Possibly OT, who kn...
 

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[Closed] Possibly OT, who knows? What front light for roadie-ing-ing-ing?

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I am getting a bit pee'd off with the battery set-up of my Dinotte 200L light and therefore fancy getting something new, despite the fact that the beam is pretty dam good for using it on my road bike for mid-week commuting.

Required criteria:

Must be handlebar mounted, and preferably small
Integral battery
2hr minimum runtime
Beam must be powerful enough, and wide enough, to light up pitch-black country lanes and associated potholes.
It also needs to be easily removable, so I can remove it quickly when I park the bike at the gym.

Any recommendations?

That's all folks :mrgreen:


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 8:06 pm
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What is your budget?


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 8:20 pm
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Something from Exposure depending on your budget.
Strada Mk2 is specifically designed for road, £245, 600 lumen. Light, no dangly wires, runs for about 3hrs or so on full beam.


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 8:20 pm
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Exposure would be perfect for you.


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 8:22 pm
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Take your pick from the Exposure range. If you have good night vision and a more limited budget then the Race mk5, or go up to the six pack for full "blind the b*ggers" power. All are QR and self contained. I use a Maxx which is now called a Toro Mk2 and it's great.

From my own commuting experience I would have a helmet light as well to shine at the drivers coming out of side roads


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 8:23 pm
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Ah, yes, budget: Around £100 I guess, which kinda rules out that Strada I guess.


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 8:24 pm
 ds1
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Hi

I use a Hope Vision 1 for my country lanes commuting, I'm very pleased with it. It has flashing/low/med/high settings and I have yet to bother with high. Takes 4AA batteries so it's not too much of a pain to take some spares. More of a narrow beam than a flood which is great for potholes on roads (useless for twisty bridleways though)

HTH


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 8:28 pm
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See
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/topeak-whitelite-hp-5w-rechargeable-light-id40028.html

I'd say its ok on the roadd but you certainly won't be burning moths or melting tarmac

Fitting (IMHO) is quick on and off - ie light and battery detach)


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 8:28 pm
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We have some mega deals on Exposure SixPack and Maxx D at the moment if you're interested, and pretty good prices on all the others,too.
(New to the forum,so not sure if we are meant to post this sort of thing ?)


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 8:31 pm
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Hope Vision will tick your boxes


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 8:32 pm
 beej
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I use an Exposure Joystick. Recommended if you could stretch your budget or look for secondhand.


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 8:37 pm
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http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches/fenix-ld20-r4.html

With a lockblock mount, all you'll ever need. I have the older Fenix L2D which has done tens of overnight audaxes, as well as 3 winters commuting Dorset lanes.

More lumens aren't necessary - it's all about optics otherwise you're no better than a car with it's full beams on.

Spend the spare cash from your £100 on half a dozen high-capacity NiMH rechargeable AAs and a decent charger.


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 8:37 pm
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nightrider

Teh bike chain has a variety at bargainacous prices such as[url= http://www.thebikechain.co.uk/NiteRider-Minewt-Mini-250-Cordless-2010090602/ ]this one[/url]

Remember nightrider quote real output not theoretical max so thats probably worth someone elses 400 lumen light. Custom made optics as well not the usual off the shelf ones.

Tis an impressive all in one light Its what I would go for for commuting.


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 8:45 pm
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Ooooh I like the look of that Niterider - I like the USB charging as well.


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 9:06 pm
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Plus 1 for the Hope Vision. I use the vision 1 for my 10mile countrylane comute and it's fine, however my mate has the two which is better.


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 9:39 pm
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druidh from thebikechain here...

I use the Niterider 250 for commuting and occasional out-of-town night jaunts (on- and off-road). The beam is focussed forward, so side-ways visibility (in terms of traffic seeing you) isn't great. No worse than any of the other suggestions though. Battery life is fine for a couple of hours riding and it's plenty bright even on the lowest setting. The bar clamp and helmet mount both seem to be secure enough and the case is very tough. We loan them out for our Wednesday evening rides and a couple of folk have subsequently bought them. There is also a 150 lumen version. It's a bit cheaper but lacks the helmet mount. Battery life is obviously a bit better with the lower power output.

However, we have no 250's in stock at the moment - awaiting the next batch from the distributors. Remember that there's also a discount code for STW members - STWTBC.


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 10:15 pm
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Thanks for the helpful info druidh, I had already noticed that you didn't have any in stock.

To be honest the sideways visibility is no worse than I have at the moment, and the output seems plenty.

There may be the possibility that a mate could get me one at trade, but if not, I will get back to you.

Thanks, Mike.


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 10:23 pm
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+1 to TJ and Druidh for the Minewt Cordless 250. I got one a few weeks ago for short midweek rides, as I wanted something simple and tidy. It's not great on its own for proper off road night riding (I am planning on getting a second light in the long term), but it is ideal for non technical sections, and would be fine for country lanes.


 
Posted : 26/01/2011 10:25 pm

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