CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Stuff

Winter Lights

(111 posts)

1234

  1. jdanielp
    Member

    I'm wishing that I'd got back onto this forum before buying new lights recently: I ended up going for the Niterider Mako 200 USB/Solas USB combo from the EBC.

    Whilst I am really liking the rear light, and the front light itself seems fine, the mounting brackets are not at all well designed. The rear one is ok, if just a bit strange, but the front one is awful... I don't know if my bar is particularly thin, but the bracket wouldn't even tighten onto the bar at all until I used a rubber insert that had been packaged with but turned out to be unnecessary for fitting the rear mount. For some reason it tightens into an elliptical rather than round shape, thus still fails to grip the bar effectively even with the extra insert. Just to top everything off, it uses a quick release ratchet so could be lost or stolen easily.

    My first attempt at using the lights this week ended up with the front light gradually tilting down each time I went over cobbles under the canal bridges, the forward positioning of the light on the bracket contributing to the tilting as well as the grip issue. I am now trying with the bracket mounted upside-down to try and reduce its tendancy to tilt, which so far seems to be working, although it remains to be seen whether this will limit the waterproofing ability in the wet. One advantage of this set-up is that I am able to mount the front light bracket between bell and cycle computer on the right, freeing space on the left for a phone mount, assuming that I get around to upgrading to a useful smartphone.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. Dave
    Member

    A bit of old inner tube wrapped around your bars should make it possible to fix that front light where you want it (and the mechanical insulation may prolong its life on the cobbles!).

    I have written a few reviews of various lights which may or may not be of interest. Although I'm thinking it would be wise to split up the list to avoid the wrath of the spam filter...

    Dynamo:

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. Dave
    Member

    Battery tail lights:

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. Dave
    Member

    Hmm. I clearly had way too much time on my hands:

    Dynamo is the future IMO, although there's a bit of a capital investment to begin with. I haven't had to touch my commuter lights and we're just starting its third winter...

    If anyone would like to compare the dynamo stuff to battery, would it make a vaguely useful theme for a PY or ZZ meet?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. kaputnik
    Moderator

    If anyone would like to compare the dynamo stuff to battery, would it make a vaguely useful theme for a PY or ZZ meet?

    Except it would be better in the dark!

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. jdanielp
    Member

    Thanks for the inner tube tip and reviews Dave! I might well investigate a dynamo system sometime in the future

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    I'd agree with the dynamo suggestion.

    I got my dynamo wheel built up this summer and with some recent murky rides home, and being a little later on Tuesday meaning a first proper ride in the dark, it's great knowing that they are just there, and that you are the battery (I'll bung a backup on for the winter as a just in case measure mind you).

    Posted 11 years ago #

  8. Baldcyclist
    Member

    I have this:
    http://www.candb-seen.co.uk/bikehead-lights/cabs-02-series---cree-xml.html

    It's good, and cheap. Just installed the diffuser thingmy on it too.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  9. Roibeard
    Member

    I've only one dynamo bike, the current "cycle to work" [1] folder.

    It gets grabbed by preference whenever I need a folder and has often been the bike of choice for night time errands too, the only exception being where I know I'll need to lock the bike up outside rather than bringing it in with me.

    I refuse to lock the Brompton for two reasons - why lock a folding bike, and the lock to secure it appropriately would be almost as heavy as the bike!

    Robert
    [1] Stretching cyclescheme to and beyond its limits...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  10. allebong
    Member

    I've considered a dynamo before but it's not really practical for my usage. I have 3 bikes that get regular use in the dark, all of which have different wheel types - one 26" solid axle, one 26" QR with disc brake, and one 700c bolted axle. Plus I've managed to standardise the mounts across the 3 bikes for 3 battery lights plus the mount on my helmet. So I can use any combination of flashy-blinker light, slow pulsing light and steady bright light on both the bars and my head. Normal practise in the dark is 2 lights on the bars, one steady and one pulsing (both dipped!) and a solid one on the helmet.

