The most powerful bike lights are the ones made for mountain biking, particularly for those hitting the trails after dark.
Lights on a mountain bike are very important for lighting up the trail and helping you to spot obstacles before you’re faced with them head-on. Because light is also the most limiting factor in the speed you’re able to ride your MTB, the more you’re able to see, the quicker you can ride.
However, if you are riding in the depths of the night, you should always be cautious and avoid pushing yourself too hard. After all, even the brightest light doesn’t give you the same level of vision that you would typically have in the daytime.
If you’re aiming to light up the trail, whether it’s at night or on a dark day under the canopy of dark fir trees, then you’ll need two lights:
- A helmet light
- A handlebar light
It’s important to have both of these lights to ensure maximum vision and safety on your favourite tracks after dark.
Handlebar Light
When you’re riding your bike, the main source of light you’ll get is from a handlebar light.
When you’re choosing a bike light, you’ll want to select one that isn’t just bright, but also has a good-quality beam pattern, as an even spread of light is the most important thing to consider.
Your light also needs to be tough and waterproof to handle the impact of bumps and knocks. You don’t want it to start flickering on and off when you’re strapped for daylight, or worse, falling off altogether. A good light should also have variable light modes, with automatic dimming features for tight, wooded sections that require a more precise beam, as well as when you slow down or come to a stop.
The dimming feature is especially important for conserving battery life, allowing more time at full power when descending, since you don’t need as much light when slowly climbing.
The Lezyne MegaDrive 2400+ can deliver 2400 lumens of output for over two hours of night riding, and offers eight different output modes.
This light is waterproof and features a fast-charging capability. The CNC-machined aluminium construction with cooling fins ensures that the light doesn’t overheat on warmer evenings and night rides too, so it’s great for all-year round use.
Helmet Light
We know that when you’re riding, you’re not always looking where your front wheel is pointing, so as important as a handlebar light is, you’ll need to pair it with a helmet light too.
Helmet lights also help you see around bends before the handlebar light catches up, allowing you to be better prepared for what the trail has in store. Look for a light that is lightweight, as you don’t want to add too much extra weight to your helmet. This can increase stress on your neck and cause discomfort.
The Cateye Ampp 900 is a great example, providing up to five hours of running time and a handy three-colour indicator to let you know the current state of your light’s battery health, so you don’t get caught in the dark with a dead battery.
This 900-lumen light has a powerful, wide beam with OptiCube lens technology and excellent side visibility, giving you the best chance of spotting hazards on the course ahead.
Bike Light Law
If you are, at any point, riding on the road on your mountain bike to get to and from the trails, you must comply with the law on bike lights in the UK.
The law states that everyone riding a bike on a public road between sunrise and sunset must have a white front and red rear light that is clean and in perfect working order.
These lights must be mounted to the bike itself, so a helmet light doesn’t count as this is an additional light.
Your lights can be steady or flashing, but if they do flash, then they must flash between 60 and 240 times per minute and emit at least 4 candela (48 lumens). There is no maximum brightness, but dazzling other road users is an offence. Both lights must be no more than 500mm from the ground.
To shop for bike lights, head over to Halfords.com or visit your local store.
Free 25-Point Bike Check
Before hitting the trails, make sure you book a FREE 25-Point Bike Safety Check. Our experts will inspect all key components including the frame, wheels and braking system to ensure your bike won’t let you down, book an appointment at your local Halfords store today.