Downgraded all the winter kit… still melted. So warm.
And dark… whys it so dark??? Feels like it should be much lighter with the temperature what it is.
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Always surprises me how dark it is in January. Combination of getting up later for a week, and the fact that sunrise isn’t actually getting much earlier for while yet.
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We have January darkness with March/April temperatures currently. Very mild. Even milder in Europe, hardly any ski resorts have snow, and was 25 in Bilbao yesterday
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I used to actually come in to work later as well… so normally got the sunrise.
Still least it was dry and no wind 
I set off for home at 16:45 & it’s getting much lighter for the return commute 
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Yeah was lighter tonight… But my god the wind.
The worst, blustery and side on.
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Any recommendations for cheapish front light that can be used to see (rather than be seen) in completely unlit areas? It doesn’t have to be brilliant, it’s for a short (<7km) commute to collect my son using a MTB mainly on shared paths, so I’m not exactly going fast. But there are a lot of completely unlit/very badly lit parts, and one small section where I cycle on a muddy trail across the grass.
I got some cheapo ones for Christmas and the light they put out is pathetic (despite a 4.7 stars 2000+ reviews), might just about work if I was walking and directing them very carefully where I was treading, but doesn’t cut the mustard on a bike.
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I use a 15year old Fenix TK11 torch connected using a bit of velcro and an equally old polar HR monitor bike mount 
I think they are a lot better now as well, with some bike specific torches although I have used this as a backup hand torch for running (with a head torch) also as it increases the field of vision and is small enough to not be a bother. The original bar mount that came with it was crap, hence MilkyWay of these parts coming up with a “hack” that still works well!
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I’ve got a great cree one off eBay. Lasted me many winters (tho I did upgrade the battery to a magicshine one).
Reckon this might be similar
Nestling® 5000Lm Bike Light Set https://amzn.eu/d/0Xvi6S0
Yes probably blinds motorists etc etc
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Seeing that link reminded me that I bought a decent Chinese light over a decade ago that I’ve never actually used. I never felt that comfortable with the separate battery pack.
I’ve got it on charge now. Should work well for this purpose. If it does fall off we shouldn’t die 
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I really like the Moon lights.
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What don’t you like about the seperate battery? Other than they add clutter and cables??
And GB… Every rear light I have is moon. Faultless.
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Well it’s that, plus not sure exactly where to put the battery pack (I assume the top tube), and it is only a bit of velcro. Also my MTB is all externally cabled, so it seems like that could cause an issue with placement? I ended up never using my MTB much and therefore never even attempting to fit the light.
I run mine underneath the top tube.
Figure it’s better protected and I don’t have to look at it 
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Pretty sure I couldn’t attach to top tube (to hang below it) due to the cables. Went for the stem. It seems pretty secure and not too much wire getting in the way.
And thankfully even on the lowest setting it was much brighter than the other light. Result.
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Ooh that’s quite chunky too. 6 cell one?
I’ve got the little and large magicshine ones that are fairly low profile.
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Looks like you’re sorted. I’ve been running something similar for a long time. Battery doesn’t last as long any more but still functional. I put the battery under the top tube with the velcro under the cables but my cable runs are different to yours. For anyone else, I’ve got one of these fairly recently (was only £12.99) and it’s good. Can see quite well on/off road on lowest setting, and runs all night no problem.
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I had one with a separate battery pack or commuting - it lasted a while but eventually the cable got caught in the spokes. I think it’s inevitable that one day something like that will happen with that design.
Amazon has plenty of USB rechargeable bike lights in the £20-30 range which are plenty bright enough for cycling along unlit paths:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=rechargeable+front+bike+light+bright&crid=1UPTZ26LBLAMI&sprefix=rechargeable+front+bike+light+bright%2Caps%2C87&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
My commutes always involved 2 miles along an unlit cycle path - the biggest problem I had was the c*nt who, once a week, was cycling the other way with a searchlight on his bike. Every time I told him to turn the brightness down but to no avail. You really don’t need anything that bright and it’s dangerous for other users who get blinded
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Tyres… partly inspired by the gravel thread.
I’m getting battered on my commute - some horrific rutting I just can’t avoid. My only flat has come from an impact hit on a pot hole.
Route is 99% paved. Roads and paths. Used to have couple of miles of canal path but new road bypasses that.
Currently running conti 4 seasons 28".
Bike came with schwalbe tyargo 35"
Any suggestions for a decent (rolling resistance, grip on tarmac, puncture protection) tyre and would a 32 or 35 make that much difference?
Still have those schwalbes - but they seem less than ideal for road use.
I always used marathon plus, not great RR but better than above pretty bombproof, plenty of grip and half the price of 4seasons. Perfect commuting tyre.
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