shinew

I'm looking for a front light for my Brompton, hoping to get some suggestions.

It'll be mainly used for car safety, not for road illumination, so here is order of priority:

• Compact and doesn't affect the fold, at all
• Easily seen by cars from far away in flashing mode(this is the mode I'll be using probably all the time)
• As wide angled as possible, I know some LED light also can be seen on the side.
• Good battery life

Thanks for any suggestions!

MEversbergII

This guy here seems to have adopted one of Knogg's lights for his Dahon Mu: https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...l#post16752924

M.

MrSingh

Hi Guys :-)

I'm loving the lights. Single LED but very bright with range of flashing modes. Can be charged using iPhone/tablet plugs. Beautifully conceptualised. When they're on the bike you just don't want to take them off, as they look so integrated and understated. Due to their small minimalist design I can't see how their presence could be reduced any further - excellent for folders. In fact they almost look like they were made specifically for modern folders.

Downsides:

- Anodised aluminium surrounded by silicon. Silicon seems strong but over time if any part is going to go it's going to be the thin strappy parts of the silicon housing. Especially if someone is removing and installing them constantly. Mine will only ever be moving back and forth for charging, as this bike won't be left outdoors for thieves.

- These aren't designed to have a very wideangle spread. Although the LED isn't totally embedded in the housing neither is it standing very proud. This isn't a biggie for me but may be for others. There is side-on visibility but not as much as a lot of the other lights available it there.

Hope that helps,

Atma

shinew

Thanks for the brief Review Atma!
I love the size of the light, being able to recharge from USB is also nice. I'll wait a bit and see if there're any other possibilities come up, otherwise I'll probably get the Knog Blinder 1.

fietsbob

I upgraded to a hub dynamo and use a B&M Eyc headlight and a line Plus toplight in place of the rear reflector.

the Eyc has a decent wide beam spread and is about the size of a ping pong or golf ball .. narrower than the mudguard..
Given German lights dont flash add another light that will ,,

you could use a handle bar mount light and get that flashing mode, take it off the QR bracket when you fold it..

maybe a 1/2watt Superflash (sold as 'planet bike', here..) as a see me , with the dynamo light to see by and the road surface..


Cat Eye has a rectangular White light as well , a number of flash plan modes for the 5 or so LED

and a Fresnel lens to spread it out .. [ if like the red, back one.]

LWaB

We use Cateye lights mounted on the Brompton front reflector bracket using modified Cateye belt clips. The clip is trimmed off just above the light mount with a hacksaw and drilled through for a bolt and nut to the bracket.

The light is TL-LD630-F | CATEYE but most small Cateye front lights will clear the Brompton bag if mounted horizontally. We have also used TL-LD155-F | CATEYE but it is somewhat dimmer.

The belt clip is CatEye Lamp Bracket C1 Belt Clip for LD600/100/120/500/AU100

Elvis Shumaker

I use these on my Bickerton - and occasionally as backup on my other folders: milli twin white - twin pack - electron and have been very happy with them. Li-Ion USB rechargeable, the hold a charge well.

shinew

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions! I've looked through all of them and they led me to discover even more suitable headlights. Eventually I've decided on the Knog Blinder 4.

It's very very bright(for a flashing headlight) at 80 lumens and Amazon currently has pretty unbeatable price for under $25 shipped 2-day with Prime.

The other one I was considering was the Light and Motion Urban 400,

I like it that it's 400 lumens and it can be used as a bright illuminating headlight, and it has those tiny side LEDs. From what've heard, they also offer great customer support in case it fails for any reason.

Both of the lights have solid constructions and they all meant to be charged through USB(Knog doesn't even need a cable). Both of them don't affect the fold on the Brompton. The deciding factor for me was a combination of cost(huge difference, ~$95 vs ~$25), practical usage needs, and Brompton compatibility - while the Urban 400 can be folded without any adjustment, the rear section of the light will protrude a bit on the outside of the handle bar when folded. I'm afraid it might get knocked during my commute while carrying it and break the mounting section which is made of plastic, I've had another light rendered useless like that even though it was still "functional".

Hope this bit of info is also going to be helpful to others.

invisiblehand

I have the 400 after years of vis 360. When my vis 360 died, I asked L&M how much it would be to repair -- I think it's a simple repair with the right tools -- and they said $50. As an alternative, they offered me a 30% coupon on anything in their store. I already picked up another vis 360 so I picked up an Urban 400 ... during the winter I always ride with two lights (helmet + handlebar).