Top 11 Lights For Triathletes
It used to be that bicycle lights were huge and needed AA batteries to run them, and often only mounted to certain types of handlebars.
Subsequently, there were some rechargeable versions readily available at varying levels of expense – from ones that were inexpensive but only gave off the luminescence of a single holiday light bulb, to pricey selections that could have the power to illuminate the Grand Canyon.
As of present, USB-powered lamps have become incredibly accessible and inexpensive, and due to the innovation of a handful of imaginative individuals, it is possible to use them with a variety of strange tri tubes. Call it The Age of Enlightenment.
Not only do lights have a lot of advantageous features, such as being brighter, more economical, adjustable, and lightweight, but the current models are far more efficient than the traditional combination of solid-beam lighting and strobes.
The lights are now flashing in sequence, adjusting to the light around them, creating unique designs- this is to help you either have better visibility while driving (which is not what you want normally) or to be seen more clearly (which is the goal most of the time).
Because athletes involved in the triathlon are now fighting with mobile devices to gain motorists’ focus, lamp manufacturers have made a large effort in improving their products.
Before we go over some great recommendations regarding little light activities, we shall first examine the language you’ll encounter when making a purchase and discover what makes the best light for triathletes.
Be Bright
Instead of calculating the energy consumption of sports lights in watts like home lighting, they are evaluated by the number of lumens they generate. The more lumens, the brighter the light.
Remember that the majority of lights will function with the most luminosity for a much shorter duration than at the lower setting, and it won’t be a surprise that companies like to announce the most luminosity on one line and then the longest time (at the minimal lumens) on the next.
Though there isn’t a set scale for how many lumens you need, some research has produced the following rough advice:
- 10-50 lumens
- Can be seen by drivers at night
- ~100 lumens
- Can be seen by drivers during the day
- 400 lumens
- Minimum for seeing during the night while riding on-road/running on- or off-road
- 700 lumens
- Minimum for seeing during the night while riding off-road
This is contingent upon the luminescence of the company being precise, additionally, we need to look into the practical lighting arrangement (which we will explore below).
It is generally accepted that the higher your speed of riding/running, the greater the potential for coming across obstacles and the darker the environment, the brighter the lights should be.
Choosing the Best Bike Light
Now that you’re a light expert, let’s take a look at a few great options to help you find the best light for triathletes:
1. NiteRider Swift 300 and Sabre 80 Combo
This product is a great choice from an experienced professional in the lighting sector, NiteRider. The Swift 300 is a headlamp with minimal size, minimal weight, and excellent visibility—plus it is USB rechargeable and will tell you when the battery needs to be charged.
The Sabre 80 rear light has a modern design, can be powered up via USB, and features amber side markers for maximum visibility from all directions.
2. Lezyne Power Drive 1100i
This Lezyne light provides over 1100 lumens with maximum output and is very wallet-friendly at only $100. You only get a short time with the max output, which can be a problem on long rides, but 450 lumens still gives you almost three hours of use.
You may want to invest in an extra external battery pack, which would cost you around $80 but in return would triple the amount of time you can use it. Seven different options enable you to adjust the balance between brightness and battery life and the reflective design ensures you are visible from a variety of angles.
3. Light and Motion Taz 2000
This handlebar-mounted headlight with two beams does a superb job of achieving the perfect combination of light spread and direct beam that some models lack. One LED provides a wide lighting coverage to light up the surrounding area, while the other LED works as a focused ray that shines on objects further away.
The Taz 2000 also offers additional visibility to riders due to the amber side lights featured on the unit, allowing them to be spotted from a difficult angle.
This waterproof light set to a medium of 1000 lumens will offer sufficient illumination for most rides at three hours unless you really want extreme brightness for riding off-road, in which case you should opt for the 2000 lumen choice.
4. Knog Quokka Run Headlamp
Even though other headlamps give off more illumination, none can compete with the Quokka Run in terms of portability and innovation.
This headlamp is incredibly lightweight like a pair of goggles, thanks to a combination of a small battery and light, which fit snugly into a silicon strap.
The allure of this item lies in the spectacular red ambience generated by the red LED lights on the edges of the non-shiny headband, resembling a glowing halo.
This headlamp is perfect for those who like going for a jog in the dark–no need for any additional cables since the USB plug is already built in! It’s sure to make you stand out in the night.
5. Black Diamond Icon Headlamp
So, although the Icon is unlike all the other lamps on this list because it lacks rechargeable batteries, please stay with me. Without question, the Icon is the most robust headlamp available that is still useful for running on trails and the amount of time it can stay lit is remarkable.
This headlamp has an especially large number of lumens with 500, but it can stay balanced even when in use because the battery is situated at the back, which is quite remarkable.
This headlamp may appear to only have a few features, including a spot, widespread mode, as well as a red LED mode – however, its considerable strength enables it to be used for practically any adventure, from running on the trails to more demanding backpacking. Be aware that you will need to use your AA batteries at least once a year.
6. Knog Plus Free Rear
Despite their lightweight and small size, these lights have managed to capture a great deal of attention. These can be attached to socks that reach the mid-length of the leg, at the waistline of shorts, a sports bra, a hat, or a swimming cap – in a total of five distinct ways.
