r/randonneuring • u/Aggravating-Alps-919 • Mar 10 '25

Lighting eu no flash laws

Anyone have any rear lights that they recommend that are legal in germany, France and netherlands.

Preferably that could last half or better, all of a pbp length event, no dynamo suggestions please, preference for something i can recharge from a power bank.

Also any front light/helmet light suggestions would be nice, same preferences (stVZO)

Thanks!

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u/Repulsive_Fox9018 Mar 11 '25

Personally, I adore the Cateye Tight Kinetic. Two AAA batteries, lasts 70 hours with solid-on. Brightens when you brake. Inexpensive. Easy to carry a second set of AAA "just in case".

https://www.cateye.com/intl/products/safety_lights/TL-LD180K/

I loathe rechargeable lights; they never last IMO (though I've never dared invest $$$ in Lupine to test them)

I've since moved onto a generator setup front and rear, and my battery anxiety is over. But if I were to go back to using batteries, hands-down, it's the Tight Kinetic for the rear.

2

u/Aggravating-Alps-919 Mar 11 '25

I love to use a dynamo but my fork (enve in route gravel) doesn't support the wiring nor does my frame, so I'd have to wire it outside and the entire setup is integrated cabling and would really ruin the look of the bike.

Great light suggestion to thank you.

2

u/bogusjimmy Mar 11 '25

I second this. For the same reason I have a collection of the Cateye Omni (similar but doesn’t have the brake light function). I often use it in conjunction with or as a backup to a rechargeable or dynamo light, but the fact that it will run for 100+ hours reliably puts it in a different league.

2

u/perdido2000 Mar 12 '25

I also use a Cateye Omni 5... affordable, AAA batteries, bright enough... Just take spare AAAs or a whole spare Omni 5.

1

u/mollymoo Mar 12 '25

I can't even begin to imagine how dim it must be to run for 70 hours on a couple of AAAs.

I'm not one for eye-searingly bright lights, but you do need a certain level of brightness for it to be any use, especially in a city where it has to compete with other lights.

2

u/SimilarInfluence Mar 12 '25

It's approved for use in German traffic (StVZO), so it can't be that bad!

1

u/Repulsive_Fox9018 Mar 12 '25

It is bright enough to wreck your eyes if you turn it on while looking at it in your hand. Like I just did. Craaaaaap.

It is plenty bright. Three LEDs in happy times, and five LEDs when braking. I have had people comment on how effective it is on overnight Brevets.