The Best Mountain Bike Lights for Night Riding 2022

When choosing the best mountain bike lights for night riding, you need to take several factors into consideration, including Price, Brightness, Battery, Weight, Charge type, etc. This article recommends to you the most popular mountain bike lights in 2022.

Part 1: What is Mountain Bike Light

The question is, what are mountain bike lights? Essentially, it’s illumination attached to your bike. They are intended to increase your visibility to other road users and to make you more visible. Such great bicycle lights as Bontrager Ion Pro RT and Garmin Varia UT800 can help ensure your safety and visibility at night.

Whether it’s a red or green light, you’ll be safer and more visible on the road.

best night mountain bike lights

Part 2: What is Important When You’re Looking for the Best Mountain Bike Lights for Night Riding

If you’re a cyclist, do you enjoy riding at night? As we know, night riding is a great way to see the world in a new way. It provides a different kind of challenge, and it can make even the toughest trails easier to conquer. However, it is important for night riding to have a suitable mountain bike light. So let’s see what we actually need.

Price

In fact, the price of different mountain bike lights varies greatly. Some cheap mountain bike lights are only a few tens of dollars, and some high-end products like the Niterider Pro 4200 Enduro are worth $699. Of course, high-quality mountain bike lights come at a higher price. But it is necessary to avoid spending unnecessary money on bad products.

Brightness

The function of mountain bike lights is to illuminate. A good mountain bike light can provide adequate lighting for your nighttime mountain bike rides. Of course, brighter mountain bike lights will also bring more power consumption problems. Therefore, in general, the reasonable brightness of mountain bike lights is 800 lumens to 8000 lumens (lumens are the overall output of light), and this level of light can ensure your vision in a dark environment.

Battery

Batteries are a complicating factor in determining mountain bike lights. This includes the following series of questions:
1. Whether the battery is installed externally or internally
The external battery powers your (smaller) light through a wire, so in this case, you’ll need to do some cable management and figure out where to put the battery yourself. The internal battery is the light and battery combination in a single package. The advantage is that you don’t have to deal with cables and loose batteries. The downside is that the overall design is somewhat similar, mostly the elongated shape.
2. Battery capacity and quality issues
The capacity of the battery determines how often you need to charge it, which limits how far you can travel. Of course, the battery capacity is not the bigger the better. Too much capacity will affect the aesthetics and balance of the body, depending on the need. The quality of the battery determines the lifespan of the lamp, and we certainly don’t expect it to last longer. The quality of the battery can also be judged by the warranty time.

Weight

Weight limits the use of headlights. Weight varies greatly across different types of lights. A lot of lights with external batteries near the 500-gram mark, or even go over it. Too many lights in the city will affect the riding experience. Therefore, when choosing the right headlight, you must choose it according to your own situation.

 Waterproof

Most lights are waterproof but some are not. An IPXX rating of 0 means that the light cannot withstand water. The better the IPXX rating, the better. It also helps to be waterproof in case you are riding in rainy weather. In addition to this, some models are dustproof. This is a good feature because it will make your riding safer.

Part 3:Productions

Here are some lights on the market. You can find more detailed descriptions of all MTB lights taken into consideration further on.

1. Product Name: Bontrager Ion Pro RT Front Bike Light

Bontrager Ion Pro RT  Front Bike Light

  • Score: 8.4
  • Price: $139.99
  • Battery: Li-Ion 21700 3.7Vdc 5000mAh 18.5Wh; Installed internally
  • Lumen Output: 1300 Lumens via high-power CREE LED
  • Charge time: 7 hours
  • Dimensions: 102.5 L x 30.2 W x 34.7 H (mm)
  • Weight: 192g
  • Waterproof rating: IPX4
  • Advantages and disadvantages: The light itself is surprisingly durable. I smashed the thing twice while riding and it was still fine. Its high, 1300-lumen light makes it easy to see in the dark, and it can withstand a few hard hits from the bars. However, the only real complaint I have about it is that the mount for the light is a little tricky to secure. However, the clamp is made for 35mm bars, which means it will fit snugly and won’t fall off the bar. The disadvantage of this light is its Weight of 192g which I don’t like.
  • Product description: The Bontrager Ion Pro RT bike lights are excellent for the front or the back of the bike. They have 1,300 lumens of light and a multitude of flash settings, and they have an adjustable clamp fixture so they can fit handlebar diameters from 25.4mm to 35.0mm. The lights can be mounted to any bar, including drop bars. There are three different types of mounting screws included with the light, and they fit both angled and flat handlebars.

