Front Light

[ZeroPlay]

Hi.

Please help with suggestions for a front light for my road bike, with the following in mind:

 

- Light weight.

- Provides enough light to safely train at normal speeds in the dark.

- Beam shape lights the road, but doesn't blind oncoming cars.

- Lasts at least 2 hours to get through the dark part of an early morning winter ride.

 

I do have a Garmin Out Front mount on the bike with a Garmin computer attached. I also have a Garmin rear tail light / radar combo, forming a "light network" on the computer.

Thanks.

 

Edited Friday at 06:39 AM by ZeroPlay

[splat]

Trek Ion Pro RT Front Bike Light

https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/equipment/bike-accessories/bike-lights/bike-front-lights/trek-ion-pro-rt-front-bike-light/p/41444/?colorCode=black

It is mountable upside down - depending on what outfront mount you have.
You may need an additional adapter and bits.

[WR 1.0]

I recently posted a question the Magene light, but had no feedback. I decided to get it none the less and it's been great so far. 

My only gripe is that it connects to the Garmin (320 Plus), forms the light network with my Varia radar, but then disconnects about 5 min into the ride. Once it is reconnected, it works fine. Few light beam options controllable from the head unit Reviews/ specs actually showed that it only works with the 340 and above series, but this might have sorted with software updates, so I'm happy that it works. Decent beam and battery life seems ok for an early morning ride. Bonus is that you can use it as a battery bank too ( small cable is incl in the box).

I got mine from my LBS in GP. Bought online, got a 15% discount and then just collected it form the shop

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

Fluir Elite 1000lm serves us super well. Had ours for almost 2 years now and still no issues whatsoever. Happily use it on night rides as well including on intermediate tracks at Bike Park at night and a night event at Prime View. Don’t let the cheap price put you off - it’s really, really good. 

Link

Edited Friday at 07:02 AM by RobynE 🚵‍♀️

[dave303e]

Depends what suits you.

I have never had issues with the extreme lights. 2 hours is not a lot of runtime and they simple and very robust. You can get replacement batteries if you need as well. Really just a good option, if not as refined as some of the international products.

 

My other bike light I have been running the last few months is a K-light Ultra racer powered by a son 28 hub. It is hands down one of the best lights for riding. At slow speed you get a nice wide light that does not shine too far ahead. As you pick up speed the beam stretches forward and gets brighter. At 20kmh it is as good as a car light. When you stop it stays on with a dull 'stand light' for about 4 minutes. But it involves wiring, a new front hub and some resistance when riding. It also powers a red flashing rear light and can charge a phone or gps. But it is overkill for the riding you describe

[droo]

Roadie / gravel - Magicshine SF1800. About 2 hours run time at 1800 lumens, which is enough for descending in full darkness. The 900lm setting is plenty for anything up to about 40km/h, and you'll get about 5 hours on that setting. Also has flashy modes if you want to be that guy.

I've got mine mounted under my Garmin on the out front mount quarter turn adapter and just clip it off for daytime rides or in summer. Also works pretty well as a MTB head light if you're looking for a multi purpose thing.

[Jensie]

23 minutes ago, RobynE 🚵‍♀️ said:

Fluir Elite 1000lm serves us super well. Had ours for almost 2 years now and still no issues whatsoever. Happily use it on night rides as well including on intermediate tracks at Bike Park at night and a night event at Prime View. Don’t let the cheap price put you off - it’s really, really good. 

Link

They make it now with a Go-pro hang mount
https://www.rookiesports.co.za/product/fluir-1000lm-elite-gp-front-bicycle-light-go-pro-hang-mount-retail-card/

Edited Friday at 07:24 AM by Jensie

[Spinnekop]

https://www.exposurelights.co.za/products/strada-sb-mk12-gun-metal-black/

You will never buy another light again.
Previous one lasted 10 years before I replaced it with this road specific one

[Robbie Stewart]

I started riding early mornings again, and my front light is due for replacement.

I just have one serious gripe with cyclists riding with their lights in flashing mode. Really people, do you know, or even care, how absolutely annoying it is having to look at your approach while you flash away at ten gazzilion lumens in the black of night while you are riding on a cycle path with no cars sharing that lane with you? It's kuk. That's what it is. Just please, for the love of all that is good, just stop it. Its not lekker. Be lekker.

rant over.

[Jono]

Flashing light during the day though?

[Jaco Steyn]

1 hour ago, RobynE 🚵‍♀️ said:

Fluir Elite 1000lm serves us super well. Had ours for almost 2 years now and still no issues whatsoever. Happily use it on night rides as well including on intermediate tracks at Bike Park at night and a night event at Prime View. Don’t let the cheap price put you off - it’s really, really good. 

Link

This one gets my vote too. I have the exact same light. Long lasting battery and the light can be selected between 300, 500 and 1000 lumens which can have either strobe, flash or constant beam in all lumens settings. 

What I like the most, is the clamp that is tightened with a longish bolt to keep it firmly in place. The lights with a silicone stretch clamp tends to sag during a ride.

[Dexter-morgan]

plus 1 on the Bontrager lights, not cheap but works very well.

[cadenceblur]

I was checking this out the other day - looks like a great option - lots of YT reviews as well.

Magicshine EVO

https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/magic-shine-evo-front-light/140592041/p?utm_source=google_products&utm_medium=merchant&id_producte=142182252&country=za&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17004932335&gbraid=0AAAAADqtrtEk5U76QClhjVTnoTFbCa__L&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxJvBBhDuARIsAGUgNfiXbvKJQYr_EmM6V_XnmoJpXL5RiDLUF2CtOVoWg29AodO2eoibzl4aAq3mEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

2 hours ago, Robbie Stewart said:

I started riding early mornings again, and my front light is due for replacement.

I just have one serious gripe with cyclists riding with their lights in flashing mode. Really people, do you know, or even care, how absolutely annoying it is having to look at your approach while you flash away at ten gazzilion lumens in the black of night while you are riding on a cycle path with no cars sharing that lane with you? It's kuk. That's what it is. Just please, for the love of all that is good, just stop it. Its not lekker. Be lekker.

rant over.

Riding with a flashing light at night seems a bit self-limiting 😂 We use flash during day to alert cars and steady at night to see where we’re going. Flashing at night would probably send me right into a tree if I tried using it. 

[Nic Brigando]

3 hours ago, RobynE 🚵‍♀️ said:

Fluir Elite 1000lm serves us super well. Had ours for almost 2 years now and still no issues whatsoever. Happily use it on night rides as well including on intermediate tracks at Bike Park at night and a night event at Prime View. Don’t let the cheap price put you off - it’s really, really good. 

Link

+1 for the Fluir Elite. Been using my first one for 2 years - bright enough to run for a full night on the "low" mode on jeep track, and swap to med/high for more advanced trail riding.

I bought another for a Munga Grit and it worked excellently, and I've been using them for night-time trail rides on some (black/blue) trails with no issues. Honestly thinking of getting a third as they double as excellent camping torches - bright, wide, good battery, and lightweight.

[Ispeed_V]

Two of these either side of your front fork and you good to go. 

PS: It is Friyay after all.🤣