by higg » Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:34 am
OK then Wal rides at the back with the 900 lumens and nobody else will need any lights.
I've experimented with using what I thought was a good commuter LED but it's suprising just how little you can make out. Maybe 3 or 4 bike lengths ahead and then nothing, so it's OK as long as your not going too quick. I then bought a proper light, (Exposure Race, 480 lumen, £150) and couldn't believe the difference, on full power it feels like a car headlight. Most of the time I just use it on half power which is plenty good enough. I justified the price by having a part off-road commute.
That said, if there's a group of 5 or 6 and everyone else has lights you wouldn't need long range lights could get away with following someone else's line.
I also heard Tesco do a good LED torch, pencil size. Stick it in a bit of old inner tube and cable tie it to your helmet. Head torch for about £10. In fact buy two and some rechargeable batteries. I've never seen this working but hear they're good enough, just a bit of a faff with the batteries. (Half the cost of expensive lights is usually the battery and charger)
Or buy an exposure Lights Joystick with Li-ion battery, 200 lumens for 3 hours about £150.