[Closed] Whats the cheapest mtb light worth having (with integrated battery)?

I use one of these with Torchy batteries so that I know they won't explode.
Insanely bright
. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291762757012?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Does that come with a mount?

I use 2 of these for commuting
http://www.exposurelights.com/outlet-store/spark-mk3-pack

at £45 it's good value. depends what you want to use it for.

For a mount I cable tie it to one of these and cut off the excess.
[img] http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j398/Zippykona/dd5bbbd26c56269815bbed6eb235b7a3_zpsc62d78e7.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j398/Zippykona/dd5bbbd26c56269815bbed6eb235b7a3_zpsc62d78e7.jp g"/> [/img]

Not sure i fancy any diy. I actually lost my last light due to a bad diy mount

Just ordered one of these, looks promising...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122200297012

Not lost it yet!
I put skateboard tape on my bars so there's no slipping.
On my commute I have to ride up and down a set of steps and it stays put.

Good lord zippy, no offence, but that thing is an abomination.
If all those T6's were run at full power it'd drain 4x18650's in about 20mins assuming it didnt melt due to lack of heat sinking first.

Lezyne do a few, or Cateye with something similar.

I see an old Lezyne 900 lumen job in action on a friends bike every week or so, it's bloody great, the new ones must be fantastic.

£100 or thereabouts, that's where my money would go, and I get paid in buttons and bits of string.

These seem to get good review, even "Singletrack recommended".....

http://www.brightbikelights.com/wiz20-1500-lumen-mountain-and-commuter-light

Not used one myself, I have a Luminator. Considered one for a head light, but sticking with my single 18650 torch as it's lighter on the lid.

This looks, err, terrifying....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252526836818

[url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-macro-drive-duo/ ]http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-macro-drive-duo/[/url]

really depends on how far you want to go, i have ridden with this, more is better though. and given the choice a pair of similar, one on head and one on bars would do the job pretty well.

Exposure.

I was tempted my the fluxient torch, I want something like that but with a battery level indicator. All signs point to a joystick, but it's against my ethos to spend proper money on things unless absolutely necessary.

I have a Joystick on my lid. It's expensive but worth every penny.
The man wants cheap however.
Has anyone tried the fluxient against a mk10 joystick?

That Lezyne Macro Drive Duo is decent enough - I got one as part of a sub deal with MBUK.
Puts out about 400Lm on full, and seems to last for ages. The addition of a built in rear light is cool.
However, the beam is very tightly focused, and I wouldn't want it as an only light, even one on the bars and one on the helmet.
I use it as a head torch combined with a Gloworm X2 on the bars.

Some interesting comparisons [url= http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/p/bike-light-database.html ]here[/url]. Torchy also has some all in one units like the Xeccon Striver 600.

I have a Joystick on my lid. It's expensive but worth every penny.

Just bought one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rechargeable-Evolva-Future-Technology-Headlight/dp/B01M1NKQMQ

Very nicely made, solid bit of kit. Samsung battery pack (apparently) so should avoid the explodey problems. Uses standard micro USB port for charging, so can use your mobile phone charger. 3 year warranty including battery pack.

That evolva light looks like a very good deal.

Samsung battery pack (apparently) so should avoid the explodey problems

Search for Samsung news stories from about 3 weeks ago 🙂

All signs point to a joystick, but it's against my ethos to spend proper money on things unless absolutely necessary.

I like the torchy site and went with a striver 900 for £34.99... seems like a good deal

cheers guys 🙂

@zippykona

What runtimes do you get with that skyray using the torchy batteries?

Some good looking lights on here.
Anyone got a link to Torchy? I can never seem to find it.

What would be a good helmet mounted light?

eBay:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Ilove-Torchythebatteryboy?_rdc=1

Website:

http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/

I'm not sure of run time on high as I shuttle between settings and never run it flat out all the time. I can do my 2 hour loop using it but it's not on all the time .
I will leave it on medium setting tonight in the garden and report back.

