Recommended lights for winter cycling

mosstin

Looking for front/rear light (rechargeable) recommendations for lights for a road bike on dark, country roads if anyone could share their experience. Budget of about 50 to 100 euro.

kala85

Looking for recommendations for night lights as well

mosstin

If someone could illuminate us then.....

detones

X moon power 780 won't go wrong. 100 euro on merlin now. There's a good thread on lights on here somewhere. Thing it was called lights for dark country lane commute or something
Like that.

aFlabbyPanda

Cree light from ebay for 20€, get the wide angle lens for a good spread. You won't get a better light for the money.

Rechargeable and last 4/5 hours on the highest settings.

Beasty

mosstin wrote: »

If someone could illuminate us then.....

There you go

Kaisr Sose

The_Sub wrote: »

Cree light from ebay for 20€, get the wide angle lens for a good spread. You won't get a better light for the money.

Now that the evenings are caving in I am seeing the reappearance of cyclists up by Lamb Doyles coming from off road spins with very powerful head lamps.
These dazzle and leave you with 'spotted' vision for a while. That can't be good for motorists or cyclists safety! Some even have them on flash which is so inconsiderate of other road users (and illegal if I am not mistaken?)

Are these powerful cree lights (800+ lumen) off eBay etc road legal for use under the Road Traffic Act ? In Germany they are not road legal.

07Lapierre

I have the Hope Vision R4 front lamp.. I think when it's set to the Max it's over 1000 lumen, which I admit is too bright. I have it mounted under the handlebars ( road bike) and its tilted down to light up the road.

I never use it on full power.. On unlit roads of the 3 settings, the first setting is enough in urban areas and I use the 2nd setting on unlit roads.

aFlabbyPanda

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

Now that the evenings are caving in I am seeing the reappearance of cyclists up by Lamb Doyles coming from off road spins with very powerful head lamps.
These dazzle and leave you with 'spotted' vision for a while. That can't be good for motorists or cyclists safety! Some even have them on flash which is so inconsiderate of other road users (and illegal if I am not mistaken?)

Are these powerful cree lights (800+ lumen) off eBay etc road legal for use under the Road Traffic Act ? In Germany they are not road legal.

Why is flashing mode illegal?

tbh I've mine angled down and I have the top half of the lens covered to stop it blinding people. having head mounted would cause problems I've say (mine if under the bars).

However I'm on the bike at 6am on country roads for half my journey, when I'm along street lighting I usually turn the cree off and then switch to my free RSA flashing light.

aFlabbyPanda

Helmet mounting lights is a no no depending on how tall you or your bike is I guess.

(3) A front lamp fitted to a cycle shall—

(a) when lit, show to the front of the cycle a white or yellow light visible during lighting-up hours for a reasonable distance,
(b) be fitted on the centre line of the vehicle or to the right of that line,
(c) be fitted so that no part of the illuminated surface of the lamp is more than 5 feet from the ground.

Kaisr Sose

The_Sub wrote: »

Why is flashing mode illegal?

No offence, but if you have to ask that then you don't know the law.

wrote:

tbh I've mine angled down and I have the top half of the lens covered to stop it blinding people. having head mounted would cause problems I've say (mine if under the bars).

I think that answers the question about being too bright for use in traffic.

wrote:

However I'm on the bike at 6am on country roads for half my journey, when I'm along street lighting I usually turn the cree off and then switch to my free RSA flashing light.

Again, tends to show these are too bright for urban use and even in rural areas, motorist's have to dip their main beams to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. Fair play for doing so.

aFlabbyPanda

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

No offence, but if you have to ask that then you don't know the law.

never said I did so why not explain it if you do.

aFlabbyPanda

According to http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/vehicle_standards/lighting_of_bicycles_in_ireland.html

Under SI 487 of 2009, since 14 December 2009 it is legal to use flashing front and rear lamps.

Kaisr Sose

The_Sub wrote: »

never said I did so why not explain it if you do.

Apologies, seems the RTA was changed in 2009 to allow flashing lights. However, the maximum intensity of the light would still over rule the permisability of flashing lights.

Another strange decision of our law makers. Bright/strobing flashing lights are a no no for people with epilepsy or subject to fits or seizures.

Kaisr Sose

Our replies crossed.

It is important to be aware that just because you can buy something legally in Ireland , it does not mean its legal to use it in all environments. These strong lights are a perfect example. The offence is using it where its use is prohibited (public roads).

On a lighter note, its a joy to be cycling on quiet roads at 630am. I used to cycle to work at 530am and its like another world. (Cold on really frosty mornings though)

12 element

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

Our replies crossed.

It is important to be aware that just because you can buy something legally in Ireland , it does not mean its legal to use it in all environments. These strong lights are a perfect example. The offence is using it where its use is prohibited (public roads).

