I can highly recommend the Moon Meteor lights. I bought a 1200 lumen light 6 years ago and still going strong. Used regularly on my 45 min winter commute in all weathers. Dropped it a few times too. It's incredibly robust. Definitely one of my best cycling purchases.
I have a pair of Cateye Volt 400's that get me through most of my dark commutes and night rides. I also have a much more powerful Magicshine for MTB, but seldom used as it's a faff to get setup. Anyway, when using the Cateyes as a dual setup, I prefer to keep the bar mounted on low (200lm) and pointing downward, illuminating the road directly infront of me. I have the head-mounted one on full for seeing what i want to look at. The reason is so when I invariably meet oncoming traffic (The south, even the rural bits, are full of people), I can quickly turn my head away slightly towards the hedge so as to not dazzle them while being able to still see enough surface infront of me to safely continue. Added bonus: If the oncoming person feels that my 200lm candlelight is too bright and decided to give me their full-beams. I can just rotate my head and give it right back to them! ;)
I bought a cateye volt 300 about 5 years ago. Still use it today, bought the double battery pack. Lights up well even in pitch black. 300 lumens is plenty for urban riding after dark.
Cateye 800 works really well bought one in 2016 and used last weekend it for a over night 400K ride on tarmac rural roads. Temps were 15 to 5c and I got 8 hours at 200 lumens exactly what was on the box.
I use a very cheap copy of the cat eye type one and it is extremely good. Got me through the Drovers Trail recently in dark, wet wooded areas and roads too. And it was a tiny fraction of the price. And when I had a fall and a piece of the plastic snapped (not a fault of the light...light actually took brunt of fall!) the supplier sent me a replacement piece within a couple of days. Will see how long it lasts, but has served me well so far. Many thanks for the videos. I really enjoy them and the production value is great. Keep them coming. Cheers Leon
Hi Leon - might I politely suggest you've been somewhat lucky with that light. I've had, and heard about, more than a few cheap Chinese knock-offs that fail at the worst times due to dodgy circuit boards or poor internal battery connections. Personally, I prefer to trust a brand with a reputation to loose. That said, a good price can be very tempting.
@@alwaysanotheradventure yes you are absolutely right. I wouldn’t normally trust such a cheap product as “you get what you pay for”, but I didn’t have the money to fork out for anything more at the time. I have just been pleasantly surprised by it. And has done me well until I can save up my pennies for something better. Many thanks. Leon
I was marshalling a night road ride my club organised last year and got see a lot of lights in action. It was notable how much further away a flashing white light mounted on a helmet was visible than a similar one on the bars. I bought a Topeak Headlux (£15) off the back of that & use it along with 'see' and 'be seen' lights on the bars.
When you see a load of lights together like that it's very instructive. I've filmed at the Strathpuffer many times and seen all sorts of lighting set-ups. Made me re-think mine.
Hey Simon, I’ve been using Cateye volt 1200 (discontinued) although 5 years old now they are still going strong, usually use one and a small flashing light for on road and two for the trails. Like you I have bought and used many lights over the years but Cateye have been by far my favourite lights. Atb
I've not done a lot of night riding in recent years but I used to commute along city streets and country roads 10-15 years ago when LED lights were just becoming reasonable & affordable. A couple of years ago my club organised a night road ride & I needed lights but didn't want to spend a fortune. I opted for a single Magicshine MJ900 up front with some older light as a back up. I was very impressed compared to the lights of 10 years ago (and this light on its lowest setting was brighter than any of my club mates' equivalents) so I bought another one. (The second light can be used on another bike if my wife wants to ride as well or can be mounted on a helmet mount for off-road.) They cost about £50 each and are still going strong. I just read a review of them (to remind me of the model number) and they only get 6/10 but compared to my previous lights (which got 8/10 back then) these are more like a 15/10. Technology has moved on so much and you don't need to spend a fortune. For rear lights I run whatever Planet-X are selling cheap with a view to not caring if they only last a year or two or fall off and get broken because they only cost less than a fiver. I'd avoid anything really cheap directly from China after some horror stories about chargers going up in flames...
