Front light for my Brompton

[ben4watches]

As it's becoming increasingly dark on my cycle to work in the mornings (0615ish) I need to upgrade my very pathetic and very poor front light on my Brompton.

Generally looking for something ultra powerful, reliable, weatherproof and be able to remove easily due to the fold, or adjust out of the way of the fold.

Brands to look for or specific models would help me out a lot as I have been on Wiggle and the choice is astounding.

For reference my ride is mainly lit roads with a short section through a unlit park but once a week it's a 3 mile cycle along the canal so I need to be seen and also see where I am going.

What sort of minimum lumin should I be after and I am guessing that the sort of thing I would need will be a rechargeable unit.

[pastrana72]

Hi Ben,

I think I can offer a bit of advice and an opinion on this. I would recommend you look at lights from lezyne.

http://www.lezyne.com

I have two of these, there are not super expensive, very high quality, USB rechargeable and depending on what you choose, very bright, ideal for a commute. There are cheaper lights and also more expensive ones, but I have looked at them all and choose lezyne, for value for money and performance. Easy to remove from a quick release bracket.

Cycle surgery did have sale on them when I bought my last one at 40% off! they will price match in store any cheaper price if you ask them! they have a store in Exeter near the motorway services next to toys r us, so you can try them out. You are welcome to have a look at my lights or if you need any more help, let me know.

:)

[Josh B]

I think its the job you need to change not the bike light!

[mylofitz]

I've never found a do it all front light. Best off with two. I combine a AA smart lamp with a high power cree with rechargable battery for when required. Always safer to have a backup light or at least spare batteries.

I'd recommend these for quality and service -

http://www.candb-seen.co.uk/

[Carlton-Browne]

Ben

My approach to this would be to have two lights - something with a strobe function to be seen and another, relatively high power one for shining at the road to see what's in front of you (even more important with the Brompton as the smaller wheels are less forgiving of pot-holes etc).

For strobe use I bought a Lezyne Zecto drive from Wiggle for £26.99 - the price seems to have gone down since then. I'm very happy with it.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-zecto...ont-led-light/

On my Brompton I invested in the expensive Schmidt Nabendynamo with the Edelux lamp a couple of years ago however I've had some mixed luck with cheap Ebay LEDs as well. The first set cost about £9 about four years ago and are still going strong but are significantly outclassed by the more modern CREE LEDs. At the recommendation of a mod on a cycling forum I bought a set of modern CREEs from China last year and I've already thrown one of the pair away - when the remaining one works it's blinding but the micro-switches are not great (touch wood but the left over one has been good so far). I wouldn't buy them again and if I ever find the thread where they were recommended I'm going to crap all over it.
http://www.dx.com/p/ultrafire-th-t60...7#.VAWJiWNWWFI

I've just bought one of these from Ebay for £8.50, on the recommendation of a poster here. I should be picking them up this week so I'll report back. For the money they'll be a useful back up.
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...=1#post3242281
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Cree-Q5...item4ad8703e86

Bear in mind that I'm routinely astonished by the quality of the mounting brackets shipped with a lot of bicycle lights (even at the upper price end) and I'd pick Cateye out as being amongst the worst here. I once spent £50 on their top of the range front LED light which came with this pitiful and brittle piece of plastic that didn't last a week. The advantage of the Brompton is that you don't need to worry about lights being nicked but I still zip tie lights on.

This velcro strap is pretty good and I have one in use with the crap Chinese CREE light mentioned above on one of my Moultons - the bracket it came with lasted 10 minutes!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001CJXB5E/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=479289247&pf_rd_s=l po-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0040JRHG2&pf_rd_m=A3P5 ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1ZR1YDC5B7RFMH80ZH9B
The advantage with this bracket is that you can pretty much use any torch as well.

[guinea]

Exposure are fantastic. You can get a bright light that also strobes.

I cycle 15 miles through a pitch black forest and it's very good.

However, I do have to charge the thing every night and a little top up while at work to make sure I get home safe.

[samswatch]

seconded and usb charging makes them quite handy.

I have noticed that having a light higher up makes a difference and I have a strobe light attached to my helmet.

[Tokyo Tokei]

Niterider Minewt USB thing worked for me. Small but very powerful. Bracket was fine. Easy USB charging at work. I have an older one ( 120 lumens ? ) which is like a searchlight. The newer ones must be spectacular. I also keep a tiny Catseye single-AA powered LED on the handle at all times. It can stay on with the Brompton fold. Even in the day time, this adds a noticeable "I'm here" signal to those just about to open their car door ...

[ben4watches]

Thanks for all you replies, especially Carlton Brown for a very informative post.

Lots for me to look up and to honest the choice is bewildering.

Anyone have any experience of the Knog Blinder road 3? From what I have read it seems it may fit the bill bill as duel purpose light.

Budget of up to £100, where would you put your money?

[markc]

Thanks for all you replies, especially Carlton Brown for a very informative post.


Lots for me to look up and to honest the choice is bewildering.


Anyone have any experience of the Knog Blinder road 3? From what I have read it seems it may fit the bill bill as duel purpose light.


Budget of up to £100, where would you put your money?

Just gone through this exact search :-)


My money went as follows:


Lezyne Macro front/micro rear set (black) from Chainreaction - £54.99

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


and


Wiggle's own brand Lifeline USB single LED set (also black) - £31.98

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-usb-led-single-beam-light-set/

They have both reviewed (very) well. Both sets are USB rechargeable. The Lifelines are small enough to leave on the bike (use them as flashers) and the Lezyne lights are great to put on constant as lights to see with.

Total cost £88 give or take and it does me. You can get brighter but battery life can suffer and cost goes up.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

[ben4watches]

Thanks for your help guys.

Ive opted for a Lezyne power drive XL loaded kit and the standard brompton rear light, these will be coupled with a pair of front and rear flashing units attached to my helmet.

[pastrana72]

Thanks for your help guys.

Ive opted for a Lezyne power drive XL loaded kit and the standard brompton rear light, these will be coupled with a pair of front and rear flashing units attached to my helmet.

Nice one, good choice.

:)

[markc]

Great choice - can't go far wrong with Lezyne kit.

Cheers,

Mark C