The Ultimate Guide To Bicycle Lights For All Cyclists

There's so many bike lights out there for cyclists it can be hard to know where to start! In this video Sam Gupta breaks down everything you need to know about bike lights and what you should be looking for. It's important that we as cyclists get seen, so, ensuring you have the right lights for your riding is important especially when it can be the difference between seeing where you are or aren't going! We look at the different light requirements between road, gravel, commuting and mountain biking and tell you exactly what you need to have for those different types of riding.
Lights featured in the video:
LITE STVZO PRO 115 / STRIP STVZO PAIR - tinyurl.com/9ecp73mn
KTV DRIVE PRO SMART PAIR - tinyurl.com/fjsu5rp8
CONNECT SMART 1000XL / KTV SMART PAIR - tinyurl.com/myfbktfp
MACRO DRIVE 1300XXL - tinyurl.com/bdhb2xvk
MICRO PRO 800XL / STRIP PAIR - tinyurl.com/3v5c677n
00:00 - Intro
00:23 - Which bike lights are best?
01:40 - Bike light features you need
03:51 - What's seen by VS see by?
04:42 - Should cyclists use lights in the day?
05:27 - Best rear bike light?
06:15 - What's the law around bike lights?
07:10 - What are lumens?
08:21 - Outro
This video was produced in partnership with Lezyne.
Subscribe to Cycling Weekly here: kzbin.info...
More at:
Cycling Weekly: www.cyclingweekly.com
Facebook: / cyclingweekly
Instagram: / cyclingweeklymagazine
Twitter: / cyclingweekly
Email: [e-mail]
#bicycles #bikes #cycling #ad

[@KNURKonesur]

3:45 "disposable batteries are very much a thing of the past" - except when they save your life on long trips in remote places :)

[@fredhubbard7210]

I commute in Canada... I have two front lights, and two rear lights. (in case of inevitable failure.) Not a chance that I would go anywhere without my disposable battery operated blinky on the back. I ride home at 2 am. One set of batteries lasts all winter. Internal rechargables are fussy and unreliable for any sort of regular use. For the front light I have a massive rechargeable external battery. My back ups are Lezyne with internal batteries... Meh... Okay for back-up.

[@draugmithrin]

A front light needs a solid mount when riding at speed in the dark, shame so many use elastic bands that can easily move.

[@magaman6353]

Or break off, leaving the light on the pavement to be run over by a car following...and you when you try to retrieve it.

[@eloann]

Careful with the blinking lights recommandation. Here in Switzerland one must use a steady light in both front and back (but may have blinking ones in addition). In neighbouring France where I ride a lot the front light may not blink. If riding abroad, check the rules.

[@ezralimm]

For visibility, definitely get a "retroreflective vest". It needs those prism based reflective strips that glow back at cars. Also, in addition to your rear bike light, get a headlamp with rear red-lamp. The red lamp on your head is much much more visible because it is higher,... This is true even for me (with a 250lm NR Solas on the rear). Can very strongly recommend the 21700 USB-C Anodized Aluminum Lumintop B01 - 450ANSI lumens for 5 hours at 4K temp (it's really eye friendly)... and also has car-headlamp style reflectors (doesnt blind oncoming cars/pedestrians. it's really amazing - doesnt get warm even after an hour of riding at 23C here in Melbourne - meaning the Cree XP-LHD is not being driven hard and is well in its efficiency zone...so should last long. I paid AUD84 for it...(the OZ tax.) but im sure it''s cheaper elsewhere.

[@shred3005]

USB-C charging caught my eye. Not enough lighting systems have moved up to that yet. I’m using a smart GAN charger with multiple USB-C PD out to charge bike peripherals (like the Magene rear radar which has smart flashing light settings that respond to cars approaching by flashing brighter and faster) that charge quickly as I need them morning and night in the approaching Aussie winter. I just looked up that Lumintop B01 and only downside for me would be the mounting options. Doesn’t appear to have a flat mount for aero bars nor can mount under the bike computer on a GoPro style mount? Every (and I mean every) front light I’ve tried over the years is a compromise. None have the full range of ideal features.

[@br5380]

The lesson I’ve learned from nearly 20 years of night riding MTB’s? Buy Exposure for the front, and any old eBay cheapness for the rear. Job done.

[@stevek8829]

But, mountain bike trails have all the danger in front. The street has motor vehicles operated by incompetent distracted drunks, coming up behind you, that will clip you and leave you to die! Different priority. 💡🚨🚨

[@p0nze_de_le0n56]

$500 bike light??

