Light Recommendations (formerly Front Light For Dark Country) Road Commute

Wishbone Ash

detones wrote: »

So spun into work today, no rain but very wet roads and one of the bloody Rear Lights is letting in Water, disaster!! Will be returning and getting something else. Its a shame because light is great. Back to the drawing board on the rear lights so.

I have the same lights and have used them in excessively wet conditions without problems. Are you sure you had the cover clipped on correctly?

detones

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I have the same lights and have used them in excessively wet conditions without problems. Are you sure you had the cover clipped on correctly?

I'm fairly sure i had it on right but i have been wrong before It was the light on the rear stay that got wet. The other one on the seatpost was fine which is starnge as it would have got hit wiith more rain as I have no mudguards. I might try getting a replacement and give them another chance.

Frazedame

This lads lights look good. http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/mountain-bike-lights/ I use his batteries on my trout light (Liberator 3) it has worked great for 3/4 years. Charge last for the bones of 2 weeks as i always use the light on low. As for rear lights i find exposures flare a great job, never let me down and bright as hell.

ford2600

Frazedame wrote: »

This lads lights look good. http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/mountain-bike-lights/ I use his batteries on my trout light (Liberator 3) it has worked great for 3/4 years. Charge last for the bones of 2 weeks as i always use the light on low. As for rear lights i find exposures flare a great job, never let me down and bright as hell.

I have the v2 great mtb light. Not ideal for the road

Frazedame

Just point it down a bit and set it on low. I use my Liberator 3 and exposure joystick on the road. Just set them both to low and point the trout light down abit. Never any probs from other road users. Before I had these cars would nwver dim their light's and basically drive over you, were now at least they dip them. Better to be seen than dead onback country roads.

mloc123

detones wrote: »

There in merlin cycles for 100 with free delivery. Just ordered mine wanted to make sure they were in stock. The lunar 2 rear light is on offer to I got 2 of them.

Ordered one of these also, arrived today. Initial impressions are.. it feels nice.

detones

mloc123 wrote: »

Ordered one of these also, arrived today. Initial impressions are.. it feels nice.

I've been very impressed with mine so far. Time will tell on durability etc. I cycle on some ****ty roads around north county dublin On my commute home in the pitch dark and feel comfortable doing day time speeds. The 550 lm setting throws out enough light most of the time I find and I use the 780 lm mode on decents. The flashing mode is very bright so watch out for dazzling drivers. I use this in well lit areas.

NeedMoreGears

cdaly_ wrote: »

Oooh! Looks nice! Have you used one of these yet? I wonder could it be used with a dynamo?

Then I started calculating and it seems this thing pulls nearly 10W in turbo mode and 3W in medium mode. This means a dynamo would only be able to power this to medium?

But then I started doubting my calculations 'cos my Smart 1/2W rear light claims 30 hours runtime on 2 AAA cells. Now, using 900 mAh rechargeables at 1.3V, 30 hours runtime works out at about 0.08W draw (a long way from 0.5W) so what am I missing? Calculation for two 900mAh cells is:

(0.9 Ah x 1.3 V x 2)/ 30 h = 2.34 / 30 = 0.078 W

Calcs look good to me. I wonder does the 30hrs refer to minimum light output (just the two LEDs on the bottom) and the 0.5w to max. Or else 0.5W is the maximum instantaeneous draw when in flashing mode ; it lasts 30 hours because the light is not on most of the time (if your calcs are right about 85% of the time!)

Civilian_Target

Just to update my previous post on the HDiver and HTrack... after a month or so of use, whatever about the HDiver, I'm really happy with the HTrack.
Very bright, designed with good visibility, easy to set up and on this one the standlight seems to be pretty reasonable. I think it'll be my go-to dynamo backlight in the future

ford2600

Civilian_Target wrote: »

Just to update my previous post on the HDiver and HTrack... after a month or so of use, whatever about the HDiver, I'm really happy with the HTrack.
Very bright, designed with good visibility, easy to set up and on this one the standlight seems to be pretty reasonable. I think it'll be my go-to dynamo backlight in the future

Just received my 60 lux b+m dynamo lamp this morning. The shimano dh80 hub wheel with mavic rim and dt swiss spokes is on way.

All in for €135 including delivery from Rose. Can't wait to try it out.

Have option for dynamo rear light but decided against it. Went with a moon 60 rear light. Expensive but very good reviews here and elsewhere

Planet X

......jolly good.

begod

Just bought a road bike.
Will be cycling on pitch dark country roads.

