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Post by ftasb on Aug 19, 2008 7:58:00 GMT
I fancy trying a bit of night riding but don't want to spend a load of cash on some expensive lights that i will hardly use. I have a set of these at the moment - Cateye EL530 And LD1100 Light Set Are these lights up to the job? |
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gw8izr
Have-a-go Hero
Posts: 123
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Post by gw8izr on Aug 21, 2008 8:12:34 GMT
Head torch.. never go out at night without one.
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Post by ftasb on Aug 21, 2008 8:15:35 GMT
Head torch.. never go out at night without one. It must be a very powerful head torch  Any recommendations? |
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Post by mtbman on Aug 21, 2008 10:02:12 GMT
I rode a lot at night last year and it's ace ;D. A head torch is a must in my book. You need to be able to light up where your are going to be, just as much as where your bike is now. If your going coming up to a downhill tight switchback the bar mounted lights don't pick it up at all, next thing you've gone over the top of it wondering where the trail went   . That's when the head torch becomes invaluable, a quick turn of the head and normal service is resumed ;D I wasn't sure if I'd get the use out of the lights so just bought a cheap set to start me off. I paid £50 for the lights, although wiggle now has them at £70 and the head torch was about £35. www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Electron_5W_10W_Double_Lighting_System/5360025995/www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Petzl_Tikka_XP_Head_Torch/5360022389/As with all aspects of our sport there is no limit to how much you can spend , but I found these did the job for me  |
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gw8izr
Have-a-go Hero
Posts: 123
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Post by gw8izr on Aug 21, 2008 14:59:30 GMT
Yep a simple Petzl with a few LED's and an elasticated headband - its got several advantages: I even use it on the road at night but of course your "legal" lamps need to be attached to the bike. ( I'm pretty sure a head torch won't satisfy C&U regs )
Number one being the light pool is where you want it not where your bike is pointing.
Number two when your bike breaks you can do a hands free fix.
Number three, when you look right in the eyes of an oncomming motorist you can be sure that he can see your light ( the beam is most intense when directed at his retina from close range , make sure the bar steward can see you)
Now you wouldn't be expecting me not to have another story from the past, my best off road bike lamp was a car reversing lamp with a 21W bulb running of a small 1.8A/h gelcell battery, this wouldn't last long but then neither do my legs, for a night time blast round a forest this was the muts nuts :-)
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Post by xybadog on Aug 21, 2008 18:12:23 GMT
Does the headtorch fit over the helmet or on the head, under a visor?
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Post by mtbman on Aug 21, 2008 20:38:58 GMT
Does the headtorch fit over the helmet or on the head, under a visor? With my Petzl Head torch I take off the elasticated strap and use small cable ties to secure it to my lid. I'm sure you could get a helmet mount if needed but the cheap option works for me. |
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Post by xybadog on Aug 21, 2008 21:41:50 GMT
Cheap option sounds good to me.
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Post by martinw on Aug 24, 2008 8:27:56 GMT
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Post by Oggy on Aug 24, 2008 9:42:40 GMT
Got some spare cash to spend on bike stuff at the mo, well its not spare cash, im just in the mood for buying bike porn ;D. There a few things I want at the moment but thinking as i wana try and do loads of nite riding this year a decent set of lights could be a good buy. My theory is that the discounts on them will be bettter on them now than they will be in the middle of winter. Dont want to spend the earth but willing to spend a couple of quid to get soem decent ones. I seen these on Merlins and they look like a good deal, any opinions or advice greatly recived as they all look the same to me ;D www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=1198&categoryId=14 |
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Post by Oggy on Aug 24, 2008 10:02:22 GMT
Whos up for forum night rides, although i dont if i really want to be in the woods with FTASB at night no one will hear the screams  |
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Post by mtbman on Aug 24, 2008 11:58:37 GMT
Whos up for forum night rides, although i dont if i really want to be in the woods with FTASB at night no one will hear the screams Last year Llandegla stayed open till 21:00 on a wednesday night right through the winter. I'll ask on Monday what there plans are for this winter, with regard to night rides. At the moment the carpark is open till 21:00 Tues,Wed and Thu. I'll defo be night riding this year. |
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Post by Oggy on Aug 24, 2008 12:20:03 GMT
Nice 1 mate, sort of looking forwar to winter I Bet going through the tight single track trough the trees at Llandgegla seems fast as hell at night ;D |
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Post by mtbman on Aug 24, 2008 21:21:21 GMT
You bet I only managed to do the blue run last year. I wasn't brave enough to do the red/blk on my own. Even the tame blue run is a scary ride in the dark. Being a towny I didn't know the night could be so black. As you pull up on the carpark at about 18:00 in december and turn your car lights off thats it, nothing, just blackness. I did do the last red section into the carpark and the drop off the bridge is awesome, a real leap of faith ;D I'll have to dig my lights out and charge them up, to check the battery still holds a full charge. Can't wait now ;D |
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Post by martinw on Aug 24, 2008 21:41:06 GMT
Its the maddest thin innit.
You seem to fly down the trails, the only thing is you can never see whats in that dip in front of you. night riding is the sort of thing you can get hooked on!
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. That's when the head torch becomes invaluable, a quick turn of the head and normal service is resumed ;D
"Guess I must be trying then"
