LEDs and only them
Until a few years ago, we had a selection of different lamps for bicycle lights. However, now LED technology has developed to such an extent, and the price of such products has become so affordable that the buyer in the bicycle lamp market chooses almost only LED lamps. Radiated power has also increased a lot in the last couple of years, and the brightest bicycle lights have a claimed luminous flux of several thousand lumens, which is more than that of car headlights. Flashlights of more general use give a luminous flux of 50 to 500 lumens. At the same time, of course, marker or emergency lights have a lower intensity and are suitable for seeing you on the road, and not you on the road.
Questions to ask yourself when choosing a bike light
First question: why do I need a bike light? Do you need it to just drive slowly to the store in the evening, or are you returning from work driving through a forested area? You need to determine how much light you need, and what properties it should have. Usually the brighter the better, but if you do a lot of city driving, you'd better choose lights with good side visibility. This is especially important when you are leaving an intersection.
If you ride primarily on the highway, you need a bike light that won't dazzle oncoming drivers. Then you can choose a lamp with a narrow light beam or the so-called "German" beam. If your trips combine highways, trails and single bike lanes, then you can get a light with a wide beam, but with the ability to switch to a weaker mode when needed. If you have multiple bikes and want to get by with just one front light, it's important to choose a light with easy-to-remove mounts.
The second question is: how often and for how long during the day will I use the flashlight? If your daily commute takes one hour, and the flashlight is designed for 50 minutes of operation, problems may already arise. Whether the flashlight runs on batteries or is recharged via a USB port, you need to consider where and when you will recharge it and how long it will take.
Many bike lights have an energy-saving mode, so you can conserve battery power for the least lit sections of the path. There are lights that display battery charge data, they are well suited for those who regularly drive at night and at the same time forget to recharge the battery.
The third question is: under what weather conditions will I use the flashlight? With daily trips in any season, you will sometimes have to drive in bad weather, and front light will be exposed to rain and spray from the road. Here the rule is simple - more expensive versions have more protection and tightness, so you need to buy what you can afford as much as possible.
Types of bicycle lights
Hazard/marker lights usually small in size, so they can easily be placed in a bike bag until they are needed. They are easily attached to the frame or handlebars with an elastic strap and operate on coin cell batteries. They have low radiation power, but with them you can drive home, and it's better than nothing if you were caught in the dark on the road and the main lamp broke.
For example: Knog , Electron .
Knog Boomer Twinpack
Small flashing lights flashers, can also give a constant beam. They are larger and stronger than emergency lights and usually run on long-lasting batteries. They are cheap, and therefore, in terms of price-quality ratio, they look preferable than emergency lights.
For example: Cateye , Blackburn .
Cateye Nima 2
Torch type lights presented on the market most diversely. They run on AA/AAA batteries or a rechargeable battery. Their radiation is quite powerful and this is the kind of flashlight you need if you need to be not only noticeable on the road, but also see for yourself. Manufacturers often offer a set of a rear flasher and a torch front light. Chargers often come with AC adapters, and devices with a USB port have become more and more popular recently. You can charge such a flashlight during the day at your desk in the office.
For example: BBB , Raleigh .
BBB BLS-71 - Strike 300lm
Chargeable systems They are the connection of the battery pack to a light that is much more powerful than a standard torch. Such devices start from £50, but they are already high-tech gadgets. If you like training runs in the dark and off-road, this is probably the best option.
For example: Niterider , Exposure.
Exposure Strada MK5
Flashlights with dynamo generator suitable for those who want to have a rigidly attached lamp and not worry about batteries. This flashlight comes with a hub dynamo that is easy to operate and does not require much maintenance. The power of such a generator is 2.4-3 watts, which is quite enough for front and rear lighting. Choose better system with the ability to store the received energy so that you do not plunge into darkness when you stop at a traffic light. Some prefer to keep such lights on even during the day, as they use very little energy.
For example: Supernova.