Below bad idea/good idea?

http://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesale/Health_Lifestyle/LED_Lights/LED_Bicycle_Headlight_Headlamp_-_2200_Lumens_Waterproof_Rechargeable_Battery/

Wishbone Ash

begod wrote: »

Just bought a road bike.
Will be cycling on pitch dark country roads.

Below bad idea/good idea?

http://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesale/Health_Lifestyle/LED_Lights/LED_Bicycle_Headlight_Headlamp_-_2200_Lumens_Waterproof_Rechargeable_Battery/

At 2200 lumens you'll blind all approaching traffic. I'd also be suspicious about the price - it's just too cheap for what it claims.

ednwireland

begod wrote: »

Just bought a road bike.
Will be cycling on pitch dark country roads.

Below bad idea/good idea?

http://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesale/Health_Lifestyle/LED_Lights/LED_Bicycle_Headlight_Headlamp_-_2200_Lumens_Waterproof_Rechargeable_Battery/

waiting for mine to arrive from dx.com ! using the 1200 lumen currently (and yes i commute on pitch black roads ) my current light is fine but more would be better (wouldnt leave the battery charging on a flammable surface mind) you have to dip it when cars approach but that s not really a problem on my commute
http://dx.com/p/cree-xm-l-t6-3600lm-4-mode-white-bike-light-headlamp-black-silver-4-x-18650-171971

Civilian_Target

ford2600 wrote: »

Just received my 60 lux b+m dynamo lamp this morning. The shimano dh80 hub wheel with mavic rim and dt swiss spokes is on way.

All in for €135 including delivery from Rose. Can't wait to try it out.

Have option for dynamo rear light but decided against it. Went with a moon 60 rear light. Expensive but very good reviews here and elsewhere

That's a good deal. I also did the front light first, but quickly added the rear-light when I realized that, if you already have the dynamo setup, it's a much easier option.

Annoyingly that light failed last week - it was a B&M Toplight Line Plus, and the standlight stopped working

http://www.starbike.com/en/busch-and-mueller-toplight-line-plus-rear-carrier-light/?gclid=CP6R0Mr_9roCFUho7AodjGgAEQ

monkeysnapper

Seeing as this thread hasn't been updated in a long time, I'm starting a new job next week and would like to cycle , unlit country road. Budget of around 50/70

What's out there at moment, I bought some knog blinders a few days ago but they'll do for town riding as I have 2 routes home.

Ideally I'd like something I can charge.
Thanks

Pinch Flat

monkeysnapper wrote: »

Seeing as this thread hasn't been updated in a long time, I'm starting a new job next week and would like to cycle , unlit country road. Budget of around 50/70

What's out there at moment, I bought some knog blinders a few days ago but they'll do for town riding as I have 2 routes home.

Ideally I'd like something I can charge.
Thanks

You're looking at 200 lux min for a country / unlit road

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ie/en/lezyne-macro-front-micro-rear-light-set/rp-prod111711

Is good value and at 350 lumen up front is plenty for a dark country road. USB chargeable from a laptop or phone charger. I use the 200 lumen version in the front and it would just about do for the darkest of country roads. Doesn't have an adjustable beam though which can be useful.

You might also prefer a fenix or led lenser - basically torches that can be adapted for bike use. I use a led lenser b7 and can't fault it. A bit bulky and runs on aaa batteries so not USB chargeable - they do one but it's a good bit pricier than the €70 I paid.

The Noble Nudge

dx.com great selection if you are prepared to wait a few weeks

Alek

Is good value and at 350 lumen up front is plenty gut a dark road.

I have one of those and find it brilliant. Small, handsome, works well and long. Good mounting bracket. I find it sufficient to ride totally unlit roads even at medium power.

Actually I have two, I bought another one as a backup.

(make sure you'll get 2014 version, 2013 had a smaller battery afaik)

The only problem may be the end cap - do not overtighten it or you'll ruin the threads. I had to get two spare ones...

Ryath

Alek wrote: »

I have one of those and find it brilliant. Small, handsome, works well and long. Good mounting bracket. I find it sufficient to ride totally unlit roads even at medium power.

Actually I have two, I bought another one as a backup.

(make sure you'll get 2014 version, 2013 had a smaller battery afaik)

The only problem may be the end cap - do not overtighten it or you'll ruin the threads. I had to get two spare ones...

They're very good lights the rear is one of the best you can get and the front is very good for the price. Like the look of this new version with a rear light for the helmet.
http://www.merlincycles.com/lezyne-2014-macro-drive-duo-led-light-73168.html

Where did you get the spare end caps? Left mine charging at my mothers house and they lost an end cap on me.

Alek

Where did you get the spare end caps?

Complained to Lezyne about their quality and been sent them free of charge. I can give you the old one if it helps anything, its not very secure but still holds to the torch.

