All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

According to Outbound Lighting, this Evo package I have totals over 4000 Lumens. I don’t have anything to compare these against, but they light up the trail well. It’s a great combo, having the bar light beaming around me and then this great helmet light that gives me great illumination where ever I’m looking. I bought them knowing they would work but I was surprised at how they function together to give me a bit more confidence being on the trail at night. Not that I’m flying around, but I feel pretty good with the light they provide to be able to ride safely.

Some buddies of mine all use MagicShine, but I didn’t like the external battery for those. Less to worry about this way.

 

damn alright Outbound even has a comparison between the evo and the lumina i was looking at. the OL does seem better....

 

The Outbound Evo Light is what's crazy impressive.
The helmet light is good, nothing mind blowing as far as light output, but for it to be as light as it is, is what makes it so raved about.

 

I'm on the fence about MTB specific lights - I get some of the features and the OL look pretty nice. My experience with MTB specific lights is cost/tint just isnt ideal. I've been running a high cri lights and warmer tints and it makes a big difference compared to blue/green washing.

For example:

 

I made my own by converting old Vistalite kits to leds. $100 got me more lumen output and runtime than the best Lupine systems and with custom CRI as well. You can do it easier now by using 18650 lights with helmet/handlebar mounts.

 

Had fun at Windrock last weekend. Don't worry you will not be impressed by my riding skills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vPUUPJNQaY

 

Yeah I use 18650 lights now and they range between 2700k-4000k, and ill never go above 4000 again. The benefit of having a flashlight over a light block is nice too. Cost is dramatically lower as well.

 

I plan on going back within the next few months.
They've done a lot of good work there, and I just finished the youtube vlog.

My skills aren't impressive, but I try to send it keeping up with these in this thread.

 

I've seen Lupine systems in real life and they're outstanding. If you can build a comparable system and not $1k+ I will buy it

And you didn't even call...

 

My apologies, it was a last minute and I was at about 75% strength after getting ravaged by a stomach virus earlier that week.

 

I'm totally kidding dude. Hope you had a nice time - you're riding the Rock at its best. After the clapped-out summer dust but before the winter rains. See some crazy talent out there?

 

One of the better features of bike specific kits is remote handlebar switches that let you maintain your grip but remote tailcap switches can be had for hand held lights as well. Modding lights in general became a hobby of mine and being able to create a tunnel of light and really see was a gas. I suppose it’s similar to wheeling at night with all that crazy lighting. Not my cup of tea but if it were my lighting would be extreme and custom. The lighting I see in urban use is pretty pathetic being more designed towards making the rider visible to others than improving the riders ability to see.

 

I did see some fast folks that nearly ran us over on a blue but to be fair they were practicing for the race that afternoon. The one that stood out was a 14 year old kid that rides for Norco. Next time I go it will be on a bigger bike for sure.

 

I havent modded any lights myself, but have purchased somewhat custom built lights. Building a bar mounted light with a controller would be pretty sweet though; can really nerd out on it. I suppose you are familiar with Ilumn/mtn electronics and all the chinese stuff for leds and drivers etc?

I have a spare Magicshine BT40S head that would be cool to update.

 

Are you running dual compound or 3C? I rode a dual compound Aggressor on my rear wheel for 3 seasons before I finally replaced it for that exact same reason. My current pair of 3C DHFs are showing enough wear after one season that I think I'll replace them over the winter.

And yes, I'm running a DHF in the rear because I sliced open a DHR at Trestle in June and a DHF was all they had in the shop.

 

Yeah especially in the Winter it's very regular to ride the shuttle with multiple World Cup riders - it's a neat spot. That whole area is a manly paradise. OHV, Guns, MTB, Backpacking..

 

I saw Phil Metz the Skillz with Philz youtube guy.

I thought the cops searching OHVs going up the road was a bit excessive then I saw all the crosses on the road.

We stayed at some awful motel near the interstate because the volunteers were playing the dawgs that night and all the rooms were $300 a night. Lots of meth mouth around that little area around Harriman.

 

Yeah..there are deposits of white trash throughout the area but I was raised in Appalachia so I'm used to it. If you come back I would recommend Knoxville riding. 100+ miles of trail featuring all difficulty levels, 30 mins away

 

I'm a working stiff like most and live in the east so weekday rides start in the dark. After decades of trying different systems I have settled for the last 3 yrs on GloWorm systems. New Zealand company sold by Action Led in the states. They seem to provide the most bang for the buck IMO. I run the XVS 3600 on my helmet and the XS 2500 on the bars, its a good bit of coin (not as much as Lupine) but biking is my only vice so I justify it and I can keep 90% of daytime speeds which is way cool.

They are light and the battery is somewhat compact comparatively speaking. I get well over 2hrs on high with the 2500 and just about 2 with the 3600. Comes with different lenses, spot, honeycomb and wide. The new versions have been updated with more output and longer running batteries. Options for Neutral White or Daylight tints.

I highly recommend GloWorm if ya do a lot of night riding. Black Friday 20% off sale right around the corner. Apologize for rambling on but just wanted to join the light discussion.

 

Sorry, my post was more directed at the masses and not meant to be directly at you. So many fail to shift before the climb and if already in the climb down shift by letting off pressure on the drivetrain. I get the huffing and puffing and hammer cranking to keep your momentum, but it takes very little less pressure on the cranks to get the down shifting done. Hammering on a climb and shifting without letting up…makes me cringe.