Original Bike Balls - waterproof rear tail light - bike light - 3 modes - batteries included

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The handlebar mount for both lights is excellent, albeit somewhat difficult to manage with large thumbs. Having logged a ton of gravel and dirt miles with this light, our tester felt extremely confident about the light staying fixed in place and experienced zero issues.

As Chris H notes, the clerk was wrong. And he suggests a good suggestion to raise the light above the bag. However, you can also mount the light below the bag as well. Operating on the same principle as fog lights on cars, low mounted lights can do a better job of showing some road hazards. They are also much less likely to blind drivers and pedestrians (StVZO-compliant handlebar lights are still sadly rare). We made evening grocery runs, early morning commutes, and spent plenty of time in the saddle riding the gravel roads and country lanes of the Owens Valley in low light conditions while paying close attention to the usability and brightness of each light. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll break down each of these factors and hopefully simplify your selection process. You’ll be cruising down well-lit roads, paths, and trails in no time. Brightness and Lumens In the majority of cases, the output of StVZO lights is measured in Lux rather than Lumens. Lux is used because it’s a measure of how much light is projected onto a surface (called luminance), whereas lumens simply refers to how much light can be produced.As with all certifications, just because a light isn’t certified doesn’t mean it’s an issue. StVZO certification is a requirement in Germany. Outside of that market it’s not and as such it doesn’t always mean a non-StVZO light is going to blind everyone else. A good light will use an effective reflector to maximise brightness and battery life. Take care to aim it precisely and it’s unlikely to be an issue. There are also non-StVZO lights that prominently discuss the cutoff characteristics of their lights if you still have a concern. What is Lux and why aren't StVZO lights measured in Lumens? Legally speaking, that depends on where you live but that doesn't answer the question. I haven't looked at the details of every country and listed out where you absolutely must have it because it's almost irrelevant. In my opinion, you should be using one. Garmin does make a standalone unit, the RDU, to pair with the Varia, but they are increasingly hard to find online, and you are probably better off just putting that money toward a Garmin computer. Ultimately, this unit is meant to be used in the Garmin ecosystem, and while it is certainly possible to make it work with your phone, our tester found that the user experience is best with the full Garmin kit. Most people think about front bike lights when they're looking to add visibility to their bike, but it's important to also consider bike rear lights so that both sides of the bike are visible at night. If you have a mountain bike for off-road adventures you might want to consider getting specific mtb lights.

There are a couple of other options for riding through the night on this list. The Exposure Strada Mk11 SB AKTiv takes things to a whole other level when it comes to ultra-endurance endeavours. What that really means is multi-day events. You could make the Outbound Lighting Detour work and you could even make the Magic RN3000 work in a pinch but both of those options make more sense for something that is 24-hours or less. If you are covering more than a single night, there’s nothing that can touch the Exposure Strada Mk11 SB AKTiv. There are a lot of cheap, poorly constructed and unreliable options out there, and the truth of the matter is, you get what you pay for. The last thing you want is a light that fails mid-ride, especially a rear one that you're unlikely to notice right away. Therefore, it’s imperative that you invest in a set of bike lights from a reputable brand. While this might cost you a little more initially you can rest assured knowing they will last for years and often be covered by a warranty. What is a StVZO light? The point I want to make with this question is that there are different needs for different people who are doing different kinds of riding. If you are riding through the city at night on well-lit streets you probably don't need a light to see where you are going. In that case, look for lights designed to help you stay visible to other road users. I labelled these with the intended use "being seen" and every rear light also gets that designation as a matter of default. With seven lighting modes — including boost and pulse — this light set is handy in all kinds of riding scenarios. The taillight has at least five modes, including multiple tempos of flash.

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It's a great helmet that's comfortable to wear and it's got MIPS. The lights are an additional safety feature that take nothing away and are easy to use if you want to. The only downside is that Giro remains behind the times with micro-USB charging. Read more in our full review of the Giro Escape MIPS

We take two approaches to our hands-on testing of bike lights. First, we take a look at the manufacturer’s specs and see if they hold up to real-life use, running down the batteries at different power levels and recharging them (when applicable). Then, we mount each light to our bikes and pedal off into the dark, looking at beam distance and how difficult (or easy) it is to change lighting modes and settings. Needless to say, the brightest light isn’t necessarily the best. On this list, the Garmin Varia is an excellent road-riding light. Road cyclists that will be sharing the road should also have a bright rear light with plenty of battery life for long rides. Mountain BikingThe Bontrager Ion 200 RT is another option for when you aren’t looking to see but need to make sure others see you. Despite a similar focus as the Thousand light, this use case is very different. This unit is less about cruising around a city and more about being seen while riding long distances on open roads. The unit itself is compact and fits a wide range of seatpost styles thanks to the included assortment of seatpost adaptors. Battery life is a solid 6 hours on full blast, and 16 hours in daytime flash mode. Garmin claims up to 1-mile visibility in daytime mode. Charging is handled via micro-USB and takes about 3 hours to fully charge. In general, it’s super easy and super simple to set up the Varia. We love to see it. Always overestimate your needs and underestimate the specs. If you are trying to ride through the night on an epic adventure the last thing you want to start worrying about is an ever-dwindling light supply. Look at how long your ride will last then make sure you have a light that gives a comfortable buffer. Then bring an extra just in case. We realise this is just the older version of the RCT715 light above, but here you're foregoing the camera feature and saving some money. There are also some newly released alternatives but despite a long time on the market, and the competition, the RTL515 continues to be the king when it comes to the core functionality. Lights are important for safety and visibility on and offroad; (photo/Miya Tsudome) How We Test Bike Lights