CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Dynamo lights

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Dynamo lights http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Dynamo lights en Sun, 28 Jun 2026 11:45:59 +0000 minus six on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-202277 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:22:15 +0000 minus six 202277@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Having previously employed the Phillips Saferide (great light, but substandard mount, no compatibility) and B&M Luxos U (just never really got on with it, expensive divorce) This year I will be sporting a Schmidt Edelux II to complement the obligatory SON deluxe hub Toplight Line Plus on the rear, natch Wunderbar ! Greenroofer on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-163761 Sat, 30 Aug 2014 13:10:24 +0000 Greenroofer 163761@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ So BikeTrax have just charged me £30 to fit dynamo lights to the Brompton and lubricate the gear cables. (That doesn't include the cost of the parts, obviously, but seems money well-spent). I've put a 70 lux B&M Cyo on the front and a Toplight Line Plus on the back. Interestingly (and unlike the dyanmo on my 700c bike) there's a noticeable difference in drag when the lights are off or on. Anyway, the reason I'm mentioning this is that they gave me the instructions that came with the Brompton bits they installed. The instructions are really clear, so if you were thinking of doing this yourself they give you all you need to do a DIY job (and tell you what to buy). PM me if you'd like a scanned copy. Uberuce on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162244 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 22:05:45 +0000 Uberuce 162244@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Dynamo lighting, like nonrim braking, is now very firmly on my list of non-negotiable prerequisites for a winter commuter. On the front I gave up on a blinky helmet mounted light, but still keep a red of that ilk on the back of my bunnet. chdot on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162238 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 20:43:24 +0000 chdot 162238@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ It's 8:30, need lights... Mmm Will have one bike with Dynohub powered front light - soon. sallyhinch on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162233 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 20:03:02 +0000 sallyhinch 162233@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I don't think there's any point having flashies on unlit rural roads. With any light at all you can be seen for miles on a dark road, so there's no problem with being seen. Flashies are more useful in town, where they instantly say 'bike' which may be helpful to drivers in a complex situation and are a bit more attention-getting. I ride almost completely on unlit rural roads and don't bother with a flashing light, although I do normally have a backup battery light because my bottle dynamo is not mad keen on going through puddles. Hub dynamo is on the wish list acsimpson on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162203 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 15:49:15 +0000 acsimpson 162203@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ No idea if this is a good price but if anyone is looking for a brompton dynamo wheel Evans has a soiled stock on at the moment. <a href="http://www.evanscycles.com/products/brompton/shimano-hub-dynamo-front-wheel-soiled--ec063892">http://www.evanscycles.com/products/brompton/shimano-hub-dynamo-front-wheel-soiled--ec063892</a> Dave on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162167 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 12:07:16 +0000 Dave 162167@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Lights and dynamos are essentially interchangeable. I think the only practical exception is if you buy the expensive Supernova ones, which might not power a normal rear light IIRC. wingpig on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162157 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 10:58:47 +0000 wingpig 162157@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <blockquote>"Does anyone ride Phillips rear with B+M front (I like the look of the light Dave posted)?"</blockquote> Philips Saferide front, B&M Seculite+ back, on the mudguard, until a month ago; the Saferide (removed to repair wires) is currently disguised as the B&M Lumotec Lyt Senso I got as a free replacement for the one whose supercapacitor rattled free, just until I redesign my mount to be able to fit a Lumotec and Saferide side-by-side for the winter. Sparebike also had a Lumotec and Seculite but will be upgraded to one of the new Saferides I got the other month when they were dead cheap on Scumazon. Smudge on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162154 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 10:24:40 +0000 Smudge 162154@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Got b&m cyto front and toplight rear on the Brompton, brilliant (badoom tish) lights and can't feel any difference in resistance between on and off. :-) Baldcyclist on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162152 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 10:20:39 +0000 Baldcyclist 162152@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Thanks folks, I think I am now sufficiently convinced that dynamo lights are effective as 'main' lights. I might even forgo the cheap flashies too (although bits of my commute on unlit 60mph roads, hmm, flashies or not?). Seems like either Phillips saferide, or B+M combinations are good. Are they compatible? Does anyone ride Phillips rear with B+M front (I like the look of the light Dave posted)? Cheers. Oh, when they are on, do you 'feel' them, how much extra effort is required? A gear? wingpig on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162127 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:04:57 +0000 wingpig 162127@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I'd recommend the B&M