How To Choose The Right Bike Lights
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- Опубликовано: 5 июл 2024
- With winter upon us and the days getting ever shorter, bike lights are an essential cycling accessory. Not only do bike lights help road users see you, but they can also help you see! Manon takes you through the different types of bike lights and how to choose which ones are right for you. From wearable lights to rear lights, we are here to help you keep cycling through winter...
00:00 Intro
00:33 Bike light laws
01:08 Front lights
02:49 Rear lights
04:09 Wearable lights
05:28 Batteries
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What type of bike lights do you use? 💡
hyb dynamo ist the best choice. flashiing lights only additional but stick to the basics first. set it up properly so the road is lit but you dont blind other. And forget helmet lights and other crap as replacement. Yes you can see that there is something but can not recognize what it is, where it is, how fast its moving. Fancy addons but never use them as only source of light
NiteRider Lumina Pro 1300 w/NiteLink & NiteRider Omega 330 EVO Bike Taillight with NiteLink
3300 lumens. The only problem is that when riding by the shore, sea captains think it is a new light house.
Manon Lloyd is my guiding light. Best wishes ❤ and thank you for the vid, we really need more cyclists using lights in their bicycles. Cheers.
Specialized stix lights everywhere. Ay-up for the rare times I need something powerful.
Big thanks for mentioning how to angle your lights, to many times I can't see anything cause another cyclist has their front lights focused on blinding others :D
But the angle doesn't matter much. This is the reason why by law cars need beam cutoffs and why germany has stvzo for bike lights. If you have a bike light without stvzo then you are blinding people, simple as that.
commuting is a madhouse on the 2 way cycle lanes after work. The Embankment cycle lane in London in particular. Hundreds of riders passing from the other direction, and all the way on that section I can barely see anything bc a few extremely bright lights ate trying to summon Batman on my face.
Becomes so much better once the bike lanes are directionally separated and are on the correct side of the road.
This drives me nuts. Having a world war II searchlight on your handlebars and blinding everyone who is oncoming is ridiculous.
Totally agree.
@@Szergej33 Pedestrians too, they assume that in order to be seen they must shine a torch in your face!
Even retrogrouches can agree that cycling lights is one area where technology really has improved things over the past couple of decades. LED'S and better batteries mean brighter lighting, improved reliability and longer run times.
Dynamo? 😂
Road rules for Victoria, Australia: When riding at night and in low-light, you must use a front white light and a rear red light. The light can be flashing or steady but must be seen from 200 metres away.
It is also a good idea to use flashing lights during the day to help other road users see you.
You know the rules of driving are global? Across the globe white light in front and red in back.Even most , not all, road signs are the same too. Travel much?
There's a few differences with flashing lights, but we all share most of the same rules...because they've global....for good reasons .
Interesting! Day time running lights are getting more and more popular, do you run a light for day rides? It's especially important in the winter months!
I have a front hub dynamo runningpermanently - light day and night.
I found using two front flashing lights gets the attention of drivers much more than a single one. My experience is that a single flashing light and/or bright clothings aren’t sufficient. Since I added a second flasher I’ve had way fewer close calls where a driver pulls out in front of or turns in front of me. I have a loud siren for any who don’t, just in case. It has come in handy a few times.
@@mericanignoranc3551 And yet I often see people riding bikes with a white rear light. Never assume. It's worth stating for newbies.
There are tons of front light options out there but surprisingly few with a cutoff beam pattern resembling the beam pattern of a car. A cutoff beam pattern is fantastic, especially with a wide panorama. Also, many lights tout lumens as a point of pride. Would love to see more lights also consider HiCRI options (color rendering index) so the road ahead of you looks more natural and not a washed out white light.
I bought the CatEye Volt 800 NEO while in Japan last month. It has a cutoff beam pattern and can be fliipped when mounted upside down so the pattern is still valid. It was pretty expensive at US $120, but well worth the money IMO.
