Road Bike Lights

kildare75

Hi all,
looking for a wee bit of advice for a front light for my road bike.Ill be cycling mostly in rural areas and would like a good light that is not going to cost a fortune but will let me see whats on the road ahead.
Is the Magicshine mj-856 overkill or ideal?or something like that type of light.?
Many thanks

Seweryn

kildare75 wrote: »

Hi all,
looking for a wee bit of advice for a front light for my road bike.Ill be cycling mostly in rural areas and would like a good light that is not going to cost a fortune but will let me see whats on the road ahead.
Is the Magicshine mj-856 overkill or ideal?or something like that type of light.?
Many thanks

Recent thread

And to answer your question - no, Magicshine mj-856 is definitely not what you should use on a road bike.

kildare75

Seweryn wrote: »

Recent thread

And to answer your question - no, Magicshine mj-856 is definitely not what you should use on a road bike.

thanks very much for the advice, but its more about the seeing that being seen for me, if you know what i mean?
most of my rides will be on very dark country roads, i wear the high viz gear but its more for lighting up the road ahead im concerned with.
thanks again

Seweryn

kildare75 wrote: »

thanks very much for the advice, but its more about the seeing that being seen for me, if you know what i mean?

Sure, I understand. I also cycle in the dark on country roads.
The Magicshine you asked about is not suitable for road use. This light is designed for off-road only. If you are going to cycle on the road, it is not for you .

Get yourself this set or buy the rear one Shield 60 separately and XP500 for the front. I used to have the XP500 and now I use the XP300 + Shield 60 and it is good set for what you need.

kildare75 wrote: »

most of my rides will be on very dark country roads, i wear the high viz gear but its more for lighting up the road ahead im concerned with.

Hi-Vis is no good in the dark. You need proper lights .

kildare75

thanks again for the reply,#i already have a gift of this fella http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=70354
which is grand when in lite up areas but the moon 500 is the way to go for the high ways and byways of kildare?

Seweryn

kildare75 wrote: »

thanks again for the reply,#i already have a gift of this fella http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=70354
which is grand when in lite up areas but the moon 500 is the way to go for the high ways and byways of kildare?

The XP300 is surprisingly very good as well. The XP500 is marginally stronger (i.e. it has very same performance on the second setting than the XP300 on the highest setting). I used the XP500 model last winter and found it excellent. At the moment I have the XP300 and I do not really feel the need for these few extra lumens at highest setting, which I did not used much (usually second and third for normal use was enough in the XP500). Both lights share the same battery and it would be a good idea to have a spare one. I also carry a spare second rear Shield 60.

kildare75

think ill try the 500, any good sites for purchasing it?
thanks again

Seweryn

kildare75 wrote: »

think ill try the 500, any good sites for purchasing it?
thanks again

I bought my one (twice) here. Great service, good price and you can chat online with the shop, if you have queries. They also sell spare batteries for these lights, which is worth having as well.

kildare75

Seweryn wrote: »

Sure, I understand. I also cycle in the dark on country roads.
The Magicshine you asked about is not suitable for road use. This light is designed for off-road only. If you are going to cycle on the road, it is not for you .

Get yourself this set or buy the rear one Shield 60 separately and XP500 for the front. I used to have the XP500 and now I use the XP300 + Shield 60 and it is good set for what you need.


Hi-Vis is no good in the dark. You need proper lights .

Just to let you know my xp500 light arrived last week,I have to say its a great piece of kit altogether, and for such a small wee thing it lights up the road like its dayliight.
Thanks for all your help as id never have found this gem without your advice,many thanks.

Seweryn

kildare75 wrote: »

Just to let you know my xp500 light arrived last week,I have to say its a great piece of kit altogether, and for such a small wee thing it lights up the road like its dayliight.
Thanks for all your help as id never have found this gem without your advice,many thanks.

You are welcome . And enjoy riding your bike any time of the day or night .