[Closed] Whats the cheapest mtb light worth having (with integrated battery)?

Have 3 Joysticks of various generations, all used regularly by me and wife.
The oldest one is 6 years old now but still works perfectly well. All are nice and light and give a good beam, although I have to say I prefer the lower lumen count but tighter spot of the older lights. That said, the newer ones are still fantastic.
So as others have said, rather than faffing with Chinese torches, boding brackets etc go Exposure.

Mos can we have some more pictures of the mount?
Looked on my lights and there doesn't seem to be enough meat anywhere. I have a Hope mount going spare in my bits box would like to put it to use.

Anyone got a user review of the Evolva light that was linked on the first page? That looks a great light at a great price.

I will have in a week when I've used it in anger. Just received it and first impressions, quality-wise are very good. Comes in a lovely box and just has a feel of quality about it.
I think I got a little free rear light too...
🙂

Kayak23 - what i really want to know is if its more of a spot beam or floody? Got a solarstorm on the lid for beam but need something floody/wide for the bars.

Tempted to try the cheaper £29 version. Both look good value.

[img] [/img]

I have one of these and it works well. £38.95 from High on Bikes. My limited off road use would suggest its a bit too wide for haring through the woods as an only light. But great on the road. Hoping to add something similar but more spotty on my head

Agree with others that the evolva light linked to near the beginning of this thread looks great for the money, one Xmas present request sorted. Proper batteries and the latest xml's in a small package, the ideal winter road bike/commuter light for me.

blader1611 - Member
Kayak23 - what i really want to know is if its more of a spot beam or floody?

Did a little test for you. Not on the bike but you get the idea.

The first couple of settings are more for things to see you rather than for you to see things I think.
Impressed with the light. Not sure what the random strobe setting is meant for mind. 😀

My Evolva arrived yesterday, seems perfect for night rides on the roadie. Pretty impressed with the whole package, will get to test it properly on the Chain-gang on Wednesday evening.

Kayak - the "random strobe" setting is SOS. Dot, dot, dot, dash, dash, dash, dot, dot, dot 😀

Kayak23 - really appreciate the trouble you went to there, thank you very much. Looks a nice wide beam which is exactly what i need and has now been ordered for xmas for me. Thanks.
That strobe light is headache inducing.

Sos! Ha, makes sense 😆

Kayak - made me laugh so thanks.

That evolva light looks ace. Im not entirely convinced by the xeccon 900... its ok just not amazing

Now i might get flamed for this now but has anyone seen any bike lights in their travels which could he used for protection (if im attacked).

I got shouted at today for being on the pavement on the bike (with the dog) however the funny thing is i pulled to oneside stopped and waited for the pedestrian to pass (as we always do). Im not sure the guy was all there tbh... he looked homeless and possibly drunk however i felt threatened and if i had a triple d maglite i might have reached for it

Ill probably stick to a large off road path nearby from now on however occasionaly there are groups of young men hanging around! cant win!

Zippy, not been on here for a day or 2 but will get some pics later tonight.

yep, 2 Joysticks and 4 handlebar mounts on different bikes, all second hand, all do the job grand.................

I've just bought an ITUO Wiz20 and an ITUO XP3. The difference in quality and usability (from cheap Chinese lights) is amazing and I'm really very pleased with these two. I'm using the Wiz20 bar mounted (1500 lumens), it has internal batteries and the XP3 is a fantastic lightweight helmet light (2300 lumens) but could be as easily bar mounted. Both of these were reviewed by Singletrack and received a 'Recommended' which prompted me to look closer. Very pleased indeed with these.
If you look on the Singletrack reviews page for lights (link below) you should see the reviews - http://singletrackworld.com/reviews/category/lights/

Seems to be a few first posts from new members extolling the virtues of ITUO, very suspicious.

