As a cyclist, it is important to be visible on your bike, whether you cycle daily through the city, into nature, or tear along quiet roads. Having the right bike lights not only makes your ride safer, but also that of fellow road users. Also, it also makes your ride a lot more comfortable if you can see something on the road. But with so many bike lighting options, how do you choose the lights that best suit your riding style, weather and environment? In this guide, we will help you make the right choice of bike lights so you can always be highly visible and safe on the road.
Lighting for city cyclists: standing out in the crowd
If you cycle mainly in the city, then lighting is a must to be visible in heavy traffic. Even in well-lit streets, it can be important to be extra visible to cars, pedestrians and other cyclists. For city rides, it is especially important to have lights that are easily visible from all sides and easy to use. For cyclists who mainly do city trips, lamps with a wide beam are ideal. The wide beam makes you highly visible from both the front and sides. Lights like the ACID Light Set Pro 30 Black offer exactly that versatility of lighting that city cyclists need, with a bright front light and an eye-catching rear light. This will keep you safe on the road, making you highly visible to all road users without blinding them.
Sporty cyclists and gravel riders: lighting for speed
If you cycle at high speed, it is important to have appropriate lighting. Your light should shine far ahead, so you can see obstacles in time and be visible to other traffic. Especially on unlit roads, good, directional lighting is very important. A powerful front light such as the CUBE Light LTD+ "White LED" Black is perfect for this. This type of light provides a bright, focused and strong beam, so you can cycle with confidence even in the dark. At the back, a small and light rear light ensures sufficient visibility without sacrificing speed.
Mountain bikers: sturdy and robust
For mountain bikers, who like to ride on some rougher terrain, you need lighting that can withstand shocks and bumps. Moreover, you want a beam powerful enough to illuminate dark trails, tree roots, rocks or other obstacles. Lights like the ACID LED Light HPA 2000 Black offer everything you need for tough conditions, with a strong beam that has a long range. The more robust lights often come with different modes, so you can choose how much light you need and extend your battery life. Because the lights are shockproof, you can tear across rough terrain with confidence, without having to worry about your lighting.
For cyclists going to work: reliable and versatile
If you cycle to work or school every day, you are probably looking for bike lights that are reliable and make you highly visible, no matter the time of day or weather. The ACID Front Light Pro and the ACID Rear Light Pro offer the right balance between visibility, usability and battery life. The lights have a long battery life, so you don't have to recharge your lights every day. Moreover, the lights are easy to mount and remove from your bike, should you want to. So you can always use it on different bikes.
What should you consider when choosing bike lights?
Of course you want the perfect bike lights for all your cycling adventures. There is so much choice in bike lights, what should you look for? There are some important points to look out for:
- Brightness: The higher the brightness, the more visible you are and the further you can see, but having too strong a light in the city is not ideal either. For city riding, 20-100 lumens is often enough, while for unlit roads or mountain bikers, a higher number of lumens, such as 200-2000, is a lot better.
- Water-resistant: Choose lights that are waterproof. Especially if you regularly cycle in the rain, it is wise to check whether your lights are waterproof or splashproof. This is because not all lights are waterproof or splash-proof and when you go through a heavy shower, it is nice to have a waterproof bike light.
- Easy to mount: Make sure the lights are easy to mount and dismount. Especially if you park your bike in a public place every day, it's nice if the lights are easy to disassemble so you can take them with you.
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Battery life: If you do long rides, it's handy to have lights that last. The last 20 minutes of your ride without lights is obviously a situation you want to avoid. See how long the battery life is and how the lights can be recharged.
Need advice? Come to our shop!
Choosing the right bike lights can be tricky, especially if you don't know exactly what's available and what best suits your cycling adventure. In our store, we have experts walking around who can help you with that. In-store, you'll get tailored advice and be able to see, test and compare different lighting options.
Check out our full range on CUBE Stores and discover the best bike lights for your ride. With the right lighting, you are not only visible, but also safer on the road. Hit the road with confidence, whatever the conditions.