Lights thread

Mark__gti

I've noticed a few lights threads appearing now it's starting to get a bit darker in the mornings.

Thought it would be interesting to see what lights people are using and what lights people recommend.

I cycle on unlit country roads and use a Gemini Olympia with a hope qr mount




Battery wise i have a 2 cell and 4 cell pack which i can remove the cells from.

spasypaddy

exposure strada on the bars
exposure joystick and red eye on helmet
exposure traceR on the seat post


i also carry as back up a front moon and a lezyne small round flashing thing.

DrLex

Two Philips SafeRide 80s fore and a Moon Shield 60 plus Planet X smart R1 knockoff aft.

(Dynamo on t'other bike)

rhodrich

On my winter bike, I have a a Shimano DH-3N72 hub dynamo, powering a Philips Saferide 60 front light, and a Philips Saferide Lumiring rear light.

Bright enough lighting to have no problems going through Richmond Park on a cloudless, moonless night, and no batteries to worry about.

Currently thinking about installing a dynamo setup on the Fixed too, so I can use that in the winter. Have a spare dynamo front wheel, but the only spare dynamo lights I've got are incandescent, which are a bit rubbish, compared to modern LED ones.

davis

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19684367#p19684367]spasypaddy[/url] wrote:

exposure strada on the bars
exposure joystick and red eye on helmet
exposure traceR on the seat post

+1.

Although my rear light is an Exposure Flare. Got clipped from behind by the wing-mirror of an old boy who hadn't seen me at all (clear road)...

dhope

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19684381#p19684381]Rhodrich[/url] wrote:

On my winter bike, I have a a Shimano DH-3N72 hub dynamo, powering a Philips Saferide 60 front light, and a Philips Saferide Lumiring rear light.

Bright enough lighting to have no problems going through Richmond Park on a cloudless, moonless night, and no batteries to worry about.

Currently thinking about installing a dynamo setup on the Fixed too, so I can use that in the winter. Have a spare dynamo front wheel, but the only spare dynamo lights I've got are incandescent, which are a bit rubbish, compared to modern LED ones.

Doesn't matter, cars can hear your brakes coming from a mile away anyway, so you probably don't need the lights

bompington

That's not a lights thread.

This is a lights thread

rhodrich

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19684397#p19684397]dhope[/url] wrote:

Doesn't matter, cars can hear your brakes coming from a mile away anyway, so you probably don't need the lights

You may have a point there lol!

andy9964

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19684355#p19684355]Mark__gti[/url] wrote:

Battery wise i have a 2 cell and 4 cell pack which i can remove the cells from.

A little OT, but where did you get those battery holders, and do the have the discharge protection built in?
Cheers

veronese68

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19684367#p19684367]spasypaddy[/url] wrote:

exposure strada on the bars
exposure joystick and red eye on helmet
exposure traceR on the seat post

Pretty much covers it for me too. Tried the Lezyne helmet light with rear that came with the magazine subscription last year, prefer the Joystick.

roger_merriman

A old Fenix torch which is mainly back up, and a Knog road 3 which has a nice wide beam, plus a low/dip for the urban bits.

And a Exposure Flare rear.

The knog has enought to ride down country lanes though only a hour or so.

imatfaal

I read a post here in the Spring by a member who worked in battery manufacture/development about how best to avoid trashing your batteries by bad charging practices; cannot find that post again and forgotten the take home lesson. Repost would be great now that we are all getting to time of year that makes lights essential

edrobbin

Exposure Race on the bars, Blaze on the back and Diablo up top. Got the ickle Red Eye thing on the back of the Diablo.

Probably a bit OTT for Waterloo - Hammersith, but why not?

Ed

meanredspider

AyUps up front. Can't remember what's on the back

Vis360 on the lid (front and rear)

Also use a Philips Saferide 80 which is very good - if a bit heavy.

And Lezyne Femtos around Amsterdam.

I'm sure light requirements are often dependent upon people's low-light perception. I've never needed anything more than the AyUps on the darkest, crappiests, wettest Highland roads at good speeds. The Vis360 allows me to be seen over hedges and brows.

rick_chasey

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19684884#p19684884]meanredspider[/url] wrote:

Vis360 on the lid (front and rear)

.