Crappy pics of the hope mount.
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[url= https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5524/30574960550_6fdfba720b_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5524/30574960550_6fdfba720b_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/NzNEyf ]DSC_0370[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/65116677@N02/ ]marcusandcath[/url], on Flickr

Gary_M - Member

Seems to be a few first posts from new members extolling the virtues of ITUO, very suspicious.

Well I'm not a new member and have to concur that the Ituo lights are actually a real game changer in terms of quality and value for money. Just take a trip over to the MTBR Lights and Night Riding forum where they have been available for a lot longer than the UK and you will see nothing but praise for these lights.

Bontrager Ion 800?

Gary_M - Member
Seems to be a few first posts from new members extolling the virtues of ITUO, very suspicious.

POSTED 15 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST

[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/2016-which-lights/page/5#post-8075949 ]yeah, some on here too....[/url]

So I just put 20 dark miles into the Evolva and thought I'd update my thoughts.

The good - it's....really good. Dead bright, good spread, easy to cycle through the settings and remembers your last setting when you turn it off and on.
Lasted my ride no problem. Doubtless plenty of juice left.

The not so good - The clamp seemed to not be up to the job. To be fair, clamped to my shiny carbon bar it was a big ask for it to stay put, but every slight bit of #gnar it would promptly drop and illuminate the front wheel. In fact, I hit a nice jump off a chunky root and when I landed it was pointing totally down which was interesting at speed.
It defo needs a rubber collar or something stuck on the bar to resist rotation. With this I reckon it would be nearly spot on, but I suspect a clamp mount such as above would work better.

The screw that attaches the unit itself to the clamp came undone too. It screws in by way of a knurled knob. So the light went wobbly and pointed sideways. Quick stop and done up again and it seemed alright.

So, great light imho, very impressed with that. Clamp, not so much. Needs a hack to get it bombproof.

Skateboard tape on the bars stops lights rotating and it's very cheap.

Kayak23:

Do you think this would work as a helmet light or is it too big/heavy?

A

It is a little weighty but I think you'd not notice it after a while so long as it's well centred.
That's what I bought it for originally but am enjoying the lack of separate battery pack over my other lights.

Lots of Fenix LD50 homages on ebay About £11.50 without batteries in China to £20.00 with batteries and charger in UK. 2x xml, 2x 18650, 7 modes of mode overkill. High-mid-low-strobe-sos-left-right-off. The low mode is a bit strobey. The handlebar mount is a bit wobbly but can be fixed by melting the plastic. Once locked in place it could be more vulnerable to damage in a crash. There's a review over on Bike radar big lights thread 2011-2014 p165.
[img] [/img]

Kayak23

Nice one - cheers! Thinking of getting a couple now......

A

Kayak23 - it seems your Evolva review has crossed the pond. Its on page 4 if the link below doesnt go to that page.

[url= http://forums.mtbr.com/lights-night-riding/new-cheap-o-chinese-led-bike-lights-2016-a-999426-4.html ]Linky[/url]

Used my Evolva on a 25 mile night, road ride last night and I'd agree with Kayak - I don't think, as supplied, it would be good for MTB use.

The bar clamp/mounting isn't secure enough for the lumps and bumps of off-road but it was perfect on the road, as was the light output and beam pattern.

Used it mostly on high beam (by the way, the opportunity to reduce the settings just to 3 - low/med/high - is really useful to avoid cycling through all of the settings) and it was still showing as green on the power indicator after 1.5 hours.

MTBR suggests the evolva is also sold as the nitenumen x8

I've got the Nitenumen X8 on order from GearBest. It's a bit cheaper there at £34.

I was tempted but for the sake of an extra £6 you'll get quick uk delivery and Amazon customer service if there are any issues. No brainer for me. Plus the unit on gearbest doesn't confirm that it comes with the Panasonic battery cells unlike the evolva, another big positive for me.

Anyone reckon it'll be ok to run "upside down"? Can't see any reason why not? It doesn't look like the top of the beam is "clipped off"

Thinking of one for the roadie, with a go-pro to camera mount adaptor (that will screw in the bottom) to fit to the underside of a k-edge garmin combo mount.

