Front Light for Really Dark Nights _ Any Recommendations??

Mostyn wrote:

Will be interesting to find out what you think of that high powered Cree Light?

Well it's pretty bright, I dropped off the back to get it fully in the dark (Devon country lanes) it lit the entire road up flooding the periphery really well and a good 100m up the road. Joining the back of the group again "Car Back" was shouted!

Are they 5000 Lumens? Are they F*** I don't what a chinese lumen is but this is brighter that an Exposure Strada...but not *that* much brighter.

Time will tell how the battery NiCad not Li-ion and the build quality hold out.

But for under £29 Delivered to my door I'm really not complaining!

pj wrote:

..stopping people using *excessively* bright lights in and around town? the cree light sounds like a case in point.

Just to point out (if the cree example was pointed at me) riding out of exeter I didn't even have the light on as it was pointless a flashing commuter light would suffice, the bright light was used on the very very dark (see the milky way type dark) lanes of Devon, it had three settings and I pretty much kept it on the lowest (this was primarily a test for proper MTB rides.

When the cars were approaching I did what anyone else in a car would do and dipped 'the headlights' a function available to all users, something you may wish to bring up up with the people you see blinding you around town.

Having said that I would rather be seen than dead, but certainly wouldn't put another at risk by doing so.

Giles Pargiter wrote:

Far as I can see the Lezyne light does not have "type approval" for use on the road either. I'am waiting for replies from three different suppliers.

If a light does not have type approval it is not legal for road use except as an additional light. If it is used as an additional light and produces more lux than a dip beam headlight (usually 80lux, if I remember correctly) and does not have an approved beam configuration then a user could possibly be held to account in an accident.

I would welcome comments from cycle part suppliers and especially from Lezyne and Cat eye on this.

Where's the list for those that are?

Most likely you will be perfectley OK with that arrangement bendertherobot. Most policeman seem to neither care or worry about cycle safety, if you have lights that is better than many.

It is just that I find it shambolic that one has such great difficulty finding "road legal" practicable lights that satisfy UK law even in accident situations or other situations of duress.

I would contend that most cycle lights sold in the UK are sold illegally under the pretext or at least mis-impression that they are legal for road use as primary lights.

I have not picked out LEZYNE and CATEYE in particular, just that they are specifically mentioned in this thread.

I again challenge LEZYNE and CATEYE to comment or challenge me;

LEZYNE and CATEYE why do you sell lights for cycle use that are not road legal equipment? Bring it on give me comments - I CHALLENGE YOU.

bendertherobot wrote:

They don't need to. It's up to the owner to deal with it, not the manufacturer. They claim no compliance. Their brochure (I can speak for Lezyne) tells the owner to check their relevant laws.

Precisely so, bendertherobot, I'am sure you are correct.
This is usually (in my experience) a good indication that the products do not meet the minimal standards required to meet the laws within which the user is required to comply.

After all if the lights did meet the minimal low standard that the law required then, would you not think that they would be the first to take advantage of this fact in their advertising; surely?

Rather in the same fashion that helmet manufacturers market their goods as " safety equipment for cyclists" when in actual fact they have not the slightest shred of evidence;
a) that cyclists suffer more head injuries than "normal" people engaged in other usual activities and,
b) that their helmets supply any effective prevention to head injuries in normal situations that cyclists suffer head injuries.

When in FACT the founding precept that their is any "unusual" danger is false and in FACT the entire industry is based upon this false precept.

Thus in a similar fashion founding an entire industry based on myth and paranoia, whilst absolving themselves of responsibility.

BTW, I have just had acknowledgment from both Lezyne and Cateye, that I have made an enquiry. I now await their considered response.
I have not yet had a response from the three cycle parts suppliers that I contacted.

Mostyn wrote:

I'm with you BUT, can you take me through what's needed for Dynamo power and what it would cost? Oh, if it'a dynamo hub? can this be a front wheel? or do you have to get a rear (drive) Wheel? Help with links and a list of all necessary bits, would be appreciated. thanks.

