Front Light

[freiston]

In recent times, I have bought two front lights, a Fenix BT20 (750 lumens) which was impressively bright but imho, pretty useless as a (road) bike light - even though it is sold as having a shaped beam pattern, it was not up to much - if angled down so as not to dazzle others, it gave a very brightly lit piece of tarmac just in front of the bike and as my eyes accustomed to its brightness, I couldn't see much else. Angled more forward, as well as being dangerously dazzling to others, the beam pattern was too forward and not lighting up the road adequately. I moved from this to a B&M 80 lux dynamo light which gives a very useful beam pattern (that cuts off with a horizontal demarcation), is not dazzling to others and is good for unlit winding single track lanes at 25 mph.

Based on that, I would recommend staying away from the superbright torch beam types of light and instead go for one with a good beam pattern - and that the German StVZO compliant lights guarantee this. Having been impressed with the B&M dynamo lights, if I was in the market for a front battery lamp with some welly, I would go for this:

B + M Ixon IQ Premium LED headlight – 80 Lux

 

[Jody]

I have two of these, they are cracking. and at that price you can't argue. I bought mine last year and use them both on the bike and as a head torch when walking the dogs. So they have had plenty of use.

3rd year on mine an not had any problems. Although I have now replaced the battery pack with some quality cells and a stand alone charger.

 

[Sixmile]

I'm currently using a See Sense Icon at the front (flashing) and a cheapy Jobsworth light from Planet X (constant) together. The See Sense isn't bright enough to see on its own but has is bright to be seen in traffic with decent side visibility. The jobsworth is a better 'to see' light but I see Planet X don't have it for sale at the moment. I've been thinking of upgrading my 'to see' light so I've no excuses once it gets properly dark so keep your suggestions coming!

 

[oldstrath]

I'm currently using a See Sense Icon at the front (flashing) and a cheapy Jobsworth light from Planet X (constant) together. The See Sense isn't bright enough to see on its own but has is bright to be seen in traffic with decent side visibility. The jobsworth is a better 'to see' light but I see Planet X don't have it for sale at the moment. I've been thinking of upgrading my 'to see' light so I've no excuses once it gets properly dark so keep your suggestions coming!

For pure road riding Freiston's suggestion above is about as good as it gets in battery lights, and BM customer support is good.

My problem is ' mixed' riding - like Wednesday night 20 miles off road, plus 5 at each end on road. Need the offroad beam for that part, unwilling to hang more stuff off the bar, so end up (maybe) annoying people by using the same light on road. Unfortunately the 'dip + main' option doesn't exist in bike lights.

 

[Sixmile]

For pure road riding Freiston's suggestion above is about as good as it gets in battery lights, and BM customer support is good.

My problem is ' mixed' riding - like Wednesday night 20 miles off road, plus 5 at each end on road. Need the offroad beam for that part, unwilling to hang more stuff off the bar, so end up (maybe) annoying people by using the same light on road. Unfortunately the 'dip + main' option doesn't exist in bike lights.

An interesting observation in the product description...

"According to German road traffic regulations (StVZO), this light is only approved for road bikes under 11 kg when used with non-rechargeable batteries. When used with rechargeable batteries, this light is approved for all bikes."

My road bike is under 11kg but my commuter is about 13kg!

Ideally I'd be looking for rechargeable light.

 

[Jody]

Unfortunately the 'dip + main' option doesn't exist in bike lights.

It does but would mean spending more. The only reason I didn't buy one is that you cant run them at the same time, so its 1 led at a time either wide or full.

 

[oldstrath]

An interesting observation in the product description...

"According to German road traffic regulations (StVZO), this light is only approved for road bikes under 11 kg when used with non-rechargeable batteries. When used with rechargeable batteries, this light is approved for all bikes."

My road bike is under 11kg but my commuter is about 13kg!

Ideally I'd be looking for rechargeable light.

A rather bizarre bit of regulation that - I haven't got a clue about the weight of my commuting bike. In any event, I use Eneloop XX in my mine. They can be recharged in the light, I take them out once a month to check in a better charger.

If you really want USB, the Trelock 950 is apparently a reasonable light as well.

 

[oldstrath]

It does but would mean spending more. The only reason I didn't buy one is that you cant run them at the same time, so its 1 led at a time either wide or full.

Really? What light is that?

