Now that the clocks have gone back, it gets dark early, and the evening ride to or from work is almost always in the dusk. At this time of year a bike light is not for show: at the front it lights the road, and at the back it makes you visible to drivers. We look at which specs matter when choosing, and show six of the best-selling lights and sets on AliExpress.
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Two different lights for two jobs
The first thing to understand: front and rear lights do different jobs. The front light is white, and in the dark it has to light the road. The rear light is red, and its job is to make sure you are seen. In most countries, including the UK, a bike ridden in the dark needs a white light at the front and a red one at the back, so it makes sense to buy both lights or a ready-made set.
REI experts divide bike lights into categories. Powerful systems of 250 lumens and above are for seeing the road or trail. Lights below 250 lumens count as “signal” lights: they help drivers notice a cyclist, but they are usually not enough for riding a dark road.
How many lumens you need
The guidelines depend on where you ride. The British organisation Cycling UK gives these recommendations:
- Lit city streets. You do not need a powerful beam, being noticed matters more. Flashing and pulsing modes work well here, and the light should be visible from a wide angle at front and rear.
- Unlit roads. At the front, a light with a focused beam of roughly 300 or 500 lumens is enough. At the back you need 30 to 50 lumens or more.
- Off-road and woods. A main light of 800 lumens or more, plus a head or helmet light with a narrow beam.
Do not chase maximum numbers for city riding. A very bright light without a cut-off dazzles oncoming drivers and cyclists, which is dangerous for everyone.
Beam shape and cut-off
REI advises a narrower, focused beam for streets with lamps, and a wide one for dark roads and paths so that you can see the verges with your peripheral vision.
A separate topic is lights with a cut-off beam under the German StVZO standard. The upper edge of the beam is cut off, so light falls on the road and does not hit oncoming eyes. As BikeRadar writes, such lights must shine steadily, without flashing, and for riding in the woods the cut-off can get in the way. For town and road it is the best choice, while for trails an ordinary headlight or a model with a high-beam mode is better.
Flashing or steady light
A flashing mode saves battery, but according to REI a flashing headlight is hard to judge in the dark, so at the front it is best kept for daytime riding. The rear light follows a different logic: Cycling UK advises against riding with only a flashing rear light and suggests adding a steady one. A handy option is two rear lights, one steady and one flashing.
Battery, charging and water resistance
Almost all modern lights run on a built-in lithium-ion battery. Models that charge over USB-C are the most convenient: you can charge them with the same cable as your phone. A charge indicator is useful too, because a dead light in the middle of a ride is worse than no light at all. REI advises charging your light before every ride: an idle battery gradually loses charge.
Battery capacity directly affects run time, but the exact hours depend on the mode, so check the mode table for the specific model. For autumn, water resistance matters. An IPX4 rating means splash protection, while IPX6 withstands powerful jets of water, in other words a downpour. For everyday autumn riding, choose a light rated IPX5 or IPX6 at minimum.
Rear light with a brake sensor
One of the most useful features of recent years: “smart” rear lights with a brake sensor. When the bike slows down, the light flashes brighter, like a car’s brake light. It immediately tells the driver behind you that you are stopping. Many such models switch on by themselves when you move and switch off when parked.
6 popular bike lights from AliExpress
1. Front and rear light set
The best-selling product in the category: more than 17,000 orders and 98% positive reviews. It is a rechargeable set of a front light and a rear light, suitable for mountain and city bikes. A good start for anyone with no lights at all: for a small outlay you cover both jobs. It costs £8.49, down from £8.77.
Price on 31 October: £3.40
Sold: 17593+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
2. BUCKLOS set with COB LEDs
Another inexpensive set, with almost 12,000 sales. The rear light with COB LEDs is rated at 500 lumens and high visibility, with USB charging. It suits the city and works as an extra signal light alongside a main headlight. Price: £4.73.
Price on 31 October: £3.03
Sold: 11804+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
3. TOSUOD 1500 lumens, 4800 mAh
A powerful front light from the official TOSUOD store: 1500 lumens, a 4800 mAh battery, water resistance and USB charging. That reserve of brightness is for unlit roads and forest paths, while in town you should use the lower modes so as not to dazzle oncoming traffic. It costs £7.69.
Price on 31 October: £5.36
Sold: 8463+ pcs, positive reviews: 95.5%
View on AliExpress
4. ROCKBROS, Type-C, 2000 mAh
A front light from the well-known cycling brand ROCKBROS, from its official store. It has a 2000 mAh battery, Type-C charging and rain protection. This is a balanced option for daily rides in town and the suburbs. Price: £15.06, down from £16.69.
Price on 31 October: £10.85
Sold: 4671+ pcs, positive reviews: 97.2%
View on AliExpress
5. CYCLAMI CYC1700 with adjustable light line
A wireless hanging headlight with high brightness and an adjustable light line, with a 4000 mAh battery. The light mounts under the handlebar, and the adjustable line lets you aim the beam at the road without dazzling oncoming traffic. It is the most expensive model in the list, but also the most thought-out for regular riding in the dark. It costs £37.29, down from £77.69.
Price on 31 October: £21.65
Sold: 6536+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
6. ROCKBROS: smart rear light with brake sensor
A rear light in an aluminium body with water resistance, Type-C charging and a brake sensor that boosts the light when you slow down. More than 9,000 sales and almost 97% positive reviews. An excellent addition to any of the front lights above. Price: £18.39, down from £38.31.
Price on 31 October: £10.31
Sold: 9399+ pcs, positive reviews: 96.8%
View on AliExpress
What to choose
If you ride in a lit city, an inexpensive set from the first two items is enough. For dark roads outside town, take a front light of 300 lumens or more with a good battery, such as the ROCKBROS or TOSUOD, and be sure to add a rear light with a steady mode. If you ride every day, take a closer look at the CYCLAMI with its adjustable beam and the “smart” ROCKBROS rear light with a brake sensor. And remember: even the best light is useless if it is flat, so charge it in advance.
