Joseph
On your bicycleIt is very important to see the road ahead And the They can be seen by drivers who share the road. A decent set of bike lights helps with both. Lights are a smart purchase for safety no matter where you ride, and it will also keep you abiding by the many local ordinances that require cyclists to be visible at night.
When choosing a bike light, look for its brightness rating, measured in lumens: a higher lumen rate means brighter light. For comparison, a typical car halogen lamp emits 700 to 1,200 lumens, according to National Association of Automobile Dealers. But for the bike, the brightness isn’t necessarily better. You will need a more powerful light to illuminate a shaded monolithic track, but if you are mainly riding under street lights, a high-powered pathway light may not be necessary.
Whether you commute or cycle paths at night or just want some extra visibility by day, bike lights are a wise investment. These are some of our favorites.
three hundred fifty
At a maximum of 350 lumens, this isn’t the brightest light on our list, but it is well-made (one Men’s magazine Use its editor for years with no problem) and affordable. The belt mount will fit on nearly any handlebars, the side lights create extra visibility, and with a waterproof case, you’ll continue to shine even if the bad weather moves during your ride.
[$40; lightandmotion.com]
Cygolite Dash Pro 600 and Hotrod 50 bike headlight kit
If you’re looking for a bike LED kit that does everything, this inexpensive Cygolite duo is as good as kits over $ 100. The 600-lumen headlight can shine for up to 70 hours and has eight beam modes, and the 50-lumen rear lamp can operate for up to 100 hours and has six modes. Both emit a long range wide beam and are USB rechargeable. Flexible mounts make them easy to install, and together they weigh only 124g.
[$81; rei.com]
Kryptonite InKite X6
Kryptonite is known for its bike locks and cables, but last summer the brand launched a new series of lights focusing on lux over lumens. Lux is the measure of the intensity of light on a surface at a certain distance, so this light is better at focusing the beam where you want it.
Aside from the powerful beam, the XC includes other useful features as well. The battery life is three hours at its highest setting, and it includes a sensor that automatically adjusts brightness based on ambient light, and offers seven different beam modes.
[$75; backcountry.com]
Blackburn Dayblazer 1100 Headlight
Dayblazer is the best choice for commuters. We especially like the battery life – 12 hours at the lowest setting (200 lumens). For darker scenarios, you can run it up to 1100 lumens, and the IP67 waterproof and dustproof aluminum exterior makes it particularly durable. Plus, the universal mount is easy to place on handlebars, and can also be replaced with a helmet mount.
[$95; backcountry.com]
Exterior Trail Evo lighting
The Trail Evo looks like a high beam headlight for your bike. The 2,000-lumen beam features a wide pattern perfect for illuminating potential obstructions in your path and at the edges. It’s pricey, but it comes with thoughtful features like a center steering rack and a unique adaptive setting that improve battery life and uptime. Associate it with a file Light helmet hangover ($ 132) for stadium-like clarity and brightness when hitting the trail.
[$245; outboundlighting.com]
Mount Knog PWR
The PWR mount is designed to maximize illumination and utility in remote areas. The simple twist switch is easy to use while riding, and like the Trail Evo above, it delivers a powerful 2,000-lumen beam (you can even create custom lighting modes, too). The light also doubles as a portable power bank: remove the lamp head, and you can charge your other devices via USB.
[$200; knog.com]
Garmin Faraya RTL 515
This little device is the best kind of back seat driver. In addition to the red light, it has a built-in radar that alerts you to sound or vibration if there is a car on your tail (it can sense vehicles up to 153 yards away). Paired with your phone, Bike rim computerOr optional Radar display unit, And it is a great choice for driving safely on roads without a shoulder, especially at night.
[$200; garmin.com]
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