2. Product Name: NiteRider Lumina 1200 Boost Bike Headlight

NiteRider Lumina 1200 Boost Bike Headlight

  • Score: 9
  • Price: $99.9
  • Battery: Li-Ion; Installed internally
  • Lumen Output: 1200 Lumens
  • 7 Modes with Run Times: 1:00 – 18:00hrs
  • Charge Time: 3:00 / 6:00 hrs
  • Dimensions:‎4.38 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches
  • Weight: 172g
  • Low Battery Indicator
  • Water / Dust Resistant IP64 Rated
  • Advantages and disadvantages: The NiteRider Lumina 1200 Boost comes with a remote switch, allowing you to turn on or off the light from a distance. The NiteRider Lumina 1200 Boost offers four constant modes, three flashing modes, and a battery indicator. It has a remote control that allows you to set the light to the appropriate level for the conditions, and it also comes with a strobe mode. The Charge Time is longer than other lights.
  • Product description: The NiteRider Lumina 1200 Boost is one of the most powerful lights on the market, with 4200 lumens and 6 CREE LEDs. With 4 brightness settings and a daylight flash mode, the Pro has what you need for your riding. Also, this best mountain bike light for night riding has powerful bike light factory-tuned settings for optimal performance in varying conditions. It includes a long-lasting 8-cell battery and a USB portable charger for easy battery replacement.
    The NiteRider Lumina 1200 Boost has 6 CREE LEDs and features 4200 lumens of light. Besides, it costs around $550. The NiteRider Lumina 1200 Boost is a great choice for bike riders looking to maximize their safety and extend their riding time. Lastly, the battery life is over an hour on full whack, and the remote switch is easily accessible via a USB port.

3. Product Name: Garmin Varia UT800 Smart Headlight

Garmin Varia UT800 Smart Headlight

  • Score: 8
  • Price: $99.9
  • Battery: 1.5 hours, high; 3.0 hours, medium; 6.0 hours, low; 25.0 hours, day flash; 6.0 hours, night flash; Installed internally
  • Lumens: 800
  • Dimensions (LxWxH): 3.8″ x 1.3″ x 1.2″ (96.6 mm x 33.5 mm x 29.7 mm); 1.8″ with flange (44.7 mm with flange)
  • Weight: 4.6 oz (130.0 g)
  • CREE LED: yes
  • Water rating: IPX7
  • Advantages and disadvantages: The Varia UT800 is a wireless bike light that pairs with compatible Edge computers that have light sensors. It adjusts its intensity based on your speed and rides profile to save battery power and provide bright, steady light. The UT800 is also compatible with the Edge 520 and 530. You can even use it on your road bike. The UT800 is priced at $130. For myself, I don’t like its battery life.
  • Product description: The Varia UT800 features 5 light modes, including high (800 lumens), medium (400 lumens), and low (200 lumens). It also comes with a night flash mode. The unit is small enough to mount on your handlebar or helmet. It has a friction mount below. You can also attach a GoPro or a Garmin camera. Once you have the mount attached to your bike, you need a hex wrench or screwdriver to tighten it to the mounting bracket. Once that’s done, you can install the lights.

4. Product Name: Exposure Diablo MK12 Helemtlight

Helemtlight

  • Score:7
  • Price: $215
  • Battery: 3400mAh lithium-ion; Installed internally
  • Lumen Output: 1800 lumens
  • Dimensions: 115mm x 41mm
  • Weight: 120g
  • Material: Anodised 6063 Aluminium
  • LED Configuration: 3 x White XPL2
  • Maximum Runtime: 24 hours
  • Charge Time: 4 hours
  • Charger Type: USB
  • Handlebar Attachment: Handlebar Bracket
  • Water-Resistance Rating: IP6
  • Advantages and disadvantages: The best MTB night lights Exposure Diablo MK12 comes in Gun Metal Black. This helmet light is made from CNC-machined aluminium and features a triple LED design. So it provides an impressive 1800 lumens and is lightweight and durable. Its streamlined design means it’s easy to mount on a helmet and is easy to use. The lightweight, durable design makes it easy to handle. And its oil-slick finish makes it easier to clean than many other motorcycle lights. The charge time is longer than other lights.
  • Product description: The Exposure Diablo MK12 bike light is an ultra-bright and durable mountain bike light. Its design allows it to be mounted on both road and mountain bikes without adding any extra weight or hassle. Besides, the dual-disc mount uses a plastic bolt to secure the device to the helmet. Unlike most similar products, the mounting system does not interfere with the MIPS sheets of the helmet. Its O-ring mounting system allows you to mount it securely and conveniently to the helmet.

5. Product Name: Moon Canopus 4000L Front Light

Moon-Canopus-4000-Lumens-Front-Bike-Light

  • Score: 6
  • Price: $243 / £295
  • Battery: Li-Ion External battery pack  7.2V 13400mAh; Installed externally
  • Weight: 620g (headlamp, bar mount and battery)
  • Lumen Output: 3600Lm
  • Dimensions: 66x43x75mm
  • Full power run time: 1hr 45mins
  • Recharge time: 3:15 – 9 hours depending on the charger
  • Advantages and disadvantages: The best light for night mountain biking Moon Canopus is a high-output front bike light with 3600 lumens. This front bike light is a perfect option for night riding and is equipped with a versatile array of flashing and solid modes. Also, the machined CNC aluminium body provides durability and IPX7 waterproofing, and a variable output control lets you choose the amount of light to provide. It also includes an overheat protection system to prevent damage to the LED. The light run time is very low.
  • Product description: The Moon Canopus comes with a battery pack that boasts a 6700 mAh capacity. It is designed to fit on the top tube of a bike, but it can also fit into a backpack and charge an iPhone while cycling. With an optional USB-C charging cable, the Moon Canopus doubles as an external power bank when not in use. Besides, the light is also water-resistant and can be used in wet conditions.

