'Be seen' rechargeable front light with decent runtime

[vickster]

Having been let down by not one but two dead Lezyne lights while cycling home last night - although they were charged when they went in the bag a week ago, one lasted about 10 minutes, the other wouldn't produce any light, I'm probably in the market for a new front light.

Needs to be USB chargeable (although a back up with batteries might be good if such a thing exists), and have a decent run time probably in a flashing mode. The roads I ride aren't that dark, well darkish without lights as I found out between streetlamps, so it's a be seen light really.

The fixing needs to go on the handlebars, as I have crosslevers and narrow bars haowever, there is limited space, the lezyne rubber mountings just about fit! I like the small aesthetics of the Lezyne (old style micro drives)

What would anyone suggest for up to say £50, Moon LX 560 looks ok for £40 on Rutland but it looks quite chunky?

 

[flake99please]

Have you considered running something like a pair Cateye Rapid X type lights on the forks?

Just over your budget though for the pair...

Available here

 

[vickster]

Have you considered running something like a pair Cateye Rapid X type lights on the forks?

Just over your budget though for the pair...

Available here

Thanks, I'd presumably need bar mounted too? What's the benefit of these over a traditional light?

 

[mjr]

I'd buy a German-spec K-marked steady light with a battery charge indicator, often on its power button. Rose Bikes probably sell loads, or if you could wait, Lidl may do another special soon which will probably be around £10 and avoid paying the relatively high postage.

Some USB-charged lights can run directly from a USB power pack if you strap one to the bike, too.

 

[vickster]

I'd buy a German-spec K-marked steady light with a battery charge indicator, often on its power button. Rose Bikes probably sell loads, or if you could wait, Lidl may do another special soon which will probably be around £10 and avoid paying the relatively high postage.

Some USB-charged lights can run directly from a USB power pack if you strap one to the bike, too.

I've no idea what type of light you mean. The lights in Lidl are always rather ugly and massive!

 

[NorthernDave]

I've got a set of Electron Pod lights - you can buy just the front one on it's own from Highland Bikes for under a tenner - RRP for a set is £40 so thats good value.

Definitely a "be seen" light, nice and small so should easily fit in your bars and a charge last for ages - I've done 7 / 8 hour rides and it's still been flashing away.

 

[Crackle]

The Moon clones that Planet X sell are very bright, rechargeable via USB, run time, I forget exactly but 2- 4 hrs. Jobsworth Canopus and Dogstar they're called. Stretchy band fitting which should fit in the space you have.

 

[Nibor]

The Aldi ones will be around next week

 

[Heltor Chasca]

The Lezyne USB lights have been brilliant on my bikes.

 

[mjr]

I've no idea what type of light you mean. The lights in Lidl are always rather ugly and massive!

Something like https://www.rosebikes.com/article/sigma-roadster-usb-front-light/aid:879985 - yeah, it's a bit bigger than a blinky, but it has a charge indicator, can be used to see where you're going at a push (if riding unlit areas is a regular thing, I'd go brighter, at least 30 lux and probably more) and that sort of thing tends to work for a few years in my experience (which actually makes it difficult to recommend a current model because my front lights are 2, 4 and 20 years old and still working!)

Or you can keep blowing £40-50 quid a pop on the worse lights that are popular in this country for reasons I don't really grok.

 

[13 rider]

The Aldi ones I think £15 might be worth a gamble . Seem to lezyene copies

 

[Nibor]

This is the back light I got last year and it is very bright I believe it is a Moon Nebula copy
https://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/09/30/aldi-bikemate-front-and-rear-lights/

 

[Bimble]

ISTR @Shaun getting one of these and saying it was good: http://www.candb-seen.co.uk/product-front-light.html

ETA: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/b...t-lights-around-£80-mark.216252/#post-4849461

 

[GJT]

I love my Exposure Flash, although that runs off rechargeable batteries.
I would imagine the Trace would be as good and that is USB charging.
I like the fact that the light pulses rather than off/on flashing.

 

[vickster]

ISTR @Shaun getting one of these and saying it was good: http://www.candb-seen.co.uk/product-front-light.html

ETA: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bontrager-ion-700-r-usb-or-suggestions-for-rechargeable-front-lights-around-£80-mark.216252/#post-4849461

Candbseen option Sold out