Lights (Take me home Country roads)

[Tony Smith]

Im putting this on the commuting Forum because I think you guys are probably best placed to respond.

I don't commute per se, (being fortunate to have a home office) but I am getting out and about more of a midweek now. Where I live is rural and its country lanes all the way and I need a light that suits. Narrow lanes, wide enough for two cars -at a push- and I want to see them lit up in front of me. I've read up as best I can but cant make a firm decision.

Please advise what lights I would require to give a scaredy cat like me sufficient confidence to barrel along in the darkness illuminating the lanes for 5 miles ahead of me !!!

I mainly use vintage bikes but I also run a modern Cannondale and would like to be able to swap between them without fuss.

Thanks

Tony

 

[chewa]

I too work at home and try to get out at lunchtime or early evening. My route is on a mix of lit main roads and unlit country roads.
Since last winter I have been using a Cree T6 led light with rechargeable Li-ion 4 battery pack I got from Ebay with a beam spreader (I think it was a Magicshine one) to flatten/broaden the beam.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000lm-CR...K_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item23432c3d48

It is bright enough on full power to let me keep up my normal speed on country roads (though I'm a bit slower when the surface is poor because of shadows etc.) I back it up with a Knog flasher so run two together.

I had doubts that the Ebay light would be as good as my Lumicycles, but so far so good. Battery life on full power is about 4 hours, way more than I need.

 

[paul04]

I also have the Cree t6 front light, very bright, lights up unlit roads without a problem.

 

[IncoherentJeff]

I have two Cateye EL-135's
One pointed down to highlight any upcoming potholes and one pointed slightly higher to illuminate the lane ahead.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/cateye-el-135-3-led/rp-prod64484

I've seen lots of great extremely bright lights for night riding but they're way out of my price range. The two cateyes work quite well & if ones batteries die I can still see where I'm going in the pitch black.

Might get one of those Cree T6's to try.

 

[blazed]

Some people go way overboard with the lumens. Almost all of my riding is on country lanes and I rarely need more than 300 lumens. I use this light.

Especially if they are roads you are familiar with you do not need super powered lights in my opinion unless you are off road.

 

[CUBE CRD]

I just bought a BBB 500 Strike so I can continue cycling in the evenings (side roads to avoid as much traffic as possible).Not cheap at £70 but I am impressed with it.I use a Cateye EL-135 alongside it on flashing mode as well

 

[cyberknight]

I use an xml t6 on unlit country lanes , its bright enough to see where your going at a reasonable speed.

 

[mustang1]

I have two Cateye EL-135's
One pointed down to highlight any upcoming potholes and one pointed slightly higher to illuminate the lane ahead.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/cateye-el-135-3-led/rp-prod64484

I've seen lots of great extremely bright lights for night riding but they're way out of my price range. The two cateyes work quite well & if ones batteries die I can still see where I'm going in the pitch black.

Might get one of those Cree T6's to try.

May I ask how long have you had these cateyes? Whenever I buy them they always become faulty. I've had six el135's so far (slow learner).

Psi don't think el135 is powerful enough as a to-see light.

 

[mustang1]

I have a lezyne macro but I don't recommend it as primary to-see light but its not a bad backup. The point of a backup light is to mimic the function of your primary light. Of your primary is a to-see light and your backup is a be-seen light then I'd suggest your backup lpoght isn't really a backup.

 

[gaz]

Exposure Strada. Worth the money.

 

[IncoherentJeff]

May I ask how long have you had these cateyes? Whenever I buy them they always become faulty. I've had six el135's so far (slow learner).

Psi don't think el135 is powerful enough as a to-see light.

2 maybe 2 and a half years so far.
I've owned 3, I had my slightly higher one too high & was getting flashed/blinded by cars. I was lazy and tried to twist it round the handle bars while riding without slackening off the bracket. I broke the little plastic retaining clip, it fell off at the next junction & smashed.

One wouldn't be sufficient but having two on constant not flashing is ok for a 4am pitch black country lane with no street lighting. Well it is for me atleast.

How long do yours typically last before dying? What kind of faults should I be keeping an eye out for?

 

[DCLane]

I run a Smart Lunar 25 plus a Cree T6 light for when I'm away from main roads.

Oh, and I've this for really off-road; a Goread Y40.

 

[Crankarm]

Exposure Max D for me .

 

[classic33]

Don't forget that on back roads, that are also narrow, the lights are required as much to allow you to be seen, as much as you need them to see with.

 

[normskirus]

Ayups - enough said.