For road / rural B roads I use a cateye volt 500 xc. Enough luminosity, good shape of the radius, robust and water proof. Battery power consumption is not bad if used wisely. For MTB / gravel I have since 5 years a no brand set of 3 and 5 Led lamp with external battery pack. I bought them mainly for Mtb usage, two on the handlebar, one attached to the helmet. Better lighting than a motorcycle. Rear, on road, Garmin Varia. Once you have it, you can’t stop using it. It’s really a safety enhancement for road rides.
great video Simon, I've only ever had one set of lights for the bike, bought them about 7 years ago, lasted well, Lezyne, 800L main helmet 100L and rear 70L
+1 for Exposure, got a blaze, Sirius and now a Strada SB. The other lights I would recommend for ‘being seen’ are the SeeSense Icon+. The flash frequency reacts to changes in speed (e.g. slowing down at junctions), when car lights shine on them, etc. Great for commuting and helping you stand out. The Icon+ models were brilliant but have been superseded by the Icon 2 - same functionality in a smaller package but the mounts aren’t as good/secure. Pair those lights up with a Proviz jacket and you light up like a Roman candle.
Couldn't agree more about ProVis - I'd have one for sure if I still commuted in the city. I'm hesitant about lights which change in brightness, flash-frequency etc in response to different inputs, simply because they have more to go wrong. (I'm like that about a lot of things - Keep It Simple). But if your experience is positive, then that's a great recommendation.
I picked the Halfords 1600 lumen bike light last month for £50 and it's such a great light for the price, it's very well built and seems like it'll last for years before anything goes wrong, especially since halfords products are always reliable. Would definitely recommend it as a powerful light for people who don't want to take out a second mortgage on a bike light.
Exposure really are superb lights - I still use mine regularly. But for beginners just getting into night, off-road riding they're fearsomely expensive.
The British company four4th produce some stunning lights. I have their scorch 200lm light with a spare battery as well as a bar mount snd a mount on my mtb helmet. The scorch on my Sonder Camino is a dream package.
Another great vid. I’m getting a Dynamo hub on my new Sonder Santiago but navigating the set up options for dynamo lights and power charging is proving to be a minefield.
Currently using a Ravemen PR900 - bought off the back of a review in Cycling+ It's very good - though I'm currently mulling over what option to go for, for a secondary/back-up/helmet mount option. The newer version is the PR1200 (if memory serves), so there's some pretty good deals to be had on the PR900 if you dig around
I use a bank of Ayup 3X2 lights on my handlebars pushing 800 lumens per set and also have a LED Lenser X19 head torch which pushes 2500 lumens on top which is great for cycling in the woodlands and I don’t get the excuse from road traffic they cannot see me (the lights are angle downwards so as not too dazzle including the head torch) I look like a Christmas tree but it keeps me safe 👍🏻
I've got Exposure Diablo on my helmet and Lumicycle Apogee on my handlebars. Lumicycle are a great brand. I've got a couple of Exposure lights as rears too.
+1. Worth getting the remote control for a measly £5 at the same time. I'm using a Hope QR mount to keep it tight on the 'bars instead of the rubber band mount as mentioned above.
Would just add that I would avoid the heavier lights that use a “rubber band” mount - as they will, after a few heavy bumps, be pointing down at your toes rather than ahead on the trail. I love a low lumen blinky light front and back, does draw the eye as a driver, pedestrian, or cyclist - although I have also run across far too bright front lights and rear (as you pointed out you need to consider when, where, and weather when picking your lumens).
Thanks for the suggestion. That separate battery pack was something I had more than twenty years ago, hanging off my Dawes Galaxy tourer's frame. I'm happy to get away with that, but I realise for longer off-road rides, the bigger batteries would be great.
I have Hope wheels and a Hope BB on my gravel bike - one of my LBS is a Hope dealer and I like their products. But I'm not too keen on the cable and battery pack option (although they do one light without that). I got rid of that set up 20 years ago. Does it get in the way for you William?
I fit the battery on top of the top tube with the cable facing the seat. The cable then loops back around headtube whichever side you choose. Another advantage is that i also run my back light off the same battery. My enduro 2 lights must be at least 6 years old but 2 years ago Hope put a new power cable on the light free of charge.
@@williamchristie4977 That's great service and I can see how it works well. But... I'd find the battery pack a pain. Just my preference and I'm pleased it works for you.