    So I'd be giving up a lot of versatility if I went dynamo not to mention the cost of new hubs. Still if I come across a cheap dynohub wheel I'd consider maybe wiring up a basic light for the town hack as a little side project. Inevitably this will grow and consume most of my free time to the point where my stack of battery light spares becomes dwarfed by the pile of dyno light parts.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  11. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    I've still got normal lights for the other bikes as and when they are used in the dark, but the dynohub on the Kaff made sense as it's used every weekday right the way through winter. It's a lot of recharging of batteries otherwise!

    Posted 11 years ago #

  12. sallyhinch
    Member

    Can you retrofit a dynamo on a Brompton? The main limitation of mine is the lack of any really functional lighting - not helped by the fact that any handlebar mounted light gets blocked by the big foldy basket. I suppose I could break down and get a dynamo wheel for my big bike and then put my bottle dynamo on the Brompton, seems awfully fiddly on those little wheels though

    Posted 11 years ago #

  13. Roibeard
    Member

    @Sally - I'm sure a Brompton dealer could sort you out with a hub dynamo set, including a wheel, but expect it to be more than the Brompton differential from new.

    Robert

    Posted 11 years ago #

  14. Greenroofer
    Member

    @Sally - did you know about this:

    It fits onto the vertical bits of your Brompton handlebars (assuming you have standard 'M-type' bars) and gives you a place to mount a light that's a bit higher and so is clear of your bag. I have one, and it works a treat.

    You can buy a brompton dynamo from SJS cycles, and have your existing wheel rebuilt (I guess). I'm sure WFB will have the full detail on this.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  15. sallyhinch
    Member

    ooh nifty, I didn't know about that. Will have a look - cheaper than getting the wheel rebuilt!

    Posted 11 years ago #

  16. Greenroofer
    Member

    @Sally - should have added that the bracket itself doesn't interfere with the fold at all, but your light might. I have to take my light off (leaving the mount on the bracket) before I fold the bike.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  17. wee folding bike
    Member

    There is a new version of the Brompton SON XS hub on the way soon.

    http://www.nabendynamo.de/produkte/son_xs_neu_en.html

    As well as being available in black it uses straight pull spokes. I've never had a spoke break on mine but straight pull should make it less likely for those who suffer from problems in that area. You can also get it in other colours or order combinations but obviously I'll be getting all black.

    I've got a spare Schmidt Edelux lamp in the garage on a broken Brompton T3 so I've got an official okey dokey to get a new SON XS for the Brompton S6L in the spring, once I've paid off the M6R I got in July. Yes, Roibeard, I also augmented the cycle to work scheme so I could get built in lighting on it.

    It's not difficult to retro fit. Put the new wheel in place, fit the lamp bracket to the brake bolt, run cables to the back light. The B&M Toplicht with the bulgy bit doesn't seem to fit Bromptons with no rack, it hits the ground when you fold them. The cable to the back light of a bike with a rack runs inside the right hand chain stay (well it's neater there anyway).

    Brompton tail lights have been reported to have problems with the supercap breaking loose. I've had one do that. It still lights up but the stand light doesn't work. The M6R has a Brompton light. If it breaks I'll fit a B&M.

    The Edelux needs heat shrink round the female spade connector for the back light or it will short out through the aluminium lamp body. The polarity of the back light can matter if it's accidentally grounding via the frame. The back light doesn't work and front one flashes.

    I'm quite keen to get one of the B&M tail lights with the brake light and off switch. Brake light because I like the way they have designed it (monitors the output frequency of the generator), off switch because railway stations don't like you showing red lights.

    The next time I fit a SON I'll order Schmidt cable for it. It's supposed to last longer by remaining more flexible at low temperatures. Brompton folding causes some wear and tear on the cables.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  18. Instography
    Member

    Yes, dynamo hubs.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  19. DaveC
    Member

    My local bike mechanic builds wheels very well and I saw a brompton front wheel with a dynamo hub last winter, which he had built for a customer.

