Winter riding lights

elvis loved burgers

Hi, I need to buy some lights for winter riding, My commute to and from work will be in the pitch dark along unlit country roads, I was thinking of buying either the terra 2 evo or magicshine , Has anyone any experience with these lights and if so what would you recommend?

thegreatdivide

The new Lezyne lights are excellent. I’m riding at night on some pitch black roads with a Power Drive XL at the front (400 lumens) and a Micro Drive at the back (70 lumens). I’ve had some very positive comments on the latter.

IMO the lumens arms race is getting out of hand. You don’t need a 10000 jigawatt Chinese made airline landing light strapped to the front of your bike unless you’re doing trail riding. On a road bike you’re just pi$$ing off drivers and other bike users.

Extralight

Look up Big_f_d_d on eBay or go to his website http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/ for some really powerful lights at very good prices. I've bought one from him, and have been really impressed with it: really bright and a good beam spread. It's definitely good to have something this powerful if you're on unlit roads that aren't in good condition, and if you get the angle right you shouldn't antagonise other road users (and at least you'll get seen!).

My only criticism of the light I bought is the bracket angles the unit slightly to one side (either left or right, depending on whether you mount it on top or below the bars), but it's not a significant issue:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290763042424? ... 1497.l2649

unixnerd

Torchy the Battery Boy is certainly worth a look.

I run two Cree XML-T6 torches and it's like daylight. They're really cheap on ebay now, just bought a friend two with mounts, batteries and charger for 30 quid. Always have more than one light source in case on fails.

I also run a Maglite-AAA head torch on a NiteIze headband and wouldn't be without it. I can read my speedo, change a puncture, etc.

drlodge

I've got a Lezyne Super Drive on the front, about 450 Lumens and its great on those dark country lanes. RRP is £100 but I found it for £70, plus an additional battery (its easy to swap) for £30.

ben16v

unixnerd wrote:

I run two Cree XML-T6 torches and it's like daylight. They're really cheap on ebay now, just bought a friend two with mounts, batteries and charger for 30 quid. Always have more than one light source in case on fails.

you got a link mate
thanks

wishitwasallflat

viewtopic.php?f=20005&t=12660193

unixnerd

you got a link mate

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300745195101
That's for one with two batteries and a charger. He also does single ones and you'll need to add some of his brackets.

Mr cyclist

Try the Alpkit gamma head torch, only £15 from the Alpkit website. Really bright for the money and runs on AAA batteries. It also has a rear light and has plenty of brightness settings. Unbeatable for the money.

arthur_scrimshaw

elvis loved burgers wrote:

Hi, I need to buy some lights for winter riding, My commute to and from work will be in the pitch dark along unlit country roads, I was thinking of buying either the terra 2 evo or magicshine , Has anyone any experience with these lights and if so what would you recommend?

my terra 2 (not evo) failed after year, seems to be connection or battery problems hence would not recommend.

mjbennett

Magic shine lights from ebay have been brilliant for me. They appear well made and are very very bright and hold the charge really well. Comparable to Hope lights, but a lot cheaper (the fittings are o rings as opposed to secure fixings)

edschof

You are all talking about £50+ lights. I know it's keeping safe but I don't have the money or enough reason to buy a light for more than £40 (and that's stretching it). So where can I find a good, bright light for less than £40?

I've been looking at this:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-micro-dr ... ont-light/

and this:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &langId=-1

Also, what does lumen equate to? (In real terms, like an example 'I was...')

unixnerd

Ebay, search for Cree XML-T6 with 18650 batteries. Just bought two for my mate with batteries, charger and mounts for thirty quid! They're stunningly bright.

mik82

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XML-XM-L-T6-1800-LM-LED-Cycling-Bike-Bicycle-Head-Light-HeadLamp-HeadLight-/140744146377?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item20c5013dc9

I bought one of these (UK stock - would be a bit cheaper ordering from China but wanted within a few days). £30. Battery doesn't look particularly waterproof but nothing a bit of tape wouldn't fix and lasts 3hrs on high. Obviously no way near its stated output but is still ridiculously bright. Probably 50-100% brighter than my old P7 torch which was still bright enough on unlit roads at 20mph.

edschof

Thanks, not doubting or anything but are you riding past 7/8 o'clock?

edschof

And what are the thoughts on this:

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewit ... 4597379832

elvis loved burgers

I ordered the big bright light from torchy the battery boy it will be a couple of days before I get it. I need lights now, them days are getting shorter

ben16v

ive been using the cree xm-l t6 as above this week in the dark and rain on a chaingang past 8pm - full dark on counrty unlit roads and it is awesome - has had 3hours on high so far and is still going strong

MarksMintness

I will second the comments regarding the lezyne micro drive on the rear, it is mint. I supplement it with a topeak one on flashing setting. Awaiting delivery of a Cree T6 torch to pop on the front and I have a moon mini USB light on the front with 3 led's and this has been a revelation, its great! Almost good enough to have a couple of them on the front as your main setup. Went out tonight on unlit country roads and I just felt I needed a bit more up front for me to see with. The cree should sort me out!

greentea

Ive got the new Lezyne Powerdrive XL on the front, superb light.

elvis loved burgers

The light arrived and I got to try it out. Took the bike for a spin down a country road. Bloody amazed by the light this throws out. I was able to ride at full speed on unlit roads and see every thing safely. Even when there was a car behind me I wasnt riding in its shadow. The angle of the light needs carefully adjusting or it will blind everything coming against it. I have a cree xpg r5 torch that I thought was good enough to use on its own untill I tried this new light.

giant_man

whats this new one again elvis?

elvis loved burgers

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290780717566? ... 1497.l2649

seriously bright, I can cycle fast at night now and dont have to slow down when the street lights run out