winter lighting

[PpPete]

Seems like a good website, so many lights to choose from, i need something which clears the brake cables when mounted to the handlebars as they get in the way of my current cheap magicshine light (T6 i think its called)

This one maybe?
I bought an XML-T6 torch off him a while back (slightly bulkier than that one) and it is an absolute stonker. Up there with car headlights. Happily give it full whack downhill on country lanes at 35 mph + (as fast as in daylight).
But as mentioned above has the potential to blind oncoming traffic.

For long night sections on audaxes I tend to go with the dynamo option (DH3N80 - Shimano's top model which is a lot cheaper than the SON) and a Philips Saferide Dynamo light on the fork crown as my main lighting - angled well down as a "dipped" headlight. And have the torch on the bars as a back up and angled as a "main-beam" .... but set in position where I can cover it briefly with a hand for oncoming cars.

 

[Col5632]

This one maybe?
I bought an XML-T6 torch off him a while back (slightly bulkier than that one) and it is an absolute stonker. Up there with car headlights. Happily give it full whack downhill on country lanes at 35 mph + (as fast as in daylight).
But as mentioned above has the potential to blind oncoming traffic.

For long night sections on audaxes I tend to go with the dynamo option (DH3N80 - Shimano's top model which is a lot cheaper than the SON) and a Philips Saferide Dynamo light on the fork crown as my main lighting - angled well down as a "dipped" headlight. And have the torch on the bars as a back up and angled as a "main-beam" .... but set in position where I can cover it briefly with a hand for oncoming cars.

No more like a magicshine light, came from hong kong and it was good at first but now the battery is terrible and just looking for something better and more secure to the bike

 

[subaqua]

Dynamo hub and either the B&M 60 lux or the phillips 80 lux front lights. Perfect for travelling on roads at speed so would be great for tow paths.

the commuter does indeed have a dynamo hub so a dynamo light upgrade may be a solution

 

[ushills]

the commuter does indeed have a dynamo hub so a dynamo light upgrade may be a solution

In that case I can thouroughly recommend a B&M Cyo from Rosebikes.co.uk

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/b--m-lumotec-iq-cyo-t-senso-plus-60-lux/aid:457434

and the following on the rear

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/b--m-rear-light-seculite-plus/aid:50219

You can use a reflector bracket to fit it to the seatpost.

 

[ushills]

the commuter does indeed have a dynamo hub so a dynamo light upgrade may be a solution

If it already has a dynamo hub you'd be mad not to go with a dynamo at the front.

 

[subaqua]

In that case I can thouroughly recommend a B&M Cyo from Rosebikes.co.uk

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/b--m-lumotec-iq-cyo-t-senso-plus-60-lux/aid:457434

and the following on the rear

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/b--m-rear-light-seculite-plus/aid:50219

You can use a reflector bracket to fit it to the seatpost.

it has dynamo lights on it both are stand lights so stay on when i stop. the front just doesn't seem to give a good lightspread when i go through the canal tunnel. I currently have http://www.bike24.com/p213272.html on the front and a basta rear light , the rear is Great as my missus says its really bright even in daylight

 

[MrJamie]

The MSlights have to be stored correctly or they donot hold their charge,my MS with the little charge indicator has lost .1 of a volt of its max charge in err (finger count time) will be 3 rd winter i have had it.

Mines the same, although 1 year old, but all batteries vary im lead to believe. Not bad when you can buy a new/extra battery for the MS lights for £20 though Ive not had issues with the O-ring either, its easily adjustable, lets me take it on/off the bike in seconds and lets me dip the light when I want. I actually prefer it to fixed plastic mounts. Only negative with the MS lights for me was how bright the lighthead looks to oncoming traffic, so i built a little visor for mine much the same as you get on traffic lights, so when cars/people get close they arent getting full beam in the face - most modern windscreens seem to reduce the glare a lot too.

Im thinking about getting a second magicshine so I can have one dipped wide beam and another like a long range for when its safe to light up the place. BestOfferBuy seem to have some good deals and were good with my spare battery, although ship from HK.

 

[ushills]

it has dynamo lights on it both are stand lights so stay on when i stop. the front just doesn't seem to give a good lightspread when i go through the canal tunnel. I currently have http://www.bike24.com/p213272.html on the front and a basta rear light , the rear is Great as my missus says its really bright even in daylight

The B&M I referenced will be plenty bright enough.

Have a look here, http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/headlights.asp

That made my mind up.

PS don't go with the one with the reflector, you don't need nearfield lighting.

 

[slowmotion]

I've used a Hope Vision 1 for a while but I bought a Fluxient XM-L recently. It gives out a stupendous amount of light for a £40 torch. The beam is a bit wide but if you want to see where you are going, it's really handy. It takes a single 18650 rechargeable battery.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fluxient-...ing_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item43b28ff791

 

[subaqua]

The B&M I referenced will be plenty bright enough.

Have a look here, http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/headlights.asp

That made my mind up.

PS don't go with the one with the reflector, you don't need nearfield lighting.

minds made up then

 

[ushills]

I generally ride around with the senso active all the time as the DRL's are useful in traffic, however, the only minor drawback was the nutter on a bike who when I shouted morning just returned the following while pointing at my bike the entire time he went past.

"lights, lights, lights, lights......"

I think he was a bit simple.

 

[Col5632]

I've used a Hope Vision 1 for a while but I bought a Fluxient XM-L recently. It gives out a stupendous amount of light for a £40 torch. The beam is a bit wide but if you want to see where you are going, it's really handy. It takes a single 18650 rechargeable battery.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fluxient-...ing_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item43b28ff791

I think that looks like the best option for not much buck and easy to get another one if you were really wanting to light up the way

 

[slowmotion]

I think that looks like the best option for not much buck and easy to get another one if you were really wanting to light up the way

The handlebar bracket that comes with it leaves a bit to be desired but you can choose from loads of alternatives on Ebay. BYW, Torchy the Battery Boy does a good review of most of the 18650 cells available.

 

[Col5632]

I quite like the look of these too, anybody got any?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-of-s...ing_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item4606995da6

 

[Soltydog]

I had a dynamo hub wheel built by Spa Cycles about 2 years ago & it was one of the best cycling related purchases I have made. Its a shimano hub (not sure what model) & was about £80 built up iirc & is still running strong & true now. I use a B & M lumotec cyo IQ, also from Spa, currently £75 & it is bright enough to light up unlit country roads HTH