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It's that time of year when it's just dark all the time so I'm looking to get a good quality front light that i can use for my daily 16 mile commute and will also get me out on the trail for my first proper night ride.

I've looked at the cheap but super powerful Cree xml's etc which I think would be great for the trail but overkill and fussy for commuting, also I have doubts about the reliability of these to be used every day?
So I'm thinking the new version lezyne super drive xl looks like a good option. You can get this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-super-dr ... ht-loaded/ Loaded version with 500 apparently genuine lumens, a spare battery to help with run time on the trail and a helmet mount.

Anybody had any experience with this or the older version? I'm worried it might be heavy for a helmet mount at 150g?

Also is it anywhere near as bright as the cheaper units a seperate battery?

Cheers

I had one of these, ideal for commuting, no good on the trail. then you would need some of those cheep but super powerful Cree's
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-hl-el530 ... light-set/

There is a low \ mid \ high mode. So no over kill, one set light for commute & trail

I have one of the Lyzene's as well and deffinately not good enought for the trail, not enough distance or width to really see where you are going.

I got one of the chinese torch type lights for the bar that has a hi and lo setting, lo is fine for the road if angled down slightly, then rais it up for the trail.

All in with charger, batteries, and mounts was £27 quid, took 2 weeks for delivery but wasnt in a rush. I have been using the Lyzene as the helmet mount which is fine for the sort of night riding im doing - Thurrock Loop and variations. Might need a bit more for tighter twisty singletrack.

Check out this thread on BR.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... c939aa4099

thanks fella. what I guess I don't like the idea of so much - although haven't actually used one of course! - is having to attach / remove a separate battery pack every time?

bound to go walkies if left on the bike!

[quote="AgentOrange"]I have one of the Lyzene's as well and deffinately not good enought for the trail, not enough distance or width to really see where you are going.

I feared as much....Looks like two lights for two different jobs then.

Dear Santa,
I'd really like to ride my bike a night so...

cheers

I'm all over it....thanks!

In that case go for the torch type, they take one supersized AA style battery which usually come in pairs and get 3 hours burn time out of each. one on the bars for comutting and either a second on the bars or helmet mounted for the trails. They either use a clip mount or a velcro mount.

Thanks all. I've ordered a couple of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261105298786? ... 1439.l2648

Cheap and cheerful so interested to see how good they are.

One thing though is batteries. I'd like to get a couple of the rechargables 18650's and a charger but have read a few horror stories shout low quality units catching fire or only charging for a few cycles then dying...so any recommendations very much appreciated.

Nice! i think they'll be ok but you need one of them on your head if your going into the trails at night.

Good price Hookoo There in Aldi for £11.99 for one.

I ordered one of these last week (Friday). It arrived yesterday and was fitted for the run out last night.

I meant to take a picture looking down a lane of it... damn it's bright!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320856078083

Now I need to charge it and see how well it performs

Looks perfect for the trail and the sort thing I'll definitely look to add to my set up if I mange to get some regular night riding sorted!

I went with the torch option first off so i could use one to commute without having to worry about a separate battery, reckon I might need something else to properly avoid trees in the dark!