    I love my dynamo lights, and have lights on my 3 bikes, I just move the wheel across and plug it in.

    That said I bought two rear battery lights yesterday for a tenner each, as I lost my Smart 1/2 watt rear last weekend when it bounced off after a bump on a steep hill to Dunning. Anyway... these are 1/4 watt and half the price of the Smart. Revolution from EBC. I like to have extra and lights and a backup (though my dynamo has never let me down).

    Posted 11 years ago #

  20. Uberuce
    Member

    If anyone would like to compare the dynamo stuff to battery, would it make a vaguely useful theme for a PY or ZZ meet? - Dave.

    I suggested this as an evening meetup last winter, but there was a torrential downpour that day so it fizzled, and I never got round to organising another.

    If I remember correctly Tom Allan off of Twitter has converged on a similar idea, so I'll take a look at his feed and see if it makes sense to tagteam.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  21. Baldcyclist
    Member

    Bargain...

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/hope-vision-1-led-front-light-with-batteriescharger/

    Posted 11 years ago #

  22. neddie
    Member

    The Blackburn Flea is an awesome wee tail light. USB rechargeable.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  23. paul.mag
    Member

    Saw a guy with a set of these on his bike and whilst they are pricey they look pretty cool and more importantly throw a lot of light http://revolights.com/

    Posted 11 years ago #

  24. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Anyone care to recommend a dynamo rear light? I have the wiring for one, just never got round to installing it.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  25. wingpig
    Member

    B&M Seculite Plus. Bolts nicely onto a curvèd mudguard, requiring no faffing about with rack-mounting bodges. Standlight lasts a few minutes and is quickly-charged for bare-minimum visibility when having to stop at several junctions in quick succession. Replacement glass bits are available for when an SKS clip-on mudguard snaps off and mashes the light between the spokes and rack.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  26. DaveC
    Member

    Definately worth getting a standlight of some sort!. The more LEDs the better, I personally feel. My Toplight by B&M has only one LED built into a wide reflector, so I suppliment with a Battery Blinky.

    The ability to mount a light without a rack is usefull but I'm not too bothered about the little extra weight my racks add.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  27. Dave
    Member

    I've been running the Toplight Line plus as my only rear light for at least 3 years. You can easily make up a seatpost mount if you want using a couple of standard bits and bobs.

    I just installed the Philips variant on SWMBO's rack. It's a bit more funky but also a little bit more ££.

    I also bought the Philips seat post mounting light, but haven't yet had a chance to try it.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  28. Dunny
    Member

    @paul.mag - those things look great! Great to the point of distracting motorists possibly...I'd love a set though!

    Posted 11 years ago #

  29. paul.mag
    Member

    @dunny yeah they should hopefully make it harder for motorists to not see us, there's also the helios smart handle bars coming out as well where you can have indicators and "ambient" lighting in the bar ends. If I had enough cash my bike would be brighter than blackpool tower!

    Posted 11 years ago #

  30. allebong
    Member

    For anyone still needing motivation to buy a first set/more/better lights I'd report my observations while out walking Gorgie road this late afternoon/evening. Though it was still technically daylight, the drizzle, heavy clouds and mist made it very dull and drab.

    A month or so back we were at that time when the weather was still nice and summery despite the shorter days so I seen loads of cyclists out without lights. Today, almost every single bike was running some sort of a light and I can say that even from pavement it made a huge difference. Heck there was someone dressed entirely in black but it didn't matter in the slightest as his light made him absolutely clear and visible from a mile back. Meanwhile the hiviz on some other riders did help somewhat but nowhere near as much as even a basic blinky light. Interestingly, as well as what I assume were regular commuters, there were also roadies and the odd person on a mtb going around, all with lights front and back. Good to see at this time of year given the conditions.

    I could feel the pain of the guy on the singlespeed/fixie without mudguards though.

    Posted 11 years ago #

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