[@br5380]

@@p0nze_de_le0n56 that’s the bar light, then add another $200 for the helmet light. If you think they’re expensive, don’t go look at what folk pay for watches 😀

[@paulmorrison30]

Loving your content 👍🏾Sam you’re a legend 🙏🏾

[@vincehe9602]

For urban night riding, I like to use high-lumen bicycle lights, and I am now using the Dlite 1800 of Towild

[@JudeTheYoutubePoopersubscribe]

I use and recommend the Halfords Advanced 1800 lumen to everybody, and look at that it's the same lumens as what you're using. I work night shifts so have to ride in the dark all the time over the winter and it's a brilliant little light for under £60. The highest beam mode is stupidly bright.

[@jimm.6542]

I bought the Macro Drive 1300XXL and wow…..what an upgrade! Sturdy build and several brightness levels make this light an investment I’m happy with.

[@randorecumbent]

3:45 "Disposable batteries are very much a thing of the past." Yes, everyone knows that all the cool kids throw away the entire light and buys a new one when the internal battery no longer holds a charge. It's just the price of being in fashion. Ugh.

[@KNURKonesur]

you buy a new bike every year and you always get a set of lights for it, duh!

[@randorecumbent]

@@KNURKonesur Yup, and then the bike company and the bike light company can pay these guys to make another video review. It's all good...not.

[@mikewade777]

both my rechargeable front lights are 4 years old, and since I've only ever used them with a powerbank i have no idea of what charge they hold. But they stay lit from dusk to dawn.

[@dasy2k1]

For city riding or any road riding where you expect to meet oncomming traffic get a light that complies with the German StVZO standards (most will be rated in lux instead of lumens, go for one with at least 30-40lux) These are fantastic as they give you a proper shaped beam like a car's dipped headlights allowing you to see without blinding other road users. You can always add an additional cheap mega lumen LED to use as a high beam

[@myballsitchsomethingfierce6319]

Forget traffic I need to see where I'm going, If I blind a few drivers than so be it, lol.

[@JudeTheYoutubePoopersubscribe]

My light has a low beam mode and a high beam. It's the Halfords 1800 lumen one and the first 2 modes are just using one of the LEDs with a cut off filter placed over the lens.

[@QuixoteX]

I want lights that are durable, and serviceable. ON/OFF switch, no logic. Rechargeable is good, but no smart BS. I want a sturdy mount that doesn't drift down.

[@hidjedewitje]

Hub dynamo + seperate lights?

[@tajulislam1522]

I agree, Lezyne are very good and I'm not saying that because they sponsor me or I work for them, because, I don't. I have the Classic Drive 500 and then beam pattern on that is definitely one of the, if not, the best. I've seen other brands around me which had more power than mine but the beam pattern wasn't that great.

[@AlbaTech]

Exposure Lights for the front, Garmin Varia for the rear. Simple.

[@Thefloppyearedcyclist]

Snap.

[@KNURKonesur]

Too much money, too short running time for me.

[@dynasty4851]

Thank you! Subscribed.

[@OgDj2024]

Great video, lots of good information RESPECT! ✊🏾

[@petersage5157]

I prefer hard-wired handlebar mounted switches for my lights, thank you very much! Part of my evening commute has a stretch of unlit road, so in addition to the low, wide, road-focused beam light that came on my e-bike, I have a high-beam thrower on a rocker switch. This light helped me avoid a few deer and dogs I otherwise wouldn't have seen until it was too late. Don't forget to get the most out of oncoming vehicles' headlights by wearing high visibility reflective clothing. Looser is better so it flutters in the wind; we're hard-wired to notice things moving in the night.

[@KNURKonesur]

Visibility is one thing, but what most cycle light guides miss are people who travel/bikepack and don't need a strong light, but a light that holds well on a battery. I've been commuting and travelling and bikepacking at night in remote places for days on end without access to a charger and my 200 lumen (or 100 lumen on low mode) light beats any 1000 lumen one I had before, cause it holds 30-60h on a charge (over 100h on full power in case of my rear light), not 5-8h like most popular lights.

[@rickthebaker9379]

Get a battery pack from Costco for $20, your light will run for 1 to 2 weeks.

[@hidjedewitje]

​@@rickthebaker9379 Or a hub dynamo

[@JudeTheYoutubePoopersubscribe]

But 200 lumens is nowhere near enough for me... I'm on an ebike using traveling through pitch black lanes, my 1800 lumen light is perfect but yeah it only lasts like an hour and a half on that maximum full beam lol, it's enough tho.

