Yeah, 6-800 lumen is plenty most of the time. I have a 12 yo Serfas with probably less that 600 (good at the time) that doe just fine for city riding and is plenty bright on settings #1 and 2; just not enough run time at those levels. My new NightRider with 1100 is ridiculously bright and I run it almost always at the lowest setting. My most common exceptions, downhill and the 1/2 mile to my house where the road gradient is uneven and there is no fog line. I get regularly blinded by cars with their lowbeams. Light's gotta be bright to keep me out of the ditch.

Funny "bulletproof" parts - I've watched two riders break cranks and crash. (Front row seat, I was on their wheels.) Tires - I spend real money there to keep my skin off the pavement. I consider them "mission critical".

Ben