Part 4: Analysis and Test Results

Bontrager Ion Pro RT:

The Bontrager Ion Pro RT has an excellent beam pattern. It has a wide, even beam. The light is very consistent in its pattern, and there are no glare issues with its beam. The Bontrager light is also easily visible when mounted to the seat tube. It is adjustable in height, so if you need to adjust the angle, you can do so. You can use a Garmin compatible app to control the light remotely, but it is still a great option.

NiteRider Lumina 1200 Boost:

The NiteRider Lumina 1200 Boost bike light has a single button for easy operation, a battery indicator with eight stages, and a daytime flash mode. It uses six Cree LEDs in three-cone dual-beam reflectors, each tuned to a specific beam pattern for off-road use. Also, the NiteRider Lumina 1200 Boost focused beam and limited spread allow you to see everything around you.

Garmin Varia UT800:

The best mountain bike night lights Garmin Varia UT800 is equipped with a universal out-front mount and a helmet mount. It saves valuable handlebar real estate. It is also compatible with the Edge models, leveraging their innovative features. Unlike other lights, the Varia UT800 is compatible with many models of Garmin watches, such as the Edge 920. You can attach the UT800 to the edge using a hex wrench or screwdriver.

Diablo MK12:

The Diablo MK12 is the latest model of Exposure’s popular light. It features a triple LED design and produces up to 1800 lumens. It also features an Oil Slick finish and a durable, adjustable head mount. The Diablo MK12 has a built-in rechargeable battery, which means you can use it in any environment. It’s also very versatile and has an extra 100 lumens that can be used in various settings.

Moon Canopus:

The best mountain bike lights for night riding Moon Canopus is super-functional and well-built. However, it’s too bulky for helmet mounting. It comes with eight output modes and two colour temperatures: a warm beam for fog, and a cool white beam for brighter conditions. Also, both can be combined to produce a third colour. Besides, its two Cree XM-L (U2) LEDs and a Luminus SST-40 external battery pack provide ample light and have a lifetime of up to four million hours.

Part 5: Conclusion

The light should be mounted on the helmet. A helmet-mounted light shines directly on the rider, which will allow the rider to easily see over rocks and corners. It should also be compact and lightweight. If you need more light, you can use both a handlebar-mounted and a helmet-mounted light. It will help you to see where you’re going and avoid a mishap. If you want to save money, you should choose a multi-LED model, which will give you the most illumination.

Part6: Buyer’s Guide

(2) The Main Purpose of a Mountain Bike Light is to Make you Visible to Other Cyclists:

A high-quality LED offers up to 800 lumens of light, which is an important factor when riding on the road or trail at night. It also increases your visibility to other bikers. These best bike lights for night riding MTB is a must-have for mountain biking enthusiasts. You should consider the features of your bike light before making a final decision.
A good mountain bike light must not only be waterproof but should also have adjustable brightness. There are a few things to consider when choosing the best light for night riding. First, you should check the power of the light. It should be able to give you enough light to navigate without being too bright. Secondly, you should be able to see the trail. This will allow you to avoid falling. If you don’t want to be distracted by the light, you should choose a model with a wide beam.

(3) Precautions for the Purchase of the best Night Light for Mountain Biking:

While handlebar-mounted headlights are generally more secure, they are not as appropriate for night mountain biking. Helmet-mounted lights follow the rider’s gaze, making them more appropriate for this type of cycling. Moreover, some models come with a secondary location. You also need to consider the beam pattern, which will fill in shadows and provide even illumination.
In addition, the highest-end models have two main beams. The high beam is focused on the distance, while the low beam floods a wider area. The light’s yellow/green hue reduces the harshness of white LEDs. Also, this best night mountain bike lights model offers a good beam spread and a gradual fade. Its illumination is adequate for higher speeds on tight trails, and it has been tested at a variety of speeds. Despite the price, it is definitely worth the investment.

Part 7: Best MTB Night Lights Glossary

The best mountain bike lights for night riding should provide the most illumination and give you a clear vision of the trail. They should be highly visible so that you can avoid falling and hitting an obstacle. There are various models available on the market with different features and specifications. The Flex MTB is a high-end handle mount with a separate battery. Besides, it has waterproof gel-filled connectors and a lumen output of 3200. However, the only downfall of this model is that it dims when you stop pedalling.

Besides its powerful illumination, the Lupine light is also a high-quality headlamp and bike helmet. This all-in-one kit is highly versatile. Also, it works as a headlamp and a bike helmet. Its front-click system is useful, and the two-megapixel lens offers up to 2100 lumens of light. The best mountain bike lights for night riding SOS function is an added benefit, and you can customize the settings to suit your needs.

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