What lights?

Zane · Post by **Zane** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 11:21 am

Hi.

I’m looking to upgrade my lighting system ready for the Nov Bb200 from my budget Planet X torch type light.

Seems to be a world of options and prices vary a lot. Can anyone recommend some options for a bar mount and a helmet mount lights. Not after the cheaper eBay type, but also don’t want to spend a fortune.

Have seen the lifeline Pavo’s 2500 and 840, these seemed like a good balance?

Cheers

Zane.

whitestone · Post by **whitestone** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 11:38 am

I noticed the Lifeline Pavo lights the other day - they seem to be <ahem><cough> copies of various Exposure models. There's no indication of run times at the lower settings, you do need something that has at least one mode that will last 12hrs.

Exposure are the obvious go to but they are very expensive for a low use item.

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 11:38 am

If you can run to it and maybe find a deal, then I'd always suggest something from Exposure.

johnnystorm · Post by **johnnystorm** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 11:52 am

https://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/mountain-bike-lights/

MTB batteries offerings are a good compromise between cost/performance, properly QC'd light units and chargers paired with UK made batteries.

faustus · Post by **faustus** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 11:55 am

I bought a 2nd hand Exposure Toro that's about 9 years old for a really good price. Apart from a slightly sticky switch, it's brilliant and overcomes some of the compromises of cheaper lights i've had (poor mounts, crap charging ports etc.). Battery is still very good too and build quality is clear to see. Those Pavo lights do look good and will do the job if the low mode is bright enough. The compromise will be the mount (exposure mount is the best bar none), and after sales support. None of those may matter much though if you're not using it much.

voodoo_simon · Post by **voodoo_simon** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 12:42 pm

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Wed Oct 12, 2022 11:38 am If you can run to it and maybe find a deal, then I'd always suggest something from Exposure.

Second this!

Lazarus · Post by **Lazarus** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 12:54 pm

As mentioned exposure if you can afford it
MTB ones are good for the price. Mate uses one.
Joystick for your head . Pricey but it will last for decades and who wants to take risks with a light failing.

Lummicycle are also good but pricey. My battery has finally died ( gives just under 3 hours at about 14 years old and I ride a couple of times a week at night.

The cheap Chinese eBay ones are good lights with terrible batteries. Could get one of them and a MTB battery ???
Depends how much use you will get but expensive helmet light and cheap bar is what i would do to save money

Cheeky Monkey · Post by **Cheeky Monkey** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 1:40 pm

Exposure - great. Mode selection a tiny bit fiddly / not-intuitive but not all that hard and (IME) once set rarely changed. Great service with any issues.

Lumicycles - not used modern ones but if same as my old set will just keep going and going and going.

Hope - always liked, good service and great quality. Possibly a bit under-powered but unless you're with people involved in a lights-arms-race should be just fine.

MTBBatteries - not used his lights but have had batteries. Lovely bloke, incredibly helpful. If I were looking for cost/quality balance would choose his.

Anything cheap from China. Bit of a lottery. Some horror stories. Pays your money and takes your chances.

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 1:42 pm

Something always worthy of consideration when making these choices is, resale value.

thenorthwind · Post by **thenorthwind** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 2:05 pm

Exposure. If budget is a concern, you can usually find a Joystick (perhaps a NOS older model, they do more or less the same job) for around £100. I really don't think you need greater output than that unless riding very technical trails in the dark. I'd rather have the ease of use, indication of battery state/runtime, and confidence in it, plus the manufacturer support, than MOAR LUMENZ that may or may not break/suddenly run out.

