Cheap bike lights: six affordable options for commuting in the dark
As the end of summer draws nearer, keep yourself safe on the roads
We hope you’ve been enjoying the long and light days of summer as much as we have, but alas, all good things must come to an end. As we start to approach the end of summer and the transition into autumn/fall, it’s time to start planning ahead.
Commuting hours will start to get darker relatively soon, so now’s the time to stock up on some decent lights for your bike, and it’s always a good idea to carry spares in case you get caught out.
Of course, you could spend a fortune on some high-end lights, but if that’s not your bag here’s a list of affordable options to keep you pedalling safely as we head into the next season.
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Cheap bike lights: our favourites for 2019
- Bontrager Ion 100 R / Flare R City light set
- Reelight CIO self-powered light set
- Sigma Micro Combo LED light set
- Smart Polaris 5 LED Front Light
- Moon Crescent Rechargeable Rear Bike Light
- Topeak RedLite Mega Rear Safety Light
Bontrager Ion 100 R / Flare R City light set
These clever daytime-running LED lights are a great way to raise your visibility on the streets.
They’re extremely small and light, simple to fit and remove, and their clever in-built sensors allow them to tailor their power output to match your surroundings. That means, when visibility is low, they’ll pump out more power and when it’s reasonably light out, they’ll conserve it.
Moon Crescent Rechargeable Rear Bike Light
Don’t be fooled by its miniscule size, this light packs a lot of punch, producing up to 25 lumens.
It comes complete with multiple lighting modes (as most good lights do), and covers everything from bright to blinding. Most importantly, it has good side visibility as well.
Reelight CIO self-powered light set
- Buy now from Decathlon (£34.99)
These are simple, but brilliant. The reflective lenses are mounted to your bike’s hub axles via stainless steel brackets. Two magnets are fitted to the spokes and hey presto, as your wheels turn, the passing of the magnets create the power needed to light you up.
Easy to fit, robust, innovative and a great eco-friendly option.
Sigma Micro Combo LED light set
- Buy now from Amazon (£14.99)
These were originally designed as ‘sports’ lights, ideal for anything from cycling and jogging to rollerblading. They make great commuter lights because they’re unusually powerful for their size. It’s pretty hard to fault them.
They weigh next to nothing and despite only having one LED, they’ll be sure to get you noticed.
Smart Polaris 5 LED Front Light
This front light is a decent all-rounder thanks to its five LEDs that are strong enough to keep you visible on the road. They only require a couple of AA batteries to power them, and they’re simple to use.
The only downside is that the cam lock mounting design is a bit fiddly.
Topeak RedLite Mega Rear Safety Light
This is arguably one of the best lights on the market, which is why we gave it a full five stars.
It hits that sweet spot for excellent visibility, while not being so bright it can dazzle oncomers. It’s well built and hardy, survived our abusive testing, and will serve you well during cold and wet months to come.
Authors
Mildred’s a utilitarian cyclist at heart, determined to do everything on two wheels, whether it’s shopping, commuting or moving house. She’s spent the past three years volunteering as a mechanic and workshop coordinator at the Bristol Bike Project, and now sits on its board of directors. Her expertise in bikes — and what people want out of them — comes from working in real-world bike shops and learning the ins and outs of the industry. At home on slicks and knobblies alike, Mildred’s ideal ride covers long distances through remote countryside, on mixed terrain that offers a bit of crunch. She’s easily won over by steel frames coupled with a 650B/plus-tyre combo, and is currently riding a Surly Bridge Club.