Better hope you don't land on the top of your lid where your lights are!

supersonic

One of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Upgraded-Cree-XM-L2-SolarStorm-X2-Bike-Light-Waterproof-Bicycle-Lights-Set-UK-EU-/191400179841?var=&hash=item2c9056f881

redvee

Up front:
Knog Ghekko on the headtube, Exposure Sirrius on the bars, Lezyne Dual Drive Pro Cycling sub gift on my helmet

Bringing up the rear:

PX Moon Shield 60 on the seatpost, FibreFlare on my helmet, PDW Fender light on the mudguard and Smart R1 on the rack and a FibreFlare micro swinging from the pannier bag.

Lights are needed year round for me as I finish work at 22:00.

meanredspider

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19684989#p19684989]Rick Chasey[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19684884#p19684884]meanredspider[/url] wrote:

Vis360 on the lid (front and rear)

.

Better hope you don't land on the top of your lid where your lights are!

The front light is very small and the rear light/battery pack is broad and flat. Given the route, I'm much less likely to need any benefit my lid might confer if the cars can see me early...

iPete

Front: Exposure Diablo and Trace
Rear: Hope District+ and Exposure TraceR

Ian.B

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19684486#p19684486]imatfaal[/url] wrote:

I read a post here in the Spring by a member who worked in battery manufacture/development about how best to avoid trashing your batteries by bad charging practices; cannot find that post again and forgotten the take home lesson. Repost would be great now that we are all getting to time of year that makes lights essential

This one? http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40052&t=13027439&p=19687396#p19687396

imatfaal

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19687399#p19687399]Ian.B[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19684486#p19684486]imatfaal[/url] wrote:

I read a post here in the Spring by a member who worked in battery manufacture/development about how best to avoid trashing your batteries by bad charging practices; cannot find that post again and forgotten the take home lesson. Repost would be great now that we are all getting to time of year that makes lights essential

This one? http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40052&t=13027439&p=19687396#p19687396

Thanks

itboffin

yep ditto where did you get those battery cases from?

sketchley

Not been on the bike since ride 100. Riding tomorrow across London. What are current "safe" times to be out without lights?

Stag on

Depends on whether it is tipping down with rain.

0630 to 1930 or so at the minute I'd say.

the_fuggler

Ay-ups on the front for me for rural riding. Flare on the rear.

Mark__gti

The 2 cell battery case is a Fenix BA4C and the 4 cell is the old style Pannovo/Solarstorm battery case without the USB connector.

Sooraj

Hey,

I'm looking for a commuter bag or a jacket, which has Lights on it - cool enough to enhance my visibility, and at the same time which can make a cool statement on the road! Not able to narrow down a good option.

Any suggestions you guys have on options you have come across, kindly do let me know. Hope I can find out something this season itself.

Have a great day there.

Thanks,
Sooraj

Mark__gti

New mount arrived for my light today



#

Just need to order one of these so i can mount it under my Garmin

Sooraj

Hey,

wanted to check, if there is a good backpack out there, which has built-in lights. I'm looking for something with a cycle logo (preferably) on it, which would light up (probably using a battery in the bag).

I was thinking about a jacket, but then made up my mind for a backpack which I can use for commute in the city, independent of the weather conditions.

Please let me know, if you have an options in mind. Or, any ideas also welcome.

Hope to hear soon.

Thanks,
Sooraj

dhope

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19697963#p19697963]Sooraj[/url] wrote:

Hey,

wanted to check, if there is a good backpack out there, which has built-in lights. I'm looking for something with a cycle logo (preferably) on it, which would light up (probably using a battery in the bag).

I was thinking about a jacket, but then made up my mind for a backpack which I can use for commute in the city, independent of the weather conditions.

Please let me know, if you have an options in mind. Or, any ideas also welcome.

Hope to hear soon.

Thanks,
Sooraj

Do you need a cycle logo? It'd be a poor light, and surely they'll realise you're on a bike by seeing you on a bike...

Another option would be to get a decent backpack with a strap for a light on it. Then get a decent light.

bendertherobot

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19697963#p19697963]Sooraj[/url] wrote:

Hey,

wanted to check, if there is a good backpack out there, which has built-in lights. I'm looking for something with a cycle logo (preferably) on it, which would light up (probably using a battery in the bag).

I was thinking about a jacket, but then made up my mind for a backpack which I can use for commute in the city, independent of the weather conditions.

Please let me know, if you have an options in mind. Or, any ideas also welcome.

Hope to hear soon.

Thanks,
Sooraj

Get a fibre flare from Evans. Half price. Hang it on the rucksack