 

[Sixmile]

A rather bizarre bit of regulation that - I haven't got a clue about the weight of my commuting bike. In any event, I use Eneloop XX in my mine. They can be recharged in the light, I take them out once a month to check in a better charger.

If you really want USB, the Trelock 950 is apparently a reasonable light as well.

I'm glad we're now free of the EU and their redtape! As someone pointed out recently, at last, we can now manufacture flammable toys and clothes again!

Oh great, didn't know you could just charge the batteries in the light. I'll have a look at the Trelock now.

 

[Jody]

Really? What light is that?

This type of thing. Not sure how they perform though as its more choice of spot and flood rather than dipped and full.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UniqueFir...hash=item2800e7a7c7:m:mq80emzib1V_SztdKRVuMCg

 

[oldstrath]

This type of thing. Not sure how they perform though as its more choice of spot and flood rather than dipped and full.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UniqueFir...hash=item2800e7a7c7:m:mq80emzib1V_SztdKRVuMCg

OK, yeah, mate has one similar. His can use both beams - decent off road light, especially with a battery upgrade from mtbbatteries. Doesn't fix the road issue though, neither beam is all that traffic stridently.

 

[freiston]

An interesting observation in the product description...

"According to German road traffic regulations (StVZO), this light is only approved for road bikes under 11 kg when used with non-rechargeable batteries. When used with rechargeable batteries, this light is approved for all bikes."

My road bike is under 11kg but my commuter is about 13kg!

Ideally I'd be looking for rechargeable light.

I'm not too sure of how this regulation evolved, but I understand that originally the regulation called for dynamo lights on all bikes but a concession was made to allow battery lights on racing bikes (defined by weight - less than 11kg). The regulations were updated to allow battery lights on all bikes as long as the batteries are rechargeable - but the concession for lightweight bikes to use disposable battery lights was not rescinded. For the purposes of the spirit of UK law that allows lights covered by other EU country's regulations, I understand that any light allowed on any bike under StVZO will be 'legal' in the UK.

Strangely (if my recollection is correct), the old BS standard effectively made any BS marked light non-compliant if used with rechargeables on account of the sudden drop-off of power when depleted - the standard required a more gradual tail-off of power.

 

[oldstrath]

I'm not too sure of how this regulation evolved, but I understand that originally the regulation called for dynamo lights on all bikes but a concession was made to allow battery lights on racing bikes (defined by weight - less than 11kg). The regulations were updated to allow battery lights on all bikes as long as the batteries are rechargeable - but the concession for lightweight bikes to use disposable battery lights was not rescinded. For the purposes of the spirit of UK law that allows lights covered by other EU country's regulations, I understand that any light allowed on any bike under StVZO will be 'legal' in the UK.

Strangely (if my recollection is correct), the old BS standard effectively made any BS marked light non-compliant if used with rechargeables on account of the sudden drop-off of power when depleted - the standard required a more gradual tail-off of power.

Think you're right, but STVZO also requires some sort of charge state warning in the light, so the sudden drop shouldn't really ever be an issue.

 

[threefingerjoe]

In recent times, I have bought two front lights, a Fenix BT20 (750 lumens) which was impressively bright but imho, pretty useless as a (road) bike light - even though it is sold as having a shaped beam pattern, it was not up to much - if angled down so as not to dazzle others, it gave a very brightly lit piece of tarmac just in front of the bike and as my eyes accustomed to its brightness, I couldn't see much else. Angled more forward, as well as being dangerously dazzling to others, the beam pattern was too forward and not lighting up the road adequately. I moved from this to a B&M 80 lux dynamo light which gives a very useful beam pattern (that cuts off with a horizontal demarcation), is not dazzling to others and is good for unlit winding single track lanes at 25 mph.

Based on that, I would recommend staying away from the superbright torch beam types of light and instead go for one with a good beam pattern - and that the German StVZO compliant lights guarantee this. Having been impressed with the B&M dynamo lights, if I was in the market for a front battery lamp with some welly, I would go for this:

B + M Ixon IQ Premium LED headlight – 80 Lux

I have these lights on 2 different bikes, and really like them. I generally use rechargeables, but I think a great feature is that they are powered by 4 AA cells. Unlike special rechargeable battery packs, you can always pop in to the local quickee mart to pick up fresh batteries. I really like the beam pattern!