Bike helmet lights convenient in that you can direct the beam of light where you need it. Basically, such lamps are attached to the helmet with special tapes. But the presence of a light on the helmet does not relieve the rider of the obligation to have a front and rear light on the bike itself.
For example: light motion
Head or helmet light LightMotion Vis 360 Run
The bicycle is a wonderful means of transportation. In fact, you do not need to spend money on fuel, various repairs of a complex mechanism, payment to mechanics on the last occasion, etc. On the contrary, you are more likely to get a good physical form due to constant stress. True, there is one “but” here, which spoils everything. It is difficult to use two-wheeled friends in the city, and for many reasons at once. One of them will be described below - driving at night. More precisely, the solution to such a problem, that is, a flashlight for a bicycle.
What's the point of it?
Actually, the function is clear from the name - everyone knows how to use the flashlights and why they are needed.
But for transport, especially such a specific one as a bicycle, it plays a special role. Any evening trip can end tragically if the participants traffic, that is, motorists will not be able to notice you. You can use other things, for example, vests with reflectors. But it’s much easier to still buy a flashlight for a bicycle.
The fact is that you also need to light the way. In the end, anything can get under the wheels, and a sufficient level of professionalism to maintain balance on any surface is, rather, from the field of acrobatics.
What do cyclists use for lighting today?
In fact, the choice here is more than obvious - only LEDs. In general, the bicycle lamp market is not limited only to them, but the trend of modernity and progress clearly indicate the advisability of using just such a lamp.
The point here is mainly in the balance between its brightness and cost. You can buy for a bicycle in almost any lighting store, which means it also makes it very affordable.
In general, their use is also justified by the fact that the power of the light flux can be varied depending on the goals. For example, the headlight obviously needs to be bright enough. But the rear dimensions, which serve to orient drivers, do not require such brightness.
How to choose a flashlight for a bicycle?
In general, you need to decide what exactly you need.
To do this, you need to ask yourself a number of questions. First, why do you need a flashlight - that is, in what situations are you going to use it. This is where the first differences begin. If you prefer to drive on the highway, then you need special lenses that will not blind drivers in the oncoming lane. For paths and parks, it’s better to choose something bright enough - you don’t need to run into roots, stones or even animals, right? If you are not sure where you are going to spend time in the saddle, then feel free to take a switchable flashlight. These are also on sale, although they differ in cost.
In case you have several iron horses, then you need a removable flashlight holder for a bicycle - and at the same time a simple and reliable design. This is important, especially if you are going to use one device alternately on each.
Other questions
How long are you going to drive in the dark? This is an equally important aspect of the choice. Different gadgets are designed for different term work. Moreover, everyone has some features - some work on batteries, while others are recharged from the network. This should also be taken into account, especially the last option. After all, an outlet is not always at hand, especially in the forest, and the same batteries can be carried in a backpack.
Also, a flashlight for a bicycle can be equipped with additional functionality. For example, an energy-saving mode with reduced brightness. This allows you to save energy to a completely unlit area. Or the battery indicator is also an important aspect, especially if you like long trips.
Last but not least, what kind of weather do you ride in?
If only in the bright sun in dryness, when the rain is an unfortunate accident, then you can not bother with such things as tightness or the degree of protection against pollution. But for daily trips in any season, this will no longer work. You will have to fork out for more expensive options, since they are usually multi-tasking, that is, they can withstand fire, water and copper pipes.
Lantern types
By the way, it doesn't hurt you to know about this either. Because the store may not have a consultant or he will not be entirely frank. As a result, you will get not at all what you expected.
You need to start with emergency lights - they are not very bright and "long-lasting" because they run on coin batteries, but as a backup option they can help a lot. There are also flashers - brighter lights, usually flashing. But they can also work in constant beam mode. They are the best option in terms of the balance of democratic price and quality of light.
Torch flashlights are the most common. That is what they mean the most.
The variety here is huge. Some models even have additional devices, such as connected to a common battery. You have something to choose from - the main thing is not to overdo it with power.