Basically, a dynamo a wire and a light.

Hub is better than bottle, hub is more involved though as you have to build a wheel.

Lights Philips, B&M, look at Rose Bikes for prices.

as a minimum you can do it for a bit over £100,

http://www.rosebikes.com/article/atb-front-wheel-28--mavic-a-319--shimano-dh-3n80/aid:581967

note the rim is quite wide this may or may not be an issue.

http://www.rosebikes.com/article/b--m-lumotec-iq-cyo-t-senso-plus-60-lux/aid:457434

Quote:

Where's the list for those that are?

Unfortunately bendertherobot as far as I'am aware there does not seem to be such a list. It seems that it is up to you (the user) to find out i.e. as per UK law; you can do whatever the hell you like - so long as it does not break the law.
If you google either, "Gilespargiter" or "Giles Pargiter" you will see that I have made more detailed posts about the shambolic cycle lighting position in the UK on other forums.

andyp wrote:

1) Hope Vision One is toss. Not worth using as anything other than an emergency backup.

Funny that.

I've done London to Paris 24hr (twice) and Newcastle to London 24hr with a Hope 1 as my primary light and it's been excellent.

I wouldn't buy one today as there's better lights out there for the money these days - but to call it "toss" is, well, toss

pj wrote:

using a hope vision one as a back up light - that's funny. sort of. until your misdirected and unnecessarily powerful regular front light detaches some hapless cyclist's retina.

I haven't a clue what you're actually trying to say?

andyp wrote:

1) Hope Vision One is toss. Not worth using as anything other than an emergency backup.

It saw me through to a personal best 13th place in a 24hour solo Mountain Bike race in some of the worst rain and mud conditions the Bontrager has ever seen, I'd rate it quite highly. It's not the brightest it's not the fanciest but it damn well does what it says it does. I use it as a 'backup' on the road as even though it runs off 4xAA on flash mode if my other lights fail no matter how far away from home* if I switch it over to it's bright setting it will get me home with a bright enough light to see properly.

pj wrote:

Whatever you get try to avoid being a total douche and blinding other cyclists with excessive glare and a misdirected beam, like nearly every other chopper fuckwit in Bristol at the moment.

Abso-fricking-lutely. I think a lot of people are buying football stadium floodlights and strapping them on with zero thought to other people. It's not that hard, and if you notice it on other peoples' would you not think about how your own is directed? I admit that I was guilty, but after one person had put their hand over their eyes and said 'lower it mate!' I dealt with it straight away. Lower angle & carefully placed black tape to chop off the unnecessary high portion of the beam. It's particularly bad along the Grand Union Canal, pitch black for sections with less than 18 inches to the murky wetness, and a large number ploughing along with a fucking enormous beam on the front, really blinding you and meaning you actually have to slow down sharpish and stop to avoid carnage.

bendertherobot wrote:

If you go Lezyne then Power, Super or Mega

Looks, to me, like both the Power and Super take 18650 cells, so you can easily get some extra cheap ones.

I'd pay extra for the Power Drive if your commutes are unlit and 30 minutes or more (there are days when you'll want to use it both ways). It's much better to have more than enough of both illumination and battery life than risk not having enough.

The Mini Drive is a good little unit but the smaller battery means short run times.

The Macro Drive runs off a 18650 too but it's sealed, so you can't swap the battery.

Mostyn wrote:

Just seen this. : >

http://www.pedal-pedal.co.uk/exposure-sirius-front-light-360-lumens.html...

Your thoughts?

Doesn't seem bad - see here:
http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/p/bike-light-database.html

Would agree with dynamo option - the convenience factor makes it worthwhile. Just about get a wheel and light set for £100 from one of the German sites, or spend a little more and get one of the front lights with a USB socket so that you can charge your Garmin/mobile/iPod in daylight rides.