Summer is coming, but we’ve still got a few dark months ahead of us. For those of us wanting to ride through the winter months, there are a few things required – warm, waterproof clothing, and a good set of lights!
Choosing the right set of lights from all the available options can be tricky – there’s a lot of choice out there at present, and a lot of technology to understand. This guide breaks the choice down as simply as possible.
LTP’s light test with a 500 Lumen commuter light
Criteria when choosing a light:
1. Intended use: How you plan to use the light(s)? Things to consider are:
- The length of your commute. Longer commutes favour high-powered USB-charged lights so you don’t have to re-mortgage your house to pay for batteries.
- How much of your commute is on roads versus pathways. If you aren’t always in traffic, you will want to err on the side of more powerful lights, 150 lumens plus for the front.
- Whether you might rely on your headlight as the only source of illumination. If your light is going to be your only way to see, 250 lumens is the minimum power your should look for.
2. Power source: This is simple. Do you want to buy disposable batteries for the light, or will you remember to charge it up at your computer, or with a wall-mount/phone charger. (Remember, the average person will charge their headlight about 1/3 as often as their phone)
- Modern lights either run on AA/AAA replaceable batteries, or a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery pack.
- Replaceable battery lights are a lower up-front cost, but keeping them running is usually more money.
- Rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries are considered the best solution, but do need charging (usually once a week). Most are USB rechargeable, so you can use your computer or phone charger.
3. Mounting style: Whether you have room on your handlebars and seatpost for lights, or if you need special mounts (or want to run the light on your helmet)
- If you’re riding in traffic, we recommend running your headlight on your handlebar and taillight on your seatpost. Helmet-mounted headlights can be bright enough to irritate other road users.
- Mounting a taillight on your helmet is an excellent idea, as the light is more visible when it is higher up, and the power output of these systems isn’t enough to be distracting to drivers.
4. Price: There’s a wide range to choose from, but the more you spend, the more powerful and more efficient the light gets. Expect to spend a minimum of $50 on a pair of lights, and up to $300 for a top-of-the-line commuting headlight.
- Replaceable battery lights are cheaper up front, and you can still get good power from them.
- The more power the light has, the better the battery it usually comes with, meaning that day-to-day you get a longer runtime.
How lights are measured:
1. Power. Light output is measured in Lumens. The testing process for this is rather vague, so not all lights are created equal. You can find cheap lights online rated for high lumen output, but compare them side by side and they just don’t stack up. Our guide would be 30 lumens minimum for an in-traffic front light, and 150 lumens minimum for a headlight that will be the source of illumination for you.
600 Lumens in MTBR’s backyard test
1000 Lumens in MTBR’s backyard test
2. Battery life. All good lights will list run times in the lights various modes. Factor in your commute time when buying a light. More money usually means a better battery and more power, and thus a longer run time with the same light output.
Lights:
Serfas Apollo USB Combo
Apollo USB Headlight & Tail Light
Intended use: Daily in-traffic commute
Power Source: USB
Mounting Style: Bar/seatpost
Price: $47.99/pair
Runtime: High: 3 hrs runtime, Medium: 6 hrs, Flash: 50 hrs
Serfas True 450/Cosmo 30 combo
True 450/Cosmo 30
Intended use: Daily commute, traffic and trail
Power Source: USB, 450 Lumens
Mounting Style: Bar/seatpost
Price: $99.99/pair
Runtime: High: 2.5 hrs runtime, Medium: 7 hrs, Flash: 14.5 hrs
Serfas True 950/150TL combo
Serfas True 950 Flash/ 150TL
Intended use: Off-the-beaten path or extended in-town commute
Power Source: USB, 700 Lumens
Mounting Style: Bar/seatpost
Price: $194.99/pair
Runtime: High: 1.5 hrs runtime, Medium: 3 hrs, Flash: 20 hrs
We hope this light guide keeps you motivated and excited to stay on the bike this winter. While it might be dark and cold out there, with the proper equipment, a winter commute doesn’t have to be unpleasant, and is a great way to keep your fitness up year round! Stay safe out there!