If you have mounting bolts on your fork, Restrap makes a mount for a front-facing light, which both sits low and is great for illuminating the road ahead
Hi Manon. Another reason I try to have 2 rear lights is if one runs out (flat battery) there's still one going. At the rear you hardly ever notice when the battery fails. Carry a set of spare baterries to save being stranded in the dark. A "powerbank" and lead with somehere to mount it might be a "getout of jail free card" for usb lights.
I have found that a head light (ie attached to my head) is useful in that I can with a simple movement "flash" at on comming cars which usually results in them dipping their dazzlers. A head light also lets you see where your head is pointing, not just straight ahead.
I use reflective "snap wraps" as "garters to keep my arm warmers up which has an obvious side benefit. On the wrist it might help show off your hand signals.
In the UK there is a legal requirement for pedal reflectors. A problem with most if not all clipless pedals. The idea is based on research which showed that the vissible up and down motion clicked with motorists "cyclist". A pair of ankle or shoe reflector/light achieves the spirit of this requirement (if not the letter). A snap wrap also makes a good trouser clip for the casual commuter!
Thanks for the tips. Have ordered ankle reflective bands.
My tip, if you do rides in the dark, carry a small spare taillight as a emergency backup. Nothing is worse than when your taillight runs out of charge unexpectedly or as what happened to a friend, water got into the housing, shorting out the light.
If the oncoming cars furiously honk at you, you found a great light! 👍
I almost always ride solo as a commuter in moderate traffic. I'm a fan of accerometers in rear lights that have brighten or go solid when braking.
I regularly commute along unlit rural roads. Best for me has been dynamo powering an Edelux 2 led front light. Modern battery lights are brilliant in comparison with the “torch bulbs” of my childhood, but modern dynamos are also much better. I like the fact that I don’t have to worry about charging it. Thanks for your film. V helpful.
Didn’t know that there was an Australian rule about flashing lights. I just trust my own common sense and sense of safety as the guide. Happy to argue the case if I got questioned, and it would take a bit of convincing to change.
The more lights the better. Cheap solution and very effective.
At night - rear steady heal lights and bicep mounted side lights on low. Two lights on bike at front. Helmet light and rear light.
In very dark off main road tracks without street lighting I use a helmet light (ay-up with helmet mounted battery). Also works for gravel.
Daytime - moderate flashing lights on the bike - two at front and two behind. It’s not annoying to car drivers but does help make more noticeable.
For low light and night I do use hyper reflective clothing too. That includes a backpack and helmet reflective cover when it’s wet. I tried but gave up on reflective frame tape or putting on wheels. Easier and more effective to do the lights.
Bright clothing (yellows and hi-vis green) but not sure it’s hugely effective. The lights at night and daytime feel more effective.
I pretty much ride with lights all the time, daytime included.
Rechargeable lights that are programmable are my go to after first using some pretty average battery cheapo (Catseye) lights when I started.
Great tips in this video.
I've never understood daytime light flashing. If it's super overcast and dull maybe sure...you're in Japan? But middle of summer in Australia...flashing lights do nothing. Would be better off selecting a jersey that is contrasting to the environment you are riding in imho. Each to their own though. Just find them irrelevant as both a driver or cyclist on cars or cyclists. If they can't see you in the middle of the day they won't see your light.
I still prefer AA and AAA battery powered bike lights because Energizer lithium batteries last all year basically.
I was surprised when you said flashing lights are illegal in Australia.
That's news to me.
I have been riding in Australia for over 50 years and have never heard of such a rule.
Please provide a citation or a source.
Here's my citation...
Australian Road Rule 259 says:
The rider of a bicycle must not ride at night, or in hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility, unless the bicycle, or the rider, displays:
(a) a flashing or steady white light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the front of the bicycle;
(b) a flashing or steady red light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the rear of the bicycle....
