Mountain bikers are a rare breed of people who love both the outdoors and exercise. Mountain biking requires amazing endurance and fitness, making it a popular sport for those training for other sporting events. While biking at night it is very important to have a sophisticated lighting system that will allow you to see obstacles, and allow others to know that you are in the area. Using any one of the systems mentioned before would work perfectly. Here is a recap of the popular lighting systems used by cyclists.

LED Lights
LED light systems are some of the most popular systems in the world today. The LED system allows for bright lights with long lasting battery power. Though you do have to worry about changing your battery with this lighting system, there are many benefits to using LED lights.

Halogen Systems
Halogen lighting systems are inexpensive, if they are a bit unreliable. You can purchase the batteries and halogen bulbs for a low price, yet still yield get great visibility. Keep in mind however, that halogen lighting systems are illegal in some areas as they can impair the visiblility of passing motorists, though if you are mountain biking this shouldn't be an issue.

H.I.D. Systems
H.I.D. systems offer the brightest light available in the world today. However, with class comes cost. These lighting systems are currently expensive, making them less popular than their less expensive competitors. Though they are expensive, these lighting systems have long burn times in addition to the bright lights.

Dynamo Systems
With dynamo systems you don't ever have to worry about charging a battery because they are operated by a generator. While this is a great advantage to using dynamo systems there are a few drawbacks. With most of these lighting systems the generator is powered by the cyclists' pedaling, meaning that once the pedaling stops, the light goes off. This could be potentially dangerous, not to mention inconvenient.

Xenon Strobe Systems
Xenon strobes are mostly used as tail lights and identification lights. These small reflector-like products produce a blinking or stable light that can be seen nearly 2 miles away. While these lights don't produce enough light to bike by, they are great for announcing your presence and ensuring that other bikers and motorists know that you are sharing the road.

Some Special Tips
Keep in mind when purchasing a lighting system that it must be very hardy for an avid mountain biker. Most mountainous terrain is rather unstable and wet, meaning that you will need a system that will stand up to the elements. Another tip, never mountain bike in a new area in the dark. Darkness impairs visibility and biking in a new area where you are not aware of obstacles is a very dangerous risk that no one should take.