PowerTrek Dynamo

Advantages: speed, style, comfort
Disadvantages: tedious to remove chain guard

...My previous bikes had always been "not quite right" so had undergone various modifications, but they still fell short of what I really wanted. The Raleigh Pioneer 160 was the first bike I've ever owned that almost perfectly matches my requirements. The only modifications I've needed to make are the addition of: wheel reflectors, a large bell, bar ends, a bungee cord, and dynamo lights. Further testament to the desirability of this bike can be had from the thief who stole my first one from my own back yard and had to haul it over high walls and a roof. In fact, it is so good that after the insurance company replaced it with the same model, someone tried to steal that one too. This bike is fast and comfortable. The large alloy wheels (700c) combined with the 21 gears of the 48/38/28T chainset and 14-28T freewheel provide all... Read review

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Advantages: Such a simple idea - nothing to remember or buy batteries for
Disadvantages: Setting clearances of magnets is fiddly

...with the damned things fitted, and yet I'd never seen them before in my life. Generally bike lighting falls into two categories, battery-powered and dynamo-powered. They both have their pros and cons. Battery lights stay on when you've stopped, but cost you money to run. OK, the modern breed of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights doesn't cost a 'king's ransom' in Duracells, but every now and then buying batteries comes into the equation. Dynamo lights go out normally when you stop*, but only require a little extra effort on your part to keep them running indefinitely - well maybe until a bulb blows anyway. *Dearer dynamo systems have an energy store to keep the back light running for a while. Those bottle-shaped dynamos can also put a little extra sidewall wear on your tyres, but as normally the tread would go first, it's not really a factor. You... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Always on your bike; no fiddling with batteries
Disadvantages: Possible build quality problems; wheels can get in the way; slightly fiddly to set up

...Ree-Lights are marketed as a frictionless kinetic bike light. What this basically means is that the light unit mounts to the bottom of your forks, or at your rear dropouts, and is held close to the wheel by means of a metal bracket. Magnets are attached to the spokes which then pass by the light unit, which contains a little magnet coil, which causes the light to flash. Think of it as a modern take on the dynamo light. There is a basic model, which stops flashing when you stop, but there are two other models which also house capacitors within the unit, and continue flashing for a few minutes after you stop, or even light continuously. On first viewing I fell in love with these. I liked the idea and the simplicity, especially after getting caught out a couple of times without lights on the bike forcing me to walk home. These stay... Read review

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