The WA Road Traffic Code 2000 Reg 224 says:
(1) A person shall not ride a bicycle during the hours of darkness, or in hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility, unless the bicycle, or the rider, displays -
(a) a flashing or steady white light that is clearly visible for at least 200 m from the front of the bicycle;
While there may be issues with lights that are bright enough to daze oncoming drivers/riders not being legal they are illegal because of the brightness, not because of the flashing.
It's interesting how few of the well known brands around here have USB-C charging. The lights I've seen that can connect with cycling computers seem to still be micro. I personally use a flashing rear light that isn't super bright, and I generally have it on a slower blinking setting rather than the rapid flashing. One benefit that flashing lights have aside from being more visible, which is the main reason I use them, is actually extended battery life when compared with having the light constantly on. Because I like to go on full day rides and try to get multiple day trips when there's time, decent battery life is pretty important to me.
Agreed. I bought the Garmin rear light with the built-in camera I don't want because it has USB-C.
i believe that alongside lights , you really should wear a high-vis / reflective jacket .. lets face it , if it's dark it's cold enough that a thin jacket / gilet / bodywarmer is a nice extra layer
Manon talking about bike lights has made my day. I use a flashing rear light in all conditions year round, with a front light in Winter. My Cateye has lasted for Years & is still visible without blinding anyone.
Manon talking has made my day
Glad you enjoyed the video! Great to hear that you are keeping safe on the road 🙌
Some flashing bicycle rear lights cause a LOT of lens flair in my glasses, I think it the Garmin Varia's. It can really be like a JJ Abrams star trek movie where after it flashes I am a bit blind for a while. I have a rear Cateye as well as I don't want to cause an accident or give someone a kaleidoscope migraine.
it is not upset, just for a while peoples vision can bork. I am not being hyperbolic when I mean I cannot see for a while.
Anyway I avoid CS7 at night as it is the manicness of that route that adds to the problem. It really has the same issues as a group ride, 20 plus people all with flashing lights interweaving.
The Garmin's specifically do seem to attract complaints for this when they start flashing.
Anyway, I don't wish you to be less safer.
@@happydogg312
@@happydogg312But a light can be bright without flashing
Additional to regular hub dynamo with perma-mounted lights, I really LOVE the combination of the LUMOS helmet plus their 'firefly' lights. The synchronized customizable flash patterns increase my visibility massively. Whether I snap them on my trailer or just the bike, it's crazy how much earlier cars and other road users react to me.
A top tip that I prefer over buying any bike specific headlights is to buy an actual torch. I use the Nebo Torchy 2k (2,000) lumens and just mount it to my handlebars with an amazon torch mount. The cost of these set ups is a fraction of the price of a "Premium bike light" of equal or lesser quality. A dedicated torch will out perform the best bike light in brighness, wide angle, beam distance, battery life and build quality.
The problem is that flashlights don't have the proper beam pattern for road use, as they are more of a spotlight (the Torchy's beam pattern seems no different). Things like beam width and especially beam cutoffs you won't be getting with a flashlight, resulting in wasted light and blinding oncoming cyclists and drivers, even when tilted down.
Also, unless you're downhilling in the forest in the middle of the night, 2000 lumens is *far* too much. Now, that's not to say that bike lights are not overpriced for what they are, but modern ones with those features are more appropriate for road use.
No, I tried that: a SON Edelux 2 dynamo light outperforms the brightest of torches.
For the UK, the Highway Code states -
"At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.
Law RVLR regs 13, 18 & 24".
And that law is routinely ignored. Hardly any clipless pedals have reflectors, or even space for them. And few bikes come with red rear reflectors. It is also the case that hardly any lights sold for bikes in the UK are actually one which meet the legal requirements, even though most are perfectly adequate for being seen by, and you are never going to get done for your lights not meeting British Standard BS 6102/3 or an equivalent European standard, which is technically what the law requires.
