i used a cheap flashlight that uses a Cree T6 LED and a flashlight holder that clamps onto my handlebar.
This flashlight can be used while charging. This is the most important feature as I can use the flashlight with my 10000 mah powerbank.
Definetly can be used on max brightness for more than 5 hours. Cheap too.
Thanks for the recommendation Rob, of the lights I tried the Lenzyne is the one that works best while being plugged to a power bank
I love my Knog. But i'm don't like a short lighting set (50 minutes ()
Thanks :) will check it out
For long distance and backpacking? Both. Use the dynamo to charge a large powerbank and charge everything via this. Never directly off of the dynamo due to fluctuating voltages. Use what ever light you use.
Thank you for tip :) good approach
I ride without lights at night just because I work only 400 metres away from home, with very few cars. But I love dinamoes.
Thanks for sharing
It would be nice to know what happens when you connect a power bank during operation. Some turn off, some stay on. I took me some time to find one which i can use more than 4 hours with a power bank connected if i want
did you use lumintop b01? It can work for a long time from the complete battery. When charged, it is able to work in all modes
I use the ixon rock now, cause I wanted a light which I can combine with my powerbank, and not have to carry a second battery or a second charger. Ideal would be a light without a battery, just powered by usb. I know there are some, but quite expensive
Thanks Marko, good point! I found the Lenzyne and BBB light you can run while charging with a power bank, I try that with the Exposure lights but it was not working, I found this two lights you can not run them while using a power bank.
@@Buzzalong.cycling Thanks for trying this out!
@@Buzzalong.cycling Great content, exactly what I've been wondering about lately. I wonder if you can pin your own response to the top, or update the "info" with which units can be charged while in use (folks seem call that "pass through" charging), and if not can they at least be charged with a power bank during daytime riding (the need for Toro to be charged via mains, and the dedicated charging unit make it a poor candidate for Ultras, but otherwise awesome for single day affairs). I those will be reoccuring questions. Thanks, keep doing what you're doing 😀
Nice video 👍
Whats the brand of the dynamo front wheel ?
It looks nice
@Maksym Biednov is spot on - Are there any high quality trail lights with replaceable 18650 or 21700 cells? 99% of the lights on the market use these cells but you just can't access them. You could carry a spare cell (or two) on ultras, you can easily check the capacity over time with a $20 charging units at home so you've "A Team" batteries for any big event, and it would massively improve the lifespan of the device (#RightToRepair). A high end 18650 costs $8? Basically, can someone make an Exposure Diablo, where you can unscrew the back and swap batteries ? 🤷 Thanks !
Thanks Mike will look into into, would be a nice feature, specially for trips and multi day rides
You failed to mention cars that blind you but my solution has been an ultra bright LEP light throwing light a few miles away. Thx
Thanks :)
Have you found any battery lights with a true low beam, i.e. somehing that lights up the ground and not just blinds the cars? I find that you need to point a normal light too much downwards to not blind the cars, and then the area being lit is too short for fast rides. Currently using the cateye ampp800, usually in 200 lm mode which lasts 4-5 hours.
So far the supernova light does a very good job not blinding the cars and illuminating the road at the same time. Also the exposure joystick did a good job in this regard
I miss Lupine lights?! Best brevet light for me: #Lupine "SL Nano AF", i use it with 7 or 10 Ah accu. On the back #Lupine "Rotlicht Max"
thanks, I have ssen some people using them but never tried
Thanks for your insights. I'm on the market for a bike light such that Lezyne that can be charged while in use by an external power bank. Are you aware of any? Cheers
The lenzyne lights are very good and affordable, the Classic DRIVE both 700 and 1000 XL I was able to run them while being connected to a power bank, also the BBB light works while connected to a power bank :)
Love dynamo, but the whole system is pretty damn expensive... don't forget to get USB charger ports, too...
Thank you 😊 yes working on adding the USB ports
How do you extend the light to go in front of of the cyclite aero bar bag?
I use a aero bridge from garmin
nice skills dude ! very nice work🙏🙏👍👍✌✌❤❤
Thank you :)
What do you think about the exposure joystick and it’s proprietary charge cable. I’m concerned if it breaks or I lose it I’m without a Light and may add weight.
I really like the exposure light, great beam and visibility with it, my only complain is the charging system they use but good quality otherwise :) is also light weight
@@Buzzalong.cycling thanks. They would probably sell twice as many lights to bikepackers and tourists if they fixed this
Just like Ana de Armas, only stronger 🥰
Thank you 😊💪🏻
All bikes riding on the street should have side blinking lights, too...
:)
@BuzzAlong: Don't think the link to Moonsports is the right one!
Thanks ^^ Will check the link and correct it
Rock bros .. 1000 lumen .. $19.99.. that is all
Thanks for the tip :)
Son Dynamo system with supernova ! Not cheap but reliable !
Super good 🙌🏻
I just use USB lights for bike packing. Cost 40 euros. Bright, no problems. These look like a ripoff
which ones?
You’re a ripoff. 😅😅😅
love your review but please learn to breathe at the end of your sentences! (I run out of breath listening to you!)
thank you :)
I like to use front light Lumintop b01
Thanks for the tip! will check it out
wow, im sorry what was the question again
dyna vs battery lights