The Best… Rechargeable Cycle Lights – Reviewed
Review of the Best Rechargeable Bike Lights
Rechargeable cycle lights offer a hassle-free and eco-friendly way to take on the shorter days and longer nights and keep on riding through the winter months.
It is of course a legal requirement to have both a front and rear light if riding in the dark, and is often a wise choice during the day to help keep you noticed to other road users. The amount of light you require is the most important factor to consider. If you’re riding on unlit roads and paths you’ll want a higher light output to ensure that you can see where you are going. The type of battery is also important due to the burn-time and charge time varying styles can offer.
Here we take a look at some of the best rechargeable cycle lights:
Cateye Volt 200 Rechargeable Cycle Light
An affordable rechargeable front light that emits 200 lumens, probably just enough to cope on an unlit road. Small and light, this light is a popular choice with commuters who need reliability and a light to be seen in the urban environment.
Lumens output: 200
Weight: 58 grams
RRP: £39.99
Available from: RIBBLECYCLES.co.uk
Blackburn Central 300 Rechargeable Bike Light
Similar to the Cateye unit previously mentioned, but with a another 100 lumens of power, the Blackburn front light doesn’t require any tools to be fitted, so could be perfect if you need to swap it in between bikes on a regular basis.
Lumens output: 300
Weight: 162 grams
RRP: £39.99
Available from: RIBBLECYCLES.co.uk
BBB Spark Mini Front Cycle Light
What would be classed as a ‘back-up’ light, the Spark produces enough light to be seen or for a twilight commute. For night riding, it’s best used in conjunction with a brighter light. Easy to put on and take off with what seem like robust adjustable silicone strapmounts.
Lumens output: 20
Weight: 25 grams
RRP: £24.95
Available from: RIBBLECYCLES.co.uk
Cateye Volt 1600 Rechargeable Cycle Light
An extremely powerful front light, the Volt 1600 could easily be used for off-road excursions when you are mountain biking at night. 1600 lumens of power will easily light up any dark path in front of you.
Lumens output: 1600
Weight: 260 grams
RRP: £189.99
Available from: RIBBLECYCLES.co.uk
Garmin Varia Rechargeable Cycle Light
A new breed of ‘smart’ light controlled from your Garmin GPS device, the power output from the Varia will change depending upon how bright it is. Never forget to turn your lights on again!
Lumens output: 600
Weight: 222 grams
RRP: £159.99
Available from: RIBBLECYCLES.co.uk
Moon LX-360 Front Light
With enough light to allow you to see on unlit roads, but also with a helmet mount, the Moon LX-360 would be great to be used in conjunction with a handlebar mounted light when you are mountain biking to help provide light in the direction.
Lumens output: 600
Weight: 222 grams
RRP: £159.99
Available from: RIBBLECYCLES.co.uk
Hope Vision R2i Rechargeable Cycle Light
Handmade in Lancashire, Hope are famed for their precision engineering and high quality components. Their lights are no different to any other of their parts, and the R2i with an integrated li-ion battery is capable of producing a blinding 1300 lumens. Perfect for the darkest of rides.
Lumens output: 1300
Weight: 252 grams
RRP: £185.00
Available from: RIBBLECYCLES.co.uk
Lezyne Power Drive XL
Lezyne are a German brand who have been producing lights for a number of years. This, the Power Drive XL produces almost 500 lumens all from a small and compact unit that will take up hardly any room on your handlebars.
Lumens output: 475
Weight: 136 grams
RRP: £84.99
Available from: RIBBLECYCLES.co.uk
Topeak WhiteLite DX USB Front Light
An easy to use and convenient light, the Topeak Whitelite is simple to attach to the bike and turning on and off is straightforward even wearing gloves. 4 LEDs are bright enough to see and be seen. Recharges via a mini USB port.
Lumens output: 3 Lux (5M), 1,5 Lux (10M)
Weight: 40 grams
RRP: £24.99
Available from: RIBBLECYCLES.co.uk
