I’m getting annoyed at lights with separate battery packs meaning cables on the bar, but have a glut of 18650 batteries knocking about. It seems a bit wasteful to buy a new bar light with a built in battery.
Does anybody have a suggestion, probably for a 2x 18650, integrated light that’ll take my batteries? I’m not adverse to a Chinese purchase and would rather it wasn’t too spendy. I’ve done the single 18650 torch before and want something a bit brighter. It’ll be paired with a helmet solar storm x2 and homemade battery 4x 18650 pack in my rucksack.
Thanks.
I'd just sack it off. That's what I did with my solar storm x2. Pissing about with batteries and flappy cables.
I'd suggest cat eye volt or the Halfords bike hut light.
Anyone want to buy a solar storm x2..? Batteries and cables not included.
Like the sentiment but that bikehut light for £35 is hard to beat for light output at the price. Just needs some thought on handlebar mount for off road - I’ve ordered a £4 metal mount from eBay to try. Looks light it should be just the ticket. As I got 10% off with the ‘light10’ code on the cycle republic site I only paid £31.50 for the bikehut light anyway.
Budget but brilliant is a Convoy S2 .... they're available at Bangood and Gearbest but I'd get them from the person that designed / has them made as some of the other sights have been known to sell knockoffs I believe .... he sells them direct on Ali Express and has an excellent reputation ....
.... The S2+ has a slightly wider beam if you do a lot of off road.
More expensive .... Zebralight SC 600 although you may need to measure your 18650's they'll only take a certain length, I've got some that fit and some that are too long.
http://www.zebralight.com/SC600-Mk-III-18650-XHP35-Flashlight-Cool-White_p_174.html
I run them both on around 300 lms and get 3 / 4 hours per battery .... if you have any queries on them let me know.
Cheers
I've ordered the Bike Hut light, so I'll see how I get on with that. It is for off road, but my night rides are generally spongy fat bike rides or on the gravel bike rather than clattering down bumpy stuff as fast as possible, so hopefully the included mount is OK to start with.
If you do it up really tight you might be ok. I found it was ok on most trails but if you did any drop offs / jumps hen it could move a bit. That’s just worth the strap mount. There is a stabiliser attachment to use with the strap mount that I haven’t tried yet. That may solve the problem.
With the kind of riding you mention you could be fine with one of the supplied mounts. The light itself is pretty bright but because it was moving a bit I didn’t really try it out properly this week.
The Bikehut light comes with an out front mount, uses a gopro fitting which is also supplied.
It’s really far better than you might expect for £35.
As above - Convoy S2+, best thing for the money.
I'd get an XM-L2 or XPL 501b single cell 18650 torch... or better still get 2 or 3 (2 on the bars and one on your lid) as they are currently available at about £5 each. You can get more cells from old laptops, so all you need is a charger for your 18650s and some mounts (which are usually about £2-3 each).
e.g.
https://www.lightmalls.com/ultrafire-wf-501b-cree-xm-l2-5-modes-led-flashlight-torch-1-18650
I've got several of these... for best results it's worth taping the cells to get a snug fit, and if you are using unprotected 18650s I'd get some thin neodymium magnets as spacers - if the cells are not snug then a sharp jolt will cause your light to change modes as the 'clicky-clicky' tailcap works by interrupting the current to change mode. The OP (Orange Peel) reflectors give a more pleasant beam than the SMO (Smooth) ones in my opinion.
I've done the torch thing before, with the magnets on the cells and have a Intellicore charger and decent 18650 batteries. The torches work OK, but I just wanted something a bit brighter (I've done a couple of bar torches previously one with privacy tape on and one without). I carry a 501b torch as linked to above with a mount in case of battery failure/puncture.
I've just bought one of these... not got it yet but I thought it was worth a punt for £10.99...
That looks OK. Give us a shout when it arrives and you’ve tried it, and see if the batteries are removable too please.
I remember looking at a chinese light the other day that matched your requirements, but I can't remember which site it was on.
I found a similar one on aliexpress here though:
yeah will do, it looks like the back is removable so I was hoping the batteries were interchangeable as I have a few spares too...
Might have been the fenix bc30, remember the battery tray, but don't remember it being that expensive.
https://www.fasttech.com/product/3636600-authentic-fenix-bc30-outdoor-cycling-led-bike
edit, there's also the magicshine monteer 1400...
http://www.magicshine.com/product/monteer-1400-usb-bicycle-light/
has removable batteries and is currently only £50 at PX
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIMSM1400/magicshine-monteer-1400-lumen-led-bicycle-light
I'd seen the Magicshine and almost bought one yesterday, but didn't as I didn't think the batteries were removable! The Bikehut one is on charge now and seems pretty powerful based on the "turning it on in a dark room with the curtains closed test". For £31.50 (with BC discount) it seems spot on.
I did actually find that one on Aliexpress too Mrjmt; it looked OK but the claims of 6000 lumen put me off.
I’ve just had my first ride with the Bikehut light and it’s decent. It stayed in place on a couple of rattly bits and was fairly bright. The mode selection was a bit odd; but I’ll have a play as it might be operator error.
With a solar storm x2 on the helmet it was a good combination. Thanks for the advice everyone.
With a solar storm x2 on the helmet it was a good combination. Thanks for the advice everyone.
I recently posted a query about bike light positioning in another forum as I'm struggling for seat post room and was asking about helmet lights and someone commented
"If you ever have an accident you don't want your helmet light to be the past thing that goes through your mind"
Just made me have 2nd thoughts about placing a light near my head especially as 3 people close to me have had accidents recently and everyone of them has smacked their head hard but been protected by their helmet.
Honestly not preaching but it did make me re-think the idea.
Helmet light is the most important light in my opinion. I’m ok with the slight risk of falling upside down and landing on the top of my head where the light is mounted,
I’m ok with the slight risk of falling upside down and landing on the top of my head where the light is mounted,
I get what you're saying ... one of the accidents was one of my son's best friends whose an avid cyclist and was taken out by some complete A***-e on a roundabout, her bike was written off and she slammed her head into the windscreen.
Thank the big man above she was OK and the helmet did it's job but was smashed to buggery and the outcome could of been very different if wearing something that got forced through the helmet.
I'm absolutely not a preacher and anyone can do what ever they think is right ... it's more a case of if I didn't mention it and you later found out something had happened to someone and you may possibly of been able to prevent it by speaking up you'd never forgive yourself.
Moon all in one lights will open to change batteries. They are really good as well.
My moon front is 360lm and bright enough for fast country road commute.
Moon are great. I have a Vortex Pro. Be aware that they don’t use standard 18650s. You need a special Moon battery which wasn’t that easy to find last time I looked.