I have a Joystick on my lid. It's expensive but worth every penny.
The man wants cheap however.

I'm still using a Joystick that I bought in 2009 and it still works - I also have a newer one. I think people sometimes confuse 'value for money' and cheapness, the Exposure stuff isn't cheap, but if you look at what you're getting, it's brilliant value.

The basics are good, but you can always add a Support Cell for more burn time, they're programmable to optimise burn times and brightness, the helmet mount and bar-mounts are excellent, you can stick a Micro Red Eye on the back and use it as an all-in-one emergency get you home solution. They last forever and, if you do have a problem, the customer service is excellent.

And you won't be asking the 'what cheap light?' question again every 12 months or so. So yeah, not cheap, but great long-term value and a brilliant light.

Exposure six pack. Pricey, but to me good Value as I expect to get many years out of it.

Torchy's Xeccon Striver 900 is amazing for the money (now only £35!). Independently controlled double beam (a spot and a flood)

Some of the quoted outputs on the Chinese lights are bonkers. An XM-L at max input current will only give about 1000lm before losses 🙄

Burn times for my abomination so far is 2 hours 30 on medium which is as bright as my mk10 joystick. I could stay up and let you know when it does start to dim but I'm going to bed. Once it does go flat I could of course just pop in a battery. It runs on one so there's no need to carry 4.
I've never run it for this length of time before. Very impressed with Torchy batteries.

Similar to Zippykona, but i managed to fanackle it onto a Hope mount.
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/610/22331233175_ee3a41458a_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/610/22331233175_ee3a41458a_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/A2kpBD ]20151020_135445[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/65116677@N02/ ]marcusandcath[/url], on Flickr

How did you manage that MOS? Did you have to drill it?

Yes, i managed to find part of the casing close to the balance point with enough meat for an M4 thread about 7mm long. If you unscrew the battery housing there are these sort of flangy bits which hold the batteries apart & i managed to get it in there.

Nice one, I may have to give it ago. How long does the batteries last? And how many led bulbs did you go for?

I think it's the 9 LED version running with 6000mah cells which gives me just short of 2 hrs on med. If you scroll though the pics on the ebay listing in Zippy's link you will see the bits between the batteries which i tapped.

The question was cheapest worth having so I also have to say a Joystick. I have had 2 of these and they are both still working well after years of use. I think the first one I bought was the Mk 3 or 4. I also have an Exposure Axis which although a little more expensive again is a great helmet light with lots of nice features like the tap technology.

If you can up the budget I would recommend exposure. I messed about using Chinese lights for years, bought a joystick last year and I wouldn't go back to cheap tat - you just can't trust it.

That light zippy linked to - Luminous Flux: Max output [b]28000 lumens[/b] 🙂

The thing is I'm a man and as a man I'm drawn to torches the same way mrs zip is to handbags.
My first big light was more than capable but I bought the light I linked to as it has more LEDs and cost me £13.
It is brighter than the old light but totally uneccesary!
Then mos goes and shows us his light and it's got red bits on it.RED, I've never felt so inadequate .

lezyne 1200xxl is my all in one light. Using it 1 year and it is excellent. The 2 lowest output settings work really well off road.

Yes, my crimson tip gets plenty of admiring glances.

Bought the Lezyne 1500xl a few weeks back. Paid about £100 online.

So far been really pleased with it. Neat and tidy, not too heavy, stable on the bars, good run time, and pretty decent light spread. Coupled with a cheap Chinese helmet light and its all the night you'll need.

Burn time update ...it went for another hour before going dim. Using 4 Torchy 2600 batteries.

Have 3 Joysticks of various generations, all used regularly by me and wife.
The oldest one is 6 years old now but still works perfectly well. All are nice and light and give a good beam, although I have to say I prefer the lower lumen count but tighter spot of the older lights. That said, the newer ones are still fantastic.
So as others have said, rather than faffing with Chinese torches, boding brackets etc go Exposure.

