Submitted by
Speedub Nate
a Cross Country Rider
from SF Bay Area, CA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2004
Bottom Line:
This is a follow-up review to one I posted over 4 years ago.
My NiteRider Classic dual beam is now 8 or 9 years old. It gets used regularly, but not constantly.
Although its light output is put to shame by newer HID lighting systems, the 8.5w low and 20w high beams have proven more than sufficient to lead me whereever I choose to go.
I cracked open the NiteRider bottle battery in order to do install a new battery. I replaced the old NiCd cells with higher capacity, smaller NiMH -- so now I get about 50% more run time at a lighter weight.
I also threw away the NR "Wall Wart" charger and use a Maha C-777+ II to maintain my battery (the original constant current charger combined with a lamp timer malfunction was partly responsible for the demise of my previous battery).
The light is compatible with NiteRider's newest mounts, providing compatability with oversized 30.9mm handlebars.
This is one of the longest lived components in my bike arsenal, most likely due to its beefy construction and simple switches. I'm counting on it to continue working for many years to come.
I've recently augmented the dual beam bar mount with a 10w NiteRider Head Trip, which has opened up my night riding world to a whole new level of visibility. Can't beat the combo for an inexpensive yet fully equipped route into the darkness of the night.
Submitted by
Jeff Wightman
a Weekend Warrior
from Kitchener, Ont., Canada
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2002
Strengths: Wow, what a difference. Very, very bright. Easy to install or remove for another bike. Small, fit very nicley on my bars.
Weaknesses: Easy to remove or steal. Just a QR and velcro. Just don't leave your bike in front of the corner store.
Bottom Line:
The days are getting shorter and I tend to ride more around dark or just after. Most of the trails I ride are in or near forest. On two consectuve rides I ended up ten feet from SKUNKS. My old light was crap. It ran on 4 AA batteries. The first time I used the Nightriders what a difference. I wish my car lights would work this good. You can see forever(almost). Great lights. A must have.
Similar Products Used: Battery powered light. (not that similar)
Bike Setup: Gary Fisher Marlin
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mike b
a Cross Country Rider
from Sodom in the North
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2001
Strengths: it was bright enough it was bright enough for a pretty long time every ride it was simple it was durable the cords were better than the ones niterider uses now
Weaknesses: it was dumb, really really dumb the batteries eventually died the dead batteries are expensive
Bottom Line:
i'm reviewing an OLD product here, the 1996 or so classic.
this is the one with the dumb charger and a big red button to turn it on and off with. god, i loved that light. i commuted with it, i rode many, many miles off road on some cold assed nights with it. the old niterider classic did'nt mind rain nor mud, you just turned it on and rode away down the hill. hell, mine only went yellow a few times when i was riding with a fresh charge, but that changed when the batteries got old.
so what? the battery got old after something like two years of commuting and twice weekly night rides all year round. i almost threw up in the bike shop when i found out how much the replacement cost, but he gave me a bro deal and i choked the vomit back down my throat. all was good becuase niterider quickly sent a new battery my way and i was back on the trails again. back on the trails, until i killed that poor battery out of my own stupidity, by somehow leaving it on overnight during a camping trip at boggs mountain. no problem, just curse for a while and plop down the money for another battery. bing badda boom, new battery, riding again.
you had to pay attention to how long these batteries were kept plugged into the wall. i did'nt, so guess what? ANOTHER DEAD BATTERY. this, i think was the niterider classic's demise as it was in niterider's heyday. if niterider would have only figured out something better than the microbrute (which i don't entirely trust) and the digital pro 12, (see my reviews) they would be the undisputed Kings of the Mountain today when it comes to bicycle lighting systems. now you get light systems that go haywire when ridden in the rain and charger options that apparently work but leave you asking questions when it does'nt do what the manual says it will do, for one reason or another.
yes, niterider still makes the classic and i have the new one now. it tell you what, though, i wish that niterider had made the old classic a little smarter and then stuck with a simple, reliable system that could be adapted to work with the older style connectors. as it is, i have an old headlight pod from niterider that is useless because i probably can't get the old school batteries anymore.
oh well. just another old useless part in my Bike Junk Drawer. i guess i might still be able to salvage the bulbs.
Purchased At: from the devil deep down at the bottom of hell
Similar Products Used: oh good lord--
niterider digital pro 12 niterider classic ultra plus gizmo pimp 2002 niterider classic single beam turbo cat dual beam system some sort of ancient specialized 12w single beam
Bike Setup: never you mind--it is irrelevant in this review
Strengths: bright when you need it, simple design, excellent reliability
Weaknesses: takes up to much room on my handlebars
Bottom Line:
Been a good light from the start, take a couple of short rides when its new, the battery needs to develope a memory before you will get full burn time, I found out the hard way. I haven't even had to replaced the bulds yet. Get the micro brute, it makes charging the battery a snap without risk of damage to the battery.
