Light question under £40.00+funny story

canada16

Hey guys.

I had some crazy 10 speed guy almost hit me, from across the road, yes from across the road, he cut across 2 lanes of traffic and came into the bike lane which I was in and almost smoked me, and all he could say is get some lights?

Well I was stunned, as it was 08:00 on my commute, no cars had their lights on.

He was so serious though, he had the full gear on, the leg-ins, bright yellow helmet, and the bars on front to lean on. Then he just sped away faster than he entered into my lane.

Anyway, he did not really make me mad, more funny than anything, I thought we were supposed to stick together, I think because he knew he was in the wrong, or he was just a general @sshole I just shrugged it off.

It got me thinking though, Yes it is getting dark in the mornings, and sometimes I leave at 07:00, so I am looking for a good commuter light (with no battery packs) as I don't have time to put it all together in the morning.

Can some one help me, I am looking for experience with the lights not reviews, so if you have one and you are amazed please let me know.

Ps. I have a MTB.

Thanks guys.

canada16

Does anyone own lights?

Want to buy tonight.

Can anyone help.

I know you probably heard this question tons, if yes please point me in the right thread.

Thanks again

Surf-Matt

Get a Cateye EL520.

Sorted.

ansbaradigeidfran

If you're on a scrimpy budget, I'm very happy with my Tesco special £15 set. (http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.202-3716.aspx). Front and back have solid and two flashing options. The front has 5 LEDs that are spread out in a + formation. The centre LED lit up a dark country road for me at a distance of ~15m. (Reflective traffic signs lit up for me at well over 50m). The beam from this one LED is a bit narrow, so in the heavy rain I weaved a bit now and then to steer the beam and check where the hedges were. Still, I'm happy enough to keep cycling in pitch black with these, and I doubt anyone could complain at their 'be seen' rating, or on lit roads. They run on 4 AAA in the front, 2 AAA in the back.

This is all under the assumption that you're in the UK. If you're where your username suggests, this looks to be the same front light at a respectable $15.

For myself, I've really got to get one of these to sew on my backpack!

canada16

Yes UK, but raised in canada but .... born in the UK , that sounded like the boss.

I was also looking at these.

http://www.raleigh.co.uk/p_details.aspx?id=100000031

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... ight-32406

Such a mine field, everything is so such a research job, when buying on line, but do not want to be one of those guys that look in the shop, then leave and then buy on-line.

Thanks

ansbaradigeidfran

Those two look identical to the ones I gave links to. If you like that model, buy from Tesco, and you'll get a free rear light for £1 cheaper (whatever postage charges are).

canada16

I got a 30.00 cat eye rear light.

Brightest in europe or the world, so they say.

Just looking for front and bling.

But I could sell on ebay for 3-4 quid though. uhm ?

Thanks mate.

Canadian tire, miss that place

AndyManc

canada16 wrote:

I got a 30.00 cat eye rear light.

Brightest in europe or the world, so they say.

Just looking for front and bling.

But I could sell on ebay for 3-4 quid though. uhm ?

Thanks mate.

Canadian tire, miss that place

Shouldn't you be on Pinkbike if you're from Canada :P

ansbaradigeidfran

canada16 wrote:

Canadian tire, miss that place

I'll second that: B&Q don't match them (they don't even have any "money"!)

Although when I'm over in Toronto visiting family, I tend to find that I'm at Home Hardware instead, buying Retract-a-bit screwdrivers for people over here. I've now bought four full-size and three mini ones for various people.

cougie

Smart 0.5W rear - you can pick up two for £20 - you always want two on the rear - in case your batteries go or the light breaks.

On the front - get a Fenix LD20 - kicks ass. It really does.

You could just have looked at the million other threads though that ask the same question ?

This 10 speed guy that talked to you - did he come from the past ? Roadies havent used 10 speeds since about 1980 ?

cougie

Smart 0.5W rear - you can pick up two for £20 - you always want two on the rear - in case your batteries go or the light breaks.

On the front - get a Fenix LD20 - kicks ass. It really does.

You could just have looked at the million other threads though that ask the same question ?

This 10 speed guy that talked to you - did he come from the past ? Roadies havent used 10 speeds since about 1980 ?

biondino

Canada, in the last couple of weeks there have been half a dozen exhaustive threads on lights - it's really well worth your while reading them as we'd just be repeating ourselves here.

canada16

Hey

Not sure about road bkes as never rode one really, I use MTB as love going up curbs and stuff.

Thanks for your help guys, I had a look at that light, but its not a proper bike light, and could not find any fitting to attach.

I liked the look of it and it had wicked reviews.

cougie

They sell clamps on there too - TWOFISH LOCKBLOCK. Nice piece of kit - velcro closure so you can fit and take it off in seconds - and use it on whatever bike you need to.

bigmat

You can get the Tesco / Raleigh one off ebay for peanuts, just do a search for front bike light and order by price, cheapest first. Mine was delivered in about a week from Hong Kong - came with a rear light and the bracket broke before I could even fit it, but the front light is good and for the price its a virtual giveaway - have already ordered another one.

The complaining tadpole

+1 for the fenix L2D, even a fumble fisted drongo like me had it fitted securely in seconds & the light it gives off is enough for me ( with a cheap polaris smart 3 LED in flash mode ) to use on pitch black suffolk roads.

dondare

And a few more suggestions: http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showt ... hp?t=20995

dirk_van_gently

Just ordered one of these:

http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches/fenix_LD20.html
+ the bike mount comes to slightly more than your 40 Quid budget.

dirk_van_gently

The complaining tadpole: where abouts on the Suffolk/Norfolk border are you?

The complaining tadpole

Dirk - I'm in Lakenheath & have recently started commuting to Red Lodge 2/3 times a week, approx 10 miles each way. I start work at 6.30am hence the need for decent lights on our wonderful roads!

dirk_van_gently

TCT: I'm in Brandon, and commute to Feltwell, mostly off road. Good lights are good at any time.

The complaining tadpole

Dirk - mind the crows in Feltwell! They are having a damn good go at destroying the golf course there & may move on to bigger & better things when finished!