Connect with us

CONTACT US (editorial board)

365mountain bikes

Insights

Which lights to choose on your BIKE? (Lumen/Lux) Shopping tips

Winter is coming and the "dark" period of Rollers and Lights is coming, at least for the more adventurous. MTB lights are essential in the evening hours or in the twilight of the woods, as well as on the road for safety reasons,

forest mtb cycling light (2)

Let's start from the goal of having good lights: the goal is to see ourselves but also to be seen. This is why we must also pay particular attention to the rear light, especially if we find ourselves using asphalt roads (as well as being required by law).

forest mtb cycling light (2)

TYPES OF LIGHT

There are three types of bike light: classic, halogen and LED. There classic It's just for the record but it's no longer used in sports (unless you want to create a vintage effect). There halogen bulb it is a nice compromise, which allows greater control over the light beam and a power between 0,28 and 0,44 Watts, but the most used (and recommended) is the LED light. THE LED bike lights made with semiconductor materials, which emit photons when an electrical voltage passes through them. The advantage of the LED is greater power with lower consumption, furthermore the light beam is easily controlled thanks to a system of mirrors inside the bulb which directs and amplifies the light.

POWER

In the lights on the market we find, as a reference value, lumens or lux. The lumen is the unit of measurement for the power of the luminous flux; lux instead expresses the width of the light beam (the quantity of lumens per square meter). Two important values ​​given that on a bike we need power but also width (example: to see the edges of the path).

If you use the bike in the city in fairly well-lit areas, fixed or intermittent lights between 20 and 30 lumens are fine, but the power must reach 200 lumens if the streets are less lit. For the rear lights, 30 lumens are sufficient. Don't forget the width of the light beam because in the city peripheral lighting is essential for your safety.

If you practice road cycling you have to be seen, so the power of the rear must be at a good level (it cannot be less than 100 lumens). At least 500 lumens at the front.

If you are an off-road lover instead, is the most demanding type of biker, because it must illuminate both in depth and peripherally. My advice is at least 1000 lumens and a light beam wide enough to illuminate the sides. The ideal would be to combine a larger handlebar light with a more directional light on the helmet (at least 500 lumen), so as to have achieved both objectives.

forest mtb cycling light (2)

WHERE ARE THE LIGHTS FIXED?

Rear lights usually attach to the seat post or it can happen directly to the saddle shell (like some models). Be careful not to put it in a position that will then be covered (think of the vertical tube of a full suspension where, in case of shock absorption, it is covered by the rear wheel).

When off-road, it is advisable to have a light on the handlebars, to illuminate short-distance obstacles well, and one on the helmet, to illuminate longer ranges and be able to direct the light.

davide finetto ligurian final 2014 (1)
Only the light on the helmet can be dangerous as it could leave dark areas near the front wheel – ©sportograf

WHICH FOOD?

The models we recommend have a rechargeable battery via USB (then we find batteries or dynamo). There are also specific lights for e-bikes that use the bicycle battery as power (safer system to avoid being left without light).

WATERPROOF

Rain exists in the world, especially in winter, and therefore it is very important to check that the waterproofness of the lighthouse is good. The reference standard for water resistance is called IPX, the maximum is IPX7 (at least IPX6 is recommended).

EXTRA

As a final piece of advice, especially for longer outings, a power bank. If you run out of battery, a short coffee break to allow you to get home safely. As long as the bars aren't closed!

davide finetto ligurian final 2014 (2)
Light can be very important when we are so tired that we can no longer see the road.... an amarcord photo from the 24h Finale Ligure 2014 – ©sportograf


Written by

[email protected] I am passionate about everything that has 2 wheels: in my youth I practiced competitive cycling on the road and on the track with good results. At the age of 18 I moved to cross country competing at national/international level as U23. Once I passed Elite, I made the choice to take things easier from the training point of view, and that's how my love for gravity disciplines was born, training as an FCI MTB instructor and guide. Now I have made my passion my profession by managing 3 MTB centers on the island of Elba (Elba MTB), creating the FANTAmtb and telling in an ironic but professional way, everything that revolves around MTB thanks to 365mountainbike and 365TV (YouTube 'PULITI dentro BIKER fuori').

CORRELATED ARTICLES

CHRISTMAS: 2024 Gift Ideas for MTB Lovers

News

VIDEO – How to set the shock absorbers of our MTB / e-bike

Insights

S24_Escapist_Saddle_Bag_Black_10005857_Gnarvana.Scales-122_1 S24_Escapist_Saddle_Bag_Black_10005857_Gnarvana.Scales-122_1

Osprey Escapist™ On-Bike: Everything for Bikepacking

News

advertisement

PRIVACY POLICY - DEONTOLOGICAL LEGISLATION - FACT CHECKING REGULATION - CORRECTIONS - COOKIES POLICY
365mountainbike is a newspaper registered at the civil and criminal court of Verona on 10/01/2012
Copyright © 2019 | 365 sport srl (04835100233)
via Brenta, 7 - 37057 San Giovanni Lupatoto (VR)

© 365 sport srl All rights reserved. The articles contained in the site cannot be copied or reproduced by other means without a license granted by the author. The public reproduction of a content of the site, in whole or in part, by any means, without the express written permission of the author, is prohibited.

Connect