Exposure is a top brand as is Cateye. Personally I’m not a fan of complicated lights - more time go wrong. But I’m testing a Cliq at the moment which is holding up well. I’m not bothered that it gets brighter as I brake but I like the built-in movement alarm which triggers an alert on your phone if you’re in a cafe and it’s moved. Questions raised online about their customer service though.
Been a big fan of the Moon lights for a while,great build quality. However, just gone for a Knog PWR setup on the front of my gravel bike. 600l for summer, 1000l for winter, and the battery banks also go in their bluetooth speaker and camplights!
Wow! In these straitened times with a lot of people without two halfpennies to rub together, spending £150/200 on bike lights appears almost obscene...sorry! Some people spend that on a decent second hand bike. I don't know what other people think? Perhaps I'm out of touch but I could never justify that expenditure on bike lights.
You're entitled to your opinion, but I think you're wrong 'obscene' is a bit strong. Fort William isn't exactly an affluent area, yet my local bikes shops have been selling bikes as fast as they get them in stock since the start of Covid. At a range of prices. To some people £160 is a heck of a lot of money, it's relative to your needs and interests. To help drivers see you clearly and if you're going to ride at night a good set is worth the money and these are decent value in my view. Cheap Chinese versions tend not to last, going dark at inopportune moments.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Sorry Simon but a lot of people are on a budget these days.Especially if they have been laid off work or their business has been closed down. I still think £200 for bike lights is never going to be a realistic option for a lot of cyclists.
@@blackdogwildtrails3123 I really do understand your point, but on that basis no-one would ever test or review anything that cost more than a few quid, just in case some cyclists couldn't afford it. I think you're wrong, and the way they're selling in my LBS backs that up. If it had been the £500 Exposure light I'd have agreed with you. Many other brands mentioned in the comments here are more expensive that Cateye which is mass market. One person I've been in discussion with says he bought something cheap, and I've agreed with him, I can't assume everyone would fork out £160 on lights. But many will.
Another great review. I think you light lumens scale for different applications is spot on. I personally use a NiteRider 850 lumen light on my handlebars and a NR 750 on my helmet. Here is a video of my night ride a couple weeks ago.th-cam.com/video/z0BCcvsPd4k/w-d-xo.html
In my opinion a flashing light is a must , especially during the daytime, so much more visible to car drivers than a solid light, head/helmet torches are most useful on the trails at night though...
Why? Is a pulse better - constant light which brightens like a flash? When I use it on the front in daytime I find car drivers see, and react to me, far quicker so I feel safer. At night I use one static one pulse on the rear and all static on the front. I believe Germany reserves different flashing lights for different emergency services but even there cyclists still use them in conjunction with a static light.
Correct flashing lights are illegal for road use in Germany. Ultimately they don’t want lights directed at the horizon so that they blind approaching road users. I’m in a pickle because I want a bike light to illuminate trails if I’m caught in the forest late and also to do some night riding. But I will return to Germany soon and need to consider if I get a powerful exposure light that I will only be able to use on off-road sections in Germany. But then pedestrians and other cyclists may be dazzled. Mutual respect for following the law is big in Germany and I don’t want to agitate anyone.
There are LOADS of other great bike light brands out there and you'll find many suggestions in the comments.
I can highly recommend the Moon Meteor lights. I bought a 1200 lumen light 6 years ago and still going strong. Used regularly on my 45 min winter commute in all weathers. Dropped it a few times too. It's incredibly robust. Definitely one of my best cycling purchases.
I have a pair of Cateye Volt 400's that get me through most of my dark commutes and night rides. I also have a much more powerful Magicshine for MTB, but seldom used as it's a faff to get setup. Anyway, when using the Cateyes as a dual setup, I prefer to keep the bar mounted on low (200lm) and pointing downward, illuminating the road directly infront of me. I have the head-mounted one on full for seeing what i want to look at. The reason is so when I invariably meet oncoming traffic (The south, even the rural bits, are full of people), I can quickly turn my head away slightly towards the hedge so as to not dazzle them while being able to still see enough surface infront of me to safely continue.
Added bonus: If the oncoming person feels that my 200lm candlelight is too bright and decided to give me their full-beams. I can just rotate my head and give it right back to them! ;)
I bought a cateye volt 300 about 5 years ago. Still use it today, bought the double battery pack. Lights up well even in pitch black.