Submitted by
ism409
a Cross Country Rider
from newJersey
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001
Strengths: KICKS ASS! new microbrute-charging system allows for full charging in 4 hours.. New NMH battery no more NiCads!
Weaknesses: switch needs to be better thought out. You must cycle through the modes to get your desired setting.
Bottom Line:
These lights pretty much rule! I use them 2-3 times a week. The charging could not be easier.. The new micro-brute charging system is so simple..just plug it in and forget about it. Same functionality as the digital systems of last year. The new battery is now NMH. The only downer is the switch..if I am on 20watt setting and need to go to high beam I need to cycle through the off position then 12 watt to get back to highbeam..Other than that if you do not need all the bells and whistles that the digital (and more expensive) versions of these lights provide GET THESE $200 cannot be beat! ....and that's the bottom line!!
Bike Setup: 98 klein comp(yeah the trek)... all XTR, 2001 marzocchi bomber(atom race), thomppson seatpost & stem, raceFace bars, mavic crossLinks, GEAX blade 225(front)..200(rear)..
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
iain
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfax, VA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2001
Strengths: Great visibility, dual beam great.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I've had these lights for almost 4 years, I bought them when they were first releases as the Classic and they are great. They offer great illumination and the 12v bulb is great and is really all you need. The 20v is good for when you flying down a trail and need things brighter. The price is pretty high at $200 but the system is bomb-proof. You can actually run over the lights with your car and it won't hurt it. NightRider also makes lights for scuba divers and their systems can go fairly deep.
Weaknesses: Kinda heavy, the switch is really annoying because it cycles low, both, high, off. You have to cycle though off, makes night riding a little more exciting than it needs to be. The MicroBrute charger just stopped working a week ago. It's also a little expensive for what you get.
Bottom Line:
I like this light, the beam is pretty bright and the handlebar mount is especially nice, but I hate having to cycle through off as one of the switch options. Also, a week ago the charger stopped charging. I need to send it back to NiteRider, which sucks for a unit just 8 months old that has only been used around 10 times and never left plugged in longer than overnight. I purposedly went with a 'non-digital' so that this wouldn't happen. I also had to send my Headtrip in for service as well. I really wish I had bought Light & Motion.
Submitted by
Mark D.
a Weekend Warrior
from harrington park
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001
Strengths: stays in place over anything, 12volts is enough for anybody, and the 5 hour charger is great in every aspect.
Weaknesses: haven't found any yet
Bottom Line:
i got thelight for wholesale, otherwise it is a little pricey, but it is really bright. noithing to complain about. the light switch is easy to operate and the order of the settings are easy to memorize bcuz you can't tell which one you are using while riding.
Similar Products Used: trek something planet bike something
Bike Setup: 2000 kona caldera
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Bento
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2001
Strengths: Really bright and great customer Srv.
Weaknesses: Charge time, Bulbs extra sensitive to impact. Try replacing one or even both, over 40 schekles.
Bottom Line:
Bought the display model right off the rack. Good and bright. Dropped the lamp portion of the system. Both lamps toasted. Pissed me right off. Found a good deal in Alameda for more lamps. Still expensive.
Submitted by
Chad
a Cross Country Rider
from The Kettle, WI
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2001
Strengths: All I can say is I have never had sooo much fun. I see alot of complaints on here about the charge. I just got the 2001 Classic Plus with the 5 hour microburst charge...And the NiMH batter instead of the NiCAD...The charge is fast and the lenght is about 3 hours on the low beam. The switch still sucks though! But its a blast flying throght the forest in the middle of the night...come to a clearing....stop turn off the light and take a gander up....you'll love the night more then the day after that.
Weaknesses: The switch....a indicator for the battery would be nice...but if you plan it right and bring a watch its no problem.
Bottom Line:
You'll never have soo much fun in the forest until you ride with your classic...hust make sure to get the 2001 Classic Plus. PEACE
Weaknesses: It is a pain in the @$$ to charge (I have the older version without the nice cutoff charger), a bit heavy I(expecially during night races where it gets really muddy and you have to pick up your bike and run),no indication of what light level you are at, you have no idea how much battery you have left.
