Front lights

[Locksim]

I have the joy of the Bath/Bristol cycle path as a commute - crikey it's dark!!

Any recommnedations for a reasonably priced light that will let me find the path and stay on-piste? I currently have a great LED affair that alerts oncoming traffic well - but it's rubbish for illuminating the floor in front of me, even on steady beam.

Simon

[SJSBrompton]

I don't commute anywhere unlit, so only need 'see me' lights, but this comparison might be a good place to start:-

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/347 ... comparator

[De Sisti]

I have the joy of the Bath/Bristol cycle path as a commute - crikey it's dark!!

Any recommnedations for a reasonably priced light that will let me find the path and stay on-piste? I currently have a great LED affair that alerts oncoming traffic well - but it's rubbish for illuminating the floor in front of me, even on steady beam.

Simon

[JuanM]

I am a recreational cyclist rather than a commuter but sometimes I find myself out in the dark especially in the winter. I recently bought a NiteRider
UltraFazer 5.0 which despite its dire name gives pretty good illumination for the price and is certainly better than the 'see me' light that it replaces. Worth a look.

[Mark1978]

I bought a CatEye NanoShot+, very happy with it so far! And would be perfect for the cycle paths, but the dark is too scary for me

[gentlegreen]

I have the joy of the Bath/Bristol cycle path as a commute - crikey it's dark!!

Any recommnedations for a reasonably priced light that will let me find the path and stay on-piste? I currently have a great LED affair that alerts oncoming traffic well - but it's rubbish for illuminating the floor in front of me, even on steady beam.

Simon

I know it well. I use at least some of it every day.

If I had to commute on the unit sections, my starting point would be a B&M or preferably a Philips - and probably a dynamo as backup - not a cheap option unfortunately.
I reckon you also need a high beam with a handlebar switch for a path that has overhanging vegetation - and please use a gentle tail light - rear shunts are fairly unlikely.

You could save some dosh if you're prepared to DIY.

Please don't fire anything nasty in my direction or you'll get the same, or worse, back at you.
(and our exchange may well end up on YouTube )

[rjb]

This is quite a useful site to browse.
http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/

[karlt]

I don't commute anywhere unlit, so only need 'see me' lights, but this comparison might be a good place to start:-

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/347 ... comparator

All very much more than Mrs Karlt would believe a bike light could possibly cost. She wasn't entirely pleased that my front and rear I bought for this winter cost £30 total.

[gentlegreen]

I don't commute anywhere unlit, so only need 'see me' lights, but this comparison might be a good place to start:-

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/347 ... comparator

All very much more than Mrs Karlt would believe a bike light could possibly cost. She wasn't entirely pleased that my front and rear I bought for this winter cost £30 total.

And none of them seem to have proper dipped-beam optics.
Most of them are the sort of thing that daily blinds me on the Railway path.

[Big T]

I'd recommend an Busch and Muller Ixon IQ, but they aren't cheap. About £65 including batteries and charger. It has a dip facility and is designed for road use, so won't blind oncoming cyclists. It's 40 lux on main beam and 10 lux on dip.

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k342/a ... q-led.html

[mattsccm]

Forget the dip option and just point lights down a touch.

[meic]

BigT was being a bit imprecise in his terminology. The Ixon does not have a dip in the true sense of the word, it has high power and low power settings.

The 10 lux is inoffensive enough even when pointing at you unless fairly close.
The 40 lux misdirected is enough to anger drivers and other road users.

I think you dont expect to have to share a cycle track or alley way with a car strength headlight, I sometimes put my hand over it as the quickest option, though of course car drivers seldom show such consideration.

[graymee]

I like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XM-L-XML ... 2a21ff4128