Mos can we have some more pictures of the mount?
Looked on my lights and there doesn't seem to be enough meat anywhere. I have a Hope mount going spare in my bits box would like to put it to use.

Anyone got a user review of the Evolva light that was linked on the first page? That looks a great light at a great price.

I will have in a week when I've used it in anger. Just received it and first impressions, quality-wise are very good. Comes in a lovely box and just has a feel of quality about it.
I think I got a little free rear light too...
🙂

Kayak23 - what i really want to know is if its more of a spot beam or floody? Got a solarstorm on the lid for beam but need something floody/wide for the bars.

Tempted to try the cheaper £29 version. Both look good value.

[img] [/img]

I have one of these and it works well. £38.95 from High on Bikes. My limited off road use would suggest its a bit too wide for haring through the woods as an only light. But great on the road. Hoping to add something similar but more spotty on my head

Agree with others that the evolva light linked to near the beginning of this thread looks great for the money, one Xmas present request sorted. Proper batteries and the latest xml's in a small package, the ideal winter road bike/commuter light for me.

blader1611 - Member
Kayak23 - what i really want to know is if its more of a spot beam or floody?

Did a little test for you. Not on the bike but you get the idea.

The first couple of settings are more for things to see you rather than for you to see things I think.
Impressed with the light. Not sure what the random strobe setting is meant for mind. 😀

My Evolva arrived yesterday, seems perfect for night rides on the roadie. Pretty impressed with the whole package, will get to test it properly on the Chain-gang on Wednesday evening.

Kayak - the "random strobe" setting is SOS. Dot, dot, dot, dash, dash, dash, dot, dot, dot 😀

Kayak23 - really appreciate the trouble you went to there, thank you very much. Looks a nice wide beam which is exactly what i need and has now been ordered for xmas for me. Thanks.
That strobe light is headache inducing.

Sos! Ha, makes sense 😆

Kayak - made me laugh so thanks.

That evolva light looks ace. Im not entirely convinced by the xeccon 900... its ok just not amazing

Now i might get flamed for this now but has anyone seen any bike lights in their travels which could he used for protection (if im attacked).

I got shouted at today for being on the pavement on the bike (with the dog) however the funny thing is i pulled to oneside stopped and waited for the pedestrian to pass (as we always do). Im not sure the guy was all there tbh... he looked homeless and possibly drunk however i felt threatened and if i had a triple d maglite i might have reached for it

Ill probably stick to a large off road path nearby from now on however occasionaly there are groups of young men hanging around! cant win!

Zippy, not been on here for a day or 2 but will get some pics later tonight.

yep, 2 Joysticks and 4 handlebar mounts on different bikes, all second hand, all do the job grand.................

I've just bought an ITUO Wiz20 and an ITUO XP3. The difference in quality and usability (from cheap Chinese lights) is amazing and I'm really very pleased with these two. I'm using the Wiz20 bar mounted (1500 lumens), it has internal batteries and the XP3 is a fantastic lightweight helmet light (2300 lumens) but could be as easily bar mounted. Both of these were reviewed by Singletrack and received a 'Recommended' which prompted me to look closer. Very pleased indeed with these.
If you look on the Singletrack reviews page for lights (link below) you should see the reviews - http://singletrackmag.com/reviews/category/lights/

Seems to be a few first posts from new members extolling the virtues of ITUO, very suspicious.

Crappy pics of the hope mount.
[url= https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5506/30759657932_57ab0f6330_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5506/30759657932_57ab0f6330_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/NS8hDS ]DSC_0372[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/65116677@N02/ ]marcusandcath[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5524/30574960550_6fdfba720b_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5524/30574960550_6fdfba720b_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/NzNEyf ]DSC_0370[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/65116677@N02/ ]marcusandcath[/url], on Flickr

Gary_M - Member

Seems to be a few first posts from new members extolling the virtues of ITUO, very suspicious.

