Darkness is descending. But it’s nothing dramatic – just the ordinary way of winter. So what matters to the ordinary bike rider? Simon Vincett investigates. Helen Bloustein rides 20km a day commuting to work and on the weekends too, to get around. She volunteered an evening to be a judge on our panel to test
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Don’t crash—pack a flash. Simon Vincett casts some light on the business of being seen on a bike. No bike rider should be without lights at night or in low light conditions—not poor students, not food delivery riders, not school kids and no-one riding to work. Effective lights are essential (and legally required) to show
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What price your lights? In our tenth annual test of bike lights, we recall the past, look to the future but most importantly put the current crop through their paces. Simon Vincett reports. Ten years ago Ride On began testing bike lights to provide a comprehensive purchasing guide to the essential gear of bike riding. The
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The various bike tribes may be strangers to each other but they are united in their need to be seen. Simon Vincett offers all comers a run through the best lights out there. Which lights for you? Sooner or later, every bike rider finds they need lights. Despite your best intentions, you leave work late
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Too bright or not bright enough – how do you choose the best bike lights for riding in the dark? Simon Vincett takes you through the issues, the testing and the best buys discovered. Riders who have racked up a year or two of traversing the bike routes will have witnessed a couple of trends
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Our Lights test 2012 ranks the best 28 front and 22 rear bike lights to keep you visible when riding in the dark. Simon Vincett reveals the very human art of selecting the best lighting. The 2013 test results, incorporating and building on these 2012 results, are now online. Meet our lux meter, the newest
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See and be seen with high-powered bike lights. Simon Vincett reviews notable 2011 models In the past these lights have required a separate battery pack strapped to bike. This variety still exist and perform well but now there are “cable-free” high-powered lights as well, such as the latest NiteRider, Cygo-Lite, Exposure Lights and NiteFlux Commuter
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Say goodbye to batteries with a dynamo bike light. Simon Vincett lays down the options When you pedal, your light comes on – brilliant. It’s good to make life more simple and that’s what a dynamo light set-up can do for you. To equip yourself, buy a bike with a dynamo or have a new
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Light up your ride with the best and brightest lights tested for winter. Simon Vincett reports the findings of the 6th annual Ride On Lights test, now updated with results of all 50 lights. Technology and options in bike lights just keep improving. This season’s buzzwords are “bracket-less”, “cable-free” and “USB”. Bracket-less lights are easier
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We’re proud of the thoroughness of our annual Lights test, so here’s the methodology laid out for all to see. Simon Vincett reports The overall rating of each light in the Ride On Lights test is achieved in three steps: Visibility testing by a panel of judges in a realistic scenario Durability testing by RMIT
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