High CRI light for bike

[zackplanet42]

I've been lurking around these forums for a long time now but finally decided to sign up. I've been looking for a light to use on my mountain bike for night rides on the trail. Unfortunately, I've recently become spoiled by several high CRI lights that I edc. There are a ton of very nice options for handlebar mounted headlights out there but they all seem to have terrible tints. My budget tops out around $600 but I'd prefer to spend more around $300. Does anyone know of a good light available with a good tint and a minimum of around 900 lumens?

 

[KITROBASKIN]

My goodness.
What ARE people using on their bikes for good color rendering?

 

[turbodog]

I've been lurking around these forums for a long time now but finally decided to sign up. I've been looking for a light to use on my mountain bike for night rides on the trail. Unfortunately, I've recently become spoiled by several high CRI lights that I edc. There are a ton of very nice options for handlebar mounted headlights out there but they all seem to have terrible tints. My budget tops out around $600 but I'd prefer to spend more around $300. Does anyone know of a good light available with a good tint and a minimum of around 900 lumens?

I ride at night sometimes. There are several 18650 handheld flashlights with outputs in that range with good tint. Check the zebralight series. Might get by with one light, might have to run duals. Budget should be ok counting light(s), batteries, and charger.

Last zebralight I got was maybe $80. $30 for some 18650 cells. $40 charger. And $20 for some 2fish lockblocks handlebar mounts.

Also, the lights would get too hot if handheld but seem to do fine with the airflow of a moving bike to keep temps down.

Nice thing about this is the ability to swap batteries and keep riding.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Are you wearing a headlamp or mounted on the bike? Handlebar mount or another option?

 

[The-David]

Not high CRI bit I am useing a 3 led GLOWORM on my handlebars and a 2 led on my helmet when off road. Tye ability to replace the optics sold me. I have ridden with my high CRI HDS on my handlebars before but the CRI vs raw power. Raw power won for me.

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[KITROBASKIN]

Well, put this together this evening (wonderful rain cancelled nightly dog walk)

Zebralight SC64 LE with ZL Glow in the Dark headlamp bracket. Feels steady but proof is in the ride.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Tonight’s experiment is a repurposed old CAT EYE half shell with the guts and top removed and some judicious carving with temporary white electrical tape and a SolarForce containing a 2 mode mtnelectronics XPG2 (?) dedomed

 

[turbodog]

Tonight’s experiment is a repurposed old CAT EYE half shell with the guts and top removed and some judicious carving with temporary white electrical tape and a SolarForce containing a 2 mode mtnelectronics XPG2 (?) dedomed View attachment 29582

You have a death wish? I see the right brake lever cabled to the front brake.

 

[Jean-Luc Descarte]

Convoy M21B with Nichia 519A. Plenty of power for headlight duty from the 21700 cell, and 519A has excellent CRI.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

You have a death wish? I see the right brake lever cabled to the front brake.

You need to explain your reasoning. Posts like this make the one who posts such derogative drivel look desperate to be seen as an expert but achieve the complete opposite. How about we go over to the bike thread and discuss this?

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Convoy M21B with Nichia 519A. Plenty of power for headlight duty from the 21700 cell, and 519A has excellent CRI.

That’s what I’m talking about!
Last two nights the experiment was with a Convoy C8+ with 519a 4500K. Good throw for higher speeds and able to tilt it down for slow speed negotiation over rockiness. Combined with a Lumintop FW1A using an SST-20 4000K on the noggin, it works well. Last night I tried releasable wire tie instead of tape for attachment; at this point it jiggles noticeably on roughness.

I submit that your setup is excellent using a larger capacity 21700 cell for longer runtime/more power.