Lighting!

[BlackPanther]

2 Blackburn 4.0s and a MegaFlare emergency beacon on the back. Cree XML T6 on the front, and a Cree helmet torch (on low setting) to direct at potential side road emerging smidsys.

It's important to fit a wide angle lens to any Cree/Magicshine light so you don't blind other road users/cyclists/pedestrians!

Also (imho) it's unwise to use a flash setting on front. First of all it's annoying to others in the dark, and secondly, you're advertising the fact that you're a cyclist. This means drivers 'know' you're going to be travelling really slowly and are much more likely to pull out in front of you. Better they think you may be a motorbike.

 

[cyberknight]

Most important , dont use them unless you ride on unlit roads , its total overkill otherwise for all of the above reasons .

 

[united4ever]

Bit more confused than when i started this thread now. I am after a front light for commuting on an unlit canal towpath but will mainly be doing it at dusk at worst (i'll probably get the tram in december and january). So what is the best for under 30 or even 20 quid. I am a bit confused about these cree ones...are these the chinese ones or what? Whats the cstch exactly? Fire risk? Thanks all

 

[Sim2003]

Cree T6 lightage

The creeT6 is great for those unlit paths , I wouldn't use it with other road users around though especially on its full power setting. You can get a creeT6 for around £10-20 which is a bargain for what it does.

My main light for my commute is the Moon 330 and it is a great light with plenty of power for lit and unlit roads. Would recommend this or something similar over the cree even though it is pricier.

 

[united4ever]

Thanks sim. That simplifies things. The screenshot if the cree looks great! For around 11 quid i am erring towards that one. The mokn seems like a good one but maybe more for a road than an unlit towpath. Thanks again!

 

[CopperBrompton]

I am a bit confused about these cree ones...are these the chinese ones or what? Whats the cstch exactly? Fire risk? Thanks all

Cree is the name of the LED manufacturer, and T5, T6, etc, refer to the specific series of LEDs they make. There are lots of Chinese manufacturers who sell bike lights using Cree LEDs.

All lights using the T6 will be the same brightness as they use the same LED, but the build quality of the light will vary tremendously. TANSTAAFL, so the cheap ones won't last long before the wiring fails. If you can manage it, it will be cheaper in the long run to buy a decent set of lights rather than cheap Chinese ones you'll end up replacing regularly.

 

[ufkacbln]

I use lights in pairs, and carry a spare set (just "upgraded" to the Aldi ones

I have the B&M IQ Premium on the front and a pair of Moon "Shield" on the back

I run one in lower power mode and one at high power on teh way in to work, and then reverse on the way home.

This ensures good lighting all the way

I have a regular Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday charging routine

 

[united4ever]

Th

Cree is the name of the LED manufacturer, and T5, T6, etc, refer to the specific series of LEDs they make. There are lots of Chinese manufacturers who sell bike lights using Cree LEDs.

All lights using the T6 will be the same brightness as they use the same LED, but the build quality of the light will vary tremendously. TANSTAAFL, so the cheap ones won't last long before the wiring fails. If you can manage it, it will be cheaper in the long run to buy a decent set of lights rather than cheap Chinese ones you'll end up replacing regularly.

Thanks, very helpful. The cree ones....they have a battery pack that you also have to mount to your bike as well i gather with a cable running between the two. Not as tidy as just the lamp attached to the handlebar......decisions , decisions

 

[united4ever]

Tried to buy the moon 330 at wiggle... (on sale at 32 quid) but its out of stock .....do any bike retailers price match? I guess it would have to be in stock for them to price match anyway although that is not obvious until you click on 'buy'.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/moon-x-power-330-rechargeable-front-light/reviews/

Cheers again

 

[tincaman]

Try the Lezyne 400XL mentioned earlier, although it's gone up to £36 now.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/lezyne-micro-drive-400xl-front-light/lezyligh326

 

[RoubaixCube]

Tried to buy the moon 330 at wiggle... (on sale at 32 quid) but its out of stock .....do any bike retailers price match? I guess it would have to be in stock for them to price match anyway although that is not obvious until you click on 'buy'.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/moon-x-power-330-rechargeable-front-light/reviews/

Cheers again

EvansCycles will price match. Ive had two items price matched within the same day.

Try the Lezyne 400XL mentioned earlier, although it's gone up to £36 now.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/lezyne-micro-drive-400xl-front-light/lezyligh326

I have this - its a solid light.

Ive since done a little switch around with my lights. Instead of having a Cree Q5 as a blinker, Ive decided to put the Leyzne Micro Drive that was originally intended to be mounted on my helmet on my bar as a flasher as it just straight up seemed to be a fair bit brighter than the Cree. Its smaller and more compact as well. The Micro Drive will be partnered up with the 400XL and i will keep the small 80lum mounted on my helmet even though I dont always have it on.
I'll only really turn it on if there is heavy traffic and i need to be sure that people see me.

Cateye Volt 300 is on standby.

 

[Cyphrex]

I had to start simple to begin with. Zefal 6-piece Bicycle Starter Pack. Hoping to upgrade when I get some more $$.

 

[Drago]

It's important to fit a wide angle lens to any Cree/Magicshine light so you don't blind other road users/cyclists/pedestrians!

Or, just a suggestion, aim it at the road surface ahead of the bike and not in people's faces.

If you can manage it, it will be cheaper in the long run to buy a decent set of lights rather than cheap Chinese ones you'll end up replacing regularly.

Alas, I'm finding the opposite to be true. My oldest CREE set is about to enter its 4th year of use, over double what my £180 Hope managed. I could replace the CREE job 8 times for the cost of the Hope and even if the CREE died tomorrow that would equate to 32 years of CREE service for the same price as under 2 years of Hope service.

Money talks, bullpois walks.

 

[Illaveago]

I have just bought a pair of lights for £5 including batteries from Aldi. The headlight beam seems bright and wide enough for my purposes but as to their durability we shall see. But if anyone is on a tight budget and in need of lights they seem ideal.

 

[glenn forger]

I've seen a few riders with two front lights, one angled at the road. Catches the eye rather, especially with spoke reflectors.