It's Nearly That Time Again - Bike Lights!

It's Nearly That Time Again - Bike Lights!

Author
Discussion

Trevelyan

Original Poster:

717 posts

188 months

Wednesday 17th August 2011
quotequote all
When I cycle to work in the mornings it's becoming obvious that the days are starting to draw in again. I'm already having to use a rear light for part of the journey and I'm sure it'll not seem long before the journey will be in darkness the whole way frown

This is the first year I've used a bike for commuting. I have got the option of driving through the winter but would rather be able to use the bike once or twice a week just to keep my hand in. Half of the journey is through town and on major A roads with cycle paths so no real problems there, but the remainder is on unlit, twisty and fast (NSL) rural roads and I also do a few miles on byways and bridleways.

My current LED lights will be fine for the urban sections but I need to get something decent for the rest. These seem to get good reviews and seem to be excellent value for money:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mj-808-ha-iii-ssc-p7-...


Has anyone else tried these? Also can anyone recommend any decent rear lights? I don't want anyone approaching me from behind on an unlit road at 60mph to be in any doubt that I'm there

metalsteve

367 posts

240 months

Wednesday 17th August 2011
quotequote all
The blackburn mars 4.0 rear light gets good reviews, i use the 3.0 which is pretty bright.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/blackburn-mars-40-safety-r...

I think its best to use a combination of fixed and flashing lights combined with hi viz clothing such as the altura nightvision range, really give drivers no excuse not to see you. I tend to fix a light high up on my back back too when road riding.

I think those lights are def worth a punt for the money, i was considering getting one myself. I currently use a niterider tri newt 500 lumen light which is very bright and has a good beam spread, so 900 lumens should be really powerful, as long as it has a good beam spread then you should be fine.

julianm

1,531 posts

200 months

Wednesday 17th August 2011
quotequote all
For the back I wouldn`t use anything but this - it`s so bright that it hurts.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-tl-ld1100-led-rear-...

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

226 months

Wednesday 17th August 2011
quotequote all
I commute about 30 miles each way into London so a good chunk of my riding is done in the dark. I ride two of these on the front - one static, one flashing - which are bright enough to light the way for the short bit of unlit road.

At the back I have two rear lights. The Mars 3 mentioned above, and another one -again one flashing one static. I also have this on the back of my helmet after a cabbie mate of mine told me that helmet lights were by far the most visible in town.

I am always of the view that you can't do too much to make sure you are seen.


Matt London

781 posts

167 months

Wednesday 17th August 2011
quotequote all
I have one if these on the back http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Lighting/B...
It's like a mobile disco.

hullbilly

383 posts

171 months

Wednesday 17th August 2011
quotequote all
Trevelyan said:
My current LED lights will be fine for the urban sections but I need to get something decent for the rest. These seem to get good reviews and seem to be excellent value for money:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mj-808-ha-iii-ssc-p7-...
If you get one of these let me know what you think... I could be in the market for a similar solution.

will_

6,027 posts

202 months

Wednesday 17th August 2011
quotequote all
metalsteve said:
The blackburn mars 4.0 rear light gets good reviews, i use the 3.0 which is pretty bright.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/blackburn-mars-40-safety-r...

I think its best to use a combination of fixed and flashing lights combined with hi viz clothing such as the altura nightvision range, really give drivers no excuse not to see you. I tend to fix a light high up on my back back too when road riding.

I think those lights are def worth a punt for the money, i was considering getting one myself. I currently use a niterider tri newt 500 lumen light which is very bright and has a good beam spread, so 900 lumens should be really powerful, as long as it has a good beam spread then you should be fine.
I use a Mars 3 and a Mars 4, plus the usual reflectors, bright clothing etc. I have them both flashing at different rates, angled slightly upwards. They are good lights for the money and I've never had any problems with them.

