An Alternative to Cat Eye Bike Lights Please!

[gentlegreen]

Price:
£249.00

 

[gentlegreen]

Horrible flashing things too.

I'll be using an unlit section of the B-B path this winter and I reckon I will need a sunshade to stop myself being blinded.

 

[dogmatique]

Very impressive - but VERY expensive!

 

[gentlegreen]

You can make your own for a fraction of the price - cheaper than a top of the range set of Cateyes ...

It's Ladybird book stuff - and empowering ...

I've never used mine under water I rely on them being somewhat porous so the water doesn't build up.
Plenty of scope for someone to improve them.

 

[Herbsman.]

gentlegreen, could you re-post yuor DIY diagrams and pics? is it on a website somewhere? perhaps you could send me some photos and instructions so i could put them on my blog... wqhat do you reckon?

 

[gentlegreen]

gentlegreen, could you re-post yuor DIY diagrams and pics? is it on a website somewhere? perhaps you could send me some photos and instructions so i could put them on my blog... wqhat do you reckon?

http://sites.google.com/site/gentlegreen/bikelighting

Not very exhaustive ... not very finished to be honest

To be really honest if one other person on the whole planet was to build some, I would probably have to upgrade again

 

[dogmatique]

Ended up buying a Smart light. Pleased with it's brightness, but not with it's mounting. Would have preferred a proper pannier mount, but needed a light in a hurry as was cycling in the dark last night, so didn't have the benefit of much choice.

Herne Hill Cycles were nice though - first time I've been in there. Made me feel guilty for going to Evans... Unfortunately necessity dictates that I go to the nearest shop when I need it, and Evans West End is the one, for my sins.

 

[snowy_again]

Herne Hill Cycles - they're expanding, which is good news for bike shops - new mezzanine level apparently.

 

[djbombscare]

I gotta admit I thought they ayup were a littl bit pricey when I first looked at them. Than I looked at the comeptition. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/lupine/betty-14-front-light-ec016128

and then the relevant offerinsg from Exposure. . .

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/exposure/maxx-daddy-front-light-ec016131

of which you would need two of or at least and additional one of these.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/exposure/joystick-maxx-2-light-ec011773

and I thought actually its quite cheap.

4 lights on 2 mounts + 12hrs of burn time. (I actually got 24hrs worth with mine) fully waterproof, and everything I needed, incar and mains chargers, ( only take 30mins from dead to fully charged, no extra stems etc. Sorted.

I gotta admit I do have to use them on proper off road stuff so it may be a bit of overkill but its well worth it for me.

Have fun

 

[gentlegreen]

Whatever you've bought, please, please, aim it on the ground and not in people's eyes and only use the flash mode on long, empty unlit roads - if at all.

 

[plurker]

only use the flash mode on long, empty unlit roads - if at all.

Erm, that uses twice the battery power so, as a dedicated environmentalist, you'll excuse me if I ignore your preposterous suggestion

 

[gentlegreen]

Erm, that uses twice the battery power so, as a dedicated environmentalist, you'll excuse me if I ignore your preposterous suggestion

well get a decent rechargeable battery then.

 

[plurker]

well get a decent rechargeable battery then.

Does that charge using renewable energy then, or use mains electricity? If the latter then my point stands.

 

[gentlegreen]

Does that charge using renewable energy then, or use mains electricity? If the latter then my point stands.

A darn sight more friendly than multiple chemical batteries.

 

[dlx1]

bump, Back light

New light came yesterday Lunar R back light it well bright

* Visible from up to 1 mile - it bright but one mile away
* Constant and flashing modes
* Up to 100 hours run time using 2AAA batteries
* Mounts to belt clip, seat post or seat stay
* Tough construction
* Withstands extreme weather conditions
* Limited lifetime warranty
* Batteries included

 

[Jayen4]

MonkeyLectric LEDs, not sure these would be legal on the road though:
I kind of want them but also kind of think you'd look a twat unless you were a BMXer

What an excellent video ! Certainly won't miss you coming down the road with those on your wheels,eh ?

