Spec me a front light.

syke · 25 Apr 2007 at 12:33

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=20053

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=8508

These are the ones i was looking at.

You recommend anything better?

Mark A · 25 Apr 2007 at 20:14

MikeHunt79 said:
^ EL-530 won't be bright enough IMO. Maybe if you used a few, it may work.

1,500,000 candle power not enough :eek:

. What candle power are the set mentioned above (Niterider Minewt)?. Are they a lot brighter for all that extra cash.

I use my bike for riding at night around a local reservoir, i find this light lights up the whole area a few meters in front of me. If i turn it off u can really see that you wouldn't be able to ride without it. The batteries i use are NI-MH 2500 Energizer and last ages, then its just an hour to charge them.

I wouldn't mind having more light so if something like the ones mentioned in this thread are so much brighter to justify the cost then id be willing to give them a shot.

syke · 25 Apr 2007 at 22:24

Mark A said:
1,500,000 candle power not enough . What candle power are the set mentioned above (Niterider Minewt)?. Are they a lot brighter for all that extra cash.

I use my bike for riding at night around a local reservoir, i find this light lights up the whole area a few meters in front of me. If i turn it off u can really see that you wouldn't be able to ride without it. The batteries i use are NI-MH 2500 Energizer and last ages, then its just an hour to charge them.

I wouldn't mind having more light so if something like the ones mentioned in this thread are so much brighter to justify the cost then id be willing to give them a shot.

My one lights just the wheel and a few inches more, its scary

I like the light above, but for the price, a little more will get a 10-15W.

MikeHunt79 · 26 Apr 2007 at 00:49

Mark A said:
1,500,000 candle power not enough .

It says 1,500 on the site. :confused:

I think they use a 3w LED in that model (it could be 1W tho), which is about the same as a 5W incandescent bulb. Compare it to a 10W incan light, then a 15w or 20w, and you will definitely notice the difference... Of course, the LED's last a lot longer on batteries, and LED's don't blow like bulbs do, so it isn't all bad. If you're happy with it, then stick with it.

Now if someone would only bring out a cheap LED 10W light that runs from AA's, we would have an ideal light.

Also, candlepower isn't a very good light rating, many torches use lumens which is better even tho manufacturers often over-rate their figures. :rolleyes:

If cat-eye and other bike light makers all had a lumen rating, it would be much easier to compare. I'm guessing the cat-eye is around 60 lumens, while something like the hope 10w HID would be around 1000 lumens.

Best thing to do if you are in and out of the dark: Have a small LED light for going round lit roads so you can be seen - and have a high power beastie for when you are in an un-lit area. Helmet mounts are good too, as you get better depth perception.

syke · 26 Apr 2007 at 15:08

If it was you then, what would you get for sub £40-50?

Mark A · 26 Apr 2007 at 17:48

MikeHunt79 said:
It says 1,500 on the site.

Ahh so it does, i know where i got that figure from the dam ebay listing i bought it from :rolleyes:

.

MikeHunt79 · 26 Apr 2007 at 18:54

Syk3 said:
If it was you then, what would you get for sub £40-50?

I'd probably get these for around £40

Knightlite 3300 Twin Lightset
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=8508

They use NiMh batteries, which aren't as heavy as lead acid ones which is good. I'd probably change the 5W bulb for a 10w tho, giving 20W overall. Some of them use MR16 bulb which can be bought in loads of shops.

syke · 26 Apr 2007 at 19:06

MikeHunt79 said:
I'd probably get these for around £40

Knightlite 3300 Twin Lightset
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=8508

They use NiMh batteries, which aren't as heavy as lead acid ones which is good. I'd probably change the 5W bulb for a 10w tho, giving 20W overall. Some of them use MR16 bulb which can be bought in loads of shops.

With these, the lamps go on as well as the pack doesnt it? That adds more weight?

Redman · 26 Apr 2007 at 19:46

Teifiterror said:
two poor lights wont make much difference at all.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=15442

not bad for 50 but paying the extra now will mean you get a much better system in the long term, I still think the niterider minewt would suit you best.

Used this set all last winter for a commute through a country lane that was totally unlit, they were fine for visibility. Of course I wasn't dodging trees at the time

syke · 26 Apr 2007 at 20:26

Redman said:
Used this set all last winter for a commute through a country lane that was totally unlit, they were fine for visibility. Of course I wasn't dodging trees at the time

Yeah, i tried the other day with my light, im glad i went to the toilet before i went out on the ride

MikeHunt79 · 27 Apr 2007 at 00:22

Syk3 said:
With these, the lamps go on as well as the pack doesnt it? That adds more weight?

Yep, you need everything on the bike bar the charger. It's not gonna be the lightest system in the world (no pun intended), but it's not too heavy either, as the battery is NiMh. Many systems around the £50 mark have the heavier lead acid cell. I'd be surprised if there is a better system than that around that price.

Of coarse, Lithium Ion is the lightest, but it costs ££££'s.