300 lumens is plenty for urban riding after dark.
Cateye 800 works really well bought one in 2016 and used last weekend it for a over night 400K ride on tarmac rural roads. Temps were 15 to 5c and I got 8 hours at 200 lumens exactly what was on the box.
I use a very cheap copy of the cat eye type one and it is extremely good. Got me through the Drovers Trail recently in dark, wet wooded areas and roads too. And it was a tiny fraction of the price. And when I had a fall and a piece of the plastic snapped (not a fault of the light...light actually took brunt of fall!) the supplier sent me a replacement piece within a couple of days. Will see how long it lasts, but has served me well so far.
Many thanks for the videos. I really enjoy them and the production value is great. Keep them coming.
Cheers
Leon
Hi Leon - might I politely suggest you've been somewhat lucky with that light. I've had, and heard about, more than a few cheap Chinese knock-offs that fail at the worst times due to dodgy circuit boards or poor internal battery connections. Personally, I prefer to trust a brand with a reputation to loose. That said, a good price can be very tempting.
@@alwaysanotheradventure yes you are absolutely right. I wouldn’t normally trust such a cheap product as “you get what you pay for”, but I didn’t have the money to fork out for anything more at the time. I have just been pleasantly surprised by it. And has done me well until I can save up my pennies for something better.
Many thanks.
Leon
@@NameisLeon Yeah, good point. I shouldn't assume everyone can fork out £160 on lights
This was a very good video and seems like a great channel. Liked and SUBSCRIBED!
Thank you!
I was marshalling a night road ride my club organised last year and got see a lot of lights in action. It was notable how much further away a flashing white light mounted on a helmet was visible than a similar one on the bars. I bought a Topeak Headlux (£15) off the back of that & use it along with 'see' and 'be seen' lights on the bars.
When you see a load of lights together like that it's very instructive. I've filmed at the Strathpuffer many times and seen all sorts of lighting set-ups. Made me re-think mine.
Hey Simon, I’ve been using Cateye volt 1200 (discontinued) although 5 years old now they are still going strong, usually use one and a small flashing light for on road and two for the trails. Like you I have bought and used many lights over the years but Cateye have been by far my favourite lights. Atb
Thanks for sharing that Kevin
I've not done a lot of night riding in recent years but I used to commute along city streets and country roads 10-15 years ago when LED lights were just becoming reasonable & affordable.
A couple of years ago my club organised a night road ride & I needed lights but didn't want to spend a fortune. I opted for a single Magicshine MJ900 up front with some older light as a back up. I was very impressed compared to the lights of 10 years ago (and this light on its lowest setting was brighter than any of my club mates' equivalents) so I bought another one. (The second light can be used on another bike if my wife wants to ride as well or can be mounted on a helmet mount for off-road.) They cost about £50 each and are still going strong. I just read a review of them (to remind me of the model number) and they only get 6/10 but compared to my previous lights (which got 8/10 back then) these are more like a 15/10. Technology has moved on so much and you don't need to spend a fortune.
For rear lights I run whatever Planet-X are selling cheap with a view to not caring if they only last a year or two or fall off and get broken because they only cost less than a fiver.
I'd avoid anything really cheap directly from China after some horror stories about chargers going up in flames...
Thanks to you I bought a front and rear exposure light. Thank you.
They'll be pleased to hear that!
For road / rural B roads I use a cateye volt 500 xc. Enough luminosity, good shape of the radius, robust and water proof. Battery power consumption is not bad if used wisely.
For MTB / gravel I have since 5 years a no brand set of 3 and 5 Led lamp with external battery pack. I bought them mainly for Mtb usage, two on the handlebar, one attached to the helmet. Better lighting than a motorcycle.
Rear, on road, Garmin Varia. Once you have it, you can’t stop using it. It’s really a safety enhancement for road rides.
great video Simon, I've only ever had one set of lights for the bike, bought them about 7 years ago, lasted well, Lezyne, 800L main helmet 100L and rear 70L
Good combination John
+1 for Exposure, got a blaze, Sirius and now a Strada SB. The other lights I would recommend for ‘being seen’ are the SeeSense Icon+. The flash frequency reacts to changes in speed (e.g. slowing down at junctions), when car lights shine on them, etc. Great for commuting and helping you stand out. The Icon+ models were brilliant but have been superseded by the Icon 2 - same functionality in a smaller package but the mounts aren’t as good/secure. Pair those lights up with a Proviz jacket and you light up like a Roman candle.