Bottom Line:
This is a pretty good light. If you ride more than 2 a mounth or race at night and want good results go with the Digital Pro 12 extreme. It is lighter,has battery guage,indication of light level, and more light levels to choose from. If you get this light make sure that you get a plug in cut off timer to use with it. Acording to Niterider's manual the battery is done charging when the battery feels warm. Well my battery felt warm after 10 hours of charge when it was completely depleted before the charge, so you can't really go on the battery temp. Overall this is an excellent light. Expecially since it has a new charger and stuff this year. It is durable and will take whatever you throw at it. Though if you are going to lay down the money for a handlebar lighting system you are better off just going for the Digital Pro 12 extreme. Whatever you decide make sure you get a helmet lighting system too so you don't get a surprise on the other side of those switchbacks
Similar Products Used: Niterider Digital Pro 12 extreme,Niterider Digital Headtrip
Bike Setup: Does it matter?
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bruce
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2000
Strengths: High quality parts and design, water bottle battery, very bright lite, not too heavy, quick charger/voltage regulator included so you don't kill the battery on recharge, NiMh battery.
Weaknesses: Having to cycle through all light options while using, ie. if you are on 12W then have to go to 32W (dual beam), you press the switch once, but going back to the 12W you have to press the switch 3 more times and suffer a moment or two without ANY lighting. PRICE.
Bottom Line:
excellent product. unlike the cygolite where keeping the battery on the charger too long could harm it, the niterider came with a micro brute quick charger/regulator. it has a trickle charge circuit built in it so you don't over charge and damage the battery. the micro brute charger/regulator comes with the 2001 model and NiMh battery.
the light is very bright, and I rarely go to 32W dual beam, staying mainly in 12W. it does not go out intermittently on rought terrain and the mounting bracket allows you to center the light dead center on the handlebars.
all in all a great, albeit, expensive product. I give it 5 chilis for value, but 4 overall for the price.
Weaknesses: * Poorly thought out switch design. * Pain in the @ss to charge properly. * Stubby switch cord.
Bottom Line:
I originally picked this up in 1996 to commute to work, and it worked well on the street. I soon found myself riding the trails at night, opening up a whole new riding experience.
I run the 8.5w bulb - this is worth picking because you probably won't find one in the box. This will increase your run time by about 50% over the 12w bulb, and is suitable for everything except downhills and high speed sections.
The bracket design allows the light to be pointed down for slower, more technical riding, and then swung up for higher speed jaunts.
Offset brackets are available in order to push the light to one side or the other of center.
The stubby switch cable limits switch position. I mount my switch over the brake lever clamp. If I were to mount it on the grip, it would mount too far in to the actual grip area and likely find itself under my palm.
The switch sequence forces you to cycle through the "off" position (off-low-both-high-off), and this has caused a few scares on dark nights. I sometimes think I'm using the low setting, click the switch once to get to the "both" setting, but find myself in total darkness instead. Just something to get used to.
This is a pain to charge properly. For starters, get a wall timer to dedicate to the charger. Fourteen hours is the max you are supposed to charge the battery for, and the timer will keep you from making an expensive boo-boo. The NiCads are finished charging when the water bottle battery becomes warm to the touch. Warm is a relative term, but get used to how it should feel. This will come in handy if you need to put a "half-charge" on after a short ride.
A half rate charger would give you some leeway, if you're willing to put up with a 28 hour charge time.
Value Rating: Deduct one chili for price, which is a tad high, but not unreasonable. Overall Rating: Deduct one-half chili for charging procedures, one-half chili for poor switch.
Submitted by
Lance
a Weekend Warrior
from Sugar Land, TX
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2000
Strengths: This light is about the best you can buy, certainly for the money. I work as a Bike Patrol Officer and our police department's bike fleet is outfitted with these. We opted not to get the stupid red/blue configuration and went with the all white. I have used it on my personal bike on the trails and it has never failed. It stays in place and has taken quite a few hits and nothing has broken. The three lighting options make it perfect for whatever conditions you ride in.
Weaknesses: Battery life is not so good when you use both lights together. Solution......carry an extra battery.
Bottom Line:
If you are going to spend money on a light, get this one. It is durable and brighter than some motorcycle headlights.
Bike Setup: Raleigh M400 Police Setup - JUNK! Cannondale Police package (my personal) with a few upgrades.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Adim
a Cross Country Rider
from Mill Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2000
Bottom Line:
All that I have to say is that cars usually flash their high beams at me, trying to get me to turn my Nite Rider down. All kidding aside, this is the best set-up you can have and will make poaching trails up in the headlands an absolute joy. Great battery life, kind of heavy, but if you've gotta invest in a solid light set-up (especially for those of you in the Bay Area that work at a dot-com until 11 pm every night and can only do night riding), then cash in a few of those options and get a serious set-up.