On a lighter note, its a joy to be cycling on quiet roads at 630am. I used to cycle to work at 530am and its like another world. (Cold on really frosty mornings though)

What law limits the light output of a cyclists light?

ted1

I was debating the whole batter v USB rechargeable thing and batteries won.

With LED lamps they last fairly long, but the decider is that if you run out if juice it's easy to quickly change batteries with the spate pair in the pocket. So got daily commuters they make sense

Batteries are cheap these days.

CatFromHue

I got a Cateye Volt 300 (300 Lumen) last year and i found it good for unlit country roads.

It cost me 60-65euro from memory.

I think it gives 3hours at the the highest illumination too.

It never felt lacking on the unlit roads, as in I never felt I couldn't see properly.

Beasty

The_Sub wrote: »

Helmet mounting lights is a no no depending on how tall you or your bike is I guess.

It's not a no no if you also have a light mounted on the bike. Unless you point it in the face of motorists it really is not an issue. Mine is positioned to allow me to spot potholes and the like and I've been using one for the past 4-5 winters without incident

Kaisr Sose

Beasty wrote: »

It's not a no no if you also have a light mounted on the bike. Unless you point it in the face of motorists it really is not an issue.

Tell this to the off roaders coming off three rock every evening. No bike lights and a big flashing strobe or constant beam pointing dead ahead and into the eyes of oncoming traffic.

Borderfox

I got a Cateye volt 700 and find it excellent, able to train at normal daytime intensity at night/evening

Beer Assistant

I've an eBay Chinese cree light up front and a See.sense corsa rosa edition on the rear made in Northern Irl,

oconnpad

I just bought these lights during the week, i took them out for cycle at 9pm the other evening on dark unlit roads and they worked a treat.

Mounts are great as well.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/lezyne-macro-front-micro-rear-light-set/rp-prod111711

Tenzor07

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

Tell this to the off roaders coming off three rock every evening. No bike lights and a big flashing strobe or constant beam pointing dead ahead and into the eyes of oncoming traffic.

I'm almost 100% sure that these bunch of "marauding off-roaders" don't go around looking to aim lights at "traffic"....

Besides, light's are lights, as for strobe lighting I doubt any off-roaders would find this useful on the trails....

macnab

I have built up a large collection of bike lights over the last 4 years. I don't think there is one perfect do it all light, but I have always had a torch fettish so I may be using that as an excuse to perpetuate the n+1 mindset ;-).
The Moon x300 combined with the shield rear light is a decent setup for the money. It has just enough battery capacity to get me 45km into work and home again ie just over 3 hours. I usually recharge in work just to be sure as I have been caught out on unusually windy commutes.
Last winter i bought a Trelock LS 950 ION Front Light from bike24 for about €110 (€90 at the moment) it is a huge item compared to anything else I own. It is however the closest to perfection I have experienced in bicycle lighting, ignoring its bulk.
It lasts from 6 to 45 hours depending on level settings (10 to 70 lux) and it has a digital readout that tells how much energy remains at the present power setting.
It complies to German regs about bicycle lights in relation to beam shape and intensity so it is kind to other road users if aimed properly.
I am not a fan of those cheap cre lights. They throw huge amounts of unfocused light in all directions, making them more of a nuisance than a safety aid.

smacl

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

Again, tends to show these are too bright for urban use and even in rural areas, motorist's have to dip their main beams to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. Fair play for doing so.

A lot of decent bike lights also let you dip / reduce the power for oncoming traffic, which is something I'd always do cycling in rural areas in the dark.

Kaisr Sose

Tenzor07 wrote: »

I'm almost 100% sure that these bunch of "marauding off-roaders" don't go around looking to aim lights at "traffic"....

Besides, light's are lights, as for strobe lighting I doubt any off-roaders would find this useful on the trails....

But how can they know if they are or are not blinding traffic? If the light can blind then 100% of the responsibility is on the wearer or user of the light to ensure it does not.

As for strobing... some of them switch to flash for the roads. I would not say it if it was not the case. Are you 100% sure that everyone does not? 100% is a tough bench mark to prove unless you are there 100% of the time.

Tenzor07

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

But how can they know if they are or are not blinding traffic? If the light can blind then 100% of the responsibility is on the wearer or user of the light to ensure it does not.

As for strobing... some of them switch to flash for the roads. I would not say it if it was not the case. Are you 100% sure that everyone does not? 100% is a tough bench mark to prove unless you are there 100% of the time.

This feels like Groundhog day.. every year around this time the same complaints/debates around lights...

However....In the example you have given you're singling out a very very small number of people travelling a very short distance...what do you want them to do, switch them off and have no lights to protect themselves from being hit by a car which did not see them??

Though having said that, I have found annoyance with helmet mounted 1000++ lumen lights on the Clontarf to Sutton cycle path.. defo overkill!

