Submitted by
blackaero
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR Date Reviewed: June 1, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Harborton rd.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
When this light works, it works very well.
Weaknesses:
The sadness here is that the light was $130.00 and a replacement battery is $100. The battery lasted for one year, and needs to be replaced. The light is now an ornament on my workbench because I refuse to buy the replacement battery to have it only last another year.
Similar Products Used:
none, but will be.
Bike Setup:
Spec. Enduro
Bottom Line:
If you buy this light, you need to expect not to trust it. Especially if you are on a night trail. The battery will wear to the point of being worthless.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Lusk
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia Date Reviewed: May 31, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Bibluman
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Performance Cycles S
Strengths:
Size, battery endurance
Weaknesses:
does not work for long before breaking
Similar Products Used:
Standard cat eye AAA batterys
surefire tactical light
Bike Setup:
mountain bike X/C helmet mounted sol and cat eye on handle bars
Bottom Line:
The $30 dollar cat eye gives the same brightness and throw I know this because I use them together.
I only used the sol a dozen times or so in dry conditions I only charded it about 5 times total before it just stopped working.
The warranty is not worth anything when you read the fine print.
Will not recomend or touch Nite Rider again again
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
hunrugger
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX, USA Date Reviewed: February 19, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Slinky
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Bright, long battery life, versatily, weight, looks, quick charging
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
NiteRider Minewt
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Gemini, Fox Vanilla RC, Manitou Sherman Breakout, Juicy 7s, Race Face bars, cranks, Synchros 1.5 stem, some Salsa and Transition red bling
Bottom Line:
Excellent light for trails, very bright, illuminates without 'washing out' the features that you need to see.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pkoran
a Weekend Warrior
from US Date Reviewed: September 20, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Gooddales bike nashu
Strengths:
Bright lights when they work. I would not recommend this lights to anyone.
Weaknesses:
The product is NOT as avertised. $300 unit is trash after one season. The cell failed and the thing just stopped working. Before that the connector would fall out while riding in the dark. Try going down a hill and having your light suddenly shut off. I really don't think the product was tested enough before it went on the market. Niterider support implied I did not tell them the truth ( This made my blood boil. )
Bottom Line:
I am out $300. NiteRider is not standing behind the product. They will only fix it according to the warrenty. I really feel like a sucker.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sue
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Date Reviewed: May 1, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Small, light weight, easy to swop onto different bikes
Weaknesses:
Warranty. No after sales service
Bottom Line:
I had the light for less than a year and loved it. It is great for the road not so sure about the trail. The lead attached to the light became loose and the light stopped working. Nite rider refused to fix the light under warranty so I had to pay to get it fixed. They put a plastic cap around the join to protect it and I have noticed that on the newer models they have the same cap so it must have been a common problem. Another two friends of mine had battery problems and Nite Rider has refused to replace them. The bike shop owner told me it was very difficult to get anything replaced or fixed under warranty. Despite the fact I thought it was great it's after sales service reduces it to 1 chili!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Farminpow
a Cross Country Rider
from Flatland, Midwest, USA Date Reviewed: April 14, 2008
Favorite Trail:
DIRT
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
Jensen
Strengths:
Price, weight, burn and charge time.
Weaknesses:
Not as bright as I expected
Similar Products Used:
Other NiteRider lights
Bike Setup:
Redline Monocog 29er, some stock, some upgrades.
Bottom Line:
Great light for commuting and a little offroad. If you are looking for a true offroad light, you should get something else...for the price, it's sweet!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Reyes
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland,Or. Date Reviewed: December 16, 2007
Favorite Trail:
haven't been there yet
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Solid construction,light weight.Fits 31.8 bars.
Weaknesses:
none so far.
Similar Products Used:
Nightrider Classic.Viewpoint dual.
Bike Setup:
Banshee Sirocco,Hollyroller/Hookworm tires for the street/good trails.
Bottom Line:
For what I paid I'm very impressed.I've only been around the block with it so far.Oh,I did head up the trail behind my house.Maybe a 1/4 mile or so pitch black.Came down and hit at least 25 mph.I had no problem.But sure you could use more light.But this isn't it's primary use.It's for commuting.I'm sure it will be more than adequate.If I wanted to upgrade,I think I would get another one and stick it on my helmet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ed Hawk
a Cross Country Rider
from Marietta Date Reviewed: October 19, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Chicopee
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$139.99
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Solid construction, light weight.
Weaknesses:
Not bright enough, no flasher mode for commuting, too expensive for brightness level.
Similar Products Used:
Cygolite something or other
Bike Setup:
Specialized Sirrus, w/ extras
Bottom Line:
I need a new light for commuting. It's getting to be Winter, which means that I'll be spending the majority of my rides in the dark. I had read smoking reviews on the Minewt (predecessor to this light), claims of 26-28mph without outrunning the light, etc... The Sol is supposed to be brighter than the Minewt if hype is to be believed (I derived this by the Minewt X.2 saying it was twice as bright as the Minewt @ 150 lumens, and the Sol is supposed to be 115 lumens), but there is no way, unless you ride in a cave, that you can ride at 26 mph and be able to see. But all of the reviews concurred, so I have to assume that the Sol is a lot of hype. I have been unable to find any specific specs on the Minewt as well, so I can't compare.
It seems really well made, and I don't doubt the 6 hour run time. The beam shape is very nice as well (no weird dark circles or anything, just center spot, and nice fall off), but it just isn't bright enough. I only had it home for 30 minutes before deciding; a quick run to the store and back proved that it just isn't even close to what I need. I'm taking it back, and I'll try the X2 I guess. Maybe that does live up to the hype. We'll see.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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