Bicycle lighting isn't just there to keep you safe, it's also the law! By law you are required to have a front and rear light So, how do you buy a light system for your bike? It's pretty easy. You just answer the following questions:
LIGHTING TO KEEP YOU SAFE
DO YOU HATE
BATTERIES?
Not the kind of person who remembers to charge or replace batteries? We understand! A dynamo light offers battery-free, theft-resistant lighting that casts a powerful beam so that you can see and be seen.
DO YOU WANT TO BE SEEN (BUT NOT SEE)?
Big cities have a lot of light pollution, so it's usually easy to see where you're going. A USB chargeable light or regular battery light is all you need to let drivers know you're ahead or behind, and to keep yourself safe.
DO YOU WANT TO BE SEE AND BE SEEN?
Riding through the dark and need to cast a beam? Choose between a battery-free (and permanent, theft-resistant) dynamo light or a powerful rechargeable USB battery light to light up the night.
ARE YOU TIRED OF LIGHTS BEING STOLEN?
Somewhere in purgatory lies all your lost gloves, pens, and stolen bike lights. If you're ready to end the pain, consider a dynamo. They are battery free and bolt directly to your bike. But, we also specialize in bolt-on battery lights too!
WHAT ABOUT DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS?
Just like on car, daytime running lights are a smart idea. The best light for this is a dynamo. It runs off your front wheel, uses LED bulbs - which last forever - and you basically never need to turn the light off!
IS BUDGET
A CONCERN?
OK, a dynamo light is definitely doing things right, but they are pricey. If budget is an obstacle, we have tons of super bright USB lights to keep you safe. Just remember to take them off when parked!
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LUX AND LUMENS?
Most lighting companies in the battery market publish Lumens for their headlight beams. But, this isn't terribly reliable. Simply put, lumens aren't a reliable measure of brightness. For instance, you could have very high powered light emission (lumens) coming out of a light but all that intensity fades by the time it illuminates the object (LUX). The more the LUX the brighter the object. The more Lumens, the more you're usually paying.
DYNAMO LIGHTS?
Today's dynamos are not like your grandma's old "bottle generator" which rubbed against the tire and slowed you down. Nope, these are built into the hub and run with almost zero friction. We specialize in SP Dynamo hubs, the lightest, lowest drag (and economical) hubs on the market. Buying a dynamo can be tricky, and we're here to help. For any questions please email aaron@curbsidecycle.com.
BATTERY LIGHTS?
Battery lighting is the economical way to keep yourself safe at night. Generally, when choosing a battery light consider whether you want to see or be seen. Lights like the Eyro (above) allow both, while lights like the Arco ensure you're visible. In the city, the other concern is theft. Lights like the Eyro (above) bolt to the bike while lights like the Arco remove (perhaps too) quickly.
E-BIKE LIGHTS?
E-bike lighting connects to the battery on any quality e-bike (e-bikes that use Shimano, Bosch, or Yamaha motors) and run off the battery. LED bulbs offer massive night-time beams with very little battery consumption, meaning you can run these lights for safety during the day too. Like our dynamo lighting, we specialize in Europe's top brands, Supernova, Busch and Muller, Herrmans and Spanninga.
"Bolted to your frame, dynamo lights are far less desirable to thieves. After your initial costs you may even save money by no longer having to purchase new lights, batteries, or pay fines for forgetting your bicycle lights. Dynamo systems make lighting an integral part of your bicycle. Can you imagine driving a car with strapped-on or half-charged lights?"
Momentum Magazine
FEB 16, 2015
BATTERY LIGHTS
Battery lights aren't what they used to be. Unlike the halogen battery lights of yesteryear, today's battery lights use LED's, which offer high intensity with very low battery consumption. We import battery lights from Busch & Muller in Germany and Spanninga in the Netherlands. With decades of ear-to-the-ground experience, these companies know what they're doing. Best of all, these companies take the city cyclist as their muse. Whereas most of the North American bike industry makes night lighting for mountain bikers, Spanninga and Busch and Muller take great care to make safe - even theft-resistant - lights for those who bike as transportation.