More complex models
First of all, these are rechargeable systems. They are needed exclusively for long night rides, as they have a capacious battery and a very high light output. True, the price here is an order of magnitude higher than the rest. But you have to pay for quality. In addition, they are produced mainly by well-known brands that consider it below their dignity to produce cheap products.
Dynamo generator - a solution to the problem with batteries and getting rid of fuss with batteries. In this case, the lamp is powered by the movement of the bicycle. There is nothing complicated in this system, but the cost may surprise you a little. In addition, the most advanced systems can also accumulate energy, continuing to shine even when you are standing. This is especially convenient for city driving.
There are also flashlights built into it. Also a pretty handy thing, but you should not consider them a panacea. You still have to install normal lighting on your transport. This method only affects your comfort when moving.
Homemade bicycle flashlight
Actually, the second part of the story. Prices today are quite biting, and it is not always possible to be sure of the quality of the purchased item. Therefore, their own hands come to the rescue. The design of these devices is quite simple, and therefore this method has received considerable distribution.
The circuit shown here is an LED bike light - a great solution to the problem. The brightness of the resulting device is quite high, and this is what plays the biggest role. In addition, this allows you to save a little.
What do you need to work?
A flashlight for making is quite simple, but for this you will need to buy a few things. Most can be found in the markets with spare parts - you just need to carefully look for a rack with bicycle parts. Or today it is possible to order everything via the Internet.
First of all, you need the LEDs themselves, as well as optical lenses.
It is also necessary to find the body of the future flashlight, a radiator, an adhesive and a toggle switch. You will also need Lexan plastic labeled MR10. Naturally, batteries will also be needed for operation. It is better to buy them separately, not trying to do it yourself. At least without proper experience.
Assembly process
So we got to the question of whether for a bicycle. If you are using a ready-made case, then you will not need some things. So here is a slightly simplified diagram.
First, you need to install the hex tubes for the LEDs inside the case - this can be problematic due to the size. Be prepared to trim them until they snap into place. Next, you need to insert the LEDs themselves. They must be connected to each other in order - plus and minus. Then just glue them on with hot glue.
An important point is cooling. To do this, you will need an aluminum heatsink.
Glue the strips on the top of the case, as well as on the back where the diodes are attached. Next, you need to fix the lenses. You can’t use ordinary superglue for this - it will damage the inner surface.
It is quite easy to conduct wiring - ordinary copper wire is used. Connect from plus to minus, etc., then pass through the hole on the back of the case. There will be a battery that supplies energy.
The next step is to mount the flashlight on the bike. You need a handlebar bracket. Well, or another tube on which the lantern will be fixed. The most important thing here is a reliable glue, epoxy is best. It ensures that the light bulb doesn't fall off at the most inopportune moment, leaving you in the dark.
The last step is to connect the toggle switch to turn on the flashlight, this is also not difficult.
Just place it in the electrical circuit between the battery and the flashlight. This way you can turn the device on and off as needed. Naturally, removable batteries will be better - it's just more convenient to charge them.
The bicycle lamp will become the key to a safe bike ride in the evening and at night with reduced lighting. It will provide good visibility of the road and will allow you to notice bumps or surface defects in advance and drive around them. Costs buy a lamp for a bicycle, and your iron friend will become visible to other road users.
A bicycle light can become not only functional, but also a stylish accessory that adorns a two-wheeled bike. vehicle. Products are front and rear. Variety of sizes, shapes and specifications will allow everyone to choose the most suitable accessory. And the use of high-quality batteries guarantees maximum term service without recharging.
When choosing a bicycle lamp, one should take into account not only the range of light and its brightness, but also the angle of illumination. It is good that thanks to him it was possible to achieve illumination of a wide area in front, and this will improve orientation in space and allow you to respond faster to road obstacles. Modern devices allow you to get a uniform light, while avoiding the appearance of a pronounced spot in the center.
Some devices may operate in different range and brightness modes. If the device will illuminate at least 50 meters ahead, it will ensure high driving safety. high speeds. It is important to think about other road users, such as oncoming vehicles, and not use the maximum brightness mode.