As Stu says they hold their value too. I got a good deal on mine new, considerably less than some were asking for older used models.

jay91 · Post by **jay91** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 2:17 pm

Last weekends bb200 I used an old joystick (mk8) and a solar storm eBay special with a bigger battery.
We got Lucky with the weather clear sky with a decent moon. So I didn't use both lights at the same time.
Managed to get by fine unlike the year before.ended up using a backup headtorch to try and ride

Boab · Post by **Boab** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 2:40 pm

I used to run around with a single MTBBatteries Lumen 800, but have upgraded to twin Exposure units. While the Lumen 800 served me well for pootling around on the local bridleways and byways, it doesn't come close to my current Strada / Diablo setup. I can't remember the MTBBatteries chap's name off hand, but I've had nothing but excellent service from him; replacement batteries, repairs to the light cable, etc. Highly recommended if you can't afford the Exposure units.

trob6 · Post by **trob6** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 4:00 pm

I have just bought a Magic Shine bar light, the 5000 lumen one, light and spread is really good.
Comes with a back light too which runs off the same battery.
I ride in the woods through the winter and have used the cheapo Chinese ones for years but the batteries are crap, this light is much better, I also use a joystick on my helmet.
Magic shine one was £127.

Cheeky Monkey · Post by **Cheeky Monkey** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 4:14 pm

Unfortunately as well you're at the "wrong end" of the season for many deals. Saying that I've not looked (I DO NOT NEED ANOTHER LIGHT) so there might be something.

For my 2p, Exposure if budget allows or MTB Batteries if not.

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 4:51 pm

Uhm, you know what they say about something seeming too good to be true.

https://shiresfurniture.shop/product/ex ... paign=1905

Cheeky Monkey · Post by **Cheeky Monkey** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 5:00 pm

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Wed Oct 12, 2022 4:51 pm Uhm, you know what they say about something seeming too good to be true.

https://shiresfurniture.shop/product/ex ... paign=1905

Their "About Us" makes an "interesting" read:

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Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 6:25 pm

heir "About Us" makes an "interesting" read:

Indeed, I did notice that after I posted

Leerowe76 · Post by **Leerowe76** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 8:51 pm

Exposure, Deffo worth the money if you have it. Maxx-D on the bars Joystick on the lid

fatbikephil · Post by **fatbikephil** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 9:42 pm

https://www.exposure-use.com/Brands/Exp ... tlet-Store
Good price on a race and a joystick which will do you fine. They have just released the '23 lights so there should be some good deals on this years around. I also have a maxx D which is a monster but the race is good enough and a lot lighter.

Cheeky Monkey · Post by **Cheeky Monkey** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 11:06 pm

Useful to note that what's enough light for one person is supernova to another ;-)

Some folks can manage with a Joystick, personally I think a Diabolo is plenty. Bigger often also gives you more battery life (at lower settings certainly) but you can add piggyback batteries to achieve that rather than buying something with the ability to scorch retinas from several km.

HYOH

benp1 · Post by **benp1** » Wed Oct 12, 2022 11:33 pm

Went out for a night ride earlier. Four riders, bar and helmet lights all exposure.

I’ve had a few lights now and still have a few different ones, but the exposure ones really are good. Excellent mounts too

Cheeky Monkey · Post by **Cheeky Monkey** » Thu Oct 13, 2022 2:10 pm

In what seems like a fit of characteristic / uncharacteristic modesty Stu seems to have posted a review on something at the very "budget but perfectly functional" end of the light market:

https://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/ ... F0mVzDCL0s

Can I just applaud him as well for the use of that most wonderful of all word combinations; "smooth" and "stiff". Masterful

Huwblut · Post by **Huwblut** » Thu Oct 13, 2022 2:26 pm

Nothing but good stuff to say about MTB Batteries. Decent price, reliable, excellent quality batteries and Mark is super nice to deal with.

Used a Lumen 800 with a 2 cell battery and a short lead on my helmet and a Lumenator on the bars with a 4 cell strapped to the frame on this years BB200.

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Thu Oct 13, 2022 2:34 pm

Can I just applaud him as well for the use of that most wonderful of all word combinations; "smooth" and "stiff". Masterful

You'll also note that I'd slipped 'helmet' into that very same sentence

Cheeky Monkey · Post by **Cheeky Monkey** » Thu Oct 13, 2022 2:56 pm

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Thu Oct 13, 2022 2:34 pm
Can I just applaud him as well for the use of that most wonderful of all word combinations; "smooth" and "stiff". Masterful
You'll also note that I'd slipped 'helmet' into that very same sentence

You are a GOD among men

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