How many Lumens?

[aces_up1504]

As part of my commute I will using non lit roads and paths. So I need a light which will give enough light for safe cycling.

I am probably going to go for generic china light from ebay. But with all the blurb about Lumens. I am unsure of how much i need? Any pointers or anyone recommend a ebay light?

 

[Kies]

"T6 cree bike light" from ebay or amazon around the £18 mark. Will include the light,battery pack in Velcro pouch,head or helmet fitting and a UK charger.
3 modes - 100%,60% and flashing.
Not sure lumens but bright as a car headlight. Be careful to point it down towards the road or you WILL blind oncoming traffic

 

[BSRU]

If you go to Torchy Boy's website he has lots of comparison photo's.
I have two of his 3000 lumen lights which are like a car full main beam, so it is only used on unlit country roads when no other road users are around.

 

[aces_up1504]

What's his website called? Thanks

 

[helston90]

http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/

 

[e-rider]

the generic china light is now imported by a few UK companies with full UK warranty and safety certs and although slightly more expensive still mega cheap
I bought one from One23 it claimed 1000 lumens (although probably is actually a bit less but still very very bright) and battery lasts just about 4 hours (claims 4.5 hours)
Absolutely excellent light so far - had it about 1 year and faultless so far (touch wood)
Cost me about £65 from Wheelies.co.uk last year

 

[andrew_s]

Need and would like are completely different.

For dark country lanes, 50 lumens is perfectly adequate, and you can get by reasonably with only 20. I did 20 miles one moonless night with my keying torch on medium, and not a great deal slower than I would have been with a proper light. You need extra if there are other lights causing dazzle, or if it's wet and the light scatters forwards off the wet road rather than coming back to your eye.
Something with a high mode of around 200 lumens is all that you actually need.

You can see better with these 1000 lumen lights, but remember that you are also dazzling anyone coming the other way. Ask yourself whether you want a blinded motorist heading for you on a narrow lane.

 

[biggs682]

i like the look of these that torchy boy has http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300968304586?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
anybody ever used them

 

[Pat "5mph"]

i like the look of these that torchy boy has http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300968304586?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
anybody ever used them

Bought similar last year from this seller after raving reviews on here.
Avoid, looks cheap, handles cheap, can't use it on the bike after just one winter as it developed a "switching itself off" fault. Ok only as a torch now, shake it a wee bit, it works again. Dangerous while riding.
Light was very bright while it worked, enough to ride unlit paths.
Had bought a cat-eye at the same time, same light output, same price, actually cheaper as did not have to get spare batteries, charger and mount: cat-eye still going strong, batteries last about 4 commutes more than the torch, both on rechargeable.

 

[biggs682]

thanks @Pat "5mph" what cat-eye did you get ?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

thanks @Pat "5mph" what cat-eye did you get ?

This model: Cateye EL 530

 

[fossyant]

Torches on handlebars don't work well. The vibration is too much.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Torches on handlebars don't work well. The vibration is too much.

Well, it was sold as a bike light, seller the illuminated Torch Boy.
Was I meant to wear it on my helmet?
30 pounds, and now I'm using it to hunt slugs in the garden after dark

 

[biggs682]

Torches on handlebars don't work well. The vibration is too much.

i have been using a 3 cree torch from Tesco's for last 3 years never been an issue , just not enough spread of light

 

[Pat "5mph"]

i have been using a 3 cree torch from Tesco's for last 3 years never been an issue , just not enough spread of light

May I add, a wee torch from the pound shop has been on my bike for 2 winters, still works fine, does not randomly switch off.
Of course, it's only a backup light to be seen.