Couldn't agree more about ProVis - I'd have one for sure if I still commuted in the city. I'm hesitant about lights which change in brightness, flash-frequency etc in response to different inputs, simply because they have more to go wrong. (I'm like that about a lot of things - Keep It Simple). But if your experience is positive, then that's a great recommendation.
I picked the Halfords 1600 lumen bike light last month for £50 and it's such a great light for the price, it's very well built and seems like it'll last for years before anything goes wrong, especially since halfords products are always reliable. Would definitely recommend it as a powerful light for people who don't want to take out a second mortgage on a bike light.
Sounds great Nicholas
For me it's Exposure lights every time. They are so reliable. Also Very accurately calculated battery life. UK made.
Exposure really are superb lights - I still use mine regularly. But for beginners just getting into night, off-road riding they're fearsomely expensive.
The British company four4th produce some stunning lights. I have their scorch 200lm light with a spare battery as well as a bar mount snd a mount on my mtb helmet. The scorch on my Sonder Camino is a dream package.
I’ll look them up
Another great vid. I’m getting a Dynamo hub on my new Sonder Santiago but navigating the set up options for dynamo lights and power charging is proving to be a minefield.
I've never used a dynamo hub. A couple of good power banks have been all I needed for 2-3 days. I'll be interested to hear how you get on.
I’m using the Ravemen 1600 Lumen on my gravel rides. One good feature is the little wireless remote that comes with the package.
Remote sounds interesting and means you can put this on helmet of under bars and not faff around looking for the button - good idea Johan.
Currently using a Ravemen PR900 - bought off the back of a review in Cycling+
It's very good - though I'm currently mulling over what option to go for, for a secondary/back-up/helmet mount option. The newer version is the PR1200 (if memory serves), so there's some pretty good deals to be had on the PR900 if you dig around
I use a bank of Ayup 3X2 lights on my handlebars pushing 800 lumens per set and also have a LED Lenser X19 head torch which pushes 2500 lumens on top which is great for cycling in the woodlands and I don’t get the excuse from road traffic they cannot see me (the lights are angle downwards so as not too dazzle including the head torch) I look like a Christmas tree but it keeps me safe 👍🏻
How does the head torch work with the helmet? Does it sit under the rim or on top?
I've got Exposure Diablo on my helmet and Lumicycle Apogee on my handlebars. Lumicycle are a great brand. I've got a couple of Exposure lights as rears too.
Thanks for sharing that Richard - I hadn't heard about Lumicycle
Halfords 1600 front, great light👍🚴♀️🏴
Thanks Stephen - good to know.
+1. Worth getting the remote control for a measly £5 at the same time. I'm using a Hope QR mount to keep it tight on the 'bars instead of the rubber band mount as mentioned above.
Would just add that I would avoid the heavier lights that use a “rubber band” mount - as they will, after a few heavy bumps, be pointing down at your toes rather than ahead on the trail.
I love a low lumen blinky light front and back, does draw the eye as a driver, pedestrian, or cyclist - although I have also run across far too bright front lights and rear (as you pointed out you need to consider when, where, and weather when picking your lumens).
I've not had the misfortune to have one sag on me, but today I lost my clip-on light from the seat pack, which is annoying.
if you can put up with a seperate battery - the sigma buster 2000, waterproof & lasts ages even on high and has a wireless remote
Thanks for the suggestion. That separate battery pack was something I had more than twenty years ago, hanging off my Dawes Galaxy tourer's frame. I'm happy to get away with that, but I realise for longer off-road rides, the bigger batteries would be great.
Hope lights. Quality British made and their after sales service is brilliant.
I have Hope wheels and a Hope BB on my gravel bike - one of my LBS is a Hope dealer and I like their products. But I'm not too keen on the cable and battery pack option (although they do one light without that). I got rid of that set up 20 years ago. Does it get in the way for you William?
I fit the battery on top of the top tube with the cable facing the seat. The cable then loops back around headtube whichever side you choose. Another advantage is that i also run my back light off the same battery.