Seculite+ for the rear, as it bolts onto the mudguard, leaving the rack free for a childseat. In two years I've only lost one lens for it, whereas the greater mass of battery rears and their propensity to be juddered out of their bracket by the roads means I've still managed to lose two backup/secondary lights in the same.period. cc on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162126 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:04:03 +0000 cc 162126@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ The thing I like about dynamo lights is that I don't have to remember them. They're already on the bike, they're already powered, they'll switch themselves on when they think it's dark enough. Chug on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162125 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 08:53:43 +0000 Chug 162125@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Hi, I'm a newbie, so please be gentle... +1 for the B+M lights. The Cyo is sufficiently bright (and well-directed/focused) to allow me to use unlit paths at night. @Greenroofer - regarding the Toplight Line Plus, I run mine from a Shimano dynamo and so long as it fits with the folding, don't see why it would be different for a Brompton. Smudge on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162120 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 05:48:10 +0000 Smudge 162120@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ @chdot I could be convinced about rear lights but the B&M front lights are far superior to any battery LED's I've seen for road use. Instography on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162119 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 00:18:55 +0000 Instography 162119@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ B&M lights are fantastic - front and back. Topline rear lights are easily enough. chdot on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162103 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 22:06:47 +0000 chdot 162103@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Just to be controversial... I used to love dynamo lights and dynohubs when battery lights were rubbish. Since LEDs and NiCads (now NiMH) I haven't bothered. Greenroofer on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162100 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 21:51:21 +0000 Greenroofer 162100@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ If I wanted to put dynamo lights on my Brompton, which should I get? I'm too mean to get the Son dynamo, so they will need to work with the Shimano dynamo, but which lights should I put with it? Does a <a href="http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/b--m-toplight-line-plus-back-light/aid:378502">Toplight Line Plus</a> work on the back of a Brompton? What should I put on the front? I need something bright enough to let me ride on unlit country roads... Dave on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162067 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 16:44:05 +0000 Dave 162067@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ If you have a rack, buy <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005LEXEGC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B005LEXEGC&linkCode=as2&tag=damc02-21">this</a>, the last rear light you will ever buy. SWMBO has one on her commuter. We rode back late from the festival last week and I was taken aback anew at how epic it is. You could fit two lights but we don't bother. This one is so reflective that even if you switched it off, the reflection is brighter than a minimally UK-legal rear light to following traffic anyway. DaveC on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162009 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:08:54 +0000 DaveC 162009@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ B & M standlicht aren't very robust. I've had two break. Might get a Toplight Line Plus next time. The Cyo is more than enough light for what ever you need imho. Baldcyclist on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162008 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 11:58:52 +0000 Baldcyclist 162008@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ "Two lights (dynamo or not) is good." Indeed, yes, should rephrase question... Are dynamo lights as a 'main' lights sufficient? My intention was to replace main lights (front and rear) with dynamo lights, and also use (current) cheapish flashing battery lights too. Smudge on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162007 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 11:55:55 +0000 Smudge 162007@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I would use the dynolight as primary and the battery one as backup myself. Smudge on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162006 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 11:53:57 +0000 Smudge 162006@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Got that light on the brompton and going to fit one on the audaxy bike. Plenty bright enough, though a backup light is always nice to have :-) chdot on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162005 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 11:52:16 +0000 chdot 162005@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ "ok on their own, or are they best used with a battery backup?" Two lights (dynamo or not) is good. One 'static', one flashing favoured by a lot of people on CCE. Baldcyclist on "Dynamo lights" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13279#post-162003 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 11:43:17 +0000 Baldcyclist 162003@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ As winter draws near, ok just forward planning... I'll be building up a dynamo hub'ed wheel next month - shimano dh-3n80 dynamo hub on mavic A319 rim. But, regarding lights, how bright do the rear lights tend to be, are the ok on their own, or are they best used with a battery backup? Or forget about a rear dyne light and only use a battery light on the back? I was thinking of the B + M Toplight Line brake plus rear brake light.