Night Rides

[Sillysimon10]

So, the late mornings and early nights are here.
Although winter is probably my favourite season of the year... Night Rides scare me.

Due to work, I will now only be able to ride very early in the morning, or after coming home from work. I need to get myself some decent lights to do so...so first question is, could you recommend any that stand up to job for a reasonable price, preferably below 40 quid, but willing to spend more if dearer means more visibility/protection. I know I'll pretty much get what I pay for, but any hidden gems.

Second of all, is there anything I should be doing differently as opposed to riding in the day? I guess my average speed will drop due to being cautious but, I'm a night riding virgin!

Ive seen people write that they prefer night rides...I would love to think I could too, if not feel Im free to get pedalling whenever I can!

Anyhow, I feel you get the gist... so any tips and advice would be grand!

Tar much,
Si

 

[MattHB]

Night rides, as I'm sure many will agree, are amazing. Especially quiet back roads where it's just you and the owls.

Good lights are obviously needed. Many of the cheaper Cree powered torch types on eBay will get you going and are retina burning bright. They got me through last winter fine. I've recently bought a magicshine MJ808 as I liked the separate battery pack and the longer charge life, it's awesome.

Modern LED lighting is truly mental.

Oh.. Your average speed is likely higher at night, possibly due to the different sensations of speed which means you don't get mentally effected by hills so much.

 

[Sillysimon10]

Yeah, I often think its all psychological and that you can always do more, so the idea that if you cant see whats coming fully, ie hills makes sense!

I think once I've taken the plunge I like many will end up getting out at all hours!! Heres hoping!!
Cheers Matt

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Bought an Exposure Toro today,what might be described as top end of budget

 

[Sillysimon10]

Haha - There's another approach, spend like that and think that its still daytime!!

 

[Finnjävel]

Night rides, as I'm sure many will agree, are amazing. Especially quiet back roads where it's just you and the owls.

Oh yes. Do remember to stop, turn your lights off and stare at the stars on a clear night. A proper religious experiece, that.

 

[Sillysimon10]

Looking at cree stuff now, I can get a Q5 set for 15 quid, yay? nay? Will it suffice or, is it like I said, the more you spend the more you get?

 

[Alan57]

Hello , check this link out http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/p/bike-light-database.html some good reviews/comparisons of lights. Cheers

 

[Finnjävel]

And one of the most memorable rides I've had the pleasure of doing was during a thunderstorm. We rode 16km towards it and the clouds were just right so the entire sky was lit every time there was a lightning, and there were plenty. In the end it got a little scary, but well worth it. I was riding with a friend that left the country next week, so it was kind of special.

 

[Broadside]

I do the majority of my rides from autumn to spring on unlit country lanes at night and use a Magicshine MJ808, agree with Matt above it is awesome and £60/70 well spent.

I love riding before dawn and after sunset but it does take a bit of getting used to, it can be unnerving at times, I have had badgers running across the road in front of me, deer running alongside and a bat that clipped my helmet! But you quickly get used to it and when you get deep out in to the countryside it is an amazing experience, you do need to remember to chill out and enjoy it.

 

[Sillysimon10]

I'm looking at the Moon gem 2.0. Can get both front and back for near as makes no difference £30...Might be an awfully stupid question, but does running a mountain bike bike light make any difference on a road bike....Although I do try to stay off 'Main' roads, albeit at night they wont be as busy...

Cheers again!

 

[Broadside]

No experience of the Moon Gem front light but a quick Google shows it as 19 lumens output which will be no good on unlit roads.

The MJ808 is claimed 900 lumens but in reality is probably far below that, but it will blow the Moon light away. If u really want to ride at night then don't scrimp on lights as you will just end up buying a cheap light first and then a proper light a few weeks later which is a false economy.

 

[Bromptonaut]

What the hell is magicshine?

Thirty years ago we did all night rides with Ever Ready Nightriders or a basic Miller dynamo. Modern LED lights were beyond our wildest dreams.

 

[Tigerbiten]

If possible you want two lights each front and back.
That way if one stops working, you still have a backup light.
Plus in traffic running one in solid mode and the other one in flashing mode is safer.

 

[RWright]

I got a CREE XML XM-L T6 LED 1200 LM from a Chinese seller on Amazon for about $33. Not sure how many GBP's that is but it is well under 40. I just used it on the road tonight, it was a lot like riding in a car. It was very nice and bright, and I had sunglasses on. I think the price has gone up a little since I got mine a few weeks ago but I will be ordering another one or two of them.

There are a couple of little nitpick things about them that could be better for cycling, but I think I can handle those with a couple of wire ties.