Lights: Seeing on unlit roads

[BrynCP]

Last winter, as I was just beginning, I only rode on lit roads on an evening. However, this just won't do this winter as I now ride much further! I also ride faster, so even on lit roads I need a better view of the road ahead. This may seem a premature question but actually it's starting to get dark as soon as 2030 now.

I am looking for a set of decent lights: a front one to help me see on totally unlit roads, so it needs to be bright and suitable for the road (not dazzling oncoming road users, esp as roads are often single track), and a decent rear light so as to be seen on the same roads.

My daily routes are currently up to about 90 minutes, of which about half is on lit roads, so battery life must be at least an hour on the higher beams.

Budget wise, whatever is best value I guess, up to about £80 for the set. I do already have a cree t6 I bought last winter but never used, my understanding however is that these can be very dazzling to oncoming users.

 

[cyberknight]

Last winter, as I was just beginning, I only rode on lit roads on an evening. However, this just won't do this winter as I now ride much further! I also ride faster, so even on lit roads I need a better view of the road ahead. This may seem a premature question but actually it's starting to get dark as soon as 2030 now.

I am looking for a set of decent lights: a front one to help me see on totally unlit roads, so it needs to be bright and suitable for the road (not dazzling oncoming road users, esp as roads are often single track), and a decent rear light so as to be seen on the same roads.

My daily routes are currently up to about 90 minutes, of which about half is on lit roads, so battery life must be at least an hour on the higher beams.

Budget wise, whatever is best value I guess, up to about £80 for the set. I do already have a cree t6 I bought last winter but never used, my understanding however is that these can be very dazzling to oncoming users.

I cant say i have had a problem dazzling other road users with my t6 , if its an issue you can just get a lens to shape the beam .
On the back i use a smart r2 which is probably enough but i also have a smart r1 on each pannier bag as well

 

[The Rover]

My future commute sounds similar as well as the budget.
Can I be cheeky and ask another part to this to avoid starting another thread.

I'd like to hear recommendations of lights that are easily transferable between bikes.

Cheers Stuart

 

[fossyant]

Search for the T6 light thread on here.

Please be aware , don't use these on full on the road. It will vaporise Mr Range Rover into oblivion.

 

[BrynCP]

Sounds like I should give the T6 a go. My only other concern were the reports of exploding battery packs!

Would the Smart R2 go through the loop on a Topeak saddle bag do you know at all? Last year I didn't bother with the saddle bag as a weekday ride was never more than a few miles from home, but now I'll need all my stuff. Problem is with the bag mounted, and the rear reflector, it leaves no space for a light.

 

[Custom24]

Search for the T6 light thread on here.

Please be aware , don't use these on full on the road. It will vaporise Mr Range Rover into oblivion.

Ok on full as long as beam is directed down and/or a beam shaper lens is used.

Edit - I mean even with beam shaper lens, beam should still be directed downwards.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Please be aware , don't use these on full on the road. It will vaporise Mr Range Rover into oblivion.

I know he's a vanishing species but is oblivion a bad fate for him? 7Dayshop have a T6 offer on at the moment.

Linky

 

[fossyant]

I know he's a vanishing species but is oblivion a bad fate for him? 7Dayshop have a T6 offer on at the moment.

I saw the same offer. The 7day light is good..... Just pop in the diffuser lens and you are good to vaporise all life.

 

[uclown2002]

I've had 3 x smart R2 suffer with water ingress so I'd not go there.

Alternatively Blackburn Mars seem more resilient.

 

[cyberknight]

I've had 3 x smart R2 suffer with water ingress so I'd not go there.

Alternatively Blackburn Mars seem more resilient.

I cant say i have ever had a problem with them mounted on the seat post with proper gaurds which really are a must for all year round commuting unless your into the muddy streak soggy botty look.

 

[tincaman]

There is a big thread on front lighting HERE

 

[andrew_s]

The Philips 80 is the best non-dazzling bike light. It's got a car dipped headlight style cut-off, and puts just as much light on the road in front of you as a T6 (but less in the trees and verges). Because of the cut off beam, you can aim it further ahead than a T6, and hence go faster.

I cant say i have had a problem dazzling other road users with my t6

How do you know? You are the wrong side of the light to be able to tell.
Is it that they don't retaliate by putting their headlights on main beam (motons), or swear at you (cyclists)? There are other reasons for doing that other than not being dazzled.

On the non-dazzling front, the clip on lenses that you can get for T6s etc are better than nothing, but that's about all you can say about them.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

It's only bleeding August for crying out loud, can't the what light threads at least wait until the kids have gone back to school.

T6 on a swivel mount is my front light of choice.

 

[cyberknight]

The Philips 80 is the best non-dazzling bike light. It's got a car dipped headlight style cut-off, and puts just as much light on the road in front of you as a T6 (but less in the trees and verges). Because of the cut off beam, you can aim it further ahead than a T6, and hence go faster.


How do you know? You are the wrong side of the light to be able to tell.
Is it that they don't retaliate by putting their headlights on main beam (motons), or swear at you (cyclists)? There are other reasons for doing that other than not being dazzled.

On the non-dazzling front, the clip on lenses that you can get for T6s etc are better than nothing, but that's about all you can say about them.

I had it dipped down so the main circle was maybe 5 foot in front of the wheel and car would dip their lights and not flash like they do when they see another vehicle that has not dipped and is dazzling .

 

[The Rover]

I know he's a vanishing species but is oblivion a bad fate for him? 7Dayshop have a T6 offer on at the moment.

Linky

I've bought some of these, thanks for the link.
Need to find a lens supplier once I've tried the T6s.

Cheers