Lighting!

[Fnaar]

Just lost my beloved rear Blackburn (can't remember exact model, had it a few yrs) en route to work
Now thinking of investing in one of those City Slicker things.... do they get a thumbs up? (so to speak)

edit: It was a Mars 4.0, and I thought it was ace

 

[raleighnut]

Just lost my beloved rear Blackburn (can't remember exact model, had it a few yrs) en route to work
Now thinking of investing in one of those City Slicker things.... do they get a thumbs up? (so to speak)

If you can find one of these I rate it as the best rear light I've ever owned



I think they're obsolete now (old technology) but they are really versatile with the 2 rows of 5 LEDs controlled separately so that one row can be constant whilst the other flashes plus they have great 'side on' lighting with the LEDs in the end caps.

 

[Sim2003]

Just got some new lights for my helmet come through , AWE, nano fire , bit fiddly to fit and charge. They are suppose to have 9 hours battery life.

 

[raleighnut]

The Cateye TL-LD 1100 runs for 100hrs on 2 alkaline AAs. Great on a tour.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...d1100/&usg=AFQjCNE8ktuwGhuwv2TDlFHMrcGPlFvtJQ

 

[Arjimlad]

I've gone over to USB-chargeable lights as I can plug them in at home or at work and top them up.

Front is a Moon XP300, rear an RSP Radient like this one http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/rsp-radient-twin-1-2-watt-usb-rechargeable-rear-light-id63887.html

As backup I have Moon Gem 1.0 front and rear, but will also be using a recently bought Aldi usb rear light on the seatstay this winter.

 

[RoubaixCube]

Just lost my beloved rear Blackburn (can't remember exact model, had it a few yrs) en route to work
Now thinking of investing in one of those City Slicker things.... do they get a thumbs up? (so to speak)

edit: It was a Mars 4.0, and I thought it was ace

Im sorry for your loss I lost a £5 cateye about a week ago. Probably didnt cost as much as your blackburn but I know the feels.

If you can find one of these I rate it as the best rear light I've ever owned



I think they're obsolete now (old technology) but they are really versatile with the 2 rows of 5 LEDs controlled separately so that one row can be constant whilst the other flashes plus they have great 'side on' lighting with the LEDs in the end caps.

Ive seen these being sold at a few retailers while i was on my quest to find a good rear blinker!!

View attachment 105366
Just got some new lights for my helmet come through , AWE, nano fire , bit fiddly to fit and charge. They are suppose to have 9 hours battery life.

Are they the 24 lumen ones off Amazon??? I did have a look at those, but IMHO there are better and more powerful lights for slightly more than that £19 (£20 average) that you paid.

I currently have a set of These on my helmet and while the run time for the front light isnt as long as 9hours, I seldom run the light at full bore. 3hrs at medium setting and 6hrs at lower setting. I think £30 is a little much, but they are small, light and throw out a decent amount of light.

My 200lm Leyzne Micro Drive arrived earlier this week after waiting 2 weeks for CycleSurgery to deliver it. I havent tested out on the roads yet but its hella bright! Though I do feel like a bit of a tellytubby with the helmet mount protruding so far off the helmet.

I think the Leyzne+Helmet mount will be reserved for the most darkest of nights or if i require something for an overnight tour. The look of the FWE light on my helmet is definitely a lot more streamlined


Ive managed to get evans to price match some rear blinkers for me so i now have a Cateye LD-610 that serves as my main

and a Cateye Rapid Mini which will now serve as backup. This thing is beautiful! so small and compact!

I do have a Topeak Mega redlite but I can only really mount that on my Topeak DX Trunkbag and Im too scared its gonna fall off and go missing like my £5 cateye did so I bought a universal cateye mount and attached it directly to the carrier. I'll save the mega rear light for a jacket or rucksack

 

[Sim2003]

Are they the 24 lumen ones off Amazon??? I did have a look at those, but IMHO there are better and more powerful lights for slightly more than that £19 (£20 average) that you paid.

yeh it is them ones although the title lies compared to the description , they are 12 lumens each not 24.

I paid £14.99 the other day. they seem plenty bright enough to be seen . dont want anything dazzling on the helmet. Normally use cheap pound ones and replace when dead figured these would work out better in the long run.

 

[RoubaixCube]

yeh it is them ones although the title lies compared to the description , they are 12 lumens each not 24.

I paid £14.99 the other day. they seem plenty bright enough to be seen . dont want anything dazzling on the helmet. Normally use cheap pound ones and replace when dead figured these would work out better in the long run.

Just had a look at the description on amazon again - definitely false advertising that one!

For £15 i guess they're ok'ish though 12lm on a fairly lit up urban commute is a waste of money not to mention pointless, and you can't really use it for off road either as its not bright enough.

spend £5 on a decent Cree light off ebay and Jerry rig it like this guy did.



or this guy



12lm for a front just kinda makes me cringe inside a little

 

[Sim2003]

I have 1600 and 330lumens on the front bars too

 

[RoubaixCube]

I have 1600 and 330lumens on the front bars too

thats ok i guess - Sorry, I totally forgot that people had more powerful front lights on their bar in my previous comment I guess the fear of having such low powered lights on the road was getting to me lol.

Currently waiting on two 1200lm chinese cree lights to arrive. If they are no good i may have to wait or shop around for something a little more substantial then my Leyzne 400XL

I dont think im going to go down the route of getting one of them lights that are powered by an external battery pack just yet. My riding doesnt quite require something that powerful

 

[Sim2003]

No need to be sorry . The moon 330 I have on is usually all I use with a cheaper no idea how many lumens light. Even then its on its 150 setting. Colleague even commented on how bright it was for him in his car. The Cree should be great for that extra vision. Just depends on your needs and budget.

 

[Turdus philomelos]

I've tried various lights all with various +'s and -'s. The biggest problem was temperature. During the coldest, darkest part of the year batteries failed to last the length of my commute. So this year I have went all out and invested in one of these:-
http://www.ultimatesportsengineering.com/exposure-lights/cycle-lights-2016/strada-mk6

Well impressed so far.

 

[RoubaixCube]

I've tried various lights all with various +'s and -'s. The biggest problem was temperature. During the coldest, darkest part of the year batteries failed to last the length of my commute. So this year I have went all out and invested in one of these:-
http://www.ultimatesportsengineering.com/exposure-lights/cycle-lights-2016/strada-mk6

Well impressed so far.

well for £270 you'd better be damn well impressed too! cuz if you wasnt then that would be a problem! Exposure make some mighty fine lights but the high price means that most likely 70-80% of people cant afford it unless they are real serious about their cycling. I wouldnt spend that much. even £60 for makes me a little squeamish inside.

 

[Turdus philomelos]

well for £270 you'd better be damn well impressed too! cuz if you wasnt then that would be a problem! Exposure make some mighty fine lights but the high price means that most likely 70-80% of people cant afford it unless they are real serious about their cycling. I wouldnt spend that much. even £60 for makes me a little squeamish inside.

Ah well, being a canni Scot I paid a wee bitty less than the RRP. But hey a month's bus fares will pay for it. So I can keep cycle commuting during winter months, keep fit, and save money in the long run

 

[RoubaixCube]

Ah well, being a canni Scot I paid a wee bitty less than the RRP. But hey a month's bus fares will pay for it. So I can keep cycle commuting during winter months, keep fit, and save money in the long run

I'll have to see how dark London gets in the winter time. This is the first time ever in my entire life that i will be in a good position to commute to work and back on a bicycle. I know it can get pretty dark out there but i dont think we're going to see rural countryside kind of dark.