Front lights

[Johnno260]

I struggled last year with several different lights, I tried a couple of Lezyne lights another brand from a friend, and I wasn't happy with any of them.

Now, for a while I have been tempted by the Garmin Varia front light, and I believe it will connect with my Edge 520.

They're coming down in price due to the newer model being released, my question is, if I can get a decent deal are they worth it?

I know it's heavy but my current light is 195g vs the Garmins 225g

Has anyone used these? and do they have some good advise.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I've been really happy with my Leyzne 400 XL to date but my previous experience of a Moon Meteor was a let down, it lasted about 1 week pass it's warranty.
I use my Leyzne daily, and I ride most days so it has been used for a year about 500 times.
Having said that, the Leyzne light is about to be one years old so lets see what happens.

What's your criteria with lights, reliability, brightness, battery life, price - all of these things ?

 

[Johnno260]

My Leyzne is the 600 XL and I hate it, battery life is ok, it slips on the bars loads so I feel I’m constantly re-adjusting it, I can't also find a good spot on the bars with out it messing with my cables.

I don’t mind spending some cash on a good product, but my experience with leyzne to date I’m not impressed with.

The other brand I tried was the Moon and I didn’t like it.

Reason I asked about the Garmin was I like the fact it uses the front mount, I’m hoping it removes my biggest gripe and the light sensor.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Why not just put a wider strip of rubber under the light mount to stop it slipping?. Slipping is usually bevause you have bars too narrow for the mount. It is easily fixed though.

 

[Johnno260]

I can try that, I did try a thicker rubber.

 

[wonderloaf]

I've got a 800XL and I use a clamp on type mount using parts as as below:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lezyne-Han...s&pd_rd_r=5X9CHMJN1ZQ05RJD4NFN&_encoding=UTF8
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HEF711E
Once fixed to the bars it never moves around and uses a bayonet mount which is easier to attach & detach to the bar mount.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Heavy?

 

[Johnno260]

I've got a 800XL and I use a clamp on type mount using parts as as below:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lezyne-Han...s&pd_rd_r=5X9CHMJN1ZQ05RJD4NFN&_encoding=UTF8
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HEF711E
Once fixed to the bars it never moves around and uses a bayonet mount which is easier to attach & detach to the bar mount.

ohhh this may solve things, I was totally not aware the mount could be changed! thank you very much!!

 

[Johnno260]

Heavy?

Many of the reviews about the Garmin light complain about weight, for me that isn't an issue.

But it seems to be an issue for many.

 

[wonderloaf]

Heavy?

70 grams for the clamp mount according to Amazon, don't know how that stacks up against the rubber strap.

ohhh this may solve things, I was totally not aware the mount could be changed! thank you very much!!

I got mine as part of a kit as a christmas pressie, wasn't going to use it originally (just wanted the rubber strap) but now stays permanently mounted to the bike as it's more convenient!

 

[si_c]

If it's slipping it's definitely that your bars are narrower than ideal. You could also try wrapping a bit of old inner tube around the handlebar where you want to mount it and holding that in place with electrical tape. This should provide a solid base for mounting.

Having said that I've not had problems with a 350xl slipping when mounted even on 24mm diameter bars, but I did have to pull the strap really tight.

 

[Vantage]

B&M dynamo light.
Dynamo hub.
No more issues.

 

[Kestevan]

Hope vision one. Not the brightest, or the sexiest but it takes normal batteries and just keeps working.

Almost 10 years worth of winter commuting and it's still going strong.

 

[rb58]

Exposure Joystick for me. So good, I have two. Mount is rock solid, light is small, very well made. One of mine is in its 7th season and still going strong.

 

[KnackeredBike]

Honestly, LED and battery technology has progressed to the point where even entry level lights are good enough for me.

I use a pair of Aldi lights. £10, rechargeable and bright enough to see adequately on a unlit reasonable road surface. Cars dip their beams when they see it, which is always a good sign. I haven't found out how long they last because it's more than the three hours needed for two days commuting.

I don't doubt in a couple of years time there will be £10 lights that make those look like dim rubbish.

Buy cheap, buy frequently is my strategy.