Also available in a front version with a clear lens and 40 lumens, these are a wise investment in case the run lasts longer than anticipated.
7. Topeak Headlux 450 USB and Tail Lux
Topeak is excellent at creating practical items, and this carries on with their Headlux 450, which follows a no-nonsense style.
The aluminium and polymer covering is the home to a unit with two white LEDs, providing four different levels of brightness: High, with 450 lumens and 90 minutes run-time; Medium, with 270 lumens and 3 hours runtime; Low, with 135 lumens and 5 hours runtime; plus Flashing, with a 10-hour run-time.
You can go from one to the other with just one push of the large grey button on top. We use the term “single press” as often it baffles people because multiple lights usually require a more robust press.
A simple but effective option. The beam is firm, resulting in a list box in front of you.
It works well, especially in town, but not as good for longer journeys on dark roads. Rubber straps make installation and adjustment a breeze, as they can be placed without the use of any tools in either direction and then attached to either a bike’s handlebars or a vented helmet.
At the top of the gadget is a battery display so you can monitor the power levels. Investing in the Tail Lux would be beneficial as it offers a greater level of rear visibility when attached to a seat post, helmet, or saddle bag using Velcro or a clamp.
8. Exposure Trace Lights Pack
This exceptional collection of lights gives a powerful performance despite their extraordinary lightness. The two items only weigh 35g apiece (without the mounting attachments), so their light weight makes up for the lack of size with brighter illumination.
At first, the Trace emits a maximum of 125 lumens in both continuous and pulsing modes. The amount of time it takes for the operation to complete may be anywhere between 3 and 24 hours, depending on the parameters chosen. The brightness of the light is more obvious than its actual sight, yet the design of the beam and its clarity is extraordinary.
The TraceR offers 75 maximum lumens, plus a programmable OMS (Optimised Mode Selector) that gives you the option of three outputs depending on what you require.
It’s easy to see what’s going on around you in both directions, as the lenses stick out 7mm from the durable aluminium body.
It won’t take longer than two hours to recharge using USB, and Exposure’s Fuel Gauge system will give you a clue as to the amount of power the device has left; the LED will flash between red, amber, and green when the device is shut down. Mounting’s simple but reliable thanks to O-rings.
9. Lezyne Mini Drive 400XL
The Mini Drive is a small, bright light that produces 400 lumens. It can be powered up using a micro-USB port and, with the detachable rubber cover, it is also water-resistant.
The Mini Drive gives moderate to poor lighting in certain situations, and it provides a range of levels of illumination and features that can be adjusted to the user’s preferences.
We appreciate the sturdiness of this model and think the cost for such a reliable, long-lasting piece of bike equipment is quite reasonable.
Lezyne states the Mini has an operating span of 20 hours at its faintest illumination setting, however, this is not accurate based on our experience. A beam of full power will be done in around a few hours.
10. Lezyne Lite and Strip Pro Drive
This strong set of lights provides all that you require, and even more, for the assurance of riding through the wintry period. At first, it may seem that the CNC-machined alloy body is very heavy; however, it is incredibly resilient and compatible with any handlebars due to its thick silicon strap.
There are 8 brightness settings available, the lowest being a mere 15 lumens that can last for up to 87 hours, and the highest being as bright as 1,000 lumens that can be used for around 1.5 hours. This light source is extremely vivid, casting a bright glow on the roads of South Gloucestershire and providing even coverage.
There are plenty of options to satisfy your flickering and flashing requirements. In the Outback, you get an amazing eleven levels of brightness ranging from a low five-lumen light that will last up to 53 hours, to a bright 300-lumen light that has a maximum of five hours of illumination.
The tread is remarkable once more due to its soft, encompassing shape, which provides 270° of lighting. The only questionable aspect of the collaboration is the clamping system at the back, which is overly complicated. The two can be powered up using USB ports and silicone covers to protect them from water.
11. Garmin Varia RTL515
That’s right, you can get a rear light for less than £170, just one penny! However, this 71g weight from Garmin is more than just a beacon of illumination. Radar is installed inside the solid plastic body, created to warn you of approaching cars from the back.
The device can detect vehicles such as cars, mopeds, and vans from a distance of up to 140 meters, and transmit this information to the Garmin Edge bicycle computer. Or, in our instance, one can get the Wahoo Bolt which is capable of working with Varia since 2020.
The edges of the display move from green to deep red in both scenarios, depending on the vehicle’s proximity. If you don’t possess either, there is an excellent mobile phone application that can do similar tasks.
In general, this security concept is excellent, yet it only applies to certain conditions; in other words, when you are outside of an urban area. City streets transform into a dramatic display of deep red, thereby becoming overly plentiful.
Going on lengthy, gloomy journeys on a bike is substantially more advantageous than other activities. Regarding the illumination, there are four settings with the brightest lumens level being 65 when in the flashing mode. If you’re biking with a group, you have the choice of following the pack. Again, it’s USB charging.
Please just remember to see and more importantly BE SEEN
