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Where to get a good Bike light


AB1990's picture

By AB1990 - Posted on 09 August 2013

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

Hi Guys,

I'm planning to start ride more at night, I've read riding the Oaks after dark is popular...My question is for those that do already or have mates that do what is a good light to use/have? that will really light the way!

[Mod. moved to Geek Gear]

Rob's picture

Depends on your budget. Remember when you could get away with a 8W halogen globe and thought it was bright? Eye-wink

There's a zillion 'cheap' options floating around of the 'magicshine' variety, eg, currently available for 60 bucks:

http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/TGLIHNNPH

For the more discerning rider Lupine have some great gear. Their Piko looks awesome:

http://www.virtuascape.com.au/light-sets/light-s...

And there are many options in between. As with anything, you pays your money and you takes your choice. The Piko, for example, is close to half the weight and brighter than the other option above.

IMHO, start cheap and when that breaks, if you like night riding, go for something more robust.

Brian's picture

I just got the Piko 7 kit from http://www.virtuascape.com.au. Its such an awesome piece of kit. I also got the quick release bar mount for my roadie means there no more need to leave mounting brackets on the bike.

I probably should disclose Virtuascape support SXC Racing Smiling

freddofrog's picture

I've had a $180 Nitelights 1000 lumen for years and still going strong.

Bought a similar $40 one off ebay a few months ago. It survived my very wet Wednesday night solo ride so pretty happy about that. You can buy them cheaper but mine came with a 1yr warranty. I put a $10 lens diffuser on it so now i have a good combination of spot and spread. Not sure how long the batteries will last but if it lasts a yr thats fine. Another battery pack is only $20.

thshs's picture

2 of these after seeing them recommended on rotorburn.

Haven't arrived yet so can't testify to their quality. For $26 each delivered not a huge gamble.

Happy to review them once they arrive. Also use a Light and Motion, Seca 700lm that works really well although the battery is a little too big to comfortably put in a jersey pocket.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-CREE-XML-XM-L-T6-...

chaddemi's picture

Go for AYUPs, they may cost an arm and a leg, but they're light and the run times are great. I've gone through 4 sets of cheap MTB lights from the net and the Batteries just didn't cut the mustard and I ended up spending the same as 1 complete set of Ayups.....

Winco's picture

I have the X1 for my helmet. Excellent quality (light, battery [Panasonic] and mounting). Both X1 & X2 are very bright lights. Very lightweight. Reasonably priced too.
The X2 would give the Lupine Piko a run in the value for money stakes. Though Rob is right, Lupine lights are the dogs bollocks.

http://www.glowormlites.co.nz/products

I purchased mine from R&R Sports http://bit.ly/1citamC and with a Club membership you can get the X1 for AU$166 and the X2 for $AU$210

I intend to buy the X2 to replace my 7UP 1700 lumen light sometime this year as it will be way lighter and nearly as bright.

craked's picture

Great lights , much better than my AY UPs . virtuascape are the distributer and good to deal with.

ahein's picture

The lupine lights ar great I have a wilma for my bars, although they are a bit pricey. Ferei also produce some good lights

rp91's picture

http://www.mtbrevolution.com/
Name is Leonard and he seems to know what hes talking about.

Jonny's picture

Leonard at MTB revolution - sound advice, good choice of mid range lights, and the best customer service ever!!

Ricos's picture

Hey guys, have a look at sonlight bike lights.
http://www.sonlightbikelights.com
These are made here in WA so get behind these guys. all great reviews so far. these guys now have an eastern states dealer , also check these guys out on FB.

Macdaddy's picture

Here is my two cents.
I have been running 3 sets of Magic shines 900lms that i brought 3 years ago from Deal Extreme. Cost $270 at the time for all 3.
2 on the bars and 1 on the nut. The only problem is that on the real rough stuff they may move about a bit , easily fixed with a better mount $10. I ride Manly dam at least once a week if not twice and most times 2 laps so they have had plenty of burn time.
I have since upped the anti a little with a fourth light or third for the handle bars . This is a 1300lms that i got off Ebay for $40.
Whilst the battery did not last more than 1.5 hrs this did not phase me as i have gone for a couple of lipos that cost $35 and run all 3 handle bar lights on these and get 3.5hrs of tree burning light.

I guess my point is Aups will cost you close to $500 You can get 3 x 1300lm lights for $120 and easily out shine anything on the market.
I hope to start selling my 3 light mounting system soon. Will post some photos soon.

Good luck

AB1990's picture

Hi All

I appreciate the feedback, there are a lot of options for me to look into and to have all your input is a real help!

Ill be looking at all the websites linked to me

Cheers
Aaron

P.s please keep me posted on any you may stumble onto in the future

ae93gti's picture

Looking forward to checking out the light mounting system. Quick release, clip in/out somehow would be good for both lights and batteries too. Obviously not on the same mount cause having batteries up there would be wrong.

Oh, and I hear you have a new bike. Looking forward to checking that out too. You should update that post you started, I think folk would be interested, I know I am Eye-wink

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