Recommend me a bicycle light

thelawnet

I wouldn't go for AAs to be honest, it's hard to know when they are depleted.

I have this and it comes with a battery indicator.

http://dx.com/p/ssc-p7-2-xp-e-16w-3-mode-1400-lumen-led-bike-light-set-4-18650-included-36018

This is handy because I know when to charge it. I would never go for AAs.

I have a matching rear light and a y-splitter to power both from the same battery pack (I carry a spare)

thescouselander

If you're on a budget forget anything from the usual bike brands. You can get some really bright led torches that come with a bike mount off ebay - these cost next to nothing.

kalaika

I bought one of these last winter
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330613242405?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
It has high/medium/low/fast flash/SOS flash settings. Whilst the two flash settings are not suitable for a bike, the low setting works as a 'be seen' light and the high setting is great for lighting dark roads with no streetlights. Comes with bike mount, two batteries and charger (and a rubbish rear light that's not worth using)

Works well for my 6 mile commute on mixed roads/paths (I use it in high or low mode depending on traffic and level of darkness, and use it in conjunction with other front lights on flash to aid being seen)

DKLS

Nice to see someone wanting to buy lights, I see so many cyclists in London whom I call Ninjas, as they are all in black, and have no lights or reflectors on their bikes. :eek:

14Westfield

ventureuk wrote: »

A great light but way over budget.

An X2000 flood to throw would be my budget choice. I cannot speak more highly of this torch for cycling, it has adjustable optics which allow a very narrow tight beam, or slide the head and the beam opens right up and will illuminate a dark towpath at night.

Run it off 3 AAAs or buy the version which takes a specific LiOn battery but this adds to the overall cost.

I doesn't flash but as someone who owns a number of bike torches, a bright flashing light is best avoided imo.

Link here.

http://dx.com/p/x2000-flood-to-throw-zooming-glass-lens-cree-p4-led-flashlight-3-aaa-13732?item=1

I have that way over budget light - bought for £20 off ebay - allow a couple of weeks postage from china!
Ebay is definitly the way to go, its massively cheaper than buying from normal suppliers over here.

I also have two of these (only £5 each) with one always on the bike. if it breaks or gets nicked its cheap enough not to matter and i have a spare http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cree-5w-LED-Bicycle-Light-Set-front-rear-light-set-torch-or-bike-front-lamp-/281008423331?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item416d6841a3[/QUOTE]

art_for_arts_sake

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

I was concerned looking at one of the Kree lights that warned it may blind drivers which clearly was too powerful.

I have mine angled down well to illuminate the road surface and highlight any potholes, etc. but there's enough play to point it in the direction of any oncoming drivers who thoughtlessly leave their lights on full beam. They usually get the message. :mad:

Februarycat

I have been using the Knog bike lights, easy to take on and off your bike and not too expensive. I have a couple on front and back of my bike.

Bernie

I too am a great fan of the Cree lights available on the DX website.

Last October I found out exactly how inadequate my halogen light and Cats-Eye lights were in the pitch-black darkness of the unlit roads of Norfolk once one left the towns.

A Cree headlight makes all the difference - equal to a car/motorbike in illuminating the route.

I also have a "head-light" on my helmet to provide both illumination where one turns one's head (including looking at on-coming cars to flag up the need for them to dip their lights too. This is the one: http://dx.com/p/flood-to-throw-cree-q3-wc-convex-lens-led-headlamp-with-brightness-control-3-aaa-44500

I've taken out the elastic band and use tie-wraps to fit the kit to my helment. Works brilliantly (pun intended)!

armyknife

Another vote for these cree lights, they massively outperform branded makes of front light on a pound for pound basis.

As someone else has already pointed out the rubbery mount they come with is quite service and can be adjusted on the go so that it doesn't blind/distract other road users.
And the zoom function for viable degree of flood is useful.

I really wish these sort of lights had been available when I was a kid, rather than those dreadful ever-ready things.

Johnmcl7

thelawnet wrote: »

I wouldn't go for AAs to be honest, it's hard to know when they are depleted.

I have this and it comes with a battery indicator.

http://dx.com/p/ssc-p7-2-xp-e-16w-3-mode-1400-lumen-led-bike-light-set-4-18650-included-36018

This is handy because I know when to charge it. I would never go for AAs.

I have a matching rear light and a y-splitter to power both from the same battery pack (I carry a spare)

I use AAA's in my rear light and with low discharge batteries the performance is pretty consistent and if they do go unexpectedly then it's about a 30 second job to swap the batteries. Also I'd prefer not have to a separate battery pack as it makes it easier to move the units between bikes.

John