Lights
Lights
Lights, in spring? Even when the clocks go forward? You bet.
Lights shouldn’t only feature on your bike in winter. It’s just the nature of the light – or, more specifically, its size and power output – that changes.
We recommend having small and discrete – but still bright – ‘safety’ lights on your bike year-round, or at very least in the garage or shed ready to quickly put on your bike when the weather’s grim.
Staying visible on the bike isn’t only about wearing bright clothing. Having a small, flashing LED at the front and rear instantly attracts a motorist’s attention, regardless of the time of day.
Even if you prefer not to have the lights on throughout your ride, they’re ready and waiting if the weather turns – a tree-lined country lane can be distinctly gloomy on a dark, dingy day, even in the middle of the afternoon – or your get caught out by the gathering gloom having stayed out longer than expected.
Suitable lights needn’t take up much space on your handlebar and seatpost. We’ve been impressed with the Cateye Nima front/rear set: they’re tiny but still bright, easy-to-use and have a semi-transparent casing to improve side-visibility.
The Nima lights are battery powered, but many USB rechargeable options are available, and we can vouch for the Lezyne Femto and Knog Blinder 4 as tried-and-tested alternatives. Crucially, all three use a tool-free attachment so can be whipped on-and-off the bike in a flash.
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