Well I'm not a new member and have to concur that the Ituo lights are actually a real game changer in terms of quality and value for money. Just take a trip over to the MTBR Lights and Night Riding forum where they have been available for a lot longer than the UK and you will see nothing but praise for these lights.

Bontrager Ion 800?

Gary_M - Member
Seems to be a few first posts from new members extolling the virtues of ITUO, very suspicious.

POSTED 15 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/2016-which-lights/page/5#post-8075949 ]yeah, some on here too....[/url]

So I just put 20 dark miles into the Evolva and thought I'd update my thoughts.

The good - it's....really good. Dead bright, good spread, easy to cycle through the settings and remembers your last setting when you turn it off and on.
Lasted my ride no problem. Doubtless plenty of juice left.

The not so good - The clamp seemed to not be up to the job. To be fair, clamped to my shiny carbon bar it was a big ask for it to stay put, but every slight bit of #gnar it would promptly drop and illuminate the front wheel. In fact, I hit a nice jump off a chunky root and when I landed it was pointing totally down which was interesting at speed.
It defo needs a rubber collar or something stuck on the bar to resist rotation. With this I reckon it would be nearly spot on, but I suspect a clamp mount such as above would work better.

The screw that attaches the unit itself to the clamp came undone too. It screws in by way of a knurled knob. So the light went wobbly and pointed sideways. Quick stop and done up again and it seemed alright.

So, great light imho, very impressed with that. Clamp, not so much. Needs a hack to get it bombproof.

Skateboard tape on the bars stops lights rotating and it's very cheap.

Kayak23:

Do you think this would work as a helmet light or is it too big/heavy?

A

It is a little weighty but I think you'd not notice it after a while so long as it's well centred.
That's what I bought it for originally but am enjoying the lack of separate battery pack over my other lights.

Lots of Fenix LD50 homages on ebay About £11.50 without batteries in China to £20.00 with batteries and charger in UK. 2x xml, 2x 18650, 7 modes of mode overkill. High-mid-low-strobe-sos-left-right-off. The low mode is a bit strobey. The handlebar mount is a bit wobbly but can be fixed by melting the plastic. Once locked in place it could be more vulnerable to damage in a crash. There's a review over on Bike radar big lights thread 2011-2014 p165.
[img] [/img]

Kayak23

Nice one - cheers! Thinking of getting a couple now......

A

Kayak23 - it seems your Evolva review has crossed the pond. Its on page 4 if the link below doesnt go to that page.

[url= http://forums.mtbr.com/lights-night-riding/new-cheap-o-chinese-led-bike-lights-2016-a-999426-4.html ]Linky[/url]

Used my Evolva on a 25 mile night, road ride last night and I'd agree with Kayak - I don't think, as supplied, it would be good for MTB use.

The bar clamp/mounting isn't secure enough for the lumps and bumps of off-road but it was perfect on the road, as was the light output and beam pattern.

Used it mostly on high beam (by the way, the opportunity to reduce the settings just to 3 - low/med/high - is really useful to avoid cycling through all of the settings) and it was still showing as green on the power indicator after 1.5 hours.

MTBR suggests the evolva is also sold as the nitenumen x8

I've got the Nitenumen X8 on order from GearBest. It's a bit cheaper there at £34.

I was tempted but for the sake of an extra £6 you'll get quick uk delivery and Amazon customer service if there are any issues. No brainer for me. Plus the unit on gearbest doesn't confirm that it comes with the Panasonic battery cells unlike the evolva, another big positive for me.

Anyone reckon it'll be ok to run "upside down"? Can't see any reason why not? It doesn't look like the top of the beam is "clipped off"

Thinking of one for the roadie, with a go-pro to camera mount adaptor (that will screw in the bottom) to fit to the underside of a k-edge garmin combo mount.

A

Anyone looking for anti slip tape then aldi have it in various colours at the moment. Width is ideal for under light clamps on bars.