Light recommendation. What the best :-))

[johnnyb47]

Hi to all. You can certainly tell that the nights are drawing in. Tonight I nearly got caught out with the onslaught of the darker evenings coming upon us. I now think it's time to buy some lights so I can extend my evening rides out without the worry of not being seen. Its my birthday on Sunday and I was thinking of treating my self to a set. The only problem is , there are so many makes out there and I don't want to buy some tin pot lights that claim there the best thing since sliced bread. I,m prepared to spend upto around £25 but I'm clueless as to what are good and what's rubbish. I usually ride for a round 1 to 1 1/5 hours in the evening so I could do with something with a half decent battery life. Also where I ride the roads are right in the middle of nowhere and it is literally pitch black in the depths of winter so I could do with something that really lights the road up. I might put my old Peugeot road bike to bed for the winter ( she's a pampered bike lol ) and drag the mountain bike out for the muddy winter roads .
What do you recommend my fellows cyclist. Are there any that shine through the competition.
Many thanks
Johnny

 

[Goggs]

If you're in the sticks you're going to need a bigger budget. Sorry.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Wot he said ^^^

This is good and probably as cheap as you'll find for a decent light
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Latest-mo...273163?hash=item1c6e38620b:g:5UIAAOSw~bFWOkhc

 

[johnnyb47]

Thanks for your views and recommendations. I will inevitably have to set my budget up a little higher then if I want a decent light.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Consider the Cateye Volt series or the Smart 700.

 

[Jenkins]

For a front light with separate battery pack, 7day shop have one of the high power T6 lights for £20
https://www.7dayshop.com/bike-cycle...-light-with-battery-charger-with-headlamp-kit

Otherwise Planet X have the Asterion rechargable for £8 (plus P&P but on pre-order at the moment)
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIJOMNSU/jobsworth-asterion-usb-rechargeable-front-light

For the rear, I'd go with a couple of the Phaart Bleeps at £3 each (plus P&P) also from Planet X
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIPHBPDRL/phaart-bleep-dual-05-watt-led-rear-light

 

[oldstrath]

Ixon IQ premium or IQ core. Neither dead cheap, but very good road lights

 

[NorthernDave]

Back light from Poundland. Multiple light patterns, lasts for an age on a couple of triple A batteries and as bright as anything I've seen at a lot more money.
I bought one as an emergency spare on the off chance, but was really impressed.

Plus it leaves you more money to spend on the front light.

 

[Sharky]

Consider the Cateye Volt series or the Smart 700.

+1 for the volt series.
The Volt 300 is more than enough for riding in dark country lanes.
Also get reflective slap bands for the ankles

 

[guitarpete247]

I've got one of these. Just need SWMBO to let me out at night to make use of it.
I might need to sneak out when she's working late.

 

[Willam]

I use one of the military type torches, as bright as something costing £100 but only cost me around £20 for 2! and that was with the charger and frame mount, the rechargeable battery cost the most at around £10.

For the back, get the moon shield 60, as bright as you could ever want and comes with a build in battery.

Don't try and get both for your £25, choose which you need first and buy that, then save for the other, better wait and get decent stuff than try and make your budget stretch.

Just buy a cheap light whilst you wait, On One has some decent lights for £2 and £3, good for whilst you wait for what you want.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

A handy resource http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/p/bike-light-database.html

 

[Nigelnaturist]

The Cree T6 lights are good value, battery on high lasts upto 2 hrs, you don't need more than advertised 1800-2000 on the road, if you get the standard single led ones you can usually fit a wide angle lens giving a flatter broader beam and also a quick release fixed (but swivels from side to side) mount. I just carry mine in my trunk bag with two battery packs.

 

[johnnyb47]

Thank you all once again for all your recommendations.I think I will read up on all your suggestions before I part with any money. There seems to be a myriad of choices out there.

All the very best to you all.
Johnny

 

[tyred]

An Axa Pico 30 and cheapish bottle dynamo from Bike24 or Rose Bikes in Germany and save a lot of hassle.