2019 MTB Lights

[scz4]

So what's everyone going for this year? My budget is £200 max. Ideally £120 to £150. Must be helmet mountable.

From what I can gather the Gloworm XS seems to be the best light at this price point? But appear to be really difficult to source in the UK

The Magicshine MJ-906 is probably one of the brightest, but from the reviews I've read, the beam is not very focused, more a flood of light.

Any other thoughts\suggestions?

Edited by scz4 on Friday 13th September 10:08

[Celtic Dragon]

I can recommend the USE Exposure Joystick. Not cheap , but within budget and a good company to deal with in terms of repairs.

How bright do you need, usually the set up is a very bright one on the bars with a helmet light too.

[scz4]

Thanks for that.

1000 lumens doesn't seem to be very bright, but perhaps if a focussed beam it's ok???

I'll also have an older bar mounted light too (1500 lumens)

[Celtic Dragon]

I run a Race Mk10 on the bars which is 1700 lum. max output and a Joystick mk9 on my lid which is 800 lum. and never felt Iike I needed more on XC winter rides.

GMBN last year did a good video on lights and setting them up, the results were quite surprising on the best placements.

[anonymous-user]

I don't have the current Magicshine all singing and dancing led lamp, but a model that's about 3 years old now and was circa £160.

I use an old water bottle that's been modified to hold the battery pack in place, I stupidly went out for a long ride in the rain and the water bottle started to fill up gradually (I've drilled a hole at the bottom now) and the battery pack fried itself due to being immersed. I didn't realise the battery pack had been water damaged until I'd put a warranty claim in, within 3 days I had a brand new battery pack with no questions asked.

For that reason alone I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Magicshine lamp.

[scz4]

The Joystick got me looking at the Exposure Diablo, looks good -

https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/lights/mtb-light-rev...

[J886ATV]

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

Never had a problem with these guys - have a couple of their lights & have upgraded batteries too

[keith2.2]

Iv'e got an Exposure Diablo (2016) and an Exposure Toro (2019).

They're both excellent, the Toro is head and shoulders above. So it should be, it;s bigger, heavier and cost more.

There is one diablo left on CRC at the moment for 193gbp.

I wo uldn't hesitate to recommend either of them - just make sure you charge properly and work out how to use the light modes - they make a massive difference to how much life you'll get out of them.

[sjg]

Current Joystick is more than enough IMO. I ride with a couple of people who have the Diablo and it just seems like a noticeable extra weight (right where you don't want it), and the extra lumens don't seem like much as it's a bit floodier. It tears through the battery in brightest mode too.

If you have a bright/floody light on the bars already (I have a Maxx-D) then the more focussed Joystick is perfect. I know some do favour a brighter helmet light and weaker bar light though.

[scz4]

Thanks for all the advice.

Ended up winning an almost new Gloworm XE on ebay at the weekend. They seem to get great write-ups.