Macy0161

I have a cree light from the 7dayshop that I saw recommended on here last year (think its been upgraded since though). Has 3 levels of brightness, and 2 flashing modes. I've only used it a couple of times so far, but it has a fairly narrow beam. It comes with rechargeable batteries, and a 3 pin charger.

Time will tell, but I am happy with the value for money of it. Might be overkill for my urban commute, haven't decided yet. Comes with the strap to make it a head torch as well, which is added bonus for me.

Rear lights I still use (aa) battery operated ones for the time being.

Kaisr Sose

Tenzor07 wrote: »

However....In the example you have given you're singling out a very very small number of people travelling a very short distance...what do you want them to do, switch them off and have no lights to protect themselves from being hit by a car which did not see them??

Though having said that, I have found annoyance with helmet mounted 1000++ lumen lights on the Clontarf to Sutton cycle path.. defo overkill!

Overkill is the best word. Motorists cannot use main beams in urban areas for this reason.

A considerate cyclist would appreciate this and have street lights to get them home. Some of these cyclists don't even have a rear light. A very important light for cyclists on roads but not off road.

I accept its a minority of cyclists but there are considerable few using these in the same area.

Before people jump at me for being anti cyclist. I cycle regularally . 40km a day round trip. Up past Lamb Doyle's, out towards Kilternan. I am aware of the importance of being seen. You don't need these lights on roads that have lights and you need to be able to dim them on dark roads when there is oncoming traffic.

Tenzor07

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

Overkill is the best word. Motorists cannot use main beams in urban areas for this reason.

A typical "off-roaders" light 900 lumens.

Car brake lights = 1600 lumens, probably 3000 on some fancy Audi or Merc...

Lumen

Tenzor07 wrote: »

A typical "off-roaders" light 900 lumens.

Car brake lights = 1600 lumens, probably 3000 on some fancy Audi or Merc...

Lumens is a not a measure of illumination, so is irrelevant to the question of blinding other road users.

What's the lux of a car brake light at (say) 10m?

detones

Lumen wrote: »

Lumens is a not a measure of illumination, so is irrelevant to the question of blinding other road users.

What's the lux of a car brake light at (say) 10m?

It does make for a good boards username though :-)

Tenzor07

detones wrote: »

It does make for a good boards username though :-)

Ha! Yea, well getting into a debate about bicycle lights with a guy called "Lumen" is like debating the fundamentals of religion with a guy called Jesus!

Kaisr Sose

Tenzor07 wrote: »

A typical "off-roaders" light 900 lumens.

Car brake lights = 1600 lumens, probably 3000 on some fancy Audi or Merc...

If I were to bet, many use in excess of 1000 lumen and a focused/narrow beam. A brake or rear car light is diffused...apples and oranges.

Tenzor07

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

If I were to bet, many use in excess of 1000 lumen and a focused/narrow beam. A brake or rear car light is diffused...apples and oranges.

As it's focussed then the cyclist would have to look directly over the other side of the road in order to blind a car driver?

Kaisr Sose

Tenzor07 wrote: »

As it's focussed then the cyclist would have to look directly over the other side of the road in order to blind a car driver?

What of bends, hazards etc...its inconsiderate to use an inappropriate lamp on the public road.

A Cree lamp is going through a clear , smooth lens. A brake light goes through a lens designed to diffuse the beam. ie its impossible to get a focussed beam from them.

And the discussion is about headlights and the impact on on-coming road users. Bringing brake lights into this is spurious.

Tenzor07

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

What of bends, hazards etc...its inconsiderate to use an inappropriate lamp on the public road.A Cree lamp is going through a clear , smooth lens. A brake light goes through a lens designed to diffuse the beam. ie its impossible to get a focussed beam from them.And the discussion is about headlights and the impact on on-coming road users. Bringing brake lights into this is spurious.

You're being quite petty by picking on a very small number of cyclists with Off-roader lights (which are a fraction of the power of the lights on a car) who in most cases travel the very short distance from Lamb Doyles to Ticknock..

If they were cycling along the Clontarf cycle path at night on full beam with other cyclists passing within inches then you may have a point....

Kaisr Sose

Tenzor07 wrote: »

You're being quite petty by picking on a very small number of cyclists with Off-roader lights (which are a fraction of the power of the lights on a car) who in most cases travel the very short distance from Lamb Doyles to Ticknock..

If they were cycling along the Clontarf cycle path at night on full beam with other cyclists passing within inches then you may have a point....

You take me up wrong. I am talking about those heading home from their cycle. (Through rathfarnham, dundrum, ballyroan, maybe even across the city) Remember, its still bright to 730ish so these cyclists don't have their lamps on going up.

