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Reading time approx. 8 min
You are actually happy with your "old" bike. It rides well and you can get anywhere with it. If it weren't for the dim lights. The paths are barely lit, you can only be seen in traffic, and then only when the bike is moving. When it's stationary, it's dark. So what should you do?
Converting to LED light bulbs: Does it make sense?
If you're a penny pincher, you might come up with the idea of simply using a different light bulb. So take out the old light bulb and replace it with an LED bulb. You can buy these bulbs with an E10 socket online. According to Radio Yerevan, this is a good idea in principle, but it doesn't lead to anything. Why?
This is why: The voltage (the number of volts) of the bicycle dynamo changes with increasing speed. When you ride fast, the voltage is higher than when you ride slowly. The LED bulb does not like too high a voltage and will break. Overvoltage also occurs when the nominal load of the dynamo is not reached - for example, when the rear light fails. Modern dynamos therefore have a voltage limiter built in. And your old dynamo does not have one. Only an experienced hobbyist will get you any further here. So forget it.
Battery clamp lamp
Your next and most obvious idea could be to buy clamp lamps with batteries at the hardware store. This is only a hypothetical solution. Because: A battery is a battery. And when it's empty, it goes in the trash. We didn't want that, did we? Also: When a component is broken, we don't usually install a new one next to it, but replace the old one. This also applies to battery-operated lights. Batteries also become trash. So forget it. For real.
New LED lights: headlights
A good idea. What do you need to look out for when buying one and how much does it cost? We assume that you want to keep the appearance of your old bike. It would look strange if you were to mount a hyper-modern headlight in a Star Wars design on your single-speed bike. We are therefore looking at headlights in the traditional egg lamp design. The egg lamp is flat with glass at the front and the egg is attached at the back. 
No comparison: You can see this with an illumination intensity of 100 lux. That's how much the Lumotec IQ-X from Busch and Müller, for example, delivers. That also has its price: 160 euros. ( Image source: Busch and Müller)
The technical and price difference lies in the illuminance, which is measured in lux or lumens. The higher the value, the better the light output. Modern lamps also have an integrated front reflector, so you can leave out the ugly additional reflector at the front. As for the light output: it is ridiculous with the old light bulb and no comparison to a new headlight. And you have a parking light, which means that if you have been cycling for about 2 minutes, the thing will also light up for a certain amount of time when you are standing at the traffic lights.
The classic headlights are available from the manufacturer Union, for example, in black or chrome. As a traditionalist, you will complain that the material is plastic, but that will not help much. Here are two models:
- Union LED headlight Classic 20 (UN-4926) with 20 lux works with classic dynamo and with hub dynamo (with switch), with parking light. Available in stores for around 25 euros.
Headlight Classic 40 Lux from Union. Still looks like an old headlight, but brings new light for just 30 euros. ( Image source: Marwi / Union)
- Union LED headlight Classic 40 (UN-4936") with 40 lux works with classic dynamo and with hub dynamo (with switch), with parking light. Available in stores for around 30 euros.
The five euros extra for twice as much light on the Classic 40 model is worth it. The conversion is not that easy, however, as the headlight connections are designed for cable lugs, which are the metal things you clip on. If you don't have these or don't install them properly, the whole conversion is nonsense. So get them done.
Headlights in Star Wars design
If you want even more light, you have to live with modern design. It might not quite fit your bike, but maybe the brightness will make up for it. Here are two models:
- Union LED headlight Extreme (UN-4206) with 80 lux works with a classic dynamo and with a hub dynamo (with switch), with parking light. Not pretty, but bright. Retails for around 25 euros.
Lumotec IQ-X from Busch and Müller. Small aluminum housing with lots of light. ( Image source: Busch and Müller)
- Busch and Müller LED headlight Lumotec IQ-X with 100 lux. Extremely wide, far and homogeneous illumination, aluminum housing with automatic switching via light-dark sensor and parking light function. Available for around 160 euros.
When you look at the prices mentioned, you should keep in mind that you will be much safer on the road with the new lights. This may be a question of survival in traffic. And: If your old lighting system lasted 20 years, you can expect the new system to last the same. That's just eight euros a year for the most expensive model. Do you want to discuss that? To be complete, let's take a look at the rear lights that are available in stores.
Taillights with parking lights
Older bikes have their rear lights on the mudguard, newer ones often on the luggage rack. With rear lights, it is not so much the lighting intensity that matters, but the parking light. All of the models presented are equipped with this. When it comes to design, the Spanninga LED rear light No. 9 XDvS is the winner in our eyes, as it looks more old-school. The others are more modern in appearance. Here are three models for mudguard mounting and one for the luggage rack:
A classic rear light, especially for older models: Spanninga LED rear light No. 9 XDvS. Available for around 17 euros. Our favorite in terms of design. ( Image source: Spanninga)
Spanninga LED rear light No. 9 XDvS
Rear mudguard mounting
1 red LED, with parking light and reflector
For about 17 euros in stores
Spanninga LED rear light Pixeo XDvS
Rear mudguard mounting
1 red LED, with parking light and reflector
For about 15 euros in stores
Busch & Müller LED rear light Seculite
Rear mudguard mounting
High brightness even at low speed
with parking light and reflector
For about 28 euros in stores
The choice if you have the rear light on the luggage carrier: Axa Blueline steady. Quite small and quite bright. ( Image source: Axa)
Axa LED luggage carrier rear light Blueline Steady
Luggage rack attachment
2 red LEDs, with parking light and reflector
For about 15 euros in stores
Here too, the conversion is sometimes fiddly. With our favorite from Spanninga, you'll be cursing during installation because you need a ground cable. Here too, our tip: have someone do it for you.
The total cost
So how much does the conversion cost? Without installation, around 50 euros. The installation costs in the workshop should be around 20 to 30 euros, assuming the light cable is still OK and the dynamo is working. If not, it will be more expensive.
Total costs including assembly
without dynamo and without light cable
approx. 80 euros
Total costs including assembly
with new side-wheel dynamo and new light cable
approx. 120 euros
Tired of the old dynamo?
Are you fed up with the stupid old thing because it doesn't work well, makes noise and the cable keeps falling off? Then you need a hub dynamo. It doesn't make any noise and you don't feel like you have to pedal as much harder. This is a major conversion though. If your front wheel is still OK, the workshop can lace a new hub dynamo. The dynamo costs around 40 euros, and lacing costs around 40 euros more, so a total of at least 80 euros. But you get a very low-maintenance system compared to the old dynamo.
Total cost of new lights including installation
with hub dynamo and spokes
approx. 160 euros
Conclusion
The suggestion: You borrow a modern bike with parking lights from your neighbor for an evening and for an hour. Afterwards, you'll be wiser and probably motivated to have the conversion done. If you convert the price to the length of use, the costs are small. And your life should be worth that much to you.
(Christoph Preussler)
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