LED torches as bike lights

MrGrumpy

https://www.fenix-store.com/index.php?c ... 3e50f5d63b

spotted these whilst browsing, some of those are outputting 135 lumens, which would seem pretty bright. Also light weight for the bike, and running on AAs or CR123 `s Considering the price of that Dinotte front light which for all intensive purposes is more or less the same ? Anyone using these ?

lateralus

Interesting idea. I wondered about that too, when I saw some similar torches on ebay yesterday (am in the market for new front lights following the death of my Smart system).

Mounting-wise, I guess some Dinotte-style rubber cord system could be bodged up. I wonder about the beam pattern though - not clear from the spec but I assume it's adjustable. With most torches, though, you only really get a bright, concentrated beam on a very narrow setting, and it can be a bit sketchy on the wide beam. Depends what you want them for - lighting up the road or being seen. Could always run a pair with different beam patterns I suppose.

MrGrumpy

well I`m looking to use something light for the racing bike/commuter. Currently using a 15w halogen outfit. However with the number of folk making their own LED lights its got me thinking. However these may just be spotlights which might be ok as a pair. As for mounting we use alot of polycord belts at work so getting the same mounting as Dinotte ain`t a problem. Certainly two of those on ebay comes in cheaper than a Dinotte !!

lateralus

MrGrumpy wrote:

As for mounting we use alot of polycord belts at work so getting the same mounting as Dinotte ain`t a problem. Certainly two of those on ebay comes in cheaper than a Dinotte !!

aha! that's what they're called. Good to know.

I'm in the same boat. I want something really bright for commuting, don't want another Smart with the giant lead acid battery, have been looking around to see if I can find something simple enough that even I could build it. Would have to be pretty simple. :oops:

I saw oxfordian's pics in the other thread, and that looks wicked, but the cost of parts is up around Dinotte levels, and I'm looking more for good performance on a budget than ultimate performance, hence looking at the torches on ebay.

I see Electron do a twin LED setup, but it's 8 of those tiny LEDs in each emitter, don't know how bright that would be.

Hairy Jock

Back in the days when I was a poor student I mounted a maglight on the handle bars of my bike (because I had been given it and I couldn't afford to buy anthing else). It worked fine for a short while but I soon found that the battery life was very short and buy proper cycle lights was cheaper in the long run.

It is worth a try but don't Dinotte levels of performance, it is not the LEDs that cost the money it is the circuitry behind then that cost so much (and the lens in front) and that is what makes the difference in performance.

Yellow Cliff

Using Fenix torch as a bike light seems to be a popular solution with some in the USA. I'm sure that I have seen a number of discussions of this on US forums and many peope find it a good way to get a cheap powerful light. Try having a look on the candlepower forums or bikeforums.

Regulator

Just remember that bicycle lights must meet British Standards and cycling with lights that don't is an offence.

If you get an arsey copper, then cycling with a torch rather than a proper cycle light may get you into trouble.

wai

I heard that if a light (front or rear) has a flash mode and is used as the sole means of illumination, then it doesn't have to meet British Standards.

Have they closed this loophole yet?

misterben

From my reading yesterday, I believe that if the light has a steady mode, then this steady mode should pass the British standard.

Hairy Jock

Regulator wrote:

Just remember that bicycle lights must meet British Standards and cycling with lights that don't is an offence.

If you get an arsey copper, then cycling with a torch rather than a proper cycle light may get you into trouble.

Can you cite any successful prosecution of cyclist using lights which did not conform to BS6102/3? If you are showing light fore and aft, the police aren't going to stop you.

For clarification of Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 (amended in 1994 and 2005) see here.