The AutoProfi online store presents devices with different shades of LEDs. When choosing them, you must first of all be guided by your own preferences. Warm diodes will be the best solution for those who want to distinguish colors well in the dark, cold diodes will allow you to get white and bright light.
What is important to consider when choosing a bike light
going to buy bike light, try to take into account the number of batteries that support it. It is good that it was one accumulator or a battery. In this case, the supply of batteries that you need to carry with you will be minimal. It's good that the flashlight can work for at least a few hours without changing batteries.
A bicycle can face various impacts, including mechanical ones. Therefore, it is good that the flashlight for him is waterproof and able to withstand shocks and falls from a height. In this case, getting caught in the rain, you do not have to worry about the device.
It is good that the bicycle lamp is ergonomic and easy to operate. In this case, you can easily change its operating modes on the go, while maintaining control of the bike. It is good that the mounts are standard and reliable. This will allow the device to be firmly attached to the steering wheel, even on sharp turns and sudden stops, it will not fall out.
In the AutoProfi online store you will find a wide selection of lights for bicycles. We have models for every taste and budget from budget to professional options. Our staff will answer all your questions and help you make the right choice. Would you like to learn more about any model presented on the virtual counter? Just give us a call and you will receive comprehensive information. We offer reasonable prices, and you can not doubt the quality of our products. Contact us! AutoProfi will help you purchase everything you need for safe and comfortable cycling!
Bicycles are becoming increasingly popular as the city's main alternative mode of transport. At the same time, the problem of safety in the use of this type of transport is becoming more and more urgent. After all, cycling comes with certain risks, especially at night. A reliable flashlight will help solve these problems. In this roundup of the best bike lights that hit the market in 2016.
1. CatEye Volt 1600 Headlight
A powerful LED triple flashlight that is capable of delivering 1600 lumens, as you might have guessed from the name. With such power, it will pierce even the most impenetrable darkness. Has five operating modes. Ideal for both the city and the suburbs. Powered by a lithium-ion battery. The disadvantages of the lantern include too large dimensions.
2. Bright Eyes Aircraft Aluminum Waterproof 300 Lumen LED Bike Set
Excellent double lantern with high quality which can only be compared by the length of its own name. Each lamp is configured separately. In normal mode, it gives from 80 to 300 lumens. There is also an ultra-bright mode with a light output of 1200 lumens. Runs on multiple AAA batteries. Important advantages include low price and ease of operation.
3. CatEye Volt 700 Headlight
A single bike headlight that is the perfect choice for hobby riders and anyone who simply uses their bike for business or pleasure. A powerful battery guarantees up to 100 hours of illumination in the most economical mode. The most powerful flashlight mode will give 700 lumens. The flashlight charges very quickly from the mains using a USB cable.
4. Cycle Torch Shark 500 Set
A curious example of a lantern. Minimalism, power and high reliability in one bottle. In the strongest mode, it will give light of 500 lumens. Battery operated, easy to take off and put on, as a result, it can be used as an ordinary hand-held flashlight. It costs mere pennies for a thing of this quality, which is also an important advantage.
5. CatEye Rapid X3 Front TL-LD720-F
A rear light that will help the cyclist to warn all drivers of his presence on the road, especially at night. Three modes of operation, battery power, reasonable price and manual adjustment. In the strongest mode, it casts light at 180 degrees, and the glow power reaches 200 lumens.
6. Light & Motion Urban 800FC Headlight
Another universal bicycle light worthy of attention. The maximum brightness of the light reaches 800 lumens. The minimum indicator is 130 lumens. The flashlight is powered by batteries. Easily removed and put on the steering wheel. Has many modes of operation. The disadvantages include the large weight of the device.
7. Blitzu Cyborg 168T USB Rechargeable Bicycle Tail Light
Finally, another tail light for the bike. Very reliable, with the possibility of flexible and deep customization. The minimum brightness of the light is 50 lumens, while the maximum brightness can reach 160. Thanks to specific mounts, this lamp can be installed almost anywhere on the bike.
Real fans of cycling should definitely pay attention to.
