Light Recommendation

[Maylian]

Hi All,

With the clocks going back and cycling in the dark being harder to avoid, I'm after the communities input and recommendations for bike lights. Have had the last 6 weeks off from cycle commuting I've not had opportunity to test my current light set up in the real world, however cycling home on Monday along the Bristol/Bath path I was left a little underwhelmed by my current front light, and I'm also considering getting a 2nd rear light if I can find one that can be mounted somewhere other than the seat post.

Currently on the front I have a Moon Rigel Light (500 lumen) which I have in my out front mount. Ideally, I'd like another light that still uses the 1/4 turn mount as I find the lights that use straps slip too much, and I don't like having to adjust it whilst I'm cycling. The current Moon light isn't too bad, but I don't think the spread is great, so wanted to explore other options.

On the rear I have a Tooocycling camera light, which I think is ok, but with that and the saddle bag there's no real estate left on the seat post. So I'm not sure if there are any lights that can be put elsewhere on the bike. Alternatively, I'll look at getting a wearable light and can attach it to my bag.

 

[fossyant]

Saddle bag mounting light perchance ?

 

[si_c]

Hi All,

With the clocks going back and cycling in the dark being harder to avoid, I'm after the communities input and recommendations for bike lights. Have had the last 6 weeks off from cycle commuting I've not had opportunity to test my current light set up in the real world, however cycling home on Monday along the Bristol/Bath path I was left a little underwhelmed by my current front light, and I'm also considering getting a 2nd rear light if I can find one that can be mounted somewhere other than the seat post.

Currently on the front I have a Moon Rigel Light (500 lumen) which I have in my out front mount. Ideally, I'd like another light that still uses the 1/4 turn mount as I find the lights that use straps slip too much, and I don't like having to adjust it whilst I'm cycling. The current Moon light isn't too bad, but I don't think the spread is great, so wanted to explore other options.

On the rear I have a Tooocycling camera light, which I think is ok, but with that and the saddle bag there's no real estate left on the seat post. So I'm not sure if there are any lights that can be put elsewhere on the bike. Alternatively, I'll look at getting a wearable light and can attach it to my bag.

For the rear you can also mount to the seat tube with the light facing between the stays but above the wheel, I put a flashing light there usually. I don't know of any lights which use a quarter turn mount unfortunately, my winter light is a Lezyne 1300 which has a go-pro adapter and then I use the garmin Varia/Go-Pro adapter connected to that so that the light mounts underneath my out front mount. I have a few lights set up in the same way, as below. They are all set angled down properly so the road is lit up but they don't dazzle oncoming traffic.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Look for lights that mount on seat stays such as the Cateye Omni series

 

[roubaixtuesday]

If you have a rear rack, cateye do an adaptor to allow their lights to the rear. Very useful.

 

[Maylian]

Saddle bag mounting light perchance ?

I would but it doesn't have a hoop to attach one to. I'm thinking a new rucksack cover with one could be an option.

 

[Sharky]

Lights, plus reflective slap bands on the ankles.

 

[Maylian]

Has anyone used the Magicshine EVO 1300? Reading the review on Road.cc and the idea of having a remote control so you can easily cycle functions sounds good when your ride transitions from poorly lit shared paths to city centre and more well lit roads.

 

[Oldhippy]

A good quality hub dynamo set up and you can't go wrong.

 

[StuAff]

For the front, Alpkit Ariel is excellent. https://alpkit.com/products/ariel?variant=41611583422569 £37.49 at the moment.

 

[andrew_s]

I would but it doesn't have a hoop to attach one to. I'm thinking a new rucksack cover with one could be an option.

Lights attached to saddlebags are frequently poor, and lights attached to rucksacks are even worse.

Most rear lights are pretty directional, with a beam width of 10-15°. That's fine it they are actually pointing back along the road, as it means they look bright from a considerable distance, but when attached to something soft and flexible, it's difficult to get them to poiunt back along the road with sufficient accuracy, and even harder to keep them aligned.
With a rucksack it's virtually impossible the align the light correctly, and they can be so badly aligned as to be virtually invisible, even when riding directly behind.

 

[Jameshow]

Couple of spot lights mounted on the drops. Fog light at the rear wired into a lithium car jump starter mounted under the saddle?
Job done!!

 

[Maylian]

Lights attached to saddlebags are frequently poor, and lights attached to rucksacks are even worse.

Most rear lights are pretty directional, with a beam width of 10-15°. That's fine it they are actually pointing back along the road, as it means they look bright from a considerable distance, but when attached to something soft and flexible, it's difficult to get them to poiunt back along the road with sufficient accuracy, and even harder to keep them aligned.
With a rucksack it's virtually impossible the align the light correctly, and they can be so badly aligned as to be virtually invisible, even when riding directly behind.

Thanks, this would be as an additional rear light to be a backup in case of emergency. I double checked my saddle bag last night and actually noticed a rather discreet loop to attach to and since it's payday have plumped for a Ravemen CL05 light to see how it goes.

I also ordered the Magicshine evo 1300, which I'm quite excited about. I was quite fortunate last night that I packed a spare front light as my Moon light refused to turn on when I was leaving for home at around 7pm. My spare Lezyne 800 (or something) was great, but blinding bright for some peds, so hopefully the Magicshine's remote switch can be a good option.

 

[Jameshow]

https://planetx.co.uk/products/plaz...M2dPbljIbaG_YU3-G4_LJYVbQXFR_NNUaAnZQEALw_wcB

Anyone tried this one?

 

[vickster]

https://planetx.co.uk/products/plaz...M2dPbljIbaG_YU3-G4_LJYVbQXFR_NNUaAnZQEALw_wcB

Anyone tried this one?

I have one very similar,'old model probably. It's not very good even on the well lit roads I ride, I'd buy Moon or Cateye for a bit more. I probably paid a tenner for it in a PX clearance!
I only use on the bikes which don't have a mount for my moon one.