Trevelyan

Original Poster:

717 posts

188 months

Wednesday 17th August 2011
quotequote all
Thanks all - some good food for thought there. I'll press the button on the deal extreme light and report back on my findings, and have a look at the rear light options mentioned as well.

warp9

1,583 posts

196 months

Wednesday 17th August 2011
quotequote all
I've been thinking the same thing recently, however I think I'm going to get a really good, powerful handheld torch with a cycle mount and recharger. Something like:
http://www.torchdirect.co.uk/200-to-500-lumen-torc...
http://www.torchdirect.co.uk/professional-torches/...
http://www.lumenjunkies.co.uk/index.php?route=prod...

bleesh

1,112 posts

253 months

Wednesday 17th August 2011
quotequote all
Very good idea to have a flashing and static light both front and rear.
In the dark, if you have just a flashing light, the eye of the driver behind you would be unable to determine how far away you are - he'll see you but suddenly be on you.

A steady light allows the eye to judge distance better, hence the static for him to judge how far away you are, and the flashing to make you noticeable.

I've got a Cateye at the front for flashing plus a cheapy for static, and 2 Cateyes for the back.

I also got a load of retro reflective stickers (about 1cm x 3cm) and stuck those to the back of the frame and the front of the forks - again it catches the eye when light hits them.

juice

8,510 posts

281 months

Thursday 18th August 2011
quotequote all
Use a static rear cateye and a couple of red frogs on the frame (flashing), plus as many reflective stickers as I can get on the frame !

MattYorke

3,758 posts

252 months

Thursday 18th August 2011
quotequote all
I got one of these for the front, and it is awesome along even totally pitch black roads.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/exposure-strada-mk2-front-...

Omaruk

611 posts

158 months

Thursday 18th August 2011
quotequote all
The dealexyreme is awesome, but maybe overkill fir the road as it irratates car drivers, used for off road riding in the forest on technical singletrack the trail is lit up and battery lasts easily 2+ hours. Used to have expensive Lupine HIDs but these are better. Just may be to bright for road on full power. Lowest power I think you will get 4-6 hrs ride time.

will_

6,027 posts

202 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
MattYorke said:
I got one of these for the front, and it is awesome along even totally pitch black roads.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/exposure-strada-mk2-front-...
Jesus, that's worth more than my bike.

MattYorke

3,758 posts

252 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
A valid point! The roads I have to ride on to get home are utterly pitch black, there's no natural light at all on them in the winter. Using even multiple "normal" lights, I felt it was dangerous for me to ride. I'm also very aware of the importance of being as visible as possible.
This light is virtually as good as my motorbikes headlight.

(I've already got a cycling related titanium plate in one collarbone, keen to avoid another smile )

Panclan

879 posts

237 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
I have ordered one of these, http://www.dealextreme.com/p/t6-waterproof-xml-t6-... it was shipped last week, just waiting for it to arrive.

yellowjack

17,065 posts

165 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
quotequote all
will_ said:
MattYorke said:
I got one of these for the front, and it is awesome along even totally pitch black roads.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/exposure-strada-mk2-front-...
Jesus, that's worth more than my bike.
Can't work a link at the moment, but the Exposure Strada is showing on Rutland Cycles as £169.99, that's a MASSIVE £75 off list price.

andySC

1,187 posts

157 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
quotequote all
+1 for Exposure Strada. I've had one for a few years & it's awesome when used with the RedEye rear LED. It gets used 50% on the road the rest of the time it's for nocturnal MTB rides & it works in this environment just fine. I believe that there is a lifetime warranty on these lights too( ?) never had to use it tho as it's been faultless.

Stack

795 posts

186 months

Sunday 21st August 2011
quotequote all
I use one of these on the front....

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mj-808e-ha-iii-cree-x...

they are amazing value for money..

Stugots

358 posts

225 months

Sunday 21st August 2011
quotequote all
Also lookin at lighting....

Light & motion have a beam test page where u can compare with hope, exposure,blackburn and others

The expensive ones are fkin blinding..smokin

http://www.bikelights.com/seca1400.html

Clicky on Beam test and play with drop down's on left/right

HTH