THEFT-RESISTANT OPTIONS - BATTERY
B&M EYRO USB
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See and be seen with this amazing light. Featuring 30LUX of power. Bolts to your front fork for theft-resistance. The Eyro looks permanent but removes from the clamp stealthily for USB charging.
LINUS HEADLAMP
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Be seen with the Spanninga Swingo, a highly visible, 10LUX LED battery light that bolts to the bike permanently. Runs on x4 AA batteries (included) with a runtime of about 60 hours.
B&M TOPLIGHT 2C USB
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Requires an EU rack with a 50-80mm horizontal interface (any Racktime rack will do). The Toplight looks permanent but removes from the clamp stealthily for USB charging.
ELIPS BATTERY
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Requires an EU rack with a 50-80mm horizontal interface (any Racktime rack will do). The Elips bolts directly to the rack and provides 60 hours of light with 2 AA batteries (included)
REMOVEABLE BATTERY SYSTEMS
TOPEAK WHITELIGHT
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See and be seen, with the Topeak Whitelight. With 500Lumens output, this light is brighter than most dynamo systems and casts a wide, intense beam that lights up the night.
ARCO FRONT USB
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Make sure you are seen with the Spanninga Arco. Using flexible COB LEDs, the Arco is a strip of high intensity light that runs 10 hours and charges easily by USB port.
ARCO REAR USB
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Make sure you are seen with the Spanninga Arco. Using flexible COB LEDs, the Arco is a strip of high intensity light that runs 10 hours and charges easily by USB port.
HEADLUX USB
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Make your helmet even safer by adding a light! The Headlux sits directly in the drivers field of vision and provides unmistakable safety. Front shines white, rear shines red!
DYNAMO LIGHTS
A car is sold with headlights, why isn't your bike? If you are the type of city cyclist who takes due diligence and safety seriously, there is no better option than a dynamo light. A dynamo bolts permanently onto your bike, making them theft-resistant. They have remarkable power and highly engineered beams, making them the safest option for seeing at night. They all feature 'stand light' capacitors, so when your stopped the light continues to run on stored charge. They add extra safety in the daytime, as a battery-free daytime running light. Buying a dynamo can be tricky, and we're here to help. For info, email timm@curbsidecycle.com.
THE HUB OF THE SYSTEM
SHUTTER PRECISION (SP DYNAMO)
Once a cult object loved for its economy and super lightweight, low drag design - SP Dynamo has quickly become a mainstream success, providing mega-companies like Shimano with some major competition. Whereas Shimano systems tend to use heavy steel shells, the SP Dynamo hubs are lightweight aluminum. And, where you really feel the drag on a Shimano hub the SP hubs are very low friction. The reason why SP became cult objects? They are nearly the same price as Shimano, and far, far better.
SP makes hubs in nearly every axle configuration and for every type of disc brake (or no disc brake at all). They also make hubs for specific wheel sizes, making them a hit with Brompton or cargo bike owners. Learn more by clicking the link below. Having trouble figuring out which hub is for you? Email timm@curbsidecycle.com, our dynamo expert!
SUPERNOVA FRONT LIGHTS
Famous for being the most durable dynamo lights on the market - especially in winter conditions - Supernova is the choice of commuters and performance athletes - especially for off-road 24 hour events. The CNC'd aluminum bodies sustain cold weather and are remarkably impact resistant. Please note: Supernova uses Lumens rather than LUX. Made in Gundelfingen, Germany. NOTE: SUPERNOVA LIGHTS ONLY WORK WITH SUPERNOVA LIGHTS AND NOT CROSS-PLATFORM!
E3 PRO-2
640 LUMEN - NOT STREET LEGAL!
Made for 24 hour events and winter Iditarod events, this light is so friggin' bright that it's not legal for road use in the EU. That said, if you're mountain biking or fat biking at night, this is a floodlight!