[@randomescu]

I use an OP Olight Seeker2Pro but im switching to a dedicated (still OP) Nitecore BR25. And 2 red lights at the rear. With the BR25 i see and im seen. Im using a blinking light on the daytime too.

[@ericgacheru3353]

this man is so brave like a racer champion

[@JogBird]

the light and motion vis pro is the besst... the day mode pulsates from 125-250 lumen and then strobes at 500 lumens.. very visible and attention getting

[@Thefloppyearedcyclist]

Exposure lights for the win… they are epic.

[@florinb4668]

Which lights can stay on and blink in same time?maybe the ones with 2 LEDs at front.If someone know can you share ? thanks

[@dpugh39]

Just bought the victoper 8000 lumen £35 and it's better than my mates exposure race which was £250. Hasn't got the quality of the exposure but the light brightness and spread is miles better

[@JudeTheYoutubePoopersubscribe]

There's not a chance your 35 quid light is as bright as an exposure 😂😂😂. Plus "8000 lumen" is likely to be more realistically 400.

[@kirkrogers6968]

Take all the Lezyne rear lights, from 30 lumen to the highest 300 lumen. Which is the best one to buy for a Sunday mroning ride only. I get up and start at 5:00am.

[@michaelwolf8781]

I run 3 rear lights and 2 Front lights. I am lazy to press a button on my front light. That’s way I decided to go with the smart (smart?) Light.

[@ReVolt_e-Vlogs]

On Amazon they have these Rechargeable LED light bars by the brand Mioakar, I have the 1800 lumen/4000Mah & the 3000 Lumen, /8000Mah & they're the brightest, best lights I've ever got, & they're only $25-$35!!! 🤯 Good rear light is WSDCam brake light/turn signal/alarm combo, you get a lot for the $35

[@harrymiram5562]

For me, when riding at night, ArmyTek Wizard C2 goes on my head. Paired w/Noxgear Tracer2 vest keeps me "Lit Up!"....If driver's Cannot see this light set-up, they have No Business, whatsoever, behind the wheel! Have tried several brands bike lights, >1000 lumens, that Fail in multiple areas...Still searching....

[@gregbianchi2689]

Just make a really small bright light thats easy to take on and off the seat post.

[@n22pdf]

I use lezyne and they’ve been great had then about 2 years

[@robest334]

The lights for commuting must factor in the street lights as well as the composition of the pavement. Cements roads are lighter in color. Asphalt are very dark. Wet asphalt is almost black. Darker pavement means less effective bike lights.

[@jwdronephotography8595]

Wtf is going on with his hands?

[@5688gamble]

So in the US you are only required to use lights between sunrise and sunset? Hmm, I prefer to run them between sunset and sunrise when it is dark myself!

[@KlimChugunkin888]

It's a pity, but there is no photo or video from the quadrocopter in complete darkness to understand the temperature of the light and the shape of the light spot of the bicycle headlight.

[@tomeklubomir]

On the point of dazzling other road users, it’s a good idea to dip your front light a little (esp. the bright ones, over 1000 lumens). I set my front light beam to light up the road around 10-20m in front of me, so I can see any hazards on the road… No point pointing your light straight into the oncoming traffic, it wont help you to see where you’re going. Perhaps use 2 front lights for commuting, one “to be seen” (on lower setting, not daylight flash) and one “to see what’s in front” on higher setting, but dip it. I bet many cyclists don’t even realise how powerful modern LED lights have become. I still remember using front dynamo light… I know I’m a road dinosaur 😂

[@dasy2k1]

The best way to avoid dazzling oncomming traffic then get a light that complies with the StvZO (German legal requirements) I have a 40lux Buchel light that is absolutely perfect for city riding

[@Z-u-m-a]

USB rechargeable with removal battery means you can carry a spare - useful feature IMO.

[@KNURKonesur]

if you ask me, it's a lifesaving feature for bikepacking and cycling in remote places

[@fredhubbard7210]

You can also use an external USB battery, and use that through the charge port.

[@christophermukami3920]

How much for the lights

[@CLechleitner42]

Switching lights on the smartphone, while riding the bike? That's a 50€ fine on the spot, and rightly so. Blinking lights are extremely confusing, and illegal in some countries too, with good reason. Thanks for the proposals anyway! One more tip: A USB-rechargable head lamp (as in a lamp on a strap worn around the head) that can produce red or white light is a flexible backup for either of the regular lights, and is helpful when searching stuff in the dark, like a dropped key.