My enduro 2 lights must be at least 6 years old but 2 years ago Hope put a new power cable on the light free of charge.
@@williamchristie4977 That's great service and I can see how it works well. But... I'd find the battery pack a pain. Just my preference and I'm pleased it works for you.
Any recommendations for a good back light?? Happy to spend a decent amount rather than buy cheap and buy twice!
Exposure is a top brand as is Cateye. Personally I’m not a fan of complicated lights - more time go wrong. But I’m testing a Cliq at the moment which is holding up well. I’m not bothered that it gets brighter as I brake but I like the built-in movement alarm which triggers an alert on your phone if you’re in a cafe and it’s moved. Questions raised online about their customer service though.
Exposure lights for me. Diablo on my helmet and a MaXx D on my bars.
Now I know why is scotland so Green, it's always raining 🌧️🌧️🌧️
The best light I have owned is the Vis 1000.
Really clear vid!
Glad you think so Oliver!
Been a big fan of the Moon lights for a while,great build quality. However, just gone for a Knog PWR setup on the front of my gravel bike. 600l for summer, 1000l for winter, and the battery banks also go in their bluetooth speaker and camplights!
Thanks for sharing Nik - some good brands there too.
rockbros, 1000 lumen, rlly good at night
Exposure and lupine for me... 1500+ for off road mtb
Love your handle - Fish Are Friends
i just use battery powered telescopic small flashlight with blinking capability.
Wow! In these straitened times with a lot of people without two halfpennies to rub together, spending £150/200 on bike lights appears almost obscene...sorry! Some people spend that on a decent second hand bike. I don't know what other people think? Perhaps I'm out of touch but I could never justify that expenditure on bike lights.
You're entitled to your opinion, but I think you're wrong 'obscene' is a bit strong. Fort William isn't exactly an affluent area, yet my local bikes shops have been selling bikes as fast as they get them in stock since the start of Covid. At a range of prices.
To some people £160 is a heck of a lot of money, it's relative to your needs and interests. To help drivers see you clearly and if you're going to ride at night a good set is worth the money and these are decent value in my view. Cheap Chinese versions tend not to last, going dark at inopportune moments.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Sorry Simon but a lot of people are on a budget these days.Especially if they have been laid off work or their business has been closed down. I still think £200 for bike lights is never going to be a realistic option for a lot of cyclists.
@@blackdogwildtrails3123 I really do understand your point, but on that basis no-one would ever test or review anything that cost more than a few quid, just in case some cyclists couldn't afford it. I think you're wrong, and the way they're selling in my LBS backs that up. If it had been the £500 Exposure light I'd have agreed with you.
Many other brands mentioned in the comments here are more expensive that Cateye which is mass market. One person I've been in discussion with says he bought something cheap, and I've agreed with him, I can't assume everyone would fork out £160 on lights. But many will.
Another great review. I think you light lumens scale for different applications is spot on. I personally use a NiteRider 850 lumen light on my handlebars and a NR 750 on my helmet. Here is a video of my night ride a couple weeks ago.th-cam.com/video/z0BCcvsPd4k/w-d-xo.html
Another great suggestion
Nothing under 2000 lumens.
Germany has the right idea. Flashing bike lights are a menace and should be banned in the UK. Also people who use head torches as bike lights.
In my opinion a flashing light is a must , especially during the daytime, so much more visible to car drivers than a solid light, head/helmet torches are most useful on the trails at night though...
Why? Is a pulse better - constant light which brightens like a flash? When I use it on the front in daytime I find car drivers see, and react to me, far quicker so I feel safer. At night I use one static one pulse on the rear and all static on the front. I believe Germany reserves different flashing lights for different emergency services but even there cyclists still use them in conjunction with a static light.
Correct flashing lights are illegal for road use in Germany. Ultimately they don’t want lights directed at the horizon so that they blind approaching road users. I’m in a pickle because I want a bike light to illuminate trails if I’m caught in the forest late and also to do some night riding. But I will return to Germany soon and need to consider if I get a powerful exposure light that I will only be able to use on off-road sections in Germany. But then pedestrians and other cyclists may be dazzled. Mutual respect for following the law is big in Germany and I don’t want to agitate anyone.