Review: NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB LED Li-Ion

Link: NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB LED Li-Ion

I had been thinking about a new commuting light for a while. My off-road light is a bit overkill for the road and I don't want to blind drivers, just alert them to my presence. During the Salsa Two Four I talked to the NiteRider rep that was in the trailer and could have gotten one from him for a discounted price. I thought about it but didn't have the authorization to drop the cash and cell reception sucked acorns down at the bottom of the hill.

As I was manning the MORC tent I saw that one of the items to win was this light. To enter all I had to do was re-up my expiring MORC membership. You know I did. And if you haven't guessed yet, I won. Sweet.

My Impressions:
Nice. Easy on, easy off. To mount it figure out what size bars you have and put the corresponding rubber band on the light. That is a one time step. Then all you have to do is rubber band it on, and pull it off to take on and off. Easy. The battery mounts easy too. It is just a space age velcro strap and goes on the stem nicely. On and off in 30 seconds or less.

As for riding with it it stays in place and lights up the road. About all I can ask for. Their website states 3hrs of run time and I know I have used it for well over 3 hours continuously and it stayed lit the whole time. Charging via USB works well but telling if it is fully charged is impossible and probably my only gripe with the light. How about some little led indicator! I would pay an extra $5 for that! The whole system fits easily in a jersey pocket and bathes the road in a nice white light and seems to grab attention from cars. So that is a plus in my book.

Other Info:
As far as riding in weather, I have used it in conditions from about 90F to 34F and from sunny skies to downpour and it hasn't fazed the light one bit. I can't say the same for my blackberry. Poor think never stood a chance in that rain. So if you are looking for a commuter light that can do some off road too pick one of these up. Totally worth the price.

$ and Where:
MSRP is $99.99 and you can find it online or at your local bike shop.

-pete

Review: Planet Bike Superflash Stealth

Link: Superflash Stealth

After getting my Surly CrossCheck I decided I needed a better rear flasher for commuting, beer running, grocery getting. I asked around and Scott mentioned he had the Superflash and really liked it. So I stopped by Hiawatha Cyclery on the way home from work one night and picked one up. Thanks Jim! Went home, ripped the packaging open and went to work. It comes with all sorts of mounting options and the clip on the back works great on a the back of your pants if you are riding another bike without the mount. I wound up attaching it to my seat post right below my seat. Easy in, easy out, easy on.

Test Ride:
So I tossed in in my bag and rode to Buster's on 28th. It was pretty bright out when I left the house and sat down at the bar. I took the light out of the bag to check it out a bit more. It is bright as hell in the daylight. I couldn't wait to see what it could do on the ride home. Fast forward through a few pints and I was set to go. Darkness. Check. Light attached, away we go. Holy hell, this light is bright. I could have used it for a headlight. No problems on the way home, cars went way around me and no one hit me. I consider that to be a good night since I have been hit twice now.

Ongoing:
I have been using it for a couple of months now biking back and forth to work, beer, etc. It has worked well in the rain, in the water(fell into a puddle x2), and every time I clicked it on. I have crashed once with it on and it did its thing and didn't rocket away from the bike like my old one use to do. No, it just stayed on and illuminated the trees above me while I tried to get out from under my bike and a 24pack in the pannier.

Other Info:
Although I haven't had to replace the batteries yet I it is pretty easy to open with a coin and Planet Bike has info on how to do it on their website.

$ and Where:
MSRP is $29.99 and you can find it online or at your local bike shop.

-pete