Do You Really Need Two Lights for Night Riding?

We hear it all the time: "One light can't possibly be enough." Riders are skeptical because, for more than two decades, the common belief has been that you need two lights—a high-lumen flood light on the handlebars and a lower-output spot light on the helmet.

We get it. Bringing a new approach to the market, we’re up against years of ingrained thinking. But the real question is: is this the two light setup the best approach, or just what riders have gotten used to?

Why a Helmet-Mounted Light Makes More Sense

The helmet is the best mounting position for a mountain bike light because:

• It moves with your head, so you can direct light exactly where you need it—especially useful for scanning ahead and looking through corners.

• It sits higher, allowing for broader, more even illumination.

• It’s more stable than the handlebars, which bounce around due to suspension movement and trail features.

• Handlebars aren’t always pointed where you need to see, making them an inconsistent mounting point.

This is why most riders also mount a light on their helmet—it gives them direct, focused light wherever they look.

The Problem with Two Lights

Pairing a spot light on the helmet with a flood light on the bars seems logical, but it actually introduces new problems:

1. The two beams move independently, creating a distracting effect as they shift in different directions.

2. A dark gap often forms between the two beams, making it harder to track features in the transition zone.

3. Your brain has to process two different light sources, which can make night riding feel less natural and more fatiguing.

Instead of solving a problem, running two lights creates new visual challenges.

Why One MB6 is Enough

The MB6 eliminates the need for two lights by combining everything riders need into a single, helmet-mounted system:

• A custom lens design that provides a balanced, wide beam pattern to light up the full field of view.

• Enough output for both fast flow trails and technical terrain, ensuring you have the confidence of good vision.

• Active Light Control, which automatically adjusts brightness based on speed, so you get more light when riding fast and conserve power when climbing or hanging out trailside.

Since the MB6’s beam pattern is optimized for both peripheral vision and distance, one light is enough—without the distraction of mismatched beams or dark spots.

A Simpler, More Effective Setup

Using one helmet-mounted MB6 means:
✔ No extra mounts, cables, or syncing two beams.
✔ Helmet-mounted MB6 + separate battery = lightweight and versatile.
✔ Better illumination, fewer distractions.

Redundancy vs. Necessity

Carrying a small backup light is always a good idea in case of a crash or mechanical issue. But needing two lights just to get good vision? That’s not necessary with the MB6.

Seeing is Believing

We know that after years of hearing that two lights are best, it’s hard to believe that one could be enough. But when riders try the MB6, they get it.

The skepticism disappears the moment they hit the trail. They experience a smooth, consistent beam with no distracting dark spots or mismatched movement—and they realize that one well-designed light can do the job better than two separate ones.