Headlights on a bike: what are there, how to choose and install?

Bicycle light is an important component of the safety of riding a bike, because you often have to move in conditions of poor visibility or at night. This is especially true in the winter and in the offseason, when it gets dark before you finish your evening walk. And here the question of choosing a headlight for a bicycle becomes important.

When choosing a bicycle light, the first question that will have to be answered is the manufacturer. If you need lights, it is not immediately clear what is better - inexpensive products from the Middle Kingdom or original branded lighting devices. It should be noted that the Chinese masters have stepped far and now produce both their own developments, and, according to the old tradition, copy branded items. In any case, the price is quite affordable.

Brand headlights, of course, have a higher build quality and parts. But brands do not always keep track of the latest developments in a timely manner, so often LED headlights in their design look expensive, but already obsolete products. Chinese craftsmen make small batches using new diodes.

A bicycle may have several headlights: front, sides, rear. Such a massive illumination will definitely make the cyclist noticeable to other participants in the movement, which will significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.

Today, cyclists have access to whole lighting systems that can be recharged and give as much light as possible. They are brighter than ordinary safety lights, but also more expensive. Headlights and lanterns, which are mounted on the sides and front, are needed to illuminate the road in front of the rider, and the rear light is used to indicate the vehicle.

LEDs are energy-saving and long-lasting, which is why bike owners love them so much today. Units of brightness are measured in lumens, manufacturers must indicate this indicator.

The batteries that power the headlights can be either disposable or reusable, which can be charged up to hundreds of times or more. Headlights with a battery usually have a charge indication so that the cyclist can see how much is left. The best option is a lithium-ion battery, which stores a charge for a long time.

Almost all bicycle headlights can work either in continuous light or intermittent flashing. The second is permissible to use in the daytime, while in the dark it is safer and more correct to use a constant glow. Rechargeable devices have additional features - the cyclist has the right to decide for himself which mode of operation is preferable for him: powerful continuous light or continuous mode with reduced power.

The familiar and traditional location of the headlight is on the steering wheel. This makes it possible to get lighting on the corners. Some manufacturers, for example, electric bicycles, install a headlight on the frame, which significantly limits the view in the dark, because the light goes only directly. Cyclists who need good lighting in the dark when riding on a dirt road or in the forest can install a headlight on a helmet, and some use two options at the same time - they install light devices on a helmet, and on a steering wheel or frame.

As an excellent option for front light are used tactical lights. They have special mounts, there are models with powerful LEDs or, conversely, with moderate lighting. You can dwell on a model that allows you to choose the light mode yourself. They are mounted simply, so tactical lights are considered mobile and convenient. If you need to move away from the bike in the dark, you can always take a light source with you. Disadvantages include a short battery life and the need for disposable or rechargeable batteries. It is better to have the latter with a margin and carry it with you, since no one knows when the flashlight suddenly “sits down”.

If you are willing to pay a little more for reliable lighting, you should pay attention to Faro. This is a brighter source of light, which will shine longer, but it will certainly require space for the battery. The headlights are equipped with powerful LEDs, they are attached simply, they work for a long time, some can be recharged on the go from powerbank. The disadvantages include the requirement for more space on the bike for installation, as well as a higher cost.

Signal light - An option that is clearly not enough to accurately illuminate the road at night, but quite enough to indicate your vehicle to other road users. True, you will have to drive slowly and carefully. Such a lighting device takes up little space, attaches easily, shines dimly.

There is also a retro option - dynamo headlightsthat work when moving from a spinning wheel.While the wheel is spinning, the lamp shines, as soon as the bicycle has stopped, it goes out.

The easiest way to attach a headlight is to buy inexpensive elastic silicone straps. With such fixture devices, light devices can be attached, in fact, anywhere in the bike. But they cannot guarantee the safety of the equipment.

Removable fasteners are considered the most popular type of mounts. They are simple and compact. Wearable fasteners are needed to fix the flashlight on the rider's head, backpack or arm. These consist of straps and Velcro.

To mount the rear beacons enough special clampswith which they are usually equipped at the factory.

As the front light, which illuminates the road to the rider, experts consider the optimal choice of a powerful luminous flux within 600-1200 lumens. LED fully complies with such requirements Cree XM-L T6present in most modern bicycle headlights.

At the same time, it is important that the spectrum is warm, because in a bluish tint in the dark, a person will strain his eyes to the utmost and lose sight of some of the road's reliefs.

You should also pay attention to the pattern of the reflector, since it allows you to get adequate lateral lighting.

Among the best lighting and accessories, experts include flashlights Convoy S2 +, Fenix ​​3w, bicycle lights 2xXM-L2 U2 and P7 9W, as well as rechargeable batteries of the 6x18650 unit and charging Liitokala.

There are also headlights with built-in batteries. They are the first choice for riders who do not like to carry portable power with wires.

• Fenix ​​bc30r - high-quality, albeit primordially Chinese, headlight. LED support - Cree XM-L2 U2, the mount is convenient, easy to remove and put on, there is an external button for control, a double beam, providing the presence of dipped and main beam. There is a display showing the charge. It doesn't blind drivers and pedestrians too much. The reviews are very positive, users especially like the optics that cut off the upper light fluxes, due to which the effect of the absence of blinding is achieved.

• Ebuyfire - has dual optics, which allows you to get wide and narrow streams of light at the discretion of the cyclist. Two 18650 batteries are inserted into the device, the mount is easy, understandable, reliable.

• D. Light 12476 CG-120W - A great option for the front light, the mount is easy and reliable. Good quality is complemented by low cost, which makes the headlight popularly popular. It is powered by AA batteries, has three LEDs and three operation options - flashing, near and far. The case is plastic and waterproof, the flashlight does not take up much space.

• Magicshine MJ-818 - A great option for back lighting. It comes with a battery, charger and rubber mount rings. Has 3 operating modes. The case is shockproof, there is a red light saturation indicator.

• Nanoled PRO-L73 - flashlight with turn signals. The direction indicator can be activated remotely. Contains as many as 16 LEDs and two lasers. The housing is additionally protected from moisture.

• Sigma Sport Buster 100 - A powerful flashlight with a battery. The kit comes with a mount and a USB cable. The beam has a fixed direction with excellent lateral light. The lithium-ion battery lasts up to 9 hours, the case is waterproof.

• MAGNIC Light - a relatively new development. The flashlight is non-contact. Dynamo flashlight works not only in motion, but also when stopped. Easy to install and easy to operate.

• Sigma sport ellipsoid - German-made halogen flashlight with an innovative optics system that allows you to increase the power of light by a third. It has a connector for recharging, a residual charge indicator. For all this, the price is quite affordable.

• FLP16A-48S - 48 V - LED lamp for high beam. In combination with a loud signal, such a lamp will definitely not leave you unnoticed on the road at any time of the day.

See how to choose not only headlights, but also other accessories for a bicycle.