Mountain Bike lights

[scott0031]

Again, doing research (as i always do) I have found myself with more question/confusion than answers.

I really need to get some better lighting for my bike, having survived on a really cheap set that makes the bike legal but offers nothing in the way of illumination, I need get something that i can actually see with before i come a cropper which will happen very soon the way I'm going.

I am not a hardcore rider. I ride for fun and to keep active, I'm not into big money bikes and must have accessories. That said I'm lucky enough to have a huge chunk of the north downs on my doorstep so mainly off road, woodland paths and tracks etc, with plenty of objects waiting to trip you up. Plus the other thing is i like to ride at night and it gets mighty dark under under the tree canopy's at times. I do try to do between 10 and 20 miles on a trips so something that will last will be helpful

Can any of you cyclists advise on the cheaper ranges or ebay/amazon or any other places for that matter jobs out there. I want more of a flood than a spot. I will start with bar mounted. I would rather take the advice of you guys and try to get one of the better ones of a bad bunch rather than the bad of of the bad bunch. Also thoughts on bright rear lights and more comfortable seats that don't feel like a introduction to being homosexual!

Thanks in advance,

 

[Fazerruss]

I have one like this with 3 cree led's and it's seriously bright. If I have it on full and pointing to far upwards is anoys oncoming cars so they end up flashing me.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8000Lm-CR...dlight-Bike-HeadLamp-Torch/391613550542?rt=nc

 

[slim_boy_fat]

so mainly off road

As a motorist only, I'd beg you to get & wear a hi-viz waistcoat - as you say "it gets mighty dark under under the tree canopy's at times".

I've lost count of the number of times I've come across single riders wearing all black lycra clothing, and although you'd hardly believe it, no lights........... It's a bad as coming up on a badger loping along the side of the road......

 

[500e]

& you can eat the Badger

 

[slim_boy_fat]

& you can eat the Badger

So it would appear........

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2012/sep/25/eating-badger-a-sett-menu

 

[Dodge20]

& you can eat the Badger

You mean you can't eat cyclists?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

You mean you can't eat cyclists?

Not legally, but I could never finish a whole one anyway.

 

[Wozzaaah]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lights-DEG...8&qid=1499032219&sr=8-11&keywords=bike+lights
These are very good! I bought an identical set recently that had rubber strap type mounts instead of those clamp ones and they don't feel that secure but they're extremely bright and great value for money.

 

[CornishPete]

the ebay cree ones with a rechargeable 18650 battery pack for about £15 are great value, relatively well made and last for2-3 hrs on a full charge. They are seriously bright too. I have one on the handlebars and one on my helmet that points where I'm looking and it's like having car headlights! For £30! Can't think you'll find better value for money.

 

[james butler]

i bought some from aldi and they are very good
even came with batteries which unfortunately arent rechargeable
https://www.aldi.co.uk/bicycle-light-set/p/093146045835800
they give out lots of light and are really light weight

 

[Wozzaaah]

the ebay cree ones with a rechargeable 18650 battery pack for about £15 are great value, relatively well made and last for2-3 hrs on a full charge. They are seriously bright too. I have one on the handlebars and one on my helmet that points where I'm looking and it's like having car headlights! For £30! Can't think you'll find better value for money.

You can use 3x AA or 1x 18650 in those ones I linked to too.

 

[many_methods]

I bought the older version of these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-micr...|pcrid|67090793342|pkw||pmt||prd|5360776150uk

They are phenomenal compared to cheap lights I've used in the past. They charge up via USB and will last for ages (I was doing 40mile rides and they still had plenty of life in them once I got home)

 

[Rocketman]

On the saddle SDG bel-air is comfortable as saddles go. You can get cheaper versions cromo rails.

Trouble is with saddles while the bel-air is considered one of the most comfortable saddles available it still really depends on your bone structure as to whether it will suit you.