[@stevek8829]

Operating a switch on a mounted device is no different than using controls on a motor vehicle dashboard. I don't see motor vehicle operators confused by a blinky light on bicycles. Being noticed is important, even if some Nazi county has an illogical law. Silva includes a helmet mount with its head strap mount lights. A back up is a good idea.

[@CLechleitner42]

@@stevek8829 handling a mounted phone is different of course. I get severely confused by blinking lights big time, not matter wether I'm cycling myself, walking, driving a car. Yellow blinking lights are for turn signals and dangers like pedestrian crossings, reconstruction area fences, special transports (like super huge vehicles), not for normal anything. A slowly moving tiny light blinking white or red light in the dark is just confusing, I can't make out what it is or what direction it might be moving.

[@caerffili_callin]

Cycling Weekly is UK based where it is not illegal and flashing lights are allowed by law. You can't really expect them to make a video that covers laws in every country in the world. It goes without saying that everyone should observe local laws and restrictions in their own country.😀

[@Darwinion]

@@CLechleitner42 Sounds like you shouldn't be on the road if you are confused so easily.

[@CLechleitner42]

@@Darwinion I'm allowed to drive. Blinking lights on bikes are not allowed here. Also, how can a biker see anything when the road is only lit half the time, on and off? I'm not talking well-lit city roads, I'm talking pitch-black country roads, with potholes, canal covers, ...

[@robstanley7247]

WE use lumen meters at work and the Lezyne lights never get close to, let alone hit the claimed rate.. Cat-eye on the other hand always exceed the claimed rate by a long way.. Both my viz 450s hit nearly 600 lumens in daytime hyperflash mode.. and I still have to run them both at night to be seen!

[@MrKeefy]

I'm thinking that lezyne is the sponsor of this video

[@robduncan599]

Who would have guessed.

[@lethalhandyman1979]

At 70-95€, depending on local pricing, there´s no competition for the Lezyne Macro 1300. 4h riding @800 lumen

[@Thony_Eraser]

Best for me is waterproof during rain and long lasting battery :)

[@AlohaSteve808]

This should have been a 2 min video... What product are we pushing here?

[@Wireman273]

I always ride with lights, front and rear. I use Garmin Varia lights because they are bright, adjustable and the rear has radar that shows up on my bike computer. I highly recommend these lights for there versatility and brightness.

[@ermac6466]

Your hands are abit too busy for no reason. You got karate chops, writing on an invisible surface, im holding an invisible basketball and hey i got parkinsons going on there.

[@RotorheadEd]

Thunderbirds are go!!!

[@Darwinion]

So this is just a big Lezyne advert?

[@johnr5545]

Thanks god. BLess

[@desidesigning]

15$ lights 1200$ phone to switch it on. Yes!

[@ITpanda]

We have a collection of very strong but tiny flashlights in our household that have a decent beam spread and multiple modes. We are considering using these as bike front lights with some mounts that appear to hold them tight and sturdy on the bikes without going off center. Besides the convenience of traditional bike lights are there any rational reason you would recommend against this?

[@ZaHandle]

Make sure it works in the rain

[@ITpanda]

@@ZaHandle all the convoy shells are waterproof. They have taken quite the abuse over the years and the worst of it required glass replacement due to a ridiculous fall.

[@ezralimm]

These pocket rockets are not suitable for riding on public roads / footpaths. They have very small emmitter areas and dont reflect downwards - it's very blinding for others. The smaller lights also overdrive their LEDs for peak brightness mode and cannot realistically sustain > 200lm without getting hot or using battery too quickly. What you want is something that can put out about 500lm constantly for at least 2 hours. Im a bit of a flashlight geek - and as much as I love my 2000+ lumen pocket rockets... they are VERY UNSUITABLE FOR CYCLING. Dont be a d1ck. You dont wanna be *that guy* who blinds pedestrians.

[@ITpanda]

@@ezralimm working without any problems with orange peel reflector. Light is angled slightly down from the center and tracing paper obstructs the top most (12-20%) forming a straight line that softens the beam. Tested with all brightnesses passing known drivers on streets without any issues or complaints when asked before putting on the roads outside of the neighborhood. Given the versatility of the setup I'm surprised others don't just go this route with marginal effort it's a system that can easily be tuned exactly how you would want it. Best wishes to you!

