Recommend a VERY bright light for on the canal paths.

[night cycler]

I am ok and sorted for road lights.

It is currently getting dark around 8pm. By December it will be dark around 4.30pm.

If I go on my usual rides in the late afternoon, there is a good chance I will be returning home along the canal paths after the sun has gone down.Some sections of the route have no lighting & it is very dark.

I want to get a very bright (preferably wide beamed) front light. Which do you recommend?

 

[KnackeredBike]

Are you happy to have an external battery pack?

 

[Shut Up Legs]

https://ayup-lights.com/

Note: they use an external battery pack. I use them on my commuter and road bikes, because they're very reliable, and have fairly good brightness (but not excessive).

 

[gaijintendo]

Sorry to butt in, but why not use a moderately bright light?

I ask because the only time I have had issues with my Smart 700 (170 lux) light is when someone with a "VERY bright light" has been coming the other way and ruined my contrast vision.

Canals are almost exclusively unlit by public lighting, so a bright light hurts. It's worth mentioning, your eyes will adjust to a moderate light. Probably better than you give them credit.

I don't completely understand why people need laser cannons on these shared routes? If you are going so fast you need to see a quarter mile ahead, you are probably going too fast for dog walkers and canal boat punters or whatever frequents your local canal.

If you do go nuts though, please dim the thing when you see a cyclist approaching. Set phasers to tickle rather than stun or kill.

 

[growingvegetables]

I want to get a very bright (preferably wide beamed) front light. Which do you recommend?

As a guy on a bike, commuting the Leeds-Liverpool canal from Leeds to nearly-Horsforth for a few months, I have a wee bit of a problem with your question!

I have lights very adequate to riding the towpath. In my comfort, safety, and confidence. My AND OTHERS' comfort, safety, and confidence.

And if there's anything that p!$$e$ me off, it's over-powered lights from guys coming towards me, that blind me. On a canal towpath? Come on!

IMHO - you want as much as you need to light your path ahead effectively, and no more.

 

[RoubaixCube]

Become part of the Fluxient U2 Mini posse!

Alternatively MJ-858 for £48.74 after p&p with code 'PRAutumn1720' -- Only on pre-order atm but its a hell of a lot of light for the price. MagicShine (UK) are also very nice to deal with should you have any issues and want to speak to them directly

 

[mikeymustard]

Agree with others re: the lighting arms race. Having said that, if you must, then the lifeline 700 from wiggle at £32 and the Blackburn centre 700 (also £32 at tredz but with a fiver off from a discount code) are probably largest lumens for your loot presently

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

I am ok and sorted for road lights.

It is currently getting dark around 8pm. By December it will be dark around 4.30pm.

If I go on my usual rides in the late afternoon, there is a good chance I will be returning home along the canal paths after the sun has gone down.Some sections of the route have no lighting & it is very dark.

I want to get a very bright (preferably wide beamed) front light. Which do you recommend?

Have you considered retaining your current lights and just cycling a bit slower on the unlit towpaths ? Please !

 

[hoopdriver]

There is always the Lupine Betty with 5000 lumens...

You will be very popular...

 

[Vantage]

B + m lumotec iq cyo premium t senso plus.
80 lux is more than enough to light up the trail ahead but the cut off won't blind every Tom, Dick and Harriet. This also means they won't show up till the very last second so you'd have to watch the speed.
There's a battery version of the light but I'm damned if I can find it. But, as a night cycler, you'll save a few pennies running a dynamo anyway.

 

[Kestevan]

Well theres always
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-volt-6000-front-light/

6000 lumens should be enough I would think......

 

[Joffey]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-700-lumen-front-light/

I have this - it's very bright when on full mode and has lesser settings for the more well lit part of your route. And it's cheap - only £32

No external battery needed, which is a bonus. Charges with USB.

 

[Globalti]

My Cree LED light has a notched mount, which allows you to swivel it sideways in 10 degree steps, a useful "dipping" action.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

What they all said. I love my AyUps. Very good at illuminating. Very good at illuminating trees and overhanging branches. Sometimes useful off-road, rarely so on it. I use an AirStream on road. On full chat good enough for a towpath at sensible speeds.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

If the canal path is winding then I would also recommend you use head torch.