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Rechargeable front light for urban rides

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  • August 24, 2017 at 1:34 pm #27547
    Lenient smile

    Help please. My commute is 40 minutes in a city. I was criticised recently by a pedestrian, when on a cycle path, for ‘blinding ‘ them. I want to be as visible as possible but not irritate drivers or pedestrians. I can charge up my light at work.
    There seems to be a lot of choice. Any help would be much appreciated.
    Thanks.

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  • August 25, 2017 at 2:38 am #900693
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    ChasP

    alansmurphy wrote:

    alansmurphy wrote:
    Don’t listen to Chas and be prepared to tell people to fuck off. The simple thing to do is put the bike against a wall and stand in front of it.

    As btbs says above though, some strobe effects can be stupid and it often seems logical to use a high setting, flashing is to be seen rather than see. I tend to have a high power light pointing low to light the road for me and a flashing one to be seen, also tend to have one around the wrist for right turns.

    You don’t need to spend a fortune, aldi did some metal build ones last year that were as good as moon lights, a tenner each rather than a hundred pounds plus…


    You say don’t listen to me when I advocate not dazzling people then give good advice on how to check you’re not doing it. I agree with you mostly but think some of the irregular flashing modes can be good for attracting attention without blinding as much as longer flashes or solid bright light.

    August 24, 2017 at 11:12 pm #900691
    0
    alansmurphy

    Don’t listen to Chas and be
    Don’t listen to Chas and be prepared to tell people to fuck off. The simple thing to do is put the bike against a wall and stand in front of it.

    As btbs says above though, some strobe effects can be stupid and it often seems logical to use a high setting, flashing is to be seen rather than see. I tend to have a high power light pointing low to light the road for me and a flashing one to be seen, also tend to have one around the wrist for right turns.

    You don’t need to spend a fortune, aldi did some metal build ones last year that were as good as moon lights, a tenner each rather than a hundred pounds plus…

    August 24, 2017 at 11:00 pm #900689
    0
    Anonymous

    Turn off the flashing light

    Turn off the flashing light/strobe setting for one, more often than not people on bikes use it and with the light far too bright, also ensure your light is not pointing upward.

    Personally I use a Sigma PAVA, 2 steady settings, runs off 4xAA batts and on the lowest setting is more than ample for urban riding and will last for more than 10 hours on the lower setting.

    the Pava is not that readily available however it has a fantastic clamp that fits any bar in seconds and removes as quickly too and the higher setting is perfect for unlit conditions even to 30mph+ downhill. However any of the Sigma lights will do (Sigma Buster etc) AND importantly have a lens/refractor that puts most of the light onto the road. 

    The Sigma Buster 200 should be more than ample for urban conditions and is inexpensive but well constructed and gets v.good reviews.

    August 24, 2017 at 10:54 pm #900687
    0
    ChasP
    wellsprop wrote:
    http://road.cc/content/review/172440-cateye-volt-800-front-light

    Cateye Volt 800 is a very good performer. It has plenty of brightness settings.

    I wouldn’t worry about a pedestrian complaining – it’s best to be seen. I’m sure pedestrians don’t complain to car drivers using Osram night breakers or HID headlights which are unbelievably bright (I know, I have Osram myself).

    Don’t listen to this selfish idiot. Blinding the people you are approaching is dangerous for everyone whatever mode of transport you or they are using. Far too many ‘bike lights’ are basically overpowered torches with no proper cut off and should be banned. Angling them down can help but often then the focus is then too close for them to be useful. Busch & Muller make some good ones, as the law in Germany requires, but can be very expensive.

    August 24, 2017 at 9:30 pm #900685
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    dottigirl

    It’s sometimes not about the

    It’s sometimes not about the light’s power, but the lens and the angle you have it at.

     What are you currently using?

    August 24, 2017 at 9:02 pm #900683
    0
    Canyon48

    http://road.cc/content/review

    http://road.cc/content/review/172440-cateye-volt-800-front-light

    Cateye Volt 800 is a very good performer. It has plenty of brightness settings.

    I wouldn’t worry about a pedestrian complaining – it’s best to be seen. I’m sure pedestrians don’t complain to car drivers using Osram night breakers or HID headlights which are unbelievably bright (I know, I have Osram myself).

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