Best lights for commuting?

missgroover

Will soon be having a change in circumstances and the bike will become my main mode of transport.
Also will be taking a drastic drop in income so I was wondering if anyone can suggest a good front light that will not break the bank?
I do currently have a cateye on there (can't remember the model but is has 3 led's), pretty bright but doesn't always show up the huge potholes around the city!
What do you guys use? Have never commuted before but it will be on v busy roads.
Thanks

surreyxc

Try this site, it looks a mess but these guys are obsessed with torches, sure you can find something.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/portal/index.php

I would look at non specific bike lights they tend to come in cheaper. The only challenge I found was getting a good solid mount but they are out there or strap to your head. And bear in mind some of the models out there do not come with charger or batteries. Personally I would look for one that runs on AA, as very easy to get hold of when commuting.

http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches ... 12-r5.html

surreyxc

Try this site, it looks a mess but these guys are obsessed with torches, sure you can find something.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/portal/index.php

I would look at non specific bike lights they tend to come in cheaper. The only challenge I found was getting a good solid mount but they are out there or strap to your head. And bear in mind some of the models out there do not come with charger or batteries. Personally I would look for one that runs on AA, as very easy to get hold of when commuting.

http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches ... 12-r5.html

jonnyboy77

I have a couple of these:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -led-32399



Although where I'm riding its more about being seen than having to see where I'm going, since there's plenty of street lighting.

Combined with a simple rear LED flasher and a pair of Knog Strobes I seem to be quite visible, and in all I paid £30 for the 2 Polaris lights Ijnc 1 rear flasher) + £20 for the Knogs

EDIT - CRC have the Polaris front lights for £9.99!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=14826


- Jon

iPete

I've got a Cateye EL-135 & hope vision 1 that I managed to pick up for £50. It doesn't boast a bazillion lumens like the Chinese imports but it does a good job in the city and un-lit suburbs. Also love the fact it takes AA batteries.

Wooliferkins

Busch & Muller Ixon IQ, Not the cheapest light on the block but a long way brighter and cheaper than some v o/priced underspec'd lights. Decent focused beam so the lighting power goes where you need it. I wouldn't be without mine. Cost? What price your safety as a friend of mine said as she bought her mother one.

UndercoverElephant

I have a pair of these:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.28546

They can operate off a regular AA battery, or you can buy the lithium rechargeable alternative (14500) to give them even more oomph. I only use one at a time and keep the other as a spare, they really are phenomenally bright. Delivery from DealExtreme takes a couple of weeks.

One caveat, mine have been so good that I've recommended them to a number of people. Out of the 20 or so that were bought around the office (they really are THAT good), 5 or so had a problem where they would change modes occasionally when people hit pot-holes.

cee

I have one of these...

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25149

full beam is far too much for on the road....even at half beam...i have to angle it down to avoid other traffic thinking I am a motor bike with full beams on 8)

also..in full beam mode...its awesome for off-road riding...love my mtb night riding in the winter months....

Works out about £50 but takes about 3 weeks to arrive from hong kong.

jonnyboy77

UndercoverElephant wrote:

I have a pair of these:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.28546

They can operate off a regular AA battery, or you can buy the lithium rechargeable alternative (14500) to give them even more oomph. I only use one at a time and keep the other as a spare, they really are phenomenally bright. Delivery from DealExtreme takes a couple of weeks.

One caveat, mine have been so good that I've recommended them to a number of people. Out of the 20 or so that were bought around the office (they really are THAT good), 5 or so had a problem where they would change modes occasionally when people hit pot-holes.

How did you mount these on the bike?

Thanks

Jon

essex-commuter

jonnyboy77 wrote:

How did you mount these on the bike?

Jon

I'm guessing a TwoFish Lockblock. They work fine. My first one came direct from Fenix when I bought my LD20, cost about £8 I think. Recently bought 2 from Dealextreme for about £3 the pair, they work just as good.

spen666

I'd recommend ay-up lights





We need a seperate forum for all the lighting threads and queries we get over a year

jonnyboy77

essex-commuter wrote:

jonnyboy77 wrote:

How did you mount these on the bike?

Jon

I'm guessing a TwoFish Lockblock. They work fine. My first one came direct from Fenix when I bought my LD20, cost about £8 I think. Recently bought 2 from Dealextreme for about £3 the pair, they work just as good.

Ahh these fellas?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.31871



Thanks

Jon

essex-commuter

jonnyboy77 wrote:

Ahh these fellas?

They be the ones.

UndercoverElephant

Close, it's actually one of these:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274

It's probably a little big for the torch, but comes with a bit of rubber which can be used to fill the gap.

surreyxc

Two Fish Lockblock: I found this mount to not be solid enough for the handlebars for a modest sized Fenix. On all but smooth roads the beam would bounce, very distracting, the mount works well on helmet though. But I would look for a more solid mount, I would recommend one but have not got round to buying one.

essex-commuter

It holds my LD20 rock solid on the bars and on the crash helmet.

Mark Elvin

cee wrote:

I have one of these...

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25149

full beam is far too much for on the road....even at half beam...i have to angle it down to avoid other traffic thinking I am a motor bike with full beams on 8)

also..in full beam mode...its awesome for off-road riding...love my mtb night riding in the winter months....

Works out about £50 but takes about 3 weeks to arrive from hong kong.

Ordered for those oh so dark winter nights.

missgroover

Thanks guys I'll take a look through those links when I'm not at work.
I've looked at those websites before but am just concerned about ordering form them and finding something vital is missing, ie battery charger or bike mount!
I'm quite excited about using the bike as my main form of transport - though I can imagine a few dark nights when it's p***ing down will soon change my mind on that...

Headhuunter

surreyxc wrote:

Two Fish Lockblock: I found this mount to not be solid enough for the handlebars for a modest sized Fenix. On all but smooth roads the beam would bounce, very distracting, the mount works well on helmet though. But I would look for a more solid mount, I would recommend one but have not got round to buying one.

2 Fish Lockblock holds my Fenix perfectly well. I think I've got an LD20 or L2D or something like that - forgotten which model it is

andy83

i commute home at 9pm so going to have to be investing in some more lights soon i think

laughingboy

Wooliferkins wrote:

Busch & Muller Ixon IQ, Not the cheapest light on the block but a long way brighter and cheaper than some v o/priced underspec'd lights. Decent focused beam so the lighting power goes where you need it. I wouldn't be without mine. Cost? What price your safety as a friend of mine said as she bought her mother one.

These aren't terribly expensive, if you buy them from a German source. For example:

http://roseversand.com/output/controller.aspx?cid=465&search=ixon

59Euros plus 5.95 P&P for the light alone. This equates to around £55 in total. Youtube videos will give you an idea of what you get for that expense.

You can also get the set that includes the charger for a bit more (c £70).

I've got a Fenix LD20. I love it, with the following significant proviso: it is not really designed for bikes. That means, for example, twisting the barrel of the torch to switch into turbo mode is (to say the least) tricky with one hand. The TwoFish lock block allows the torch to rotate. So it is usually a two-hands job: one hand securing, the other twisting. I do it while riding, but perhaps I shouldn't.

Also, coming out of turbo mode brings you back to the lowest setting. Bloody inconvenient on a dark country lane.

dreamlx10

Lumicycle no arguments !