Lights - Again (Groan)

[ChrisKH]

Lots of light posts out there at the moment (I wonder why?). I'm looking to acquire some decent lights which will be used over a three hour 35 mile commute (sometimes, say once a month) but more regularly a 20 mile commute most of which will be poorly lit or unlit lanes. The 35 mile commute is just an extension of the 20 miler and the 15 mile difference will be well lit roads (into central London)

Any recommendations? Cost is not that much of an issue (I will pay extra if it really is worth it) but the proviso is that the light set up must be flexible enough to fit a bike that folds in half. I do have a bottle carrier but would prefer if that was left vacant for a drink bottle.

I run Cateye's at the moment; LD1000 at the back with other supplementary rears and EL220 at the front (with smaller suplementary front lights). The front set-up definitely isn't sufficient for the unlit lanes.

Thanks guys.

 

[Amanda P]

Sounds to me like your best option might be a good hub dynamo (Schmidt?) with the best headlight you can find (B&M IQ Fly?)

 

[goo_mason]

Definitely Ay-Ups for the front - the light unit is miniscule, and the battery pack's the size of a fag-packet. The neoprene pouch it comes in has a big velcro strap so that you can attach / detach it quickly. 6hr burn time should see you through the longest journeys.

I'll let the rear-light folks give their advice, though I have one of those Cateye TL-LD 1100 10-led ones and it's blindingly powerful. Quite small too.

 

[domtyler]

You will need a Schmidt Dynohub and Busch and Mueller lights for those sort of miles Chris. No faffing around with rechargeable batteries and more than enough light to illuminate unlit lanes.

Believe me, the novelty of having to charge batteries every day and every night quickly wears off!

 

[ChrisKH]

Three hour 35 mile commute before work?? respect

I wish. Train in (3-4 miles biking basically). Bike home 20 miles 3 times a week(do 15 miles on train). Once a week if i'm lucky and have the time, bike home full 35 miles. Couldn't do it both ways, I'd be falling asleep at my desk and posting on here all the time.

 

[ChrisKH]

You will need a Schmidt Dynohub and Busch and Mueller lights for those sort of miles Chris. No faffing around with rechargeable batteries and more than enough light to illuminate unlit lanes.

Believe me, the novelty of having to charge batteries every day and every night quickly wears off!

What sort of outlay are we talking about?

 

[domtyler]

What sort of outlay are we talking about?

For a man with pockets as deep as yours Chris it would not even register.

 

[Amanda P]

I believe these links will help answer your question: dynohub wheels, lights.

 

[Tynan]

who's too lazy to change batteries ffs, especially the nice ones that just need to be plugged into

as I understand it anything else pulls drive from the bike, sod that ever, especially on a long ride

 

[andrew_s]

If you want a battery light, I'll suggest a Hope Vision 1 £63-£70 ish. 4xAA, 3h on a too bright full power, will last 8-10h on a riding round the lanes level of power.

I want a light for summer evening rides as well as during the winter, and I'm not too good at remembering to keep things properly charged or to pick the light up at all, so I also use a dynamo. The Schmidt hub is the best, but the newer Shimano 3N80 is just about as good electrically, and is quite a bit cheaper. I'd go for a 3N80 wheel and a B+M IQ Cyo front light.

 

[andrew_s]

who's too lazy to change batteries ffs, especially the nice ones that just need to be plugged into

as I understand it anything else pulls drive from the bike, sod that ever, especially on a long ride

The main point about dynamo lighting is that it's always there, like lights on a car. Battery lights are easily detachable, so they do get taken off. Have you never done anything like go out for a quick 2 or 3 hour ride at lunchtime, then not get home until 11pm after getting dragged off somewhere?

 

[Amanda P]

I use rechargeable battery lights, but I'm thinking about changing to a hub dynamo.

When I got back to my bike to ride home tonight, I found that some kind soul had switched my front light on for me. How long ago, there's no way of knowing.

I did make it home, but that's another problem that wouldn't occur with a dynamo....

 

[palinurus]

I'm thinking hub dynamo for the commuter this year. Often I'll want to go for a spin in the dark just when i've started charging the batteries for my Dinotte.

 

[domtyler]

who's too lazy to change batteries ffs, especially the nice ones that just need to be plugged into

as I understand it anything else pulls drive from the bike, sod that ever, especially on a long ride

You wouldn't think about unplugging the lights of your car and bringing them into the office to charge in the morning and then again when you got home, so why would anyone want to do that if using a bike instead? And don't tell me you wouldn't find that a hassle.

 

[Will1985]

I'll let the rear-light folks give their advice, though I have one of those Cateye TL-LD 1100 10-led ones and it's blindingly powerful. Quite small too.

Ditto the LD1100 for the back - those things seemed like they burned holes in our retinas on the Dunwich Dynamo!

But it sounds like you need front lights more than rear. I rate the Cateye Doubleshot Pro over my EL510s, but I feel that the battery life won't be up to your satisfaction. Perhaps Ay-Ups...not sure about the strength of modern dynamos.