Front Light......
d4evr
Posts: 293
Looking for a new front light which I will need very soon for my commute. 90% of my commute is on dark country roads and I want something that really does work. I have been looking at the Exposure lights but I am caught between several models, i.e. the Race MK6, Toro MK3, MAXx-D, Strada MK3 possibly even the Six Pack MK2. I know some of these are possibly bettered suited to off road/MTB type use and maybe too 'bulky' and possibly too bright? for my road bike, but the main thing for me of course is to light up the road in front of me. Anyone had any experience of any of the above and could possibly recommend one? Just to add, on my commute I have a very dark 3 mile section through trees etc with a fairly bad/potholed surface, hence my need for something that really will do the job, whatever the cost. Thanks in advance.
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I'm in the same boat. Can't ride a trainer (top floor and it looks dull as anyway) and I've stopped my gym membership. So I’m going to strap on some good lights and hit the back roads.
I think I've decided on the new Lezyne Power Drive XL which is due out any day now. It's stronger than the old Power Drive (so it now has 400 lumens) and has a 2hr life on full beam, so more than enough for a daily 26 mile circuit or wee jaunt over the bridge and round by Gauldry. For the rear I’ll be getting a Lezyne Mini Drive.0 -
Oh and when you're at work you can plug them into your PC for a recharge!0
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No experience with Exposure lights - but consider a Lumicycle LED3Si with a Pro52 battery. Certainly competitively priced against some of the Exposure models you've mentioned.
I've used one over the past two winters - awesome front light in my opinion - around 8 hour run time on high, great on unlit roads, Si model has an "eyebrow" to prevent upward light flare to other road users, flashing mode is good for town riding and battery will recharge overnight.
Pete.0 -
Cheers TGD, I will check this one out. If it can handle the type of roads around Gauldry etc. it will be just what I am after. I'm the bridge end of Tayport and I work in Leuchars so you will know the road and 'darkest' section I'm talking about.0
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Thanks Pete, I will have a look at this one also, cheers.0
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I was thinking it might be the wee cycle path from Tayport to the bridge, but either way I think these lights will deffo do the job.
Derby on Sunday? Mon the Dees!0 -
thegreatdivide wrote:I was thinking it might be the wee cycle path from Tayport to the bridge, but either way I think these lights will deffo do the job.
Derby on Sunday? Mon the Dees!
Ahh, no its the stretch from the other side of Tayport to St Michaels and then up to the golf course thats my main concern, and/or the quieter Kinshaldie route although that way is often covered in mud (Bloody Farmers!!
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I'd also like to use it for training runs etc. around Gauldry, Balmullo, Newburgh etc. (My usual 25-35 mile type runs)
Yes I shall be there, not holding out much hope to be honest but you never know!!0 -
you cant go wrong with exposure lights.
i have the toro and it is fantastic.
my commute is 22 miles each way and about 80% is on unlit country lanes. so far the toro has been faultless.
this link may help:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sc/lighting0 -
Thanks redvision.0
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Last winter's best purchase was my Ayup front lights. Absolutely fantastic front light and leaves no room for the "sorry I didn't see you" comments. Not cheap but great service and after sales cover, very bright, great beam pattern, long run time, fully waterproof (so far!) and nice and compact, battery aside. 2nd best purchase was the Exposure Flare rear light, though I only get a 3 hour run-time from the rechargeable battery that I'm running in it.FCN3: Titanium Qoroz.0
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d4evr, another Toro fan here with a 12 mile each way all rural year-round commute. Propery like having a car headlamp and no-hassle no-wires integrated battery, just unclip whole unit and charge. Full beam is awesome even on dark wet roads and lasts 3 hours, good for proper fast downhill sections (as long as you know the road) and definitey lights up potholes etc. Mid beam (6 hr) bright enough on dry roads except fast downhills. Switch on rear for mid/low easy to use even with gloves.
I failed to clip it in properly a while back and it came off, bouncing down the road at 30mph. Unaffected except a few battle scars.
Great warranty back up, UK made and UK based people. Sent mine back at 11 mths (not giving 3 hr on full) and they returned it fixed (new charger) and tested in 5 days. Warranty is two years.
That'll do for me!!0 -
Another fan of Exposure here
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Got a Race MK5 last year for my commute mainly for a stretch of unlit road (5miles) I hate not being able to see .
Really good mount, great beam and easy to use and charge. I now have mounts on all my bikes to use this and a Spark I also bought for when I don't really need to see but be seen.
I think any you're looking at will be what you need 0 -
bookmarked to see where this goes, my electron terras have just died
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You can't go wrong with exposure but they are very expensive for what they are.
If you can be bothered there are many cheaper Chinese solutions which are just as bright, you're looking at £50 instead of £150+ for exposure0 -
lakeland wrote:You can't go wrong with exposure but they are very expensive for what they are.
If you can be bothered there are many cheaper Chinese solutions which are just as bright, you're looking at £50 instead of £150+ for exposure
But they leak, get stinking hot, have separate battery packs which you have to position on your bike with a lead that if you are a commuter you don't want to be removing every time.
Quality usually does cost...
And NO I don't work or have anything to do with Exposure but I bought them and have been nothing but happy with my purchases. Also have a Flare as well
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Toro Mk3 is a great choice for the OP's use.
The brighter exposures get a bit bulkier, have owned them, when the Toro Mk3 came out, the brightness/beam/size of the unit balance seems to be dead on.
I wouldnt want anything brighter from Exposure until it can be made in a size no bigger than the Toro Mk3 (which, knowing light technology will be out in the next releases whenever they are).0 -
Thanks for all the input so far folks, keep them coming!! 0
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Been considering the same thing - from what I've seen of both the Toro and the Ay-ups they are both excellent. I'd lean marginally towards the Ay-ups, but it depends whether you want to buy from Oz (not that the service is an issue).FCN 3 / 40
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Before you pull the trigger on a branded all in one set for £200+ you should take a few minutes to browse the What Lights MTB threads here and get your head round the options on the torch/chinese manufactured front:
viewtopic.php?f=20005&t=12660193
You will get some strong opinions on the merits of this approach and if you're not much of a fettler/don't need to save a few quid/the whole thing makes your eyes glaze over/you just want to buy a light and ride - then fair enough - but from the description of your dark 3 mile section I'd be going for as much bang for your buck as possible. 0 -
I know the stretch of road the OP is talking about and TBH I’d be more worried about one of the regular nutters that screams along it coming from behind. It’s not the busiest of roads but I’d say 1 in 5 of the people that pass you will be tearing along at a crazy speed, so it would be wise to invest in a good rear light too.0
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Already have one of those TGD, for the very reasons you have pointed out. That was last years purchase!! Although IME its not been that bad, the worst part is from St Mikes into Leuchars, I give it full gas on that part. 0
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Went for the Toro Mk3 in the end (I know the Mk4 is now out but I had to out a limit in somewhere lol). Should arrive in a day or two, just in time for me going back to work next weekend! Will let you know my thoughts next week. Thanks again to all who chipped in!!0
