Does anyone have some suggestions on quality bike lights to enable you to actually see the road and navigate unlit country lanes/roads? Plus with enough battery life to last a decent stint.

Thanks in advance!

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Expensive but worth it - Cat Eye USB rechargeable ones have done me well! Use every day on commute (80 mins-ish) and have only had to recharge once in about 18 months.

Not exactly the same as what I have but similar ones here - https://www.evanscycles.com/cateye-volt-400-rechargable-front-light... https://www.evanscycles.com/cateye-volt-500-xc-rapid-x2-light-set-5...

For unlit country roads I actually use a head torch - cheaper than a bike light of the same power, you can turn your head more easily than the handlebars to light up a different bit of the road, and far less likely to fall off (and subsequently get written off by a HGV!) when you go over potholes/rough surfaces. Got both of mine from decathlon and they both lasted fine for overnight rides (micro USB charger).

I’ve found Lezyne mini drive and macro drive rechargeable to be adequate even for unlit mountain roads in Italy.

The problem is working out how long the charge will last but if you are planning an all nighter in the dark you can alway slip a spare charged light in your rear pocket.

Have never gone the full off road in the dark on a MTB though but guess that if that’s your plan a head torch like Erika suggested would be a good option - I’ve a Petzl Tikka R+ which means I can be seen from the Spacestation

I love my Exposure Strada Mk6, it's now been superseded, but the newer ones are more of the same. Loads of brightness/burn time options, in 12 hour mode it's good for fast riding on unlit lanes, in 4 hour mode it's good for riding fast off road. For occasional dark spins in company it's probably excessive, if you want to do big miles in the dark it's spot on. Best thing about it, it has a count down timer showing life left in the the mode it's in, and that's really accurate, so no nerves about it lasting the distance. And a cool detail, put it right way up on top of your bars, text on the display it right way up, mount it upside down under the bar, text is right way up, love that! 

Erika clearly likes the head torch option, I quite like that too, sometimes for short rides in dry weather, but I find in any rain, drizzle, or mist that the beam reflects back and I find the cone of light moving as I move kind of exhausting after a coupe of hours, I clearly need to work on reducing head bob!

I've got the lezyne micro drive set. The back light it great but the front one is a bit rubbish when it's really dark. I've got a torch with a bike-attachment which I use for night cycling on roads with no street lights

Many thanks for all the great advice guys!  Now time to get shopping...

I have tried many, the normal Cat Eye / knog. are good for City riding. I actually have knog with a full beam that could be great for a really dark country lane, tho only works for 10 / 15 minutes.

I think what I learnt is you need a good light and a decent back up light just in case

I would say what Hector is suggesting is more what you need, country lanes get pretty dark if you add some fog could be tricky!

PS if you want a good rear light that is USB charging I can recommend the Lezyne Strip Drive pro which can knock out 300 lumens max

You have to be careful using it for commuting  though as it can/will blind cyclists/drivers/astronauts behind you if set to maximum output but does double as disco lights for the office Christmas party

I have the Lezyne Macro drive 1250XL. it is superb. about £85 but it's like a car headlight. can't go wrong.

battery life on the super strong blaze is about 3:00 but it'll do 12 or more on a less bright / flashing setting.

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