Using a torch as a front light?
- Thread starter Maherees
- Start date
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mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
They probably won't because UK club riders include the worst offenders, flashing their dazzle bombs even in daylight, and they won't want you to point out their emperor is also naked!
- Location
- London
The beam pattern with a torch will be totally inappropriate as well. That's the polite version.
Edit, i see i came late to this
But point stands
Last edited:
- Location
- London
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
There are some club riders with very good lights. It's just difficult to see them among the lumen boosters.
Profpointy
Legendary Member
Chinese LED bike lights are pretty cheap these days. Before I bought one I used to wrap the elastic headband of my petzl round the handlebars and use that, but the chinese bike light, particularly the bracket was better, and cheaper albeit I already had the petzl
OP
OP
Maherees
Über Member
- Location
- Northampton
notmyrealnamebutclose
Senior Member
+1 for led creed type torch, so cheap and effective, set up responsibly ofc.
I realise that I'm replying after the new light has been purchased but for road/shared path use, I would only recommend StVZO lights that reflect the light forward rather than having an LED shining directly forward through the lens. The design allows for a far superior beam pattern that illuminates the road near and far, without blinding brightspots or dazzling anyone in front. With direct shining LED lights (even those that supposedly have a shaped beam with fresnel lens), I find that I cannot tilt it down enough to avoid dazzling others without it giving a blinding bright spot too close to the front wheel.
currystomper
Guru
- Location
- Fife
I was thinking about this there is one advantage to some torches, you change change the beam angle so with two you can have a narrow high beam for the distance and a low wide beam for potholes, I use two touches on my mountain bike for off road rides
I ran two 501b Cree torches i bought from some chinese online store quite a few years back. They were actually quite good, still have one of them now. However that was back in the day when I really wanted to splash out on Exposure lights but they were out of my budget..... So yes a torch can work but make sure its pointed way down if passing other commuters on a path.
Now own three Exposure lights, they just work....
Now own three Exposure lights, they just work....
Chris S
Legendary Member
- Location
- Birmingham
Just like a Poundland bike light then
notmyrealnamebutclose
Senior Member
Left hand side of bars or right side? I'm going rhs, beam angled slightly to the left
View: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08MF1RH6Z/ref=nav_signin?psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFaRVFCUU1YUVQwUFcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0ODc2ODUyWFZZODIzVVFTM1pJJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAwMjE2MTMzTEhCNUZWSDdYQkwmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfc2hhcmVkJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==&
Any thoughts on this. Pressie for my son in law.
- Location
- London
says the front is superbright but no mention of beam pattern so I'd skip it.
If son in law wants something to see on dark lanes I'd look on ebay for a new lidl light.
If he just cycles in town there are more modest looking lights from cateye which are fine and dandy.
using standard batteries which can be recharged.
If son in law wants something to see on dark lanes I'd look on ebay for a new lidl light.
If he just cycles in town there are more modest looking lights from cateye which are fine and dandy.
using standard batteries which can be recharged.
