Between the villages of Cottenham and Histon it is seriously dark and even with solar edge lighting you'll want for more lighting than the weak £20 set outputs.
It's a bit of a minefield buying lights and the technology moves fast and cost has been astronomical. Bear in mind that my product knowledge is very limited.
I have fair number of lights and would currently recommend those that contain LEDs based on on XPG-R5 technology for the general commuter - having a nice friendly spot and enough brightness. For road bikers who travel at speed or mountain bikers riding offroad at night, I would step up to XML-T6 which is even brighter and has a wider flood beam, but not too friendly for oncoming car drivers because of that flood effect.
I am using some cheap (unbranded) Chinese imports that use these technologies but wouldn't recommend that unless you are the type who owns a soldering iron. I know someone who has Exposure branded lights and they are very good quality and also lots of money but will last you years. There are a lot of other good brands out there that I am not familiar with.
My friend has an Exposure Joystick which is based on XPG-R5 and it is bright enough for mountain biking round Thetford Forest at night. If you were a casual commuter you might be able to step down the range but research carefully. Confusingly the Joystick £145, Sirius £115, Spark £95 all run on the XPG-R5 technology, with different amount of Lumens (brightness). I just don't know which would would compare to my cheap Chinese torch.
The lights are expensive but what I can tell you is that over the last few years anyone I've met over the last few years who spent under £100 on branded lights has been disappointed with the light output. Right now, £150 will definitely get you a branded light that meets commuter expectations, perhaps £100 will too but I just don't know.
I recommend looking for sites that compare light output from different lights. Torchy the Battery Boy's light database is a good place to start. You might find your current light on there and beam shots from other lights so you can compare.
Now you know why a lot of people are taking (quality) risks with cheap Chinese imports. Told you its a minefield! Over to the rest of the internet for opinions.
For more details on the lights I am running, see my previous post Night Riding Thetford Forest
Update: I fell across another set of beam shots linked from this front light buying guide. There's a nifty beam shot comparison feature with prices.
Update: I fell across another set of beam shots linked from this front light buying guide. There's a nifty beam shot comparison feature with prices.
RSP Asteri - very bright blinky 2AAA rear, very very bright torch-shaped rechargeable front. I think mine were ~£45. I have two sets and no complaints.
ReplyDeleteI have a focusable headtorch based around a XML-T6 led, which can go from full road flood to 1 foot circle about 20 feet ahead.
ReplyDeleteAlso a pair of "smart" make 45(?)lux handlebar lights, one aimed on the road ahead, one aimed at the kerb.
Also a pair of cateye rear lights, one flashing, one fixed.
During the winter months of 2011/2012 i exceeded 2000 miles of night riding around dark fenland roads with no problems.
Ay Ups. Two sets, one on the bars, one on my helmet. An Exposure back light - very bright.
ReplyDeleteI don't commute as such but get a fair few winter miles in (in the dark). This set up is bright enough for off road racing and with a 6 hour burn time, you don't have to charge them up every five minutes.
I just use my MTB lights on the road - I would recommend the Exposure lights - the joy stick is pretty good. I use what I term a "retina burner" Cateye at the back - in the end, you have to rely on your own instincts at times, for self preservation.
ReplyDeleteHere, Bristol way, you need to choose you out of town route with a little care - there are some dark and twisty roads, that whilst "direct" are best avoided in the dark. Personally, I don't try and enforce my right to cycle on some roads - its just now worth it
Off-road lights dazzle other road users and are not road legal-for good reasons. I have been blinded by these and using them on the road is deeply antisocial. Use of such lights could cause other road users to crash, as I nearly did when he blinded me with his MTB headlight on a towpath. I wasn't impressed.
ReplyDeleteFar better to use proper road-legal lights BS approved or German StVZO K-rated approved lights that put the light where it's needed and don't dazzle.
Lights reviewed with detailed explanation of numerous models, beam geometry and beamshots here:
http://swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/tests/verlichting/index_en.html
I use the B&M Ixon IQ (battery), B&M IQ Fly (dynamo) ( I have three of the latter on different bikes) They put out loads of light and are probably sufficient for all but the fastest riders while downhill racing.