LED lights have been around for several years, but until recently they were really only practical for riding in built-up areas, or at least lit-up areas. The big advantage of LEDs are reduced power consumption and long life. However, the light output from LEDs has been disappointing. They allowed the cyclist to be seen, but provided little by way of illumination of the road.
For cycling in complete darkness, halogen lights were the only option. My own preferred option was a SON hub dynamo powering a B&M Lumotec and a Schmidt E6 similar to the one pictured below. This provides plenty of illumination for my needs. The only drawback is that I always need to make sure that I have sparebulbs in my saddlebag. Good quality bulbs seem to last a long time – I think 100 hours is typical.
Picture: m-gineering.nl
However, in the last year or two several high quality LED lights have become available, and with high light output and long life, LED technology is a real option for fast riding in complete darkness.
With the recent announcement of the Schmidt E delux, there are now 4 excellent LED lights on the market for use with hub dynamos.
- The Schmidt E-delux
- Busch & Muller LUMOTEC IQ Fly
- Solidlights 1203D and 1203DR
- Inoled Extreme
The IQ Fly has been getting rave reviews, but it seems to have been surpassed by the Schmidt E-delux.
Hand made by Wilfried Schmidt, maker of the SON, it is compatible with 6 volt dynamos from Shimano, SRAM and of course the SON by Schmidt.
Features include:
- 80 lux output (this compares with 40lux for the IQ Fly and approx 25 lux for the E6)
- a standlight, so the light stays on for a few minutes after stopping
- On/Off and Senso mode. Senso mode automatically switches the LED on, when the ambient light levels falls
- Aluminium casing and copper heat sink for dissipation of head from the LED.
- internal optics are from the B+M IQ Fly.
- available in Black or polished aluminium
- weight: 85g.
- can be used with or without a taillight, without modification
The Edelux should be available in June 2008 at a price of less than 130 euro.
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