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light recommends? prefer USB chargeable

(15 posts)

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  1. the canuck
    Member

    i need another rear light... again. it'll be my 4th this year.

    i bought a set of Kryptonite Boulevards, and really really want to like them. But.
    they don't seem to hold charge if they aren't used. you have to press the light in to turn it on--then they sort of tilt and get stuck.
    the rear light stopped charging, Kryptonite sent me a replacement set (thank you!) but that one could only be turned on by putting most of my weight into it. now it no longer pops out... argh.

    i don't want to blind anyone (i have this crazy idea that we should slow down a little when cycling or driving in the dark). i like ones that can pop off quickly to be stored in pocket.

    and i'm broke-ish. ideas?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  2. SRD
    Moderator

    Aldi/lidl ?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  3. wingpig
    Member

    For the rear, I have a Moon Gemini as my USB-charged backup. Lasts awhile, is small and light so doesn't strain its clip, quite bright. AAA-powered backups are all Mars R1, which are a bit less durable.

    Can't help with a decent USB-charged front as I couldn't find any with a shaped beam and horizontal cut-off, so the two wee Lezyne things I picked up in sales are only used pointing downwards.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  4. jonty
    Member

    Do you need 'be seen' lights or 'see with' lights? I like Alpkit Tao for the first kind.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  5. urchaidh
    Member

    I bought a Cateye Volt 200 set (Evans Link), but I think you can buy the rear separately.

    Pretty good on the whole, certainly no issues with the rear lamp at all. Small, bright (I like a solid light) and it doesn't feel like I have to charge it too often. Has done a couple of winters commuting on the back of the rack without any problems.

    The front is pretty good too, though the rubber band type mounting can be a bit fiddly so not sure I would choose it if you have to take it off when you leave the bike parked.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  6. Ed1
    Member

    be seen' lights or 'see with' lights?”

    I tend to not bother with a light to see with on the back of my bike as although ride on unlite roads don’t do a lot of reversing in the dark -)

    I find the fake aldi lights good the big one does not keep a charge long, the small one lasts for weeks, big one bright small less so, so use both big and small as back up for when big one goes out

    Posted 6 years ago #

  7. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    with a shaped beam and horizontal cut-off

    Yes, I'd like to find that feature on a USB front light. I have a Moon 300 and it's very good apart from that.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  8. threefromleith
    Member

    I rather like the Gemini Iris rear light that I bought last year. Very small, solid, USB-charged and varying levels of brightness (as well as flash patterns).

    Posted 6 years ago #

  9. toomanybikes
    Member

    For cheap, USB chargeable, pop on and off 'be seen' lights, I've just bought my second set of VIOO CLIP 500s from Decathlon.

    They could be a bit brighter I think, I pair the front one with a 700 lumen 'see with' light, but for convenience they're amazing. They come with 2 kinds of fittings and clip onto decathlon clothing and saddle bags, they'll also clip straight onto a belt. I've not had any battery issues either.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  10. the canuck
    Member

    i'm turning into one of those people who gives the finger to riders who want the light of a 1000 suns to guide them home--i had to cycle the north end of lothian road unable to do shoulder checks one evening, because jerkface behind me was quite literally blinding me with his light--it was worse than headlights.

    anyhoo. 'be seen' lights. preferably without batteries, because i always forget to have extras and then they run out while coming home after the shops are closed...

    i do have a decent front light, although i wanted a back up too. but if i don't use the kryptonite for a couple of weeks, it seems to lose charge. anyone know if they can go in the recycling bin?

    i have a look at the recommends, thanks.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  11. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    Spanninga Tanza or Trigon models are USB chargeable with proper shaped beams, if you can get hold of one of them.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  12. neddie
    Member

    The cheap Chinese "Moon rip off" COB lights are good. They come to Aldi every now & then. Possibly could be sourced online as well.

    USB rechargeable, cost around £13 each

    Posted 6 years ago #

  13. wingpig
    Member

    Just had a look at Spanninga; the front of a couple look very much like a Phillips Saferide, so it's good to know where replacements can be found when I run out. A a few more have very similar-looking lenses to B&M Lumotecs.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  14. Kenny
    Member

    Electron POD. I saw fellow cyclist using one, was so impressed I stopped him to ask what it was, then got one for me and one for my partner. Amazing.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  15. SRD
    Moderator

    Evans seems to have lots of lights on good sales at the moment.

    Posted 6 years ago #

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