roashru

any suggestions on front lights without mainstream handlebar mounts. i use my front basket.

steve0257

All the basic reelight is, is a front and rear blinkie mounted at the axle on each wheel. The basic one is totally inadequate as a "see with" light, and I'm thinking the mounting height makes them not so great as a "see me" light. In my case the reelight is a secondary system with a dynamo set being my primary lighting system.

steve0257

There are brackets made to attach headlights to the fork blades and also brackets made to attach the light to the the front brake pivot bolt. One thing to consider, is all of these brackets I have seen have been designed so the light is bolted to the bike, so you're not going to take the light inside with you. Also, those brackets will not work with all lights.

spare_wheel

in my experience, those ultra cheap fleabay and lameazon cree lights simply do not hold up to commuting abuse (e.g. wet weather and daily removal). i've bought a few and the velcro pouch disintegrated or the cord shorted out in a few months. also the batteries are complete junk and possibly even dangerous.

HydroG33r 

I'm preparing myself for the wrath of some users on this forum as I write this post.

I use the L&M Urban 700 light on my bars and the L&M Vis 360 on my helmet. I had my first true commute in the dark yesterday on my way home from work (thanks, Fall Back!). The Vis 360 I'm using primarily for visibility to drivers; keep it on strobe mode and I'm happy with it. I have to say that I was disappointed in the Urban 700 though. I'm not saying it isn't bright enough, but the beam pattern certainly does not deliver the light where it's needed. This was especially apparent on poorly lit streets and MUP/trail sections. It leaks a lot of light out to the sides, and does not throw light as far forward as I would like.

So, now I'm in the market for a new light. I don't know that I want something brighter, just more efficient. Probably looking for a more triangular reflector I suppose rather than the spherical one on the Urban 700. I'm OK spending some dough on a good lighting setup. Even contemplating going with a Dyno system so I don't have to pull the light off and charge it after every ride...

dynaryder

What bike,what basket? If it's a wire basket,you could zip-tie or hose-clamp a light on somewhere. Also,there are lights which mount to the fork crown,and Problem Solvers and other companies make alternate mounts.

edit: if it's a wicker or other solid basket,you could use a Blackburn Flea with one of these mounts. They're very bright lights. The front's don't last very long(I get about 4.5hrs on blink mode),but if you work on a computer,they're easy to recharge with the USB charger.

dynaryder

White LED's require more juice than red LED's,so if your system uses the same set of magnets to power both front/rear,the front just isn't going to be very bright.

mstraus

You could try something like this light mount for baskets. https://www.minoura.jp/english/accessory-e/lh100-e.html

mstraus

No wrath from me, but curious to find out what you decide on. L&M really brags about their beam pattern. I use a non-L&M light as my primary, but my wife has a Urban 200 for some evening riding which i thought was a pretty nice light for what it is (Not as powefull enough for my night commutes though). I was actually considering moving to a L&M urban 700 plus vis 360+ on my helmet, but after reading this I may do some more research.

ben4345

You ask about some specific lights here. You will be swarmed with a torrent of suggestions that digress from your original question, so far it is laughable.

Bikeforumuser0011

Sorry, what is laughable? The suggestions? I have found them helpful. Thank you for your input.

Bikeforumuser0011

It does use the same generator/set of three magnets attached to the rear wheel to power both front/rear. I am thinking that if I go with another generator/magnet set on the front wheel it will add a little more juice to the headlight. Thanks!

E.W.G.M.B

I have a few bikes with a few lights. The light i like most is the metro 300 (i think they just upgrade them to 360). I have 2 of them on my hybird. I also like the minewt pro 750 (on another bike). the planet bike 1 and 2 watt lights are junk (kept them for back up lights or to give to someone who doesnt have a light on them. I dont care for the mitycross 360 ( it seems to washed out ). If you are gonna ride at night alot i would have atleast 2 lights (i always have atleast 2 as things happen (u forget to charge it, longer bike ride then expected, one craps out,etc.)). Also test it if i will effect your bike computer (if u have or use one). I had (still have) some light that will affect the bike computer like my planet bike 1 and 2 watt (they mess up my planet bike computers,sigma and a few others).

roashru

i havent seen that before and i watch for minoura products
.

Null66

I really like my 360+ headlight...
Pairing it with CREE mj-880 clone.

kimokimo

I made a great really bright tail light with battery operated red led Christmas lights ($6), a spoon with holes from the Dollar Store ($1),
and the bottom of a 2 ltr coke bottle. I get comments all the time on the path...as bright as or brighter than the $60 models in the bike shop. Been using it for a year.