Bromptons, lights and London...

[Hard-Drive]

I'm looking for lights for my Brompton and I have two questions.

First, I want to fit a front light on one of those brackets that mounts on the front caliper bolt, so the light is less exposed when the bike is folded. Has anyone had any good experiences with some of the Cateye/Garmin mount style lights available on AliExpress? Most lights are made in China anyway, so it seems a reasonable way to purchase? I want something that's primarily more about "being seen" but has got some power behind it to "see" too. It does not need to have the kind of power that I'd use for "proper" road or gravel riding at night though.

Second question, I'm a huge fan of my Garmin Varia radar light on my road bike, and on the quiet rural roads I usually ride for fun on, it's an absolute game changer. What are they like in London? I wonder if it's just going to be way too much info/targets/bleeps, and rather than fitting a Garmin bracket on the back of my Brompton I'm just better with a smaller, standard light.

Thoughts? Thanks!

[Chrisgr31]

Lights are obviously a good idea however in London I find as a pedestrian all the lights merge in to one another and it can be difficult to see cyclists because of all the other lights that are around. I’d be inclined to go for 2 lights, so one can flash which should help you be seen.

[Davidos]

These seem new from Brompton - neat mounting options...
https://www.brompton.com/p/990/brompton-be-seen-li...

[Pip1968]

Davidos said:

These seem new from Brompton - neat mounting options...
https://www.brompton.com/p/990/brompton-be-seen-li...

With this one I think the downside to one so close to the seat is in winter a jacket or coat will cover the light. The upside to an extended seat post is it can go lower and not get in the way when the bike is folded. Brompton has another back light that used to go by the rear brake caliper but I think these are too low. So many people have SUVs and the like I am sure they cannot see you once close.

I am with ChrisGR31. Two makes sense one flashing and one with the light fully on. I was cycling around Wellington Arch, and Mayfair and at night with two on the front as going round the Arch on the road at night is edge of the seat stuff. There are just too many other lights.

Best of luck.

Pip