Tenzor07

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

You take me up wrong. I am talking about those heading home from their cycle. (Through rathfarnham, dundrum, ballyroan, maybe even across the city) Remember, its still bright to 730ish so these cyclists don't have their lamps on going up.

Still think you are singling out these off-roader cyclists unfairly, if they had their lights on full burn for over an hour up the mountains, then they will be on low beam for the cycle home, in particular if as you say, they cycle across the city...which would mean that street and vehicle lighting would drown out the low beam easily..

Kaisr Sose

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Still think you are singling out these off-roader cyclists unfairly, if they had their lights on full burn for over an hour up the mountains, then they will be on low beam for the cycle home, in particular if as you say, they cycle across the city...which would mean that street and vehicle lighting would drown out the low beam easily..

You seem to have all the speculative answers. Meanwhile, I am seeing these cyclists.

Ever hear of spare batteries? Ever actually see these cyclists? Ever had spots in your vision because of them? I have...but maybe I am mistaking this for a night vision problem I have.

Yeah, it must be that, as you say, it would be unfair to think the harmless off cycle lights could be the cause. Funny though, motor lights don't seem to affect me...bizarre!

Tenzor07

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

You seem to have all the speculative answers. Meanwhile, I am seeing these cyclists.
Ever hear of spare batteries? Ever actually see these cyclists? Ever had spots in your vision because of them? I have...but maybe I am mistaking this for a night vision problem I have.
Yeah, it must be that, as you say, it would be unfair to think the harmless off cycle lights could be the cause. Funny though, motor lights don't seem to affect me...bizarre!

Speculative? Hardly... :rolleyes:

Never had a problem whilst cycling or driving around Lamb Doyles...

Kaisr Sose

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Speculative? Hardly... :rolleyes:

Never had a problem whilst cycling or driving around Lamb Doyles...

KO'd in the 15th round. Fair play to you.

I must be very lucky to keep on seeing all these bright lights and still be alive...☺..

aFlabbyPanda

The key thing the OP asked for lights to use on dark country roads. Your 40€ bikehut job from Halfords just isn't going to cut it.

Saying Cree, Magicshine or other high powered lights should be banned is like saying that full beams and spot lights on cars & trucks should be banned. All have there uses but obviously need to be use responsibly.

ford2600

For simplicity, reliability I don't understand why commuters don't opt for dynamo set ups more.

The lights from b+m, philips, Edelux etc make cycling at night pleasant and no messing with cables and charging.

For unlit country roads €150-300plus will get you a great set up.

07Lapierre

ford2600 wrote: »

For simplicity, reliability I don't understand why commuters don't opt for dynamo set ups more.

The lights from b+m, philips, Edelux etc make cycling at night pleasant and no messing with cables and charging.

For unlit country roads €150-300plus will get you a great set up.

Easier to swap lights from one bike to another? (some people have more than one bike)

Kaisr Sose

The_Sub wrote: »

Saying Cree, Magicshine or other high powered lights should be banned is like saying that full beams and spot lights on cars & trucks should be banned. All have there uses but obviously need to be use responsibly.

I am saying they are not legal for on road use in major urban areas - not that they should be banned outright. Comparing cycle lights and motor vehicle lights is not a good place to start.

Cars/Trucks are not permitted to use main beams in urban areas as they dazzle on coming traffic so for a cyclist it should be the same. Also, there are very strict guidelines for the focus of motor headlamps - if the lamps don't comply during an NCT, they fail.

Could it be that the powers that be have got this all wrong and that a motor vehicle should be permitted to have any type of lamp fitted and no problem if the beams from them cause problems for other road users? I don't think so!

Thus recommending innapropriare lights ( for road use) is not good advice.

aFlabbyPanda

Just because you've had a bad experience with them doesn't mean they are inappropriate.

aFlabbyPanda

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

I am saying they are not legal for on road use in major urban areas

Do you have evidence of this?

Kaisr Sose

The_Sub wrote: »

Do you have evidence of this?

It seems we are going to differ on this or you just want to argue over it. In an earlier post you accepted that they are very bright on roads and you switch it off. I commended you for that.

It does not change the situation. These are off road lamps and their use on public roads is dangerous. Quite simply, you don't need this much light on public roads to see or be seen. Some other posters have recommend more appropriate solutions to these.

Continued good luck using yours on the road. I hope you don't cycle around where I do :-)

quozl

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

It seems we are going to differ on this or you just want to argue over it.

He just asked you for evidence to support your statement that

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

I am saying they are not legal for on road use in major urban areas

That's not a matter of agreeing with you or not - do you have evidence?

You might be right. They'd be illegal in many countries - Germany being the most obvious example I can think of - but I don't know that we have any similar law and am interested in your assertion that we do. I actually think we should and that we could do a lot worse than copying Germany's laws on this if we don't already have similar laws.