I have to say, that I use the flashing backlight that is powered by 2 "AAA" rechargeble batteries... I charge them once - and then use for the whole summer season... The light is bright enough to make me VERY visible to others, although it doesn't blind people behind me. Unlike the "Usb" lights - they need to be charged too often and they literally shoot too many lumens into the eyes of the ones behind you...
mmmm....yeah I dunno about that. Love to know what brand light and how much riding you do...but I don't know anyone that has a removable battery light that can last the whole of a season. Unless your summers are 1 week long.
In the UK you can have as many lights as you want flashing or permanent but there must be one white light fixed to your bars and a red rear light fixed to the rear around saddle hight. having a helmet light or ankle light is good but having a front and rear fixed light (flashing or permanent) is law and you may need it in the event of an accident where a driver says "I didn't see them". Legally you must also have a rear reflector and reflectors on your pedals which is a bit of an issue if you are riding a road bike clipped in at night. Despite being bright enough to be seen from space, a good lawyer will get a car driver excused if you don't meet the legal minimum requirements.
Excellent tips, Thank you GCN.
Besides active light indeed a good thing to have some reflective things on the bike or clothing.
I have a handlebar bag with a lot of reflective surfaces, it's glowing like day, really like it.
Also besides other reflectives I found a small red reflective Oracal strip, put it on the frame near rear disc. It stealthy at day and really visible at the night.
Great video, I ride quite a bit early morning before sunrise and I like to have multiple lights including on my person for those times were I have to get off the bike to fix a puncture, it means I can be seen clearly.
Great presentation Manon, I was quite intrigued by the recommendation of steady lights versus flashing. I hadn't heard that before.
great topic. keep us involved in the practical topics. YES!
Thanks for rear light research, I will have one flashing and one constant on low.
Great topic, worth much more exploration, as are many other aspects of safety.
I use lights, (always rear, front in poor light or as needed - angled low) but usually in a flashing mode (flash, or flash with low constant light between) for the battery life. I always try remember to have a backup rear light with me.
Reflectors - yes. Seat post or stays, wheels (spoke or rim, not the stock ones) and usually an ankle band. And reflective jacket or gilet (Proviz type reflectivity) if riding in the dark.
I'm not of the mind that it's worth compromising this kind of stuff for a "bike vault worthy" aesthetic.
I support more discussions on these matters, from lights and radar options, effectiveness, to emergency bike handling (could cross over with cyclocross stuff?), commuting strategies (mingle with traffic for far turns, vs hook turns over an extra change of lights, for instance?).
I prefer constant back light on seat tube, and flashing on helmet &lower back frame with lower power 👍
Thanks for keeping us safe, Manon!
I recently got my bike setup with Lumos lights where you can actually have them mounted into the drop handle bars of a bike. they can even do left and right signaling which is brilliant. Cant recommend them enough they are brilliant.
As for moving lights monkey electric makes wheel mounted lights which while not giving forward or rear light they do generally make you a LOT more visible at night. And you can get lights that make it look like you have Tron wheels which is just fun.
0:53 That is wrong. You can have flashing lights in Australia.
Bontrager flare front and rear, the highest lumen ones. Always on and flashing during the day regardless of weather conditions to maximize visibility to other road users. Flashing especially helps to catch attention of those folks who are primarily focused on their phones with operating their vehicles as second priority.
This is apt. I just rode home halfway on the dark because my Light and Motion headlight battery died. Just charged it a week or two ago, though haven't used it since. My C2032 coin battery taillight worked, fortunately. I've had to replace that battery maybe twice in almost 10 years. Granted, it just flashes. Personally, I'm not sold on USB-rechargeable lights. Sure, recharge then at the office, but do Abby keep a charge? Now stuff to remember.
From Oz … flashing lights in daytime ✅ and even some use at night. 😁
I think also in Germany, while helmets lights are „legal“ they might not be allowed in a defense from an accident, as the Stvo has determined there is a high risk of being cover by a jacket or hoodie, so a fixed rear light is still required.
I’m a long time bike messenger in nyc and I’ve tested out every flash pattern there is and cars give you the most distance and slow the most down with fast irregular flash patterns like with the Super flash Turbo by Planet Bike. They have the perfect flash pattern and brightness. The worst flash patterns where cars go fast by you and extremely close to you are constant on and also slow pulse. Fast slash is good but not to fast where it just looks like it’s constant on basically, the best is irregular flash pattern though.
Thanks Manon for the great Video!
Good stuff! All I would add is that it’s on the brightest of days where where a strong flashing light both front and rear is essential. Inky pools of shade hide unlit cyclists with ease; add in road users who wear shades and the results can be catastrophic. Well done also for mentioning the downsides of flashing lights: distance perception all but disappears for flashing objects, and we should switch them to continuous on shared use paths where they are unnecessary and annoying for other path users, as well as dazzling for oncoming cyclists. They can also spook horses with predictably awful results.
I’m glad you suggest the use of solid lights especially at night, it helps other road users to judge the distance to cylists, also when lights are flashing it is something that may prove a visual issue for some as flashing lights can spark problems for some in out society
you need a light to flash quite fast to cause issues for people with epilepsy. I think about 5 per second which almost no decent bike light does.
StVZO. It requires the beam to be shaped to avoid blinding traffic. Combined with another light that can be switched on/off I'm good to go both in traffic, and at high speed in total darkness or offroad.
Exposure on all my bikes and nothing else. Bought too many cheap/crap lights over the years. I have a Strada for road use, a Zenith on the helmet for gravel and really dark lanes and a Six Pack for MTB. On the back I have a TraceR and a BoostR. Oh and I have Link Mk2 which has front and rear lenses and is great to chuck in a bag or pocket just in case you get caught out at dusk. Exposures Daybright flash is awesome. Also I love how the RUclips subtitles told me the Dark Knights were drawing in...😂
Very good video. Great information 👏👏
I have an Olight/Magicshine 3500 headlight before they jacked their prices! And I angle my light right into the faces of oncoming traffic! 😮
Love you Manon! 🥰
I ride at night with a handlebar light and one mounted to my helmet. That way I can look at things on the side of the road without having to point my handlebars there. Plus it is always good to have a backup going in case one fails at an important time of the ride.
Awesome & Thanks :)
Reflective tape on rims!!! And heals of shoes!!! Motion attracts attention!!!
For winter cycling the problem with most lower end lights is that they don't produce enough heat and aren't insulated well enough for the light to stay on in freezing conditions. I know that this not a problem for most, but here in the northern Europe where we cycle all through the year it is essential to find a light that doesn't fail you during a winter ride.
@@happydogg312 In my experience LEDs are even worse in this aspect. They use so little power and are so efficient that the battery doesn't heat up enough and the LEDs themselves don't emit heat at all. Yes, there are LED lights that are designed for cold weather riding, but most aren't in my experience. So if you are planning on buying a light for winter, just do some research beforehand.
I slant my front lights downwards so that I don't blind on coming traffic. The tail lights are better left flashing or blinking.... much easier for drivers to see you. At least you hv control where you with front lights. The tail one us dependent on who's behind you. Have it red not white... blue can do. I carry a a spare tail light
❤
Not REALLY sure if it works as well as I think, but I've started aiming my rear light down a bit more. Partially just because it's easy to mout it to my rear rack (my road bike is also my commuter bike), but also my theory is then instead of the light just being a small point source, it's lighting up my whole rear end and the ground under me. Much dimmer of course, but playing with the angle can adjust how much is visible straight-on, and how much is lighting up the bike itself.
Dynamos!
Nice job on bike lights, but you forgot pedal lights such as those offered by RedShift. I have a flat pedal set for commuting, but they also offer clipless options.
Nice one for mentioning. I'd never heard of these
Cateye Amp1100 and a Moon X-Meteor Pro means I can ride the unlit trail to and from work with no issues at all. Either one is enough to see by, but the two beams light up the surrounding path too so it feels less like i'm riding through a tunnel of darkness and more like I'm riding under street lighting.
Rear light I have a steady no brand but bright light and a flashing moon arcturus pro
I carry a couple of cateye orb light's for emergencies or bag/helmet lights, cant see by them but i'll at least be more visible than not.
Any tips for mounting lights to aero handlebars? Most mounts are plastic circles that don't fit oval bars. I got a light that comes with a rubber band looking mount that works but the weight distribution of the light makes it slide up no matter how tight I strap it.
This video should give me some daily usable tips😊
My Bontrager Flare R red rear light has saved me many times and although expensive, it has been worth it because it is designed to be seen by day (up to 2km away on max daytime)! Great points and SUPER helpful video Manon! Especially about not obstructing the light! I have zip tied the flare R to my helmet so it is immediately with me no matter which bike I ride. Also preventing loss/theft. Great seasonally pertinent content!
Where do you live that you need to worry about someone stealing your bike light??
Unfortunately, many cities in Canada are prone to bike light theft, (or anything really, that isn't locked down: seats on quick release, front wheels etc.). Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, you name it!@@superyamagucci
@@geoffreyhoney122 No shit? I spent a few months in Canada, felt like home (NZ).
Most of the time I don't even lock my bike up. It's pretty fancy lookin' too.
Anyway, loved Canada. Nearly signed up for a job there until I learned about the 70c temperature bracket : )
@@geoffreyhoney122
Really? I spent a month over there and never felt like I needed to lock anything. I was pretty well off the beaten track though. Might have to go back soon, Whitewater Breweries could be struggling without us.
Ahaaa...I think you are definitely safe for equipment in that area of Ontario! Great rafting, great beer wnd great gravel on the K &P Rail Trail! @@superyamagucci
Usually only ride through the day, always use flashing front and rear in Perth West Aus
I am impressed with you knowledge and with your 10,000 lumens dazzling beauty. Thank you!🥰
I had no idea some countries/states/municipalities prohibit flashing lights! I find this surprising. In Boston night traffic, with a steady beam I'm indistinguishable as a cyclist from other vehicles...with a flashing beam I get recognized as a cyclist! I use a Specialized Flux 850 head light...and a NiteRider Sentry 260 taillight. With its added side visibility, the Sentry 260 is a GREAT product. Highly recommend.
Beam patterns suck on almost all lights. on my cargo e-bike, I rigged it up car style HID projectors, and it's awesome. Super bright light on the ground, with a sharp cutoff set low enough that it doesn't blind people. The only problem is that they''re enormous and gobble 35W each.
Wearables? Have a reflective strap around each ankle. For motorists behind they can a) see you easily and b) evaluate your distance away. And no batteries. (In addition to a steady rear light of course).
use lights during the day in flashing mode. In the night I use two lights at the front. one steady beam one flashing. rear I use a varying flashing red that also does a long pause on constant. all lights are Leyzene.
I suggest riders stand in front of their bike when light on. Even small light/low lumens overpowering and can cause other people to have safety issues. In towns/cities lights allow others to see you; in unlit areas your lights also need to allow you to see where you are heading. Basic consideration.
I use magicshine lights, if someone has wondered, they work pretty good IMO. I commute 40kms everyday and charge them once every 5 days if you also wonder.
I have Moon Nebula and its great light.
Also, for the Holidays each year, I like to buy a couple boxes of those cheap multicolored Christmas lights that come 15-25//box and put them around my main tubes and handlebars. The neighborhood kids think it's cool, and it keeps me from being run over by Holiday shoppers!!
batteries ... go for a hub generator, Schmidt or Shutter Precision! No worries about charging, plenty of light whenever your bike moves. Absolutely maintanance free, I did not do anything to my lights in the last ten years. And that 5W of extra resistance ... it helps you achieving your training goals one mile or so earlier, and you aren't racing for a new world record anyway.
personally a fan of lights on my bag.... good eyeheight for cities and cant be stolen from bike.
I have taken to having a small powerbank with me during longer night rides, and connect the lights to it during bottle refills and such. Even those 10 to 20 minutes of charging really helps a lot to extend their usable time. And if you run out, just find a good res stop and charge again.
Oh, and 200 lumen are good enough if you don‘t have to ride against much traffic - the human eye is pretty adaptable to low-light situations, so if no one destroys your night vision with car headlights all the time, you should be good to go. Used that setting on my Garmin UT800 during Vatternrundan and had no problems.
If you have to ride in traffic at night, go as high as you can, though… but angle it correctly.
200 lumens is nowhere near enough if you are riding on minor roads with bad surfaces and potholes in various paces, and you are doing 20mph or more. It would be enough if you are riding only on good quality roads, usually with a white line at the edge.
That was great, thank you Manon. Now my partner has an excuse to get a radar as it has a still rear light to complement the flashing one 😂
love manon
In some U.S. states, the legal minimum for bicyclists at night is a white retroreflector at front and a red one at the rear. No active lighting is required. It's bonkers, I know, but meets the legal minimum standard in some areas. I go way beyond the minimum and have two front lights, a rear light, and colored retroreflective tape front, rear, and sides.
Dynamo lights should be tackled too. Not for road racing but for commuting and long distance riding.
Love my dynamo set-up on my tourer. Should have done it years ago - never worry about batteries or forgetting them and they’re German so meet the road regs for there too making them much more friendly on the road
Alternative to batteries : a (quality) dynamo hub !
These are all great tips, but I would add one piece of advice regarding lumens. If you're a slower, more casual rider/commuter, 500 lumens will probably suffice. If, however, your average pace is 17mph (27kmh) or above, you're going to want to have a front light that's at least 750 lumens and preferably 900. The reason? Overriding your light. It's a term we use that means by the time you react to what your light shows you, it's too late. A weaker light can only illuminate the road so far in front of you sufficiently, so that pot hole you're about to ride into doesn't show up until you're almost in it and down you go. With a more powerful light, any potential road hazards are visible well in advance and you can go around them and/or call them out for anyone behind you. Spend the extra money here and buy a strong light, it will pay off many times over. Just a final note, I ride with a Nite Rider front light, my second one in many years, and they make an excellent product with an excellent warranty. I mount it under my Garmin computer using a double out front mount so my handlebars don't get crowded. I'm sure there are other great lights out there, just telling you what I've had great luck with.
Oh, and one final thing, don't wear dark colors in the dark. Sounds like common sense I know, but I see it all the time. Buy some kit that has reflective stripes or is brightly colored, it can only help keep you safe.
22.5 mph is 10 metres a second. I use a SON Edelux front light. The manufacturer doesn't give its power in lumens, since in practical terms, it's not useful information. However, I believe my light produces only about 300 lumens and yet it lights up the road at least 40 metres ahead...Without blinding on-coming traffic.
I have two types of front lights: one to ride in metropolitan areas and the other for "the rides in the wilderness" where I rely on all these hundreds of lumens the new lamps offer.
Hi, please any advice on MTB - hardtail and full suspension - what kind of lights should I use here? Lumens and similar, since there are not so many cars on these tracks. Thanks in advance
Manon is beautiful !
Its worth noting that in the UK legally any bike light that has a constant mode should conform to BS6102/3 and bikes should have a rear red reflector and amber pedal reflectors. Nobody cares or seems to know about the light standard (including the police) and you are unlikely to be stopped over a lack of reflectors providing you have lights BUT if you are involved in a incident there is a possibility that your bike could be considered non road legal and the blame could shift to you.
Hi gcn which type of lights are best in Australia please make a video like that have a nice day
Knog lights are great, they charge with USB-A and are weather proof. Way better manufactured than all the generic lights
Their latest lights have USB-c
1000% for the Knog Blinder rear/red light! TINY, and BRIGHT and built-in USB tab = no charging cord required - it's awesome! My only complaint is that the 1st light setting option isn't the standard on/off and you have to cycle 3 times to get to that standard setting, and it resets after each charge. I wish the 1st setting was just the normal on/off.
Something to consider is that a flashing light has a longer battery life than a steady beam.
Do you run a flashing light?
@@gcn during the day I use a flashing light. I use the steady beam when it is dark 👍
Ditto. I can ride 8 hours in the day with my front light on flash but only get 90 minutes on full high at night. Also..be ok with disposing of lights when they start only holding a short charge. I only get 4 to 6 years of use with rechargeables.
Flashing front and rear lights are legal in New South Wales Australia.
Cygolite and Orphos Flare Pro front and back.
EXPOSURE LIGHTS - Not cheap so maybe they could by your second set after you have broken the cheap one. But they can actually fix / repair them for most issues and warranty period is excellent. Probably the only lights you would then ever need. My out of warranty rear light was sent, fixed, returned in about 10 days.
One light to rule them all and in the darkness blind them. Sorry couldnt resist. I have flashing red light rear x2 rechargeable. Two lights for front one use one at a time. Also rechargeable. I will ride with my front set to blink. At dusk in evening and just after dawn on morning. I think drivers can really see you much better. Also with the flashing front light, I illuminate the road signs in front of me makes my little front light a giant beacon.
There is no restriction in South Australia regarding either a flashing front or rear light, contrary to what your video claims. There are restrictions on the use of blue lights, but nothing else.
One problem I come across when shopping for lights is nearly all of the manufacturers assume you'll be riding an high seat bike and not a recumbent which makes shopping for lighting for my recumbent trike (poor stability and balance on 2 wheels, plus back issues prevent me from riding normal bikes) a rather painful process as almost nobody thinks about recumbent riders.
Great video not enough emphasis on safety and lighting law by lots of cyclists!
In fall and winter I always put on the combo of 2 rear lights, one flashing, one steady. And whenever the sun is lower like today, I put a flashing front light on. I'll turn my jacket from dark blue to the red side. Nevertheless got ignored today in broad daylight by a mom with cargo bike cutting me off … whatever…
Good one Manon stick with the constant rear light instead of the flashing rear lights which are banned in some countries for good reason
I usually have my light on flashing just to conserve battery. With the light I have (Lezyne Lite 1000 Loo Men), the difference between flashing and not flashing is 10 extra hours, which is important because I'm out for anything from 6 to 14 hours a day.
that is an incredible amount of extra hours!
@@gcn yep, I bet it's annoying for motorists though, every time they pass me it's like driving through a rave
I'd also really like to fit front and rear directional indicators to my ebike. I hate having to use hand signals, especially since it's often unsafe to do so on rough roads, and many drivers these days don't even understand hand signalling protocols.
I'd be very wary of helmet mounted lights, they can greatly affect how the helmet performs in a crash
I have a Chinese light that has a proper beam cut off on dipped that doesn't blind people and you can see pretty well, but also has a second beam you can turn on for main beam when nobody is about. It's amazing for commuting I don't get why all bike lights aren't like it.
What's model?
@@am7265 it's got a typical dodgy Chinese name "Offbondage HYL1000" had mine since July
Pro tip.
In case you forgot to charge your light and it dies as you ride, remember to leave in your back pocket a reflective armband or jacket. They are small, fold-able and could make the difference between you getting hit or not. It won't give you light but it will make sure that traffic sees you.
I always have a spare cheap licht in my zadle back just in case
No dynamo lights? For really long rides (brevets, ultras, etc .). Son dynamo with a StVZO compliant front light (much better pattern for road). Plus a usb charge converter so you can charge a garmin powerpack and or rear lights during the day. Plus a helmet mounted headtorch - but make sure the headtorch will pop out of its mountings if you crash so the helmet still does its job properly.