Originally Posted by
rodscot
Now that the nights are drawing in, I would like to change my lights. I am looking for some recommendations for a set of LED lights. My requirements are:
Cost app. £20/30 a set
LED lights
USB chargeable, reasonable duration of charge
various flash settings
Reasonably strong output
Suitable to fit oversize, cyclocross handlebar and probably seat-stay - definitely not under saddle as I always carry a bag.
Think, that's about it. All ideas welcome.
Look up "Cree LED bicycle light" on Amazon (US or UK) and go from there. They are all going to be made in China LEDs with exaggerated claims as to brightness but they are still pretty good lights. You'll see claims of 1500 to 2000 lumens but their real output is about 700 to 900 lumens which is still car low beam levels of lights.
I've been using them for about 10 years now and haven't had many issues with a variety of brands. The upside is that they are so cheap that replacing defective ones isn't that much of a burden. I haven't had any that were defective but I have replaced a number of them with upgrades as the LED technology has gotten better.
One caveat: Most of them are going have external batteries. Specifically Li-ion 18650 batteries in a 2s2p (2 in series with 2 series in parallel) configuration That's not as bad as it sounds. Battery packs are as dirt cheap as the lights so getting extra battery packs or replacement or even larger capacity Li-ion 26650 packs is easy and cost effective.
On the other hand, internal battery or integrated battery designs use proprietary batteries which makes replacement of the battery much more difficult and expensive. For example, I have a
Cygolite Expillion 850 which isn't quite as bright as my Cree LED lights. It was about $130 (I got it with my dividend from REI so it didn't "cost" me anything) but it's only about $80 now. If I need a replacement battery, I can only get it from Cygolite and it costs me $40. That's a fair chunk of change for a battery when I can get a 2s2p pack for $10 to $20.