Lights

I've got the precursor to the R4, the Vision 2 and whilst I've had some issues with it, Hope have always just taken it back and returned it good as new no questions asked.

After all I'm going to go with a gloworm x1 . CNCing doesn't look as nice as the Hopes, but loads of light for the bucks, and they're locally designed. You can change the lens as well, I'm hoping it means something without too much spread to prevent blinding other folks on the road.

Anyone had any experience with the Cateye Nimas (2014 or 2015)?

Or could suggest something similar but better; pocket-small, no permanent fastenings, can drop it and it won't shatter/crack?

Thanks

Lezyne femto are better, nimas are less bright, have easily lost straps and were forever turning on in my bag and running out the batteries.

If you find Cateye fine I would have a look at the Rapid XX. Unfortunately the front ones are not available yet in UK but the official distributor told me they will by late summer.

Mrs sacred uses these:
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/cateye-sl110-loop-light-set-id59709.html

plus points are no band to loose
battery powered so no forgetting to usb charge
bit of side light
difficult to switch on in bag/ pocket by accident

downsides are battery powered so gotta buy batteries
not mega bright but good enough esp paired with another set

I saw one of these on a bike going around Hyde Park Corner this week. It looked okay. They were apparently doing 22mph/kph and it was pretty visible, however I didn't get to see it get brighter when braking.

https://www.velocitylight.com

Has anybody tried it?

Thanks for the suggestion, but the Rapid XX are a bit expensive for this use. I'll probably go for the Femtos or the Cateye loop lights (maybe both).
Or I'll do some more research and get some snazzy USB chargeable ones.
Cheers guys!

I've been dead impressed with the femtos, especially as I got them for free.

I'm looking for a recommendation for a headtorch / helmet mounted torch for a 24hr mtb race this winter (Strathpuffer)

We're doing it as a 4 man team so either rechargeable in a couple if hours or one that takes regular batteries would be good.

I've just gotten a gloworm x1 for the road, it's really good. You can get spares, including different sized battery packs with power indicators and such.

Their x2 is probably better for mtb as it's got moar power, but I've not used it.

Does anyone have a good suggestion for half decent not too expensive lights that won't look out of place on an classic steel bike?

This and this obviously the idea


but 4 lux sounds a bit shit and I don't think they have multiple modes.

Also they don't really need to be that retro. So at the moment silver Lezyne Femto looks like a good option. I reckon even something similar to a Hope Vision would be all right (if it was half the price).

Any bright ideas?

4 lux sounds a bit shit

4 lux where? A full moon is about 0.1lux, so 4 lux over a decent area in front of you is probably enough for your shopping bike.

where?

The dimly lit foggy streets of London.

You're probably right. I guess I was comparing it to the 7(?) of the Femto. I still like the idea of having something that can flash.

Looking at this led me to the Lupine Piko 4, anyone got any experience of it?

Just bumping this re my question above for any other suggestions for half decent not too expensive lights that won't look out of place on an classic steel bike?

Probably going to go for one of those I listed and a pair of Lezyne Femto.

Did you ever go with one of the ones you posted? Interested in trying it out on my bike.

Yes I did. This one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemVersion&item=321830444133&view=all&tid=1484928303011

Tester was right, for a town bike it's fine in terms of light. From a visibility POV it works really well in a city environment. This is because there are loads of LEDs and the face is big. So while it's not going to light up the road you it stands out from a distance.

The only things I'd flag would be:

• it's big maybe 10-15cm long 10cm wide (I'll update correct size later)
  
• I'm not sure it's great in terms of battery. But I've just popped new batteries in so we'll see how they do.
  
• there is a screw lock fastening the opening flap. So if the batteries need changing a lot that will be a PITA.
  
• the battery slots in the battery case are too small for a AA* and big for a AAA so there might be a risk the batteries would jump about. I just used AAA and it seems to work. This hasn't been a problem yet and could be solved just by padding out the gaps.
  
  

*I've just re-read the description and it's meant to be AA.

Balls. First outing of my rear light and the bastard fell off the saddlebag I was testing (crap thin attachment band on the bag - has been fine for 2 years on my backpack). All my other lights are deeply packaged in storage boxes so pulling the trigger on Exposure Sirius and TraceR combo. After years of hong kong torches looking forward to having something 'proper'.
#csb

I'd like to see if anyone has any recommendations for this under £50?

Is http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XM-L-XML-T6-LED-1800-Lm-Bicycle-bike-Head-Light-Headlamp-Rechargeable-Head/261260152779
the current go-to cheap option for unlit roads?

The selection on ebay is baffling.

I have one of these and it does the job very well, obviously not the best beam pattern in the world but on unlit roads it is very good.
This says uk stock but who knows.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-5000-Lumen-CREE-XML-T6-LED-Bicycle-Bike-headlamp-Headlight-Battery-UK-Stock-/321606807782?hash=item4ae14270e6

The torchy ones are decent (and have decent customer service) but are a bit more expensive http://stores.ebay.co.uk/ilovetorchythebatteryboy/_i.html?_dmd=1&rt=nc

Did you get anywhere with this? My mk5 just started doing the same..

Saw this at the cycle show today:

http://brightside.bike/