front light (to see by)

[gbs]

Riding home after tennis yesterday evening I found the back streets ill lit and slighty scary. So I need a recommedation please for a front light that is 1) sufficiently powerful for urban use 2) easily detachable/transferable.

 

[oxoman]

Ideally around 400 lumens would do you, anything stronger might upset other road users. Ive used older versions of this for comutting on dark roads with no problems. Would recommend Moon or Exposure lights although Moon cheaper.
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Moon-Meteo...zoTf6jpeyhIiV7arfRxqahdAs5AEOFMhoC7fIQAvD_BwE

 

[cyberknight]

I use a couple of moon meteor auto
https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en...dium=merchant&id_producte=15435362&country=uk

 

[88robb]

I use a Cateye Ampp 800. Plenty bright for city streets, and it has a quick-release mount so you can pop it off to take with you. Does the job well.

 

[ianrauk]

Raveman

It fits on to your Garmin mount with the bonus of your Garmin sitting on top of the light.

Fab light, just twist and go. I use it for my urban commute. Its plenty bright enough and the battery lasts an age.

I've linked to the company's website but you can buy cheaper on Amazon.

 

[MontyVeda]

Keep an eye out in Aldi... their cree rechargeable front lights are awesome

 

[Dogtrousers]

There are loads of really good lights out there now. I have a Knog Blinder (unfortunate name) easily removable. Very bright. But I'm sure that there are lots just as good.

 

[katiewlx]

I wouldnt recommend the Lezyne 400xl, it claims its 400 lumens, but my older light which was a mere 150lumens, outshines it in terms of distance at least, I get the spectral pattern might be different as its a different shaped light and so on, but it feels really dim in comparison, the only reason I got it is my older light the rechargeable battery is end of life and I cant replace it.

also the strap that you use to attach the 400xl to the bike snapped when I took it off to recharge it today...Ill have to jury rig some kind of thing with cable ties I reckon, but then you search on line and find the sell these straps for £5, like ok I get its nice to have spare parts for lights, but doesnt the propensity of their availablity, like every online bike shop seems to sell them, as a spare part kind of suggest its not up to the flippin job in the first place.

 

[StuAff]

Alpkit Ariel. Awesome bit of kit, currently £50. You probably won't need more than the lowest power level, which can do an all-nighter with no problem.

 

[gbs]

Wow! What a good response to what I feared would be viewed as a banal question. Thanks to all.

 

[GarthW]

What's your budget? I got a 500-lumen Cateye Volt500XC a few years ago, for about $50 US. It's good, but a year or two ago, as we were heading into winter again, I was thinking that as rapidly as lights were advancing, I should look into getting an improved one for hopefully about the same price. I found a 1700-lumen one and thought, "That looks good"—but then found that it was about $200 US, and then thought, "Um, maybe I don't need it that badly!" I guess it's time to look again—when work picks up and I start getting paid more again.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You don’t need a recommendation with those requirements. Any bike light will fit the spec.

 

[biggs682]

Another vote for keeping an eye out for Aldi bargains

 

[fossyant]

Magicshine Hori 1300. Ideal commuter light, with an added spot for off road/unlit paths. The main beam is properly dipped so doesn't dazzle other road users (or path users). Comes with a remote control.

 

[adamhearn]

Fenix BC26R - uses a replaceable cell that is pretty useful for longer trips. I have a Raveman FR300 too but I wouldn't want to rely on it for unlit roads.