 

[scott0031]

Brooks leather saddles. Coupled with unpadded cycle shorts or running bottoms - I wouldn't choose to use anything else. )

Those seats cost more than the bike!



I do get that you are saying about the other stuff though. I literally can't use shorts of any kind where i cycle. I would be stung to death and pricked to death by thistles. I always just use jogging bottoms... which is what i live in anyway, which is rather convenient.

Oddly enough I am getting used to the new saddle on the new bike, although i doubt it's very comfy compared to a decent saddle. I did nigh on 19 miles last night all offroad more or less and didn't think OMG here we go when i did the first 10 yards which is normally the case.

 

[scott0031]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lights-DEGBIT®-Mountain-Resistant-Headlight/dp/B01GRZ3DZU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1499032219&sr=8-11&keywords=bike+lights
These are very good! I bought an identical set recently that had rubber strap type mounts instead of those clamp ones and they don't feel that secure but they're extremely bright and great value for money.

Woz, I did look at these but was a bit concerned being more torchy if they had more of a spot than a flood. Where i cycle some of the terrain is very bumpy, the downs being full of flints, in addition for the runs i do are very heaving tree lined with tons overhanging and very twisty narrow paths this is why i need to make sure i get a flood and not a spot.... what are they like from that regard?

 

[Welderpaul]

Scott, I have a very bright Cree rechargeable light which hasn't had much use at all. I bought a more 'aero' one last year so never used this one really.

You are welcome to it if you like?

 

[graffian]

I had flite saddles on all my bikes, my **** would be aching from 15 miles or so. I was riding 35 miles a day most days.
I got a charge spoon on a frame I bought, much better than a flite 30 miles and I am getting a bit of pain.

I saw a cheap WTB slimline devo, vary hard but wide and short saddle. I bought it as it was very cheap and I thought the
short nose wouldn't try and grab the wrinked retainer. It's great. I have done several >50 mile rides and no **** ache at all.
The WTB is obviously just right for me.
I rode a bike with a flite last week and it was uncomfortable from the moment I sat on it!

 

[scott0031]

Scott, I have a very bright Cree rechargeable light which hasn't had much use at all. I bought a more 'aero' one last year so never used this one really.

You are welcome to it if you like?

Hi Paul, That's a kind offer and thank you. If it's going to waste and not going to be used then i will say yes. I will obviously pay you post and anything you want for it. It would be a good intro to modern lighting... I think my problem is I'm like 10 years behind as i have not ridden for several years. I Just didn't want to go through the process of ending up buying 5 lights to find one that right for me. We all know the cheap stuff varies a hell of a lot.
Mind you anything has to be better than the one i can barely see with at the moment.

 

[ukracer]

Again, doing research (as i always do) I have found myself with more question/confusion than answers.

I really need to get some better lighting for my bike, having survived on a really cheap set that makes the bike legal but offers nothing in the way of illumination, I need get something that i can actually see with before i come a cropper which will happen very soon the way I'm going.

I am not a hardcore rider. I ride for fun and to keep active, I'm not into big money bikes and must have accessories. That said I'm lucky enough to have a huge chunk of the north downs on my doorstep so mainly off road, woodland paths and tracks etc, with plenty of objects waiting to trip you up. Plus the other thing is i like to ride at night and it gets mighty dark under under the tree canopy's at times. I do try to do between 10 and 20 miles on a trips so something that will last will be helpful

Can any of you cyclists advise on the cheaper ranges or ebay/amazon or any other places for that matter jobs out there. I want more of a flood than a spot. I will start with bar mounted. I would rather take the advice of you guys and try to get one of the better ones of a bad bunch rather than the bad of of the bad bunch. Also thoughts on bright rear lights and more comfortable seats that don't feel like a introduction to being homosexual!

Thanks in advance,

Like this bad boy??

 

[ukracer]

& you can eat the Badger

You can also leave it on the side of the road....not ideal leaving a cyclist there. Even a stupid one.