 

[dlx1]

would a driver see then if driving head on in other lane

 

[Geezah]

Raleigh used to make a good selection of bike lights. I have a set on my mountain bike. The front one I jerry rigged to fit a front mud guard and the rear I managed to fit into the underside of my saddle (one of those designed for guys saddles with a hole in it and scooped out design)

 

[HAL9000]

For front light you could use a head torch (not legal), might be suitable. Something like this

http://www.completeoutdoors.co.uk/Black-Diamond-Spot-Headtorch

 

[fredfelt]

Just like to report that I ignored this thread and got a cat eye lamp. I needed a bright one for unlit road commute.

Needless to say I dropped the £45 thing yesterday and it no longer works. Already replaced it once, don't think I'll be able to replace it again.

I'll search thu this thread for a recommendation for a high powered front light - or if you have a recommendation please let me know!

 

[fjydj]

Just like to report that I ignored this thread and got a cat eye lamp. I needed a bright one for unlit road commute.

Needless to say I dropped the £45 thing yesterday and it no longer works. Already replaced it once, don't think I'll be able to replace it again.

I'll search thu this thread for a recommendation for a high powered front light - or if you have a recommendation please let me know!

high power battery front light recommended on another forum is this one:
Busch + Müller IXON IQ LED Front Light, get the rechargeable batteries and the charger too, as it can be recharged without removing the batteries. Its very bright but doesn't flash. <Bracket is the same as a smart front bracket if you have them already>


http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...age=1;pid=66;menuid1=5;menuid2=0;mid=39;pgc=0

 

[fredfelt]

Thanks for that. That might just be my new lamp!

 

[gentlegreen]

Looks like a very good reflector / beam pattern, but no way is that a "high power lamp".
Well, maybe when compared to a Smart 1/2 watt ...

It's a commuter lamp. I think it's an under-run Cree XRE - 100 lumens apparently.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=176131

I have rubbish optics, but am using three Crees on my bike - about 400 lumens for dip, plus another 200 for high beam - (and I'm aiming to have 6 to 800 lumens in my new high beam.)

My setup is adequate for a slightly rough country road at 24mph - but I hit a pothole the other week.

-------------

OK I suppose it's a reasonable compromise for someone not willing to make their own... I covet that reflector - a shame you couldn't run a more powerful LED in it ...

 

[Lemon Eddy]

My setup is adequate for a slightly rough country road at 24mph - but I hit a pothole the other week.

See, this I can't understand. I'm using a commercial system for mountain biking, but a real bargain basement one (having spent huge amounts on systems in the past)

Handlebar light (£55) - http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.29489
Helmet light (£25) - http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12325

Now I'm using this in steep, twisty trails in deep forest in pitch black conditions, and it's pretty much akin to riding in daylight. If I hit something, it's because I'm going to fast or just generally being dumb.

So with the ridiculous number of lumens you're throwing out, I really am surprised you shit hit a pothole on a road?

 

[gentlegreen]

So with the ridiculous number of lumens you're throwing out, I really am surprised you shit hit a pothole on a road?

I'm beginning to think I may have defective night vision.

But that's two P7s you've got - the brightest single LED on the market - both lights together being as good as six of my Crees ! ... I'm planning to use one of those - or three Crees - for my new high beam.

I was looking at that handlebar one recently ...

 

[Lemon Eddy]

I was looking at that handlebar one recently ...

It's very good. In fact for the money it's fantastic, easily as good as units that cost me £400 only a couple of years ago.

But it's definitely a mtb light - so pretty useless for commuting (it'd burn the retinas out of drivers, and the beam is focussed, so wouldn't give much peripheral warning to people.

 

[mauvais]

I use an mtb light for commuting - the Hope Vision 4 - and it does the trick nicely. It's got quite a wide spread though and it's movable enough to push forward and basically dip.