[@leonardhpls6]

​@@ITpandadude just buy a proper damn light. You have a little torch on your bike covered in tracing paper and orange peel😂 gtfoh you must be joking. Put a video up I have to see this abomination

[@Stickmasterrr]

The hands...

[@cauldron101]

Lights are so simple in use that they need not to be smart. Waste of money.

[@russmartinez7988]

Actual smart lights with turn signal capabilities or the ability to change headlight angle on command, is ideal for those thar ride in all weather and light conditions.

[@cauldron101]

@@russmartinez7988 A blinking light is more than enough. All needed is a light with adequate power and a button to turn on/off and control its state (solid, blinking, etc). The rest is fancy stuff for consumption victims. Turn signals is best done by hand and by looking back to confirm that there is nobody about to run over you.

[@rickthebaker9379]

Huh?

[@iqbaltwkl]

Try riding when rain in the nights for go home in hills or mountain

[@cauldron101]

@@iqbaltwkl Any ordinary light can take you safely home!

[@melainkinney7213]

the video is great the cost of all of these lights is way overboard i have 3 lights with dual led in each on my handle bar one is more for charging my cell phone .i'm a avid mtb xc trail rider very rarely on a road that said even with two rear tail lights and three up front doubt all cost more than $60 dollars there all waterproof rechargeable i run double lights for more visibility i have spoke reflectors on both tyres . my goal is being seen do not get why folk dress dark at night its dangerous

[@bodabodaguy3193]

I literally just ran into two construction signs on my way back from work

[@Carlosediaz543]

please dont use daytime lights there is absolute no reason for someone to have bike lights on a full brightness at 1pm in the afternoon when its the sunniest and brightest part of the day... like makes zero sense to me,.

[@zulhilmi2458]

then why motocycle cannot turn off their headlight?? because they are small.. so headlight and taillight improve their visibility to others.

[@renecruz2964]

Just bought the Serfas E-LUME 1000 headlight for $89.99 🤷

[@youngsuk3329]

What a great video to says absolutely nothing worth of content

[@harenthiran]

A car led fog light with 12v lithium-ion battery is better than any bike lights

[@FirstLast-jm4dx]

All the StVZO-compliant lights I have seen aren't that bright. Funny thing is that all the very bright lights are not StVZO when they really need to be, for on-road use.

[@dasy2k1]

I have a Büchel 70 lux model that is absolutely great for city roads. Nice bright dipped beam pattern I then have a cheap mega lumen non StVZO dazzler that I use as a high beam only when I'm on unlit paths (canal towpath in the most part)

[@HankBizzle]

Cheap ones off ebay. Cause I'm a skint pleb. And even if I need to buy new ones every other year it would take about 20 years before they cost as much as some of these!

[@Kattbirb]

I'd really rather cyclists stop using flashing lights. In many jurisdictions, they may be illegal. In addition, their utility for safety is not concretely shown by studies, and they are known to cause migraines in some people, or worse if there are multiple strobing lights in your group. The light best supported by studies is an appropriately bright light that's correctly angled.

[@robinseibel7540]

A lumen is a unit of light? Really? Is that what the prep for this topic resulted in? There is actually a multitude of places online where you could have easily found the actual definition instead of making something up.

[@leshay5258]

If someone tired your hands behind your back, then you would suddenly become speechless!

[@adiac42]

I hate flashing lights on any vehicle. Emergency and construction lights are acceptable. But please turn it off, if it is so bright that it's actually blinding me.

[@ivan0797]

he talks like Ollie from GCN

[@madmanbehindye]

nite flux outclass each of them. no comparison.

[@Phil535]

What's with the flappy hands when talking?

[@shoutingatclouds1050]

The police might dislocate your shoulder for your own safety and put you in jail with hardened criminals. If you don't have enough money for a bike lite you should steal it immediately before riding your dangerous bike.

[@TheRandCrews]

Wtf are you talking about

[@muddydog6605]

😂😂

[@kalijasin]

They all suck 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@magaman6353]

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN YOU BUY A BIKE LIGHT: 1) Don't buy Serfas 2) Don't buy Serfas 3) Don't buy Serfas So much Chinese junk out there already.

[@jamaicanjoe1133]

pls remove the word "ultimate" from your title.

[@tenrec]

Please stop waving your hands so much when you talk. It's distracting.

[@shanevassar9884]

Lmao close ur eyes then

[@AustinPetDetective]

Waving yours hands around all the time put me off your video, I’m sorry,

[@versatileduplicity9313]

I want 2000