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Front Bike Lights Recommendations

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  • December 16, 2014 at 12:07 pm #22866
    SilverMerlin

    I am just in the market for a front bike light as I will soon be getting a refund on my Lezyne Deca Drive after a few problems. I do need quite a bright light (probably at or above 1000 lumens based on my experience with the deca drive) as I will be using it for cycling dark country lanes that do not have any street lights as where I live is quite rural. I have looked at a number of options and can’t quite make my mind up. My budget would be a max of around £150.

    I have considered a number of option such as the Lezyne Mega Drive, Cat eye 1200 and the following magicshine light (can’t find much on information on this)

    http://www.magicshineuk.co.uk/magicshine-mj-872-1600-lumens-flood-beam-bike-light.html

    I am aware that another discussion is going on in another post on brightness of lights, but in my case I really do need something reasonably bright with a good beam spread.

    What are people using, could anyone recommend a good light for my scenario?

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  • December 16, 2014 at 3:44 pm #823569
    0
    horizontal dropout

    You could consider a Philips
    You could consider a Philips Saferide 80. It conforms to German lighting standards so it has a horizontal beam cut off – like car headlights.

    http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?287452-Philips-LED-bike-light
    http://swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/tests/verlichting/index_en.html#Philips_LED_bike_light

    I’m thinking of buying one. Currently I use a 10 watt Cree in a head torch. A head torch has the advantage that you can light up the bits that you want to see and you can bow your head to avoid blinding people, etc.

    December 16, 2014 at 3:02 pm #823567
    0
    SilverMerlin

    Thanks Guys. Very keen on the
    Thanks Guys. Very keen on the Cree lights. I like you ideas and always enjoy a bit of a hack! Just A few questions (apologies if these are really simple) but:

    – Matt Eaton – did you have to fit another cable to get it to reach the bottle or was the one supplied long enough ( I like the idea of the battery being in a bottle holder rather than on the frame or stem in a bag).

    – DanTe – I imagine the batteries for the lights would be a bit poor (the whole set is only around £20 or so). So the battery idea is a good one, how long a use do you get with lights and how do you attach the lights from the headtorch to the frame.

    One thing that worries me with these and many other lights is that a rubber o ring is used to attach to the handlebars. Does it provide a good grip or do they move around a lot when out cycling.

    Any other lights in use still interested.

    December 16, 2014 at 2:13 pm #823565
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    DanTe

    +1 more for the crees. I’ve
    +1 more for the crees. I’ve found that the ones specified as bike lights with 4 batteries in a pvc case that attach by Velcro tend to have terrible grade batteries. I buy the head torch versions that take 2 and adapt them. I always buy decent quality 18650 batteries and a good charger. I’ve had mine 2+ years and they’re great.
    I sold my magicshine..

    December 16, 2014 at 1:55 pm #823563
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    Matt eaton

    +1 for eBay lights.
    I’m not
    +1 for eBay lights.

    I’m not keen on the battery pack that came with mine but I’ve now got it in a modified bottle in one of my bottle cages which works a treat.

    December 16, 2014 at 1:05 pm #823561
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    Daveyraveygravey

    Have you an objection to a
    Have you an objection to a battery pack? There are any number of Cree lights on Ebay for around £20-£25, I’ve got two and they are more than I need for unlit country roads. The battery pack hangs under the stem, and once it is in place it’s fine. I can’t understand why anyone would pay any more.

    I also have a Moon something or other, about the size of a matchbox, USB rechargeable. I usually have this one on flash and the CREE on steady.

    I would really recommend having two lights front and rear; I haven’t had one suddenly run out of charge yet but I lose sleep about it happening!

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