Finding the Perfect Bike Light - A Buyer's Guide

So, you’ve finally made the momentous decision to buy a brand new bike so that you can stay committed to your healthy lifestyle and assure yourself of an easier, more immersive, and more fun time getting around. Once you’ve finally got your new two-wheeler on your hands, you definitely won’t want to be wasting any time waiting to start putting new fixtures on it. From upgraded pedals and cleat attachments to reinforced bars and disc brakes, there are all sorts of upgrades and improvements that you’ll end up purchasing to make your ride into something that best suits your needs and wants.

As you go through the list of different upgrades and add-ons that you intend to spend money on sooner or later, however, there’s one particular item that will stand out to you the most: bike lights.

The Importance of Bike Lights

When you start biking around and covering farther distances as you pick up more experience and build a greater sense of confidence, you’ll eventually realise that there is very little that you can do to protect yourself. 

Considering that bikes themselves aren’t as protected or reinforced as two-tonne cars or double-decker buses, the higher risks that come with riding them merit the need to protect oneself better. In the case of bike lights, these seemingly-minute fixtures are especially important for safer rides because they help those behind you be aware of your presence—making it easier to protect you, in the process. 

A Few Things You Need to Consider While Searching Around

Buying bike lights isn’t what it used to be.

With thousands of different options on the market today, finding the perfect option for your bicycle won’t be the most straightforward process because of how much you’ll need to sift through. To help ensure that you end up with the right kind of light that will help protect you as best as possible and suit your visibility-related needs, here’s everything you need to know: 

The Three Key Terms: Lumen, Watts, and Lux

When you search around for a light for your bike, you’ll eventually come across three key terms that will come up frequently—to the point where you know you’d need to take them into consideration. Let’s look at all three key details in further detail:

Lux: This particular term refers to a figure or numerical value that gives an indication of the brightness of light over a given area—a measurement of which is technically defined as a light output of one lumen over one square meter. This term is important because it provides a great way to compare the beam patterns of multiple lights in a side-by-side test so you can find the balance between visibility and courtesy to others on the road.

Lumen: When you search around for a bike light, this term is the one you need to watch out for. It is the preferred reference choice for cycle lights since it gives the best indication of the amount of light emitted from the unit. When you have a higher amount of this particular measurement, you’re simply looking at an option that has a brighter light because a higher lumen count means that there’s more light energy being emitted!

Watts: This particular term indicates the power consumption of the unit rather than the direct light output. When you have more watts, you have more light—but it’s best to be wary of higher bike lights with higher wattages because they can be inefficient, to a certain sense.

Factors of Practicality

As you learn to differentiate the various bike light options that you see during your search, the concept of “the best decision” ultimately relies on considering the right factors that are the most meaningful, per se. If you want to ensure that you end up with the best product for your needs as you sift through the options in Cushbike’s online store, it’s important to watch out for these specific indicators of practicality:

• A varied assortment of bike light beam patterns—these are especially helpful when it comes to warning other motorists that you’re sharing the same road with them (and makes it easier for anyone to see you from afar)
• Top-rated battery life and ease of charging 
• Improved portability
• Ease of use
• Durability

Conclusion

While there are many different items on your new bike’s to-buy list, one of the most important items that you need to be especially knowledgeable and aware of when you shop around is the bike light. By taking this guide into consideration, you’ll be able to find and choose the best product for your needs so that you can assure yourself of safer riding experiences in no time!

Cushbike offers premium comfort bicycle seats and tail LED lights in the United Kingdom that will elevate your mountain biking experience. Check out our online store and place your order today so that you can transform the way you ride!