🌜 Top 2021 Best Mountain Bike Lights for Night Cycling

The days are shorter and the urge to ride at the end of the day is itchy, but you want to see where you put your wheels and get noticed?

It's time to take the plunge and experience the nighttime mountain biking experience with the right lamp (no question about using a camping headlamp, you're about to get down to business 😊).

Riding at night is about enjoying a mood bike 🦇, it's about taking routes you know by heart and rediscovering them from a different angle, it's about enjoying the silence, being able to crossbreed animals that don't go out during the day, it's about getting the impression of speed in a tunnel effect, which is absent during the day, it means discovering or rediscovering various sensations.

The forest is calm, uncrowded, calming, and the halo of light emitted by the lamp makes you focus only on your path, without being distracted by the passing trees. The field of view has decreased, and the impression of speed has increased tenfold.

This is another mountain biking experience.

At night, if there was only one rule, it would be: you must see well and be seen!

You will need the right equipment to enjoy it, so here are some tips and an overview of mountain bike lighting we recommend to help you make the right choice and enjoy great night bike rides 🌜.

Prepare your route

Adventure is out of the question at night. Take a route that you know well, that you spotted during the day. Give preference to the game aspect of the physical and technical aspect. This is a walk to have fun, not a troublesome walk.

The impressions of the distances are not the same, the ability to wait is reduced. Absolutely avoid pushing or doing anything, a real pain when your main lighting is mounted on your hanger (which is why we recommend you have 2!).

To help you, all of these selection criteria are available on the UtagawaVTT route finder.

The rider's equipment must be adapted.

A high visibility reflective vest has been a must since 2008 if you are driving on the road and there is a good chance you will pass the road network while riding your ATV. However, the vest in your car is not at all suitable for sports. This must comply with the EN 1150 standard.

In addition to the vest, you can wear reflective bands on your arms and / or legs. Your nighttime visibility will be even better, and use at foot level will draw the attention of the motorist through movement.

The law also requires reflectors on the ATV.

Even if the police show some tolerance, do not neglect the installation (at least partially) of these devices, your safety is at stake.

You can also equip your bike with spoke reflectors, it is lightweight, inexpensive and good looking.

Finally, do not forget that it is cooler at night, even colder ❄️. So be sure to pack enough to cover up with padded clothing, possibly long gloves and padded socks. The ends are most sensitive.

Lighting selection criteria

There are several technical criteria to consider when choosing a bike light.

Luminous flux power

The power of the lamp transmitted to the eye is expressed in lumens.

The higher the value, the higher the illumination power. It is estimated that your ATV light should be at least 800-1000 lumens for a serene ride.

However, be careful with the wattage declared by some headlight manufacturers, always refer to tests under conditions to get a correct idea, the luminous flux does not really have the same value depending on the manufacturer (sic!). Therefore, always strive for an increased margin of safety.

Helmet or handlebar?

Mounting a bicycle light on the handlebars is the most practical and preferred in most situations ... but it may not be enough if you are riding very winding trails. Indeed, in the first tight corner, the mountain bike is still going in a straight line, the headlight is shining far ahead, and you will need to see where it is turning. This can be compensated for with adjustable beam focusing lamps, but it is better to verify this with an additional less powerful light on the helmet. After all, when mounted on a helmet, the beam of the MTB flashlight perfectly follows your gaze.

So the solution is to have two bike lights, one on the handlebars to illuminate the entire environment from the front wheel, the other on the helmet so you can illuminate bends or in case of problems with your main light.

Autonomy

Autonomy is a key parameter, it is he who allows you to calibrate the length of its output. Bicycle light endurance data is measured by manufacturers under ideal conditions. In the field at lower temperatures, the battery loses its charge, apart from its wear and tear over time. With a capacity of more than 2 hours, there are many opportunities for beautiful walks.

Built-in or external battery?

