need a good front & rear bike lights

Squashed
Posts: 118
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:54 am

need a good front & rear bike lights

Postby Squashed » Wed Apr 16, 2014 2:38 am

just wondering if anyone knows of any good front and rear red bike lights?

I had a Cateye brand many years ago that died after many years. I have tried numerous different types since then and have not found one I like. My current type is a Giant brand and I can't get the batteries out without damaging them.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/gea ... 804/47575/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have looked at the new Cateye but don't like them and my mum got one and it stopped working after 2 months. So they appear to be unreliable nowadays :(

I also need a new front light. I had a light that had a rechargeable battery that looked like a bottle and fitted into my bottle cage but that got taken when my bike got stolen. I have had numerous different types since then and am currently using a Blaze 1/2 watt light. I did have a Blaze 1 watt light but they have crappy switches that keep failing. I went through 3 of them in 2 years and only the first one was covered under warranty. Not happy about the shop but that is another story.

I do not want a light that gets charged up on a USB port in a computer. The lights must use AA or AAA batteries. And the batteries must last a while. I have looked at the Blaze 2 watt light but it has a very short battery life, as do all the others I have looked at.

User avatar
rangersac
Posts: 1438
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 11:01 am
Location: Southern Tasmania

Re: need a good front & rear bike lights

Postby rangersac » Wed Apr 16, 2014 8:26 am

Check this thread for rear light information. Front lights are limited in the AA or AAA battery range if you want anything over 1 watt. That's enough to be seen with (i.e. an LED blinky), but not enough to see where you are going, so you'll be looking at some form of rechargeable battery. You also need to specify more information if you want good advice:
- How long is your ride that you want to use them for?
- Are the roads lit or unlit?
- What is your budget?
- Where do you want to mount the lights?
De Rosa Macro | Intense Primer | Wayward Cape York | Cotic Rocket

User avatar
flashpixx
Posts: 746
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 7:04 pm
Location: Maylands WA

Re: need a good front & rear bike lights

Postby flashpixx » Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:36 am

Got a kit from LBS with these two in it. Rear light is blindingly bright. Front is more to be seen rather than to see. Around $120

http://www.moon-sport.com/product-detail.php?id=73

http://www.moon-sport.com/product-detail.php?id=72
Gordon

Riding: Trek Domane SLR 7

User avatar
find_bruce
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 10579
Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 8:42 pm
Location: Sydney

Re: need a good front & rear bike lights

Postby find_bruce » Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:04 am

Best front light with AA batteries is the Phillips saferide - eg €65 less VAT + shipping €15,55 from Rose bikes - better be quick though as Phillips have discontinued production

User avatar
ldrcycles
Posts: 9594
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:19 pm
Location: Kin Kin, Queensland

Re: need a good front & rear bike lights

Postby ldrcycles » Wed Apr 16, 2014 6:33 pm

In terms of rear lights with AA (or AAA, i'm not sure which) i would definitely go with the Tioga Dual Eyes, i have 2 of them and my brother has one, they put out a heap of light and haven't given any trouble.

But now that i have USB rechargeable lights there is no way i would go back to disposables, just a constant waste of money. Sure you can get rechargeable AAs but that is more involved then just plugging a cord into the light. I have a Moon lightset, Xpower 500 front light and Gem 3.0 rear which have had a heap of use in sometimes awful weather without any problems. Cost $155 total from my LBS, they can be had a bit cheaper online.

Looking at the Moon website, my Gem 3.0 is rated at just 7.5 lumens compared to the 35 lumens of flashpixx's Comet R. The whole back end of my bike is lit up by the Gem so the Comet must be absolutely incredible! :shock:
"I must be rather keen on cycling"- Sir Hubert Opperman.

Road Record Association of Australia

NhiTrac
Posts: 758
Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:58 pm
Location: Chatswood, NSW

Re: need a good front & rear bike lights

Postby NhiTrac » Mon Apr 21, 2014 7:27 pm

Front = Supernova Airstream
Rear = Exposure Blaze
Helmet = Exposure Joystick

I really loved our own Ozzie made Niteflux Redzones as they have the best light output and visibilty but I've had three, all of which had to be returned for warranty.

Edit: jusr saw your battery requirement comment... All of the above are rechargable via provided charger or USB.
FOCUS Cayo
BMC Teammachine SLR01

User avatar
outnabike
Posts: 2455
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2013 2:53 pm
Location: Melbourne Vic

Re: need a good front & rear bike lights

Postby outnabike » Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:06 pm

Hi,Squashed
Have you checked out the top of the forums page; The review tech takes you here.... http://www.bicycles.net.au/category/reviews-tech/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Vivente World Randonneur complete with panniers

cp123
Posts: 1498
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 4:50 pm

Re: need a good front & rear bike lights

Postby cp123 » Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:21 pm

mtb revolution - I have a geinea rear light and a 1210 front with 1211 helmet light.

all very worth it.


http://www.mtbrevolution.com/index.php? ... uct_id=138" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mtbrevolution.com/index.php? ... uct_id=215" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mtbrevolution.com/index.php? ... uct_id=174" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

User avatar
MattyK
Posts: 3252
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: need a good front & rear bike lights

Postby MattyK » Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:42 pm

find_bruce wrote:Best front light with AA batteries is the Phillips saferide - eg €65 less VAT + shipping €15,55 from Rose bikes - better be quick though as Phillips have discontinued production
This times a bajillion.

User avatar
The Walrus
Posts: 577
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 11:37 pm
Location: Mullumbimby Creek NSW

Re: need a good front & rear bike lights

Postby The Walrus » Wed May 14, 2014 12:39 pm

I've got an Exposure light for the front, and although it was pricey, its bloody great. I'm looking at adding a helmet light but don't really want to spend the same again so was wondering what budget options people could recommend?

The Exposure is enough to light up the path/road but I thought it wouldn't hurt to add a bit more...any ideas?
Never underestimate the power of ignorance

User avatar
flashpixx
Posts: 746
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 7:04 pm
Location: Maylands WA

Re: need a good front & rear bike lights

Postby flashpixx » Wed May 14, 2014 4:31 pm

ldrcycles wrote:
Looking at the Moon website, my Gem 3.0 is rated at just 7.5 lumens compared to the 35 lumens of flashpixx's Comet R. The whole back end of my bike is lit up by the Gem so the Comet must be absolutely incredible! :shock:
Just added one of these to the rear fixed vertically on the seat post, as well as the Comet located horizontally just under the seat bag. Both flashing but at different rates :D

http://www.moon-sport.com/product-detail.php?id=95
Gordon

Riding: Trek Domane SLR 7

User avatar
ldrcycles
Posts: 9594
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:19 pm
Location: Kin Kin, Queensland

Re: need a good front & rear bike lights

Postby ldrcycles » Wed May 14, 2014 9:34 pm

flashpixx wrote:
ldrcycles wrote:
Looking at the Moon website, my Gem 3.0 is rated at just 7.5 lumens compared to the 35 lumens of flashpixx's Comet R. The whole back end of my bike is lit up by the Gem so the Comet must be absolutely incredible! :shock:
Just added one of these to the rear fixed vertically on the seat post, as well as the Comet located horizontally just under the seat bag. Both flashing but at different rates :D

http://www.moon-sport.com/product-detail.php?id=95


Image
"I must be rather keen on cycling"- Sir Hubert Opperman.

Road Record Association of Australia

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users