As the season transitions from the warmth of summer to the chilly breezes of autumn and fall, cyclists have to adjust to shorter days and longer nights. It is crucial for your safety and the safety of others to make sure your road bike is equipped with the right lighting. This article will help you choose the right lighting for your road bike, with tips for riding in the dark and explanations of the difference between lux and lumens.
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Why is Good Lighting Essential?
Good lighting makes you visible to others and also helps you see the road properly. Especially in the dark, this is perhaps more important than anything else. . Proper lighting is crucial during autumn and fall, when daylight decreases and nights get longer. Whether you commute, train, or enjoy a quiet night ride, a reliable light source is an essential accessory for your bike, whether road or gravel bike.
Lux vs. Lumen: What's the Difference?
When looking for the right bike lights, you will come across the terms 'lux' and 'lumens'. Understanding these units is essential to making a good decision:
- Lumen: A unit that measures the total amount of visible light emitted. Higher lumens means brighter light.
- Lux: Represents the intensity of light on a surface. a defined, non-glare surface, measured 10 metres away. A higher lux light will illuminate an area (the road) more intensely than a light with a lower lux value.
- A higher lumen value is better when you need more general lighting over a large area. So if you are cycling outside and you want to be able to see the road in front of you clearly, it helps to have a higher lumen value. On the road bike, you want a high lumen value from have. This can be done, for example, with a AURA 100
- A higher lux value is better when riding your road bike at higher speeds so you can see further ahead without blinding other road users.
- Lower values of both lumens and lux are suitable for smaller rooms or situations where less intense light is desired.
It is important to consider both lumen and lux values to ensure you choose the right lighting for your specific needs.
What to look out for when buying good lighting
When buying bike lights, include at least the following:
- Brightness: The brightness of lighting is measured in lumens, as described earlier. Especially for cycling in pitch darkness, a high lumen value is essential. Especially if you want to SEE instead of just be seen.
- Beam Pattern: Look for lights with a wide beam pattern for better visibility. An additional advantage: you are also visible at the same time
- Battery life: Choose lights with a long battery life and preferably with a USB charging function.
- Mounting options: Make sure the lights can be mounted securely and easily on your bike. Preferably with one of those handy elastic bands
- Water resistance: Choose lighting that can withstand different weather conditions and is therefore waterproof.
Tips for Driving at Night
Are you up for a nice adventure and want to hit the road at night? Whether on a racing or gravel bike, the following tips are very handy (and some are a bit of an open door):
- Be Visible: Besides front and rear lights, it is useful to have reflective clothing and use reflective stickers on your bike. Especially when riding in the polder or on country roads.
- Plan your route: Preferably ride on lit trails, but it is also good to already have some knowledge of the route. Good navigation is therefore key, but lighting helps.
- Blinded by the lights: Make sure your front light is pointed slightly downwards to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.
- Be Prepared: Take extra batteries or a power bank with you to ensure your lights keep working throughout the ride.
- Drive Defensively: Be extra alert, assume you will not be seen by drivers and be prepared for unexpected situations.
Conclusion
Equipping your bike with the right lighting is essential for safe and enjoyable rides in the dark in autumn and fall. It especially good on lux and lumen count, as well as battery life. This will help you make the right choice of bike lights. Make visibility a priority on the road, plan your routes and ride defensively to ensure a safe and enjoyable cycling experience. Our guide to using lights will take you a long way!
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2 responses
Also look carefully at how you can attach the light to your bike. I use the gopro mount under my garmin holder, keeping the spot on my handlebars nice and free.
Good tip!