It's a matter of taste, the built-in battery means less cables on the mountain bike frame, but more inertia on the handlebars or on the head, which can be annoying at times. The remote battery can be easily replaced while traveling by recharging it in your backpack.

Some bike light manufacturers, such as Ravemen or LedLenser, also allow USB devices such as a smartphone or GPS to be charged from a (large) lamp battery.

Budget

It has everything from a small bicycle lamp for a few euros (which won't work) to mountain bike headlights at dizzying prices. Obviously, based on a certain price (say, over 300 euros), it is the brand awareness, the luxury of the box and its options that "justify" the price.

However, if we meet the basic criteria, very good lamps can be found at prices ranging from 40 to 200 euros.

MTB Lighting: Our Recommendations

Here is a selection of 5 lamps for your bike that we have tested and which we recommend to provide you with effective and pleasant lighting.

Versatile and economical mountain bike lamp: Mountain bike lighting at a very low cost for a good start

Universal bike light is great value for money (100% Chinese design and manufacture).

It provides, according to the manufacturer, a maximum illumination power of 6000 lumens (!). These numbers should be treated with caution! However, its beam is wide enough to provide convenient front and side illumination for obstacle avoidance during night mountain bike rides. The light has 4 LED illumination modes: 3 different powers depending on the number of LEDs on and the blinking mode. The remote battery provides 6 hours of battery life on low power consumption or 2 hours at full power (manufacturer's data ... in practice this varies from 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes). It attaches to the handlebars of your bike with a rubber band that makes it easy to remove.

Be careful with the quality of the battery, which may be random (we warned you 😊). We recommend purchasing a spare battery at the same time.

Spanninga Thor: Powerful Mountain Bike Light 🚀

Spanninga Thor has a battery life of almost 4 hours at full power, it provides powerful illumination of 1100 lumens (manufacturer's data), ideal for walking in the forest, the coverage is very good and resistant to weather conditions.

There are 2 operating modes in the menu: a very powerful acceleration mode and an economy mode to reduce consumption during climbs and connections. The button is ergonomic and accessible enough to be manipulated even on a helmet. It is bright, its color changes depending on the charge level.

The small lamp comes in a high quality storage case with all the necessary accessories. The product comes with accessories for attaching the flashlight to a helmet or handlebar. The lamp itself is compact and the finish is top notch.

At an affordable price, the lighting provided is suitable for a good view even during fast sections or technical sections. The autonomy is very convenient and sufficient for night walks. A good product, with a very nice finish, for a fun night out.

In the same range and practically the same characteristics as the Thor lamp, the EXR1100 lamp from K-Lamp is great alternative which will also delight you with a very good quality product from a French manufacturer. Note that the EXR1100 slightly outperforms the Spanninga in terms of power and battery life in use and in situations. In the helmet-mounted version, it has a very useful backlight. However, the finish is slightly lower, giving Thor a minimal advantage. You should also seriously consider using a bike or roaming due to the possibility of using a wide range of current sources in the range from 3.7 V to 8.4 V (such as, for example, a power supply).

Signature Led Lenser H19R: High-end full-fledged bike headlight 🌟

Dual beam, 4000 lumens, adjustable focus (concentrated or wide beam) and app configurable via Bluetooth. It claims 4 to 20 hours of battery life and weighs less than 200 grams for the light head and just over 370 grams with the battery and cables. Waterproof IPX6 so you can ride in the rain.

We meet the standards of the best.

What immediately catches your eye is the number of accessories in a luxurious case for a product of this type:

• Handlebar mount
• Helmet mount
• Mounting on a GoPro Accessory
• Front mounting
• Extension cord for battery
• Mount for a camera stand (??? yes, in fact, this product is multipurpose, it can even be transformed into a flashlight by connecting the lamp directly to the battery)

And then pleasant surprises continue with a charger with a charge index and ... the possibility of using the battery as a USB charger!

This is not just a headlight for your mountain bike, it is multi-purpose lighting: light for photos or videos, flashlight ...

