Saluki
World class procrastinator
- Location
- ...Norwich over the water.
Front lights - how many lumens ?
- Thread starter Lone Wolf
- Start date
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When you ride is as important as how many lumens you have.
I found when commuting regularly that I needed a higher output during the dusk period when there is still some ambient light but not enough to see by, 200lm was inadequate during this period and I found 500 to be far better - and this is directed at the road rather than straight ahead. Once the sun has gone completely I found that 200lm was more than adequate to see by even at a decent speed although on off road sections I do enjoy jacking the output up the full 1300lm that my light can output.
I stopped thinking about it once I got a dynamo and lights though - the light I had was the light I had and it was more than good enough.
I found when commuting regularly that I needed a higher output during the dusk period when there is still some ambient light but not enough to see by, 200lm was inadequate during this period and I found 500 to be far better - and this is directed at the road rather than straight ahead. Once the sun has gone completely I found that 200lm was more than adequate to see by even at a decent speed although on off road sections I do enjoy jacking the output up the full 1300lm that my light can output.
I stopped thinking about it once I got a dynamo and lights though - the light I had was the light I had and it was more than good enough.
straas
Matt
- Location
- Manchester
Preferably ride with the highest lumen you can get off aliexpress, with a reflector at the back and no cutoff. Make sure you set it to strobe on unlit off road cycle paths.
Seevio
Guru
- Location
- South Glos
Refers to torches but the same principle applies to many people on bikes:
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
I've still got one of those huge maglite torches, I bought it in the 90s. It takes a whole load of batteries and gives off what we would now consider a moderate glow. These days I have a tiny little torch in the kitchen for when I want to venture up to the compost bin at night. It lights up the whole neighbourhood.
I used to know someone who did takeaway deliveries in a less salubrious part of Liverpool who had one of those around the same period, he kept it more for it's use as a bludgeon than it's light emitting capacity. You'd likely be laughed at trying to wield a modern flashlight as a weapon though.
Fair point about the road surface; equally I like a head torch as I find its movement with the head a lot better for situational awareness on unlit roads / the ability to see things that otherwise wouldn't be illuminated by a fixed light. It's also good for reminding drivers of where their dip switch is as necessary..
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Old fashioned!
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Far too annoying as well blinding for other road users though. Bit of nuisance on the road or cycle paths.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
I keep a head torch with me for night time mechanicals etc. And as a backup emergency front light just in case.
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Absolutely for nighttime mechanicals and unlikely emergency use when riding. I carry a head torch in my seat bag on audaxes. But do not don it for normal night riding. That would be somewhat anti social.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
I have a couple of off road bike lights like that - MTB only. Burn everything in sight !
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Which is a problem when everything is bleached out and dark shadows cast off trees etc. You can’t see the surface properly and are more likely to crash through holes or slide on gravel etc.
