#mountainbikeriding

Mountain biking at night written by: Farazwriter

While mountain biking is adventurous and full of thrill, it requires some serious safety measures to be in place. From having the appropriate head gear to wearing proper biking shoes, there are several things that a biker needs to take into account before heading for the hills.

Mountain biking is not as easy as it may sound, it requires proper skills and technique. Having said that, mountain biking at nighttime is even more difficult. Uneven terrains and poor visibility, do not make a good combination but with time bikers have adopted the right tools to conquer mountains even in darkness. One of those tools is the bicycle lights.

When talking about bicycle lights, there are numerous options available in the market. Different fit, different lumens, different battery life, every light has its own pros and cons. But, the vital point for bikers is to know what is best for them and their bikes. They must acquire a light that possesses all the specs for the conditions they normally ride in.

There are a few points to consider before deciding on the best light for nighttime biking:

1. Lumens – When you are riding in the dark, you do not only need lights but powerful lights. A light with a 1000 lumens units or more can be the ideal for such conditions. But, lumens are directly linked to the battery of light. A light with 1500 units but its battery does not work to its full 100% capacity is of no use, instead, a 1000 lumens units with 100% capacity might be a better option for improved brightness.

2. Battery Life – Riding in the mountains means riding in the wild, therefore, you need a light that has, firstly, a long battery life and secondly a battery life indicator. Riding in the woods with the light giving up on the biker is the worst possible scenario. Hence, it is important that the battery runs for the entire tour and also informs the biker when about its falling capacity.

Moreover, these days batteries run on either alkaline cells or are rechargeable. Though alkaline cells are easier to replace but the latter is considered as a better and long lasting option for any biker. The USB cable charging or direct port charging provides a longer battery life to the lights.

3. Bike Fit – While a lot of riders have head torches when riding in the dark, bike fit lights will always be a superior and more sturdy option. Having said that, not all lights fit perfectly on bike handles. They tend to move and rotate when hitting any bumps or hurdles, which is not only problematic but also very dangerous. Hence, lights with sturdy clamp mounts can be the number one solution for any bike.

4. Robust Design – A biker can expect anything when riding in the mountains. Rain, mud, bumps, slides, everything. in such conditions, the lights need to be reliable and weatherproof. The lights need to have a solid outer design to hold firm when encountering any terrain along with the inner specs need to have the ability to combat any sort of weather.