It is clear that it is very well thought out and very well finished. The connectors are equipped with a break protection system, the wires have clips in the right places, everything docks and installs in the blink of an eye. Engineers from all over the Rhine are probably not in vain, and they really seem to be holding a Mercedes with flashlights.

A small apartment, all plastic, of course, of high quality, but for such a price one would think to find a more luxurious material: it does not have an aluminum finish.

K-Lamp EXR1700: French style mountain bike headlight that shines with a big and light light 🇫🇷

Cocorico 🐓!

We have a bicycle light manufacturer in France that offers uncompromising quality and very low prices: this is a Southwest based K-lamp company.

K-lamp bases its strategy on products suitable for mountain biking: wide beam, helmet light, adjustable wattage, top trim.

Convinced that it is better to talk about yourself in the industry than to talk about yourself, the K-lamp is now gaining popularity through word of mouth (see comments on this article ...). This is no coincidence, because the quality of the products is there, and everything that the manufacturer claims is based on serious calculations, and the parts that require CE certification (batteries, chargers ...) are confirmed by independent organizations.

The EXR1700 is part of the brand's flagship mountain bike and weighs less than 80g. The bike headlight is designed to be mounted on a helmet, although an optional K-Lamp EXR1700 can also be mounted on a handlebar. Installation on the helmet takes 2 minutes thanks to the original strap system, the up / down beam orientation is very simple, a bit like a GoPro. The battery fits into the hydration bag or frame thanks to the Velcro fasteners provided for this purpose.

The bike light has a wide beam for a good view of the terrain. An interesting innovation: the small cap reorients the photons in the right direction for optimal MTB trajectories. Very effective in the field, we see very well and do not feel the weight of the illumination on the helmet.

The autonomy of this lighting is from 2 to 20 hours, depending on the use.

It has 2 LEDs and optics that can be customized according to the needs of the user, and red rear LEDs that are visible from the back. Practically, it can be controlled with the steering wheel remote control so you don't have to put your hand on your head every time you want to adjust the power.

Kryptonite Alley F-800: lightweight all-in-one bike light

The Kryptonite Alley-F800 lamp is very compact and has a built-in rechargeable battery. It delivers 800 lumens brightness in 6 adjustable wattage modes.

Thanks to the clever clamping system, the lamp can be mounted on the hanger very easily and without tools. In less than 30 seconds, the turn is completed and the tension / lock system prevents it from moving despite vibration. Probably one of the best mount systems on the market for mountain biking and biking.

It is charged via USB, and the indicator light shows the battery charge (red, yellow, green) which is in the lamp body, suddenly there is no wire between the battery and the lamp body.

2 interesting innovations in this rather well-finished product:

• the light automatically enters Eco Mode as soon as the battery power drops below 10%.
• There are 2 small holes on the sides of the LED, which allows you to see clearly from the side when overtaking or crossing when driving on the road network.

When used, the lamp glows correctly at 800 lumens, it is more suitable for mountain biking in known terrain and without technical details, we will strive to use it at full power, which gives a maximum autonomy of 1 hour 30 minutes. For longer use, it is better to choose a model with a high luminous flux and greater autonomy.

Ideal as a pendant light to complement a bicycle helmet light.

Alternatively, we can use the NITERIDER LUMINA OLED 1200 BOOST lamp, a bicycle light with a built-in power source that mounts on the handlebars of your bike. With battery life at full power for about 2 hours, this is a good addition to the illumination on the helmet. It has multiple continuous lighting modes to vary the wattage. Charging is fast and is done via the USB port. Its fastening system is robust and quick to install.

What about your back?

A prerequisite for background lighting is that the light is on. red .

The goal is to be seen by others, companions or vehicles, while using the road network at night.

You will need a rear bicycle light that:

• be bright enough to be seen
• resistant to splashes of dirt and moisture,
• charges quickly and preferably via a USB connection (avoid battery-powered products),
• has a good battery life,
• Easily mounts under the saddle or on the seat tube (for example, if you have a mudguard or saddle bag).