A

Anyone looking for anti slip tape then aldi have it in various colours at the moment. Width is ideal for under light clamps on bars.

snownrock - Member

I was tempted but for the sake of an extra £6 you'll get quick uk delivery and Amazon customer service if there are any issues. No brainer for me. Plus the unit on gearbest doesn't confirm that it comes with the Panasonic battery cells unlike the evolva, another big positive for me.

I agree but I ordered mine from GB before woody2000 posted the link to Amazon on P1.

Anyone have any idea how the Evolva compares to the Lezyne Macro Drive 600xl? Lumens on the Macro Drive are obviously lower but the form factor seems similar. Just thinking that the Macro Drive is from a "known" manufacturer so may be a better bet.

It will be used for commuting on the road bike. Currenly use an old cree xml head unit and separate battery but an all in one appeals.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/lezyne-macro-drive-600xl-front-light/rp-prod138848

The Lezyne Macro Drive 600XL is smaller than the Evolva which uses 2 x 18650 LiIon cells. At equivalent output (600 lumens) the Lezyne will run for 1.5 hours whereas the Evolva will run for over 6 hours.

600 lumens is the Lezyne's max output whereas the Evolva has a claimed max of 1800 Chinese lumens which is probably nearer 1500. The Evolva gives more flexibale options if you want to use it off-road for instance but as you say the Lezyne is from a known manufacturer.

The Lezyne is also being discontinued I think looking at their website.

I've tidied my mount up a bit by cable tying it to the side of the mount rather than the top.
This makes it sit much lower and positions it over the stem. Also leaves room for a small flasher for road use.
[img] [/img]

If it's not stable enough off-road, you could zip tie it to one of these...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222290887757

It's the last of the minoura space grips with the quick release.
Also worth looking at the last of the sgs-300 on amazon.

Picked up a lezyne 400XL also from chainrection for £19.99 including a rear

Very impressed. Its 99% as bright as the striver 900

Any more feedback on the Evolva? Thinking of getting one but note the comments about the clamp. Does grip tape keep it place? Wondering if it might work with one of the hope universal bar mounts? http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/hope-universal-handlebar-mount/rp-prod23533?gs=1&gclid=CKSepJO1wdACFcW4Gwod4t4LXA&gclsrc=aw.ds

I received my Nitenumen version of the Evolva light a few days ago from GearBest. A short trial ride on the road did not yield a favourable initial impression. I've always hated the rubber-band type light mount and this one is no exception. Small bumps on the road had the light pointing down within 50 yards even though I had it done up quite tight. Grip tape would undoubtably help in this respect if you want to persevere with the standard mount.

No problem for me because I usually convert all my lights to use the Exposure QR mount and have them on all my bikes. The other alternative is that the mount is fitted by a 1/4" x 20 UNC bolt which is a standard camera mounting thread so you would be able to get a cheap GoPro adapter off eBay and use that mounting system.

My second problem with this light though is more serious. It uses plain reflectors and I have yet to come across a light fitted with any sort of reflector that I like the beam pattern. A bright central spot fans out via light and dark rings to give totally unusable spill. Your eyes will react substantially to the bright central spot and the spill is virtually useless, unless you like dazzling oncoming drivers of course. Remind me to never buy a light with reflectors ever again no matter how cheap or attractive it appears.

I've ordered some small Torx drivers to get the light apart and my one hope is that I can fit some suitable TIR optics otherwise it's going in the drawer marked "Crap spare lights".

Shame, because it is a nicely made light.

I've ordered some small Torx drivers to get the light apart and my one hope is that I can fit some suitable TIR optics otherwise it's going in the drawer marked "Crap spare lights".

Just a figure of speech. I have plenty of lights better than an Exposure Joystick. I bought the Nitenumen just to see what it was like possibly as a self-contained commuter light for my daughter but unless I can improve the beam pattern substantially it won't be fit for that.