Lumen

New today.

Road.cc: Your guide to the best front lights for cycling + beam comparison engine
http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/34746-your-guide-best-front-lights-cycling-beam-comparison-engine

Beamshot chart porn!

mossym

Lumen wrote: »

New today.

Road.cc: Your guide to the best front lights for cycling + beam comparison engine
http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/34746-your-guide-best-front-lights-cycling-beam-comparison-engine

Beamshot chart porn!

looking at the comments it's just last years article reposted

naulpolan

Get on to dealextreme.com and have a look i got a few bits from here and have to say the value for money is excellent. I just got one of the surefire lights and fixed it to the helmet with a removable cable tie. May not be the prettiest but purely functional - brilliant light and I just take it off for daytime use.

detones

Lumen wrote: »

New today.

Road.cc: Your guide to the best front lights for cycling + beam comparison engine
http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/34746-your-guide-best-front-lights-cycling-beam-comparison-engine

Beamshot chart porn!

What you use/recommend lumen? See you posting a bit on these threads. I find the moon x power 780 great, considering getting the 1500 for longer runs.

http://www.moon-sport.com/product-detail.php?id=3

Claims of 3 hour on full blast and much more at lower settings. Has an external battery back though, only minus. I do use proper country roads at night so I like to have plenty of light, some will say 1500 (7500lux at 1m) is overkill but I'm always cautious with dazzling drivers.

Considering this bad boy for the rear.

http://www.merlincycles.com/cateye-ld1100-rear-led-light-44673.html

Can't have enough rear light in my opinion. Have 2 smaller cateyes rapid 3 and find them excellent. Have tried a few and these offer the best in terms if light output/durability/rain protection/battery life etc

Invincible

detones wrote: »

What you use/recommend lumen? See you posting a bit on these threads. I find the moon x power 780 great, considering getting the 1500 for longer runs.

http://www.moon-sport.com/product-detail.php?id=3

Claims of 3 hour on full blast and much more at lower settings. Has an external battery back though, only minus. I do use proper country roads at night so I like to have plenty of light, some will say 1500 (7500lux at 1m) is overkill but I'm always cautious with dazzling drivers.

Considering this bad boy for the rear.

http://www.merlincycles.com/cateye-ld1100-rear-led-light-44673.html

Can't have enough rear light in my opinion. Have 2 smaller cateyes rapid 3 and find them excellent. Have tried a few and these offer the best in terms if light output/durability/rain protection/battery life etc

I have that Cateye TL1100 last 4 years, great light, extreme visibility.

Mope

Hi all,

I'd recommend going for these: 4 CREE XML T6 5200LM Front Head LED Bicycle Lamp Bike Light Headlamp Headlight (search in eBay - I cannot post URLs as fresh member)

I've ordered it myself. Seller informed that the stock he has has some sort of faults on them due to the last few left and advised to get something else from his range, so I went with:
2X CREE XML T6 1800LM Front Head Rear Bicycle Lamp Bike Light Headlamp Headlight

For the price you pay these lights are just Too good :]
You can get those from other buyers and places too, all I am saying - do not go for those 200 EUR lights when there are so much cheaper options.

Yes, they tend to overheat, especially if you buy one with 5 LEDs and turn it on to High, but if it happens it switches to Medium light to cool down. So you can use High when you are doing Downhill section and switch to Low/Med when ascending.

Seweryn

Mope wrote: »

You can get those from other buyers and places too, all I am saying - do not go for those 200 EUR lights when there are so much cheaper options.

There are reasons why in civilised countries, like Germany you are not allowed to use theses "cheaper options". But sure, here we just don't care about other road users .

ted1

Seweryn wrote: »

There are reasons why in civilised countries, like Germany you are not allowed to use theses "cheaper options". But sure, here we just don't care about other road users .

Cycling down shelbourne road yesterday morning at about 8:15 so bright enough. On incoming cyclists had a light that could light the burden at night. It was aiming at straight in front of him and blinding everybody. Ridiculous is the term that comes to mind.

ford2600

ted1 wrote: »

Cycling down shelbourne road yesterday morning at about 8:15 so bright enough. On incoming cyclists had a light that could light the burden at night. It was aiming at straight in front of him and blinding everybody. Ridiculous is the term that comes to mind.

I have a 1000 lumen mtb light I use off road and the short cycle to get to wood. Even at 500 setting it is just about ok.

For road cycling I have lights which comply with the German lawsa @seweryn refers to. Even though the light output is not close to your typical mtb light, the beam pattern is well designed throwing light where you need it without impeding others.

I have a trelock 950 (I think) and a b+m 60 lux dynamo light