It not only helps you to be seen by others but also makes sure you are able to see the road ahead. When commuting to work, on a nighttime adventure, or riding off-road, choosing the right lights is just a must for your safety and the safety of others as well.In this guide, keep reading about everything you need to know about bicycle lumen lights.
What Are Bicycle Lumen Lights?
Bicycle lumen lights are LED-based lights that can measure brightness in lumens. Or you can say a certain unit that quantifies the amount of visible light emitted by the source.
What Is a Lumen?
A lumen is a standard unit. It is used to measure the brightness of any light. Simply put, it reflects your intended source's total visible light output.So, the higher the lumens, the more light the bulb produces in usual circumstances. For example, think of a light with 200 lumens. This light would be twice as bright as one with 100 lumens.
It's the common best practice. As a result, when you're shopping for bike lights, lumens are often you'll used as the metric to indicate how bright your chosen light will be.
In the context of your cycling part, these lumen measurements are crucial since they directly impact your visibility on the road. You should know that a fat tire electric bike commonly used in off-road conditions will likely require a much brighter light than any standard commuter bike on well-lit city streets.
Lumen Brightness Comparison
Lumen brightness comparison depends largely on your riding environment and your speed. Here's a comparison chart that shows how different lumen levels translate into visibility and suitability for various riding conditions.
| Lumen Range | Usage Scenario | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 100 | Low brightness, suitable for taillights | Increasing visibility to vehicles from behind |
| 100 - 200 | Minimum brightness for a headlight | Riding in daytime conditions on urban roads |
| 200 - 300 | Suitable for well-lit areas | City commuting on streets with adequate streetlights |
| 300 - 500 | Ideal for city commutes, light trails | Riding in moderately lit conditions |
| 500 - 800 | Good for off-road or mountain riding | Trail riding in darker, uneven environments |
| 800 - 1200 | Very bright, excellent for very dark conditions | Nighttime trail riding or high-speed road biking |
| 1200 + | Extreme brightness | High-speed riding in pitch-black or foggy conditions |
If you need examples, think of yourself riding a high-speed Fiido cargo electric bike on dark roads. In this scenario, you'd need at least 800 lumens to ensure you can see far ahead and react to any upcoming obstacles.
Similarly, riding a fat tire electric bike on a mountain trail at night, you'd need upwards of 1200 lumens to ensure the terrain ahead is well-lit and safe.
Headlights and Taillights
Headlights -
Headlights are your primary light source while cycling, as they illuminate the road ahead of you. They are especially important for night rides, at dusk, or in adverse weather conditions when the path isn't visible well.
Depending on your riding environment, you'll need different brightness headlights to befit each scenario. Typically, headlights can range from 100 to 500 lumens. But, if you are into fast or off-road riding, the higher lumen is heavily necessary.
- 100-200 lumens: Suitable for well-lit areas or city commuting.
- 300-500 lumens: Ideal for riding on darker roads or light trail riding.
- 500-1000 lumens: Recommended for night trail riding, off-road, or high-speed conditions.
Taillights -
Contrary to your cycle's headlights, taillights serve a very different purpose on your rides. They improve your visibility for those behind you. So, unlike headlights, your taillights don't need to be as bright. A typical taillight will range from 5 to 40 lumens.
- 5-10 lumens: Suitable for visibility in low-light urban conditions.
- 20-40 lumens: Ideal for riding in darker conditions or areas with heavy traffic.
What Lumens Are Suitable for Different Riding Scenarios?
Choosing the right lumen level for yourself depends a lot on your specific riding style, terrain, and time of day. Here are some recommendations you should consider before making a choice:
- General commuting: For your casual daily city commuting during the day or on a well-lit street at night - a headlight of around 250-500 lumens would be enough. A taillight with 20 lumens will make sure you're safe and well-noticed from behind.
- Off-road riding: You'll surely need more power for mountain biking or riding a fat tire electric bike on unlit trails. In that scenario, you should look for 800-1200 lumens headlights. And you can pair this with a 40-lumen taillight.
- High-speed riding: If you're racing or riding at high speeds on dark roads, you'll need up to 2000 lumens to ensure maximum visibility far ahead. Fast-paced road biking in dark conditions demands powerful lights for quick reactions to obstacles.
Recommended Fiido Models
If you're looking for an e-bike equipped with high-quality lights, the Fiido T1 Pro is an excellent choice. This model comes with a headlight that ranges between 900 and 1000 lumens, providing strong visibility for both city and off-road riding. Whether navigating dark city streets or rugged terrain, the powerful headlight ensures you're seen and can see obstacles clearly ahead.
Moreover, the Fiido T1 Pro electric bike features high and normal beams, giving you flexibility depending on your riding environment. This feature is especially useful for riders transitioning between urban streets and off-road paths.
Fiido T1 Pro Utility Electric Bike
A powerful utility ebike with an impressive 93 mile range.
Tips for Using Bicycle Lights
Daytime Use
Like many other cyclists, you may mistakenly believe that lights are only necessary at night. However, using lights during the day significantly improves visibility, especially during foggy or rainy conditions.
A headlight of 200-300 lumens is recommended for daytime visibility, while a taillight with 20 lumens will keep you safe from vehicles approaching from behind.
Brightness Issues
While bright lights are essential for visibility, too much brightness can impair the vision of oncoming cyclists, pedestrians, or drivers. Adjusting your light's beam pattern to illuminate the road without blinding others is important.
The End Line Is
Regardless of whether you are a regular city commuter, adventure lover, or just a weekend rider, safety comes first. And so the usage of lumen lights. The right lumen count for the right scenario can make all the differences you need, from safety to the fact that you're both seen and able to see, no matter your conditions.
Fiido's many electric bike models, the powerful lights that give you peace of mind while riding aren't something new. They are just so reliable. So before you make a decision, make sure to review Fiido e-bikes as well.