We tested several bike tail lights and only one type really caught our attention as it has more than the minimum specs.

This type of taillight is indeed equipped with an accelerometer to detect braking and movement. Thanks to this, the lamp does not need to be worried: it automatically turns on when you get on the bike, and when braking it lights up more intensely, like on a car. The LEDs automatically go out after a few tens of seconds when there is no more movement.

It has an auto-adaptive algorithm to detect braking even when the bike is going uphill or downhill. Real smart lamp (smart tail light).

Finally, the lamp offers several ignition modes (flicker, beat), it is aesthetically pleasing and relatively inexpensive considering its characteristics.

This is the Enfitnix Xlite100 taillight, which has many clones sold under different names. We recommend taking the original ...

Be careful when choosing the correct mounting method: under the saddle (be careful with the mudguard) or on the seatpost (be careful with telescopic saddles). With 29-inch wheels on some small frame and full suspension bikes, the light attached to the seatpost tends to be hidden (large) wheel after the rider is mounted on the mountain bike (depression shock absorber), which takes away all interest in the device ...

Alternatively, consider the CL 06 tail light from Ravemen. Equipped with four sets of COB LEDs and built-in brake and headlight sensors, it provides a maximum of 50 light lumens in warning flash mode. More expensive than the Xlite100, it is more powerful and capable of detecting headlights and signaling the cyclist with a powerful flash.

What is the best lighting for ATVs?

It's a matter of budget and usage! Below we list our favorites according to your needs.

Product	Perfect for
	Voltage Torr 🥇 Impeccable quality. The lamp is practical, has very good illumination and is certified against splashing water for a very good value for money. This is one of our recommendations, you can't go wrong!	Permanent specialist looking for quality at a reasonable price	View price
	led lenser High quality lamp with external battery and very powerful illumination. Impeccable German quality at a high, but fully justified budget.	The average practitioner turned to the top of the range	View price
	Eco-generic 💲 In this price range, it is difficult to be overly demanding on the quality of lighting. The bike light gets the job done and shines (maybe not as strong as stated by the manufacturer) ... but the quality can be uncertain, especially in terms of battery autonomy (very good as an emergency light or as an extra headlight). Small risk when buying, taking into account the price!	On a budget, first night	View price
	K-lamp EXR1700 ❤️ Designed and assembled in France 🇫🇷. Very powerful lighting, this bike light is easy to wear on a helmet and has very good autonomy. The steering wheel control is a real plus. The favorite of our file.	Demanding practitioner and economic patriot	View price
	Rear light: ENFITNIX Xlite 100 A “red light” taillight, fully automatic, should be seen to indicate braking. Lightweight, with good battery life and rechargeable via USB, it should be in plain sight at night.	To be seen in the back at night	View price

Tri-member to see there in broad daylight

Our bias is ease of installation, 3 hour battery life and high lumens.

On the helmet: K-Lamp EXR1700 for autonomy, light power and practical remote control.

On a hanger: Kryptonite Alley F-800 for its weight, built-in battery and ease of installation OR K-Lamp EXR1100, which can be purchased alongside EXR1700 to share shipping costs.

Arrier: Enfitnix Xlite100, so you don't have to think about it, it's all automatic, it stays on the mountain bike all the time.

If you want even more power, this is possible 😏.

Maintain an ergonomic cockpit

If you have multiple instruments in your cockpit, it can sometimes be difficult to navigate between the ATV controls and navigation and lighting accessories.

In addition, current handlebars have an oversized stem and a smaller diameter at the level of the handlebars, which sometimes makes tool maintenance unreliable.

To avoid this trouble, you can install an extension cord on the hanger; this allows you to restore optimal comfort and ergonomics when using various accessories: GPS, lamp, smartphone, without creating obstacles for piloting.

We couldn't find the perfect product for us, so we made it 😎 and offer it in the store on the website.