Budget Front Bike Light

Budget Front Bike Light

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Discussion

Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,291 posts

64 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
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Hi all,

Apologies if this has already been asked. I've searched but not found anything particularly useful.

I'm after a good budget front light, ideally about £30. I think realistically this might be hard to meet. Requirements are bright enough to see down some unlit country roads and key for me, not blind other cyclists or car drivers. It's a huge pet annoyance of mine as it is.

Cheap Chinese light:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/BIKIL-Rechargeable-Headli...

This might be a bit too dim?: https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-accessories/...

I can get this for £40: https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-accessories/...

Any others I'm missing?

magpie215

4,551 posts

195 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
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Cateye ampp 800

monthou

4,790 posts

56 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
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magpie215 said:
Cateye ampp 800
These are pretty good. We have 3 of them, they're plenty bright enough for the road and reliable.

Beethree

811 posts

95 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
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I’ve just bought this, PWR ROAD 700L Black https://amzn.eu/d/108kjJQ

Seems bloody bright but I haven’t used it outside at night. It’s more for daytime visibility for me.

Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,291 posts

64 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
quotequote all
Oh I did see those, battery life put me off, but it really shouldn't as I'd be able to charge it without any issues. Will be able to get that for about £40 as well, so more than I want to pay but I'd pay it if it's worth it.

Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,291 posts

64 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
quotequote all
Beethree said:
I’ve just bought this, PWR ROAD 700L Black https://amzn.eu/d/108kjJQ

Seems bloody bright but I haven’t used it outside at night. It’s more for daytime visibility for me.
That discount seems too good to be true? Just read a review that stated the RRP as £99? If its genuine I think I'll get that!

nuyorican

1,328 posts

108 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
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Xenoous said:
That discount seems too good to be true? Just read a review that stated the RRP as £99? If its genuine I think I'll get that!
Me too! Is there a matching rear light anyone know? Would be cool in a silver/ally type colour too.

Beethree

811 posts

95 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
quotequote all
nuyorican said:
Me too! Is there a matching rear light anyone know? Would be cool in a silver/ally type colour too.
They do a front and rear light package.

Knog PWR Road 700 & Cobber Mid Rear Light Set Black https://amzn.eu/d/b3d0Yj3

And definitely all above board, mine was fitted my bike today!

leyorkie

1,678 posts

182 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
quotequote all
Xenoous said:
Beethree said:
I’ve just bought this, PWR ROAD 700L Black https://amzn.eu/d/108kjJQ

Seems bloody bright but I haven’t used it outside at night. It’s more for daytime visibility for me.
That discount seems too good to be true? Just read a review that stated the RRP as £99? If its genuine I think I'll get that!
That seller is Bikeparts which used to trade as woolly hat shop
Check out the website for more light bargains

cml24

1,436 posts

153 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
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monthou said:
magpie215 said:
Cateye ampp 800
These are pretty good. We have 3 of them, they're plenty bright enough for the road and reliable.
I've got a couple. Always liked the cat eye mount, and wanted a self contained light for quite long, sometimes unlit, commutes.

Oldybaldy17

39 posts

29 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
quotequote all
I've been using halfords Bike hut 1000 lumens and 1600 lumens front lights for several years. Use them frequently as I work shifts. Battery life and light spread I find good for my commute.
They pop up on ebay regularly new and second hand.

McMoose

106 posts

27 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
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I was not especially impressed with either of the Cateye front lights that I have owned relative to the price that they were. I owned both an Ampp and a Volt that came before it. Battery longevity was average and the usb connections became temperamental. I have now owned my current Ocoopa front light for a couple of years and the battery life is exceeding my expectations. The mount is not as good at the Cateye products but I solved that by squeezing some superglue between it and the handlebar.

I will mention that I do have two Cateye AAA battery rear lights and they have each lasted a good 7 plus years and are still going strong.

Edited by McMoose on Sunday 22 October 19:31

Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,291 posts

64 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
quotequote all
leyorkie said:
Xenoous said:
Beethree said:
I’ve just bought this, PWR ROAD 700L Black https://amzn.eu/d/108kjJQ

Seems bloody bright but I haven’t used it outside at night. It’s more for daytime visibility for me.
That discount seems too good to be true? Just read a review that stated the RRP as £99? If its genuine I think I'll get that!
That seller is Bikeparts which used to trade as woolly hat shop
Check out the website for more light bargains
Thanks for this. Ordered the kit with rear light for £40. I'm happy with that. Cheers everyone!

Pablo16v

2,198 posts

203 months

Monday 23rd October 2023
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I see you have ordered already but for anyone else looking for a cheap light I bought the BIKIL one in the first link for my kids to share on autumn / winter evening rides, and it has been great so far. Powerful enough for riding woodland paths with some easy singletrack, and good run times too.

Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,291 posts

64 months

Monday 23rd October 2023
quotequote all
Pablo16v said:
I see you have ordered already but for anyone else looking for a cheap light I bought the BIKIL one in the first link for my kids to share on autumn / winter evening rides, and it has been great so far. Powerful enough for riding woodland paths with some easy singletrack, and good run times too.
Yeah I figured I might as well get a good rear one as well, considering the price for both. I'll update the thread once they're on the bike, which arrives this weekend.

nuyorican

1,328 posts

108 months

Monday 23rd October 2023
quotequote all
Xenoous said:
Thanks for this. Ordered the kit with rear light for £40. I'm happy with that. Cheers everyone!
Me too. Will update on quality. Cheers for the recommendation.

WPA

9,775 posts

120 months

Monday 23rd October 2023
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I have used the Moon Meteor for years, really like them: https://www.merlincycles.com/moon-meteor-rechargea...

12TS

1,956 posts

216 months

Thursday 26th October 2023
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nuyorican said:
Xenoous said:
Thanks for this. Ordered the kit with rear light for £40. I'm happy with that. Cheers everyone!
Me too. Will update on quality. Cheers for the recommendation.
Thanks. Nice bit of kit and good value.

Stereolab

197 posts

53 months

Thursday 26th October 2023
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Does anyone here run a light attached to a Garmin out front mount?

I’m looking for something that will attach when my GPS unit is being used as well as when the light is the only thing on the mount.

Ideally for seeing with but would look at ‘be seen’ if the design is right.

Also looking for a rear light mount for a helmet like the decathlon ones where they have a built in clip.


Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,291 posts

64 months

Thursday 26th October 2023
quotequote all
Well I'm chuffed with the Knog PWR 700 and blinder rear light set. It feels really well made, came with quick release mount and a separate mount that I assume if used for attaching to computers or phone mounts? For £40, I don't think I could have got better. Thanks to Beethree for the recommendation!

Not sure these look much different on screen, but they really do in person.

High:


Medium (this was enough to see on unlit roads at 8pm tonight):


Low: