Home > Clothing-Gear-Tools

13 Commuter bicycle lights worth a look – NiteRider, Light & Motion, Knog, Lupine & more!

46 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

With daylight savings time upon us and the night coming earlier, it’s time to bust out the lights. If your set up is a little dim, or you just want fresh bulbs,our list of commuter bike lights will get you noticed by others and lead you on your way. We pulled together our favorite picks from Lezyne, Bontrager, Blackburn, Knog, Specialized, Lupine, Kryptonite, NiteRider, Light & Motion, Cateye, BINOREAL and Axiom and put them into two categories: Lights to help you be seen by motorists, and lights that help you see where you’re going.

The former are lower powered, smaller, generally less expensive and serve mainly to make you more visible to others on the road. The latter are bright enough to help you see where you’re going, too.

LIGHTS TO BE SEEN

The following lights are designed to attract the attention of motorists and pedestrians. They’re not intended for navigating as an independent light source.

The Minimalist – Lezyne Femto Drive

commuter bicycle blinky lights from Lezyne for being seen by motorists

The Lezyne Femto Drive light system provides enough light to be spotted by motorists and pedestrians alike. 15 lumens up front and 7 lumens behind to be exact. Both the front and rear lights offer five output options including three flash, a pulse and a solid mode. Its machined aluminum body makes room for 180° of visibility and it’s anodized in several color options including silver, orange, red, purple, yellow, blue and black. Two replaceable CR2032 batteries remove charging from the equation but will need replacement after – at best – 60hrs. Bonus: A two-in-one mount makes it easy to strap on a bar or clip to a bag. Individually, the front and back lights cost $15 but when paired are $28.

  • Output: 15 lumens Front – 7 lumens Rear
  • Runtime: 60hr (Flash & Pulse modes) – 30hr (Solid)
  • Weight: 31g (each)
  • ON SALE NOW ($7.99 Front & $9.99 Rear at Amazon)

The Minimalist Rechargeables – Bontrager Ion 100 R & Flare R City

Bontrager Ion 100 R and Flare R rechargeable bicycle lights for daytime visibility
Photo c. Trek Bikes.

(Updated to better model 11/9/17) Bontrager was one of the first to make a big push for daytime visibility, and they have some really interesting tech at the high end. But the meat and potatoes of it are the lights, and they’re bundling their very bright Ion 100 R City (front) and Flare R City (rear) into a $69.99 package. The Ion straps onto your handlebar and shines up to 100 lumens forwards. The 35-lumen Flare 3 straps to your seatpost. Both are water-resistant and detach from their mounts to fit on helmets or backpacks (with optional accessories), and both have daytime and nighttime modes.

  • USB rechargeable
  • 16h (rear) and 20h (front) max runtimes
  • Flare has variable, attention grabbing flash modes

The Quick & Easy – Blackburn Click USB Set

Blackburn Click USB
photo c. Blackburn

Blackburn’s Click USB light system is a simple setup using the entire light face as the button, just mash it in to cycle through the settings. There’s also a smaller light that acts as a battery indicator. The headlight puts out 60 lumens while the back pushes 20 and they both are rated to IP-65 waterproofing. Further, they both recharge via USB in three hours and have a three tier battery indicator.

  • Runtimes: 2hr (High) – 3hr (Flash) Front : 1:30hr (High) – 3hr (Flash) Rear
  • Weight 59g
  • BUY NOW! ($35 at Performance)

The Mini Rechargeable – Knog Blinder Mini Niner & Dot

Knog Bike Light
photo c. Knog

Knog offers a number of different lights but for those looking to bring attention to themselves, their Blinder Mini Niner (front) and Blinder Mini Dot (rear) may be the solution. Both lights are rechargeable and have built-in contacts to plug directly into USB ports, and both are $40 each. The Mini Niner uses – you guessed it – nine LEDs to push 20 lumens that can be seen from 800m away. It’s priced at $40 and comes in black and red/black color options. Their Mini Dot is also visible from 800m but does so with a single 11-lumen rear LED. The Mini Dot costs $40 and is available in four colors: black, brass, copper and silver. The flat design comes with one tradeoff, though – no side visibility.

Mini Niner:

  • Runtime: 2:30hr (High) – 3:30hr (Low) – 3:30 (Flash) 11hr (Eco)
  • Durability: 100% waterproof
  • Weight: 18g
  • Light Focus: 90º
  • Bar Mount: 22-32mm & aero bars
  • BUY THEM NOW ($29 Front & Rear on Amazon)

Mini Dot:

  • Runtime: 2.15hr (High) – 3:30hr (Low) – 4:30hr (Flash) 11hr (Eco)
  • Durability: 100% Waterproof
  • Weight: 18g
  • Light Focus: 20º
  • BUY THEM NOW ($29 Front & Rear on Amazon)

The Clean Look – Specialized Stix Sport Combo

Specialized Stix Sport
photo c. Specialized

The Stix light system from Specialized features independent front and rear units and simplify ownership by plugging directly into USB ports to charge. And the design is clever, leaving the mount attached to your bike – just pop the light unit off and recharge it, then snap it back into place. Very quick, very easy. The front light puts out 95 lumens while the rear has 18. The $55 combo is compatible with 22.2 – 35mm bars and seatposts, but are not compatible with aero components out of the box (aero strap sold separately).

  • Headlight runtime: 1.35 – 13.5hr
  • Tail light runtime: 2.5 – 23hr
  • Six modes each including flashing, mixed-flash, and high & low options

The Even Cleaner Look – Fabric Lumacell

Fabric Lumacell minimalist bicycle lights with USB rechargeable design

Similar to the Specialized Stix, the Fabric Lumacell simply plugs directly into your computer or wall charger to power up its battery. No cable needed. Then, just plug it into the base, which stays attached to your handlebar or seatpost. The lights are IPX5 waterproof rated, with a proper seal on the mount to keep moisture from contacting the charging port, too.

  • 30 lumen front
  • 20 lumen rear
  • 2/4/8 hour run time on steady modes, 8 hours on flash
  • 180º visibility
  • $24.99 each

HOW THEY COMPARE:

Lezyne Bontrager Blackburn Knog Specialized Fabric
LUMENS 15/7 120/na 60/20 20/11 95/18 30/20
MAX RUNTIME 60h 30+h 3h 11h 23h 8h
SIDE VISIBILITY yes no yes no no yes
RECHARGEABLE no yes yes yes yes yes
PRICE $7.99$9.99 $70/set $35/set $29 ea. $55/set $25/ea

 


LIGHTS TO HELP YOU SEE

The following products are designed to provide enough light to navigate by while still making you way more visible to drivers. Although many have reduced side-visibility compared to the “Be Seen” lights above, you’ll get much brighter lights and some advanced features.

The German Exotic – Lupine SL A7

Lupine Bike light
photo c. Lupine

The SL A7 is Lupine’s first attempt at a road-focused headlight, and it’s one to consider. It floods the road with 900 lumens and provides up to 250m of visibility for the rider. You’d think that would blind oncoming traffic, but their dual-aspheric lens focuses the beam to have a flat top. This way riders can direct more light on the road, and still maintain visibility to motorists. It also has an ambient light sensor that adjusts the 12 LEDs to a day-time setting. The included battery is a 6.6 Ah SmartCore unit that’s interchangeable with other Lupine packs and maintains steady output throughout its charge level.

  • Output: 900 lumens
  • Runtime: 3hr – 16hr day-time setting
  • Build: Aluminum
  • Weight: 340g
  • Mount: 31.8mm bar mount (light) – velcro strap (battery)
  • Retail is $435 / €385 / £355

The Newcomer – Kryptonite Alley F-650 & Avenue R-50 COB

Kryptonite bike lights
photo c. Kryptonite

Kryptonite has a bundled set for those navigating dark streets, taking their bike security heritage and applying it to rider safety. Their F-650 headlight pumps out up to 650 lumens of clean, white light for up to 26 hours of runtime. Its built-in battery indicator changes from green (100%) to yellow (50-25%) to red (>25%). Similarly, the Avenue R-50 maxes out at 50 lumens and will last up to 11 hours. It too has a battery indicator that changes from green to red at >25%. They both meet FL-1 standards to guarantee output and durability, both have side visibility markers, and both are USB rechargeable.

Alley F-650

  • Output: 650 (High) – 325 (Medium) – 100 (Low)
  • Runtime: 2hr (High) – 4hr (Medium) – 12hr (Low)
  • BUY IT NOW ($64.95 on Amazon)

Avenue R-50

  • Output: 50 (High) – 25 (Medium) – 10 (Low)
  • Runtime: 2:15hr (High) – 2:15 (Medium) – 5hr (Low)
  • BUY IT NOW ($30.95 on Amazon)

The Amazing Bargain – NiteRider Swift 450 & Sabre 80

NiteRider lights
photo c. NiteRider

Niterider is also pushing daytime visibility in a big way, and they’re making a compelling argument for their lights by providing a lot more lumens for just a few more bucks than others’ “be seen” lights. Small, light and on the go, NiteRider’s Swift 450 offers a rechargeable headlight with a 450 lumen output that’s enough for many commuters and its Intellicharge technology allows it to recharge quickly in a pinch. Plus, its illuminated power button gives battery level outputs. All that for $35.

The Sabre 80 retails for $30 and has a rechargeable Li-Po battery. It puts out 80 lumens and offers six modes with runtimes ranging from 1:30 – 10:30hrs. Both have sidelights to provide 180º visibility and draw attention through intersections. And both use built-in rubber straps to secure to the handlebar or seatpost, with plastic tabs offering quick removal from the mount.

Swift 450:

  • Outputs: 450 (High) – 225 (Med) – 100 (Low)
  • Runtime: 1.5hr (High) – 3hr (Med) – 9 hr (Low)
  • Charge: 2hr (1amp) – 3:30hr (500mA)
  • Weight: 82g
  • Weather resistance: IP64
  • BUY IT NOW ($34.99 @ NiteRider)

Sabre 80:

  • Output: 80 lumens – unspecified modes
  • Runtime: 1:30hr (High) – 3hr (Med) – 4hr (Low)
  • Charge: 1:30hr
  • Weight: 28g
  • Weather resistance: IP64
  • BUY IT NOW ($29.99 @ Amazon)

The Attention Getter – Cateye Volt 400 & Kinetic X2

Cateye has been making lights for decades and was among the first to add a blinking feature. Now, they’ve taken that attention grabbing setting and upped the ante with the HyperConstant mode, which blasts a 400 lumen pulse past a 50 lumen constant beam, helping motorists take notice in otherwise well-lit city streets.. Or, opt for the constant 400 lumen output when you’re on darker streets and country roads. Out back, the Kinetic X2 uses motion sensors to turn on automatically, letting you focus on the ride. Its 50-lumen output and auto-burst modes that change the flash pattern when it detects sudden slowing, make sure anyone behind you knows you’re there. Both are USB rechargeable.

Volt 400 specs:

  • 400 lumens
  • rubber strap bar mount
  • low battery indicator
  • 2.5hr @ 400lmn / 13.5hr @ 100lmn / 110hr @ flashing
  • BUY IT NOW ($40 at Amazon)

Kinetic X2 specs:

  • 50 lumens
  • Up to 30 hours run time w/ auto shut off
  • three modes
  • BUY IT NOW ($60 at Amazon)

The Helmet Mounted All-in-One Option – Light & Motion Vis Pro

Light & Motion bike lights vis pro
photo & video c. Light & Motion

For those looking for an all-in-one package, Light & Motion has the new Vis Pro. It’s an updated version of their helmet mount Vis 360 all-in-one lighting system but has 5x more output. The Vis Pro shines with 600 lumens, enough to easily navigate home on dark suburban evenings or even a night ride in the woods. Similar to its predecessor, the Vis Pro is rechargeable through a micro USB port and meets FL-1 standards (waterproofing, impact resistance, and run-time).

Specs:

  • Outputs: 600 (High) – 300 (Medium) – 150 (Low)
  • Runtime: 2hr (High) – 4hr (Medium) – 8 hr (Low)
  • Charging: 6hr
  • Weight 140g
  • Price $150
  • BUY IT NOW ($150 on Amazon)

The Adaptive Light – BINOREAL Radius F1

The BINOREAL Radius F1 sets itself apart from many headlights by using motion sensing technology, adjusting its output to match your speed. It brightens when accelerating and dims when slowing; It even flashes when turning and coming to a stop. An optional Bluetooth remote is available to manually adjust the light without leaving the grips, and a magnetic charging port refuels its lithium-ion battery. The Radius F1 comes in two editions including – 650 lumens for $100, and 450 lumens for $80. The remote is sold separately for $20.

Radius F1 650:

  • Output: 650 (High) – 350 (Medium) – 200 (Low)
  • Charging: 4hr (5v/2A)
  • Weather resistance: IPX7
  • Drop resistance: 3.3ft
  • Weight: 113g
  • Runtime: 2hrs (High)
  • Mounting bracket: 25.4 – 31.8mm
  • Battery: 3300mAh

Radius F1 450: Matches all of the specs except…

  • Output: 450 (High) – 300 (Medium) – 200 (Low)
  • Charging: 3hr (5v/2A)
  • Battery: 2600mAh

The Affordably Bright One – Axiom Lazer 700 & Pluse 30 Bundle

The Lazer 700 and Pulse 30 from Axiom are Micro-USB rechargeable and offer 700 lumens upfront and up to 30 in the rear. The 700 gets a Cree XM-L ultra bright LED that runs up to 33+ hours on strobe mode. It’s clamp fits bars ranging from 25.4 – 31.8mm with a rubber shim and it installs tool free. The Pulse 30 rear also has a tool free seatpost mount, and both recharge in 5 hours. The headlight only shines forward, but the tail light offers side visibility. Normal retail is $110 for the set.

  • Lazer 700 Runtime: 2h (High) – 4:30 (Medium) – 9:30hr (Low)
  • Pulse 30 Runtime: 1:45 (High) – 5:45hr (Fast Flash) – 12hr (Slow Flash)
  • ON SALE NOW ($70 at Performance)

HOW THEY COMPARE:

LUPINE Kryptonite Niterider Cateye Light & Motion Binoreal Axiom
LUMENS 900/na 650/50 450/80 400/50 600/na 650/na 700/30
MAX RUNTIME 16h 12h 9h 10h 8h 9h 12h
SIDE VISIBILITY ltd yes yes yes ltd ltd ltd
RECHARGEABLE yes yes yes yes yes yes yes
PRICE $435 $65/$31 $35/$30 $40/$50 $150 $80-$100 $110/set

 


Link Disclosure: The “Buy Now” links in this article are affiliate links for which Bikerumor may earn a small commission if you purchase an item from that website. This helps us keep the show going here at Bikerumor without adding any cost to your purchase or forcing us to run those awful “recommended tabloid content” boxes. Thanks, and you’re welcome.

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

46 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
terp
terp
6 years ago

very nice bright light

Kartikeya Panwar
Kartikeya Panwar
6 years ago
Reply to  terp

nice very bight light

Courier
Courier
6 years ago

bright light very nice

Derp
Derp
6 years ago
Reply to  Courier

Nice light very bright.

Bruce
Bruce
6 years ago

Dinotte Lighting (dinottelitting.com) makes the best daylight visibility and night visibility lights I have seen or used. I have no affiliation with the company. The lights are made in in New Hampshire, USA. They take trade in of older Dinotte Lights on new ones, they repair their lights, and you can order spare parts. In my experience they have provided excellent response to any questions I have had. Their lights are not inexpensive but in my experience are functional and bullet proof. They use very high quality batteries and I have never had a battery failure even after many charge/discharge cycles. I an writing because I think they deserve at least equal billing with Lupine and Light and Motion.

Troy
Troy
6 years ago
Reply to  Bruce

I think you misty-tyed that link – but thanks for an honest recommendation Bruce – I will take a look

Dinger
Dinger
6 years ago
Reply to  Bruce

Misspelled your URL.. http://dinottelighting.com/

Aar
Aar
6 years ago
Reply to  Bruce

I’ve been using Dinotte lights for years and they have never let me down. With their 200 lumen rear light, I get “buzzed” by motorists significantly less frequently than with other rear lights. Their 1200 lumen white headlight is completely invaluable for long night rides. Amber headlights that they offer help me be seen by oncoming motorists during the day and do not need to be ridiculously bright. Batteries handle many charge/discharge cycles and have a very long charge life for the weight. As Bruce stated, they stand behind their products. I’ve returned a rear light for credit towards a replacement and they changed a headlight battery for me. Excellent company with excellent products. They’re pricey and deliver value that far exceeds the price.

Dylan
Dylan
6 years ago

I always wonder why people who are planning on commuting when it’s getting dark choose a minimalist light like those in your ‘to be seen’ category. Lights like this are better than nothing, but easily lost amidst reflections and glare from headlights. Commuting is not a fashion statement, and you don’t need to save a few grams.

IMO for commuting there is no substitute for lumens, and the more offensive the beam pattern and the more seizure inducing the blink rate the better. I’ve had far too many ‘SMIDSY’ moments to care about any offence caused to drivers, or statutory offence [that said, if it’s a quiet road with few distractions and little chance of anyone wanting to cut across in front of me I will ALWAYS dip and dim my headlight].

You don’t have to spend a fortune, there are decent options for not much more that $20 on places like DealExtreme (which despite the suspicious name have been reliable for me for many years). I’ve had a “marsing 4-mode 3 Led 3000 lumen” light for about 5 years – actual lumen output is less than half what’s advertised, but the only light in this article that comes close in raw output is the Lupine. There’s no argument that the Lupine is vastly superior quality in every respect, but 21 times more expensive…

As for helmet mounted options, please don’t. These are almost always extremely sensitive to head position – look down, or to the side, and drivers simply won’t see your lights. Ditto with speed sensitive output – I want to be just as noticeable if I’m crawling up a steep hill, or taking the lane in slow moving traffic.

RJ
RJ
6 years ago
Reply to  Dylan

Don’t forget that there is a difference between being seen because of your light and not being seen because of your light. Many lights that are made for off-road use are sufficiently bright to essentially “blind” oncoming traffic. As someone who both cycles and drives – this has become a noticeable issue.

Dylan
Dylan
6 years ago
Reply to  RJ

@RJ, I drive and ride too. “Noticeable issue” is exactly the point. I’m tired of not being noticed when I’m riding my bike in the dark. I think my chances of being ‘not seen’ because my lights dazzle oncoming traffic is much, MUCH lower than the increased visibility they offer. n=1 and all that, but until I put a bright light designed for MTB night riding on my commuting bike I don’t think any oncoming driver ever dipped their high beams. And the difference in the number of drivers in front making un-signalled turns or stops, and oncoming cars turning across my path is night and day [pardon the pun]. So I actually feel that a cheap MTB light with lots of offensive spill is safer [for me] than something with a proper DOT approved beam pattern.

Aside from SMIDSY, some people also see a bike light and deliberately turn across your path, thinking, “bike=slow, I have time to turn safely”. Nobody is going to turn across the path of “WTF is THAT, a spaceship?”.

As for the quantum of the issue of blinded drivers, even the brightest MTB light isn’t going to spill as much light as a car (let alone a semi trailer) that doesn’t dip it’s high beams. Annoying sure, but real harm done?

Note I’m writing from Australia, where general driver awareness of and behaviour towards cyclists is appalling. If I was living in a civilised country I might feel safe enough with a civilised light!

Bobbafett
Bobbafett
6 years ago
Reply to  RJ

Agreed. The assumption that more blinding, strobing lights are safer is misguided. Some people simply don’t look and flash modes can make it hard to judge location and closing speed. Having a crazy rave-mode light also pisses off pretty much every other road user inc other cyclists.

gringo
gringo
6 years ago
Reply to  RJ

You know what I think when someone says my bike light is ‘too bright’? I say ‘Perfect!’

I agree with everything Dylan wrote and commute happily with a dynamo powered Supernova E3 Triple, and can confirm that very, very few cars will turn in front of you if they think a freight train may be hidden behind the oncoming light storm.

FWIW a modern car puts out around 1,200 lumens per lamp with a very expensive relfector making best use of all that light. My lamp puts out 700 tops.

Am I worried my lamp is too bright? No, not at all.

Penn Teller
Penn Teller
6 years ago
Reply to  gringo

I’m in with Dylan and Gringo: drivers who notice that my light is “too bright” are also noticing me.

I live in a college town, and the campus bike cops use really bright lights. I find drivers much more courteous when I’m running my “big” 1200-lumen light, perhaps because they don’t want to risk pissing off a cop.

It’s brutal out there; I’ll take all the help I can get. If that means some drivers are forced to squint and pay more attention, so be it.

TheKaiser
TheKaiser
6 years ago
Reply to  gringo

Yeah, DOT approved modern car lights mildly impair ones ability to see the area immediately around and behind them, due to the extreme contrast. While I would prefer that regs be adjusted to accommodate the different and more blinding light spectrum that HIDs and LEDs have vs. old halogen bulbs, my point is that few bike lights will compete with them for output. In this mix, the cars/trucks are the big fish, in terms of light sources. Similarly, even if the intensity of your bike light makes it difficult for a driver to see if you are on a bicycle, motor scooter, or motor cycle, the point is that they have indeed seen that you are there and moving in a certain direction.

Now, on an unlit bike path at dusk or after dark, its a whole other ball game. There are few competing light sources there, and so a bright bike light becomes the big fish. In that situation, the person with the powerful bike light blasting other users is the equivalent of the jerk high beaming everyone in his truck on the road.

ktula
6 years ago
Reply to  TheKaiser

Unfortunately in this country, bicycle headlight brands are trying to out-shine their competitors with even brighter headlights. Other than Portland Design Works’ Pathfinder USB headlight, no other bicycle headlights sold here are designed for unlit bike path. Many bike commuters, being sold on the brighter is safer tagline, unwittingly become jerks on unlit bike paths (like the Burke Gilman trail in Seattle). Until headlight designers in this country come out with a headlight that the ability to switch between road/bike path modes, if unlit bike path and road are part of your commute, you should probably carry two headlights. One for the bike path and one for the road.

gringo
gringo
6 years ago
Reply to  ktula

@ktula: Dude it’s 2017, who cares where the lights designer is based? If you are not happy with USA designed lights, just get one from Busch & Müller, Trelock or AXA. All of which have several lights with shaped beams, high / low, USB port to charge your phone, etc…

Also, I should add to my comment above, I commute on dirt through the forest and on farm roads, where the only other bike I ever see is my coworker who lives in the same neighborhood….none of this blinding other bikers on the bike path FWIW.

BeardPapa
BeardPapa
6 years ago
Reply to  RJ

As a commuter on a two-way bike path adjoining a highway (recently in the news tragically), the 700+ lumens lights have become a major nuisance for me too — I’m forced to look down/away and trust I’m not missing a jogger or a turning car until they pass. I run a 350-lumen-max Light & Motion, almost never in the high setting, and can see everything fine, so I know the brighter lights are overkill for the route. A little highway-grade reflective tape on the fork legs & helmet and I let the oncoming vehicles’ lights do my be-seen work for me. I wonder if defenders of blinding oncoming drivers feel the same about oncoming cyclists.

Dylan
Dylan
6 years ago
Reply to  BeardPapa

Agreed obnoxious lights like I run are unnecessary on bike paths.
But for those of you who are blessed with this as the ‘major nuisance’ on your commute, I’m playing a sad song on the world’s tiniest violin right now, can you hear it? 🙂

ktula
6 years ago
Reply to  BeardPapa

I agree with BeardPapa. Super bright headlights on bike paths are super annoying and are actually dangerous because you are temporarily blinded. Last year, I damn near hit a walker because I couldn’t see squat for a couple of seconds after being blinded by the headlight from an oncoming cyclist. I decided to be part of the solution instead of a problem so I recently replaced my Cygolite headlight with a Busch & Müller IXON Core headlight (StVZO-compliant) and a PDW Pathfinder USB headlight. They are both designed to be glare-free. When I’m on the bike path, I use the IXON Core headlight. It has a narrower beam pattern. When I’m on the road, in addition to the IXON Core, I run the Pathfinder in flashing mode. Seriously, one does not need be glaring other road users to be seen.

drosser
drosser
6 years ago
Reply to  Dylan

Lights on your helmet are 100% necessary, but cannot be your only lighting source. I commute 100% of the time and traffic trying to cross your path have a great deal of difficulty seeing you if there are cars between you and the crosser *unless* you have light on your helmet.

Dylan
Dylan
6 years ago
Reply to  drosser

A helmet light only helps in this scenario if your head is up higher than the roof line of the car in front of you. SUVs are close to 50% of the traffic around these parts.
If you can keep up with traffic, riding out close to the centre line of the road also helps you be visible much sooner.

Dustbin
Dustbin
6 years ago

Q: What happens when the integrated lithium ion batteries in these things goes belly up after 2 years?
A: The whole light gets tossed.

Why can’t they use standard rechargeable cells like a 18650 or something?

Tyni Tyres
Tyni Tyres
6 years ago
Reply to  Dustbin

Some of the Fenix lights use one or two swapable rechargable 18650 cells, plus you can also substitute two single use CR123A for each 18650 when you want. This is useful for randoneuring or touring away from power outlets.

stevie Jo
stevie Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Dustbin

You can send in Light in Motion lights and get a new battery put in. I did it with an original Vis 360 light. Costs less than a new one and the put in a new circuit board with the updated pulse pattern.

Moby
Moby
6 years ago

Lupine for the win. 2xBetty Rs for year round multi hour post work commuting/training on an unlit tree covered bike path. Remote control to make it easy to knock the output to the lowest level to avoid blinding the few other folks I see without having to take hands off the bar and risk a crash.

Dolan Halbrook
Dolan Halbrook
6 years ago

Token dynohub superiority comment. Battery powered lights are only good if the battery is actually charged.

Stuart
Stuart
6 years ago

The Lupine is interesting, simply because it would be illegal in Germany where front lights have a 250lumen limit

Nick
Nick
6 years ago
Reply to  Stuart

It is StVZO legal

gringo
gringo
6 years ago

I just came here to wonder why not a single dynamo light / system is listed. Absolutely superior in every way. no chargin, no forgetting, just bright light on demand.

Gary
Gary
6 years ago

Dinotte tail light, if you want to be seen in time for drivers to react and move over.

Snotty
Snotty
6 years ago

It was not long ago that I bought a dynamo.
Little drag so,
I could still ride like a torpedo
And on I rode through Idaho
Night, day, rainbow, sleet and snow,
until I eventually reached New Mexico

In memory of my dynamo
2004 –

Rideabike
Rideabike
6 years ago

Dynamo lights should be more used and better represented! No charging required no worrying about forgetting lights and with the myriad of security bolts they are highly theft resistant or you can make it so you can actually unplug them. I have one bike with them and they are excellent and I will soon be adding that to other bikes in the fleet.

Anyone who uses a blinking or flashing light at the front is a supreme problem and they need to stop. It makes it harder for people to see you and can cause a lot
of issues especially at night. White light is very damaging to the human eye. I know I have to shield my eyes when cycling home after work and people are flashing white lights. Just get a good quality bright front light keep it steady and don’t ride like a nut or a salmon.

Tyni Tyres
Tyni Tyres
6 years ago

For road use I find lights with shaped beams, whether battery or dynamo powered to be superior. Shaped beams as used in many Busch & Müller lights, also the Cateye HL-EL540, and others use a backwards facing LED and emit a rectangular beam of light with a sharp cutoff at the top making the best use of available lumens and are not as blinding to oncoming traffic. I don’t think any of the ones listed here are of such a design.

Tyni Tyres
Tyni Tyres
6 years ago
Reply to  Tyni Tyres

Actually I was wrong. The Lupine appears to have a shaped beam, but it is hugely expensive.

wkochi
wkochi
6 years ago
Reply to  Tyni Tyres

yes, its expensive. but getting hit by a car is even more expensive. since i ride quite a bit when its dark out…having a light that’s reliable is worth more to me than one that might crap out on me during my ride. the Lupine lights have all served me well…and the newer SL is nice with the shaped beam.

ktula
6 years ago
Reply to  Tyni Tyres

Portland Design Works’ Pathfinder USB headlight is only $35 and it’s designed not to glare other road users.

BeardPapa
BeardPapa
6 years ago

No-one else has pointed it out so I will: those Knogs have more than “one drawback.” Their second one is significant: the silicone attachment bands break very easily even with gentle use. Nice product w/ good light & slick recharging but if you lock up outdoors & need to remove them daily, don’t count on having a usable light for long. Between this and the dud Oi bell, I’m done giving them my $ for flashy design & shoddy execution.

JG
JG
6 years ago

Daylight “saving” time, no “s” at the end…

Mitch
Mitch
6 years ago

Thanks for promoting internet sales and not driving customers to their LBS. You blew it, BR.

cracked frame
cracked frame
6 years ago
Reply to  Mitch

Welcome to the Internet. Glad you could make it.

Stephen
Stephen
6 years ago

BINOREAL looks to be vaporware at the moment. Web site seems to be preparing for a future Kickstarter launch

ascarlarkinyar
6 years ago

Ebay, 5.00, brighter and works great. Search Cree xl. Millions to pick from.

CoffeeAddikkt
6 years ago

Also worth a look at the British Exposure Lights, some brillian commuter-specific lights and some interesting new rear lights.

MaxRider
MaxRider
6 years ago

Interested in the adaptive bike light. Did anyone ever use a so-called smart bike light?

Josh
Josh
6 years ago

Remember to check local laws, too.

Here in Washington State, flashing headlights are prohibited state-wide on bicycles, day or night, because of the hazards they create. (Besides distraction and glare, strobing makes it much harder for drivers to judge your position, direction, and speed. And strobing headlights are a documented issue for many photosensitive conditions such as vertigo, migraines, and epilepsy.)

When the Bicycle Alliance of Washington got the Legislature to approve flashing tail lights, they made it a narrowly tailored exception to the general ban on flashing lights. Only flashing LED tail lights are legal.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.