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E3 TRIPLE-2
205 LUMEN - W/SWITCH
Our most popular Supernova light! CNC alloy body with a massive 205L output. It's weatherproof body is perfect for winter cyclists, especially those riding in salty conditions.
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E3 PURE-3 FORK
205 LUMEN - NO SWITCH
The minimalist version of the E3 Triple-2. This light keeps things pretty by eliminating the on/off switch - because who needs it? Daytime visibility and night-time vision with handsome looks.
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E3 PURE-3 HANDLEBAR
205 LUMEN - NO SWITCH
The minimalist version of the E3 Triple-2. This light keeps things pretty by eliminating the on/off switch - because who needs it? Daytime visibility and night-time vision with handsome looks.
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BUSCH & MULLER FRONT LIGHTS
Made in Meinerzhagen, Germany - Busch and Muller is the largest and most reputable light manufacturer on the planet. Famous for their engineered optics, the beams are all as wide as they are intense, and all are subject to the comprehensive German bicycle Straßenverkehrszulassungsordnung regulations, meaning they have a special cut out in the beam so that drivers or other oncoming cyclists won't go blind.
B&M IQ-X 100 LUX
Our most popular light! With outstanding power and advanced engineered optics, this light has unparalleled frontal intensity and a super wide beam to guarantee peripheral vision at night. Recommended!
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B&M IQ-XS 70 LUX
With the same aluminum shell as the IQ-X, the IQ-XS keeps things pretty, but lowers the intensity in a lightweight, smaller package. With 70 LUX, the IQ-XS has more than enough output for city riding.
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B&M MYC 50 LUX
Brand new from Busch & Muller! Taking cues from the IQ-X and IQ-XS, the MYC uses a svelte alloy body and 50 LUX of power - perfect for night-time urban use and as a daytime running light.
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CLASSIC 30 LUX
Classic looks in a strong alloy body, the Classic has all the tech you'll find on other B&M lights, from a sensor that turns the light on when dark to a capacitor that holds 10 minutes of charge when stopped.
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HERRMANS & SPANNINGA FRONT LIGHTS
Looking for the dark horse of dynamo lights? Or some high quality affordable options? Look no further than Herrmans of Finland, a company famous for industrial mining equipment, who incorporate automobile projection beam technology. Meanwhile, Spanning from Holland is the first choice of most European manufacturers, and you can find their lights on most EU brands. With incredible value, the Spanninga lights give you all the beam you need in light-polluted urban environments, and are a quality, economical solution.
HERRMANS H-BLACK PRO 100 LUX
The dark horse and a staff favourite! Projection technology means the beam starts a meter ahead, buying more forward vision. This light has ridiculous beam width and intensity. Made in Finland.
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HERRMANS
MR8 60 LUX
Don't need the deep-night power of the H-Black Pro? The MR8 packs a ton of power per dollar and has remarkable width and intensity for your commute. Made in Finland.
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SPANNINGA
KENDO 30 LUX
Great power for the dollar! All the light you need for urban night time riding and safety during the day. Features a 'standlight' capacitor that still beams out power when stopped.
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REAR LIGHTS - WHICH ONE?
Whereas most front lights are mounted on the front fork (you can mount them on the handlebars too, we carry most brackets), the rear light has several more options, including your seatpost, rear rack, or fenders.
However, this is where things can get tricky. To mount a rear light on the rear rack, you must use an ISO certified EU rack that uses a 50-80mm horizontal interface, which is standard in Europe but not in North America. All Racktime or Tubus racks use such a system.
For fender mounted lighting you often have to drill out a hole in the fender and we recommend professional installation since the wiring has to run up the inside of the fender.
There are some great new options available for the seatpost too, whether you use a purpose-built seatpost light or a clamp that attaches to your seat rails. Questions? Email timm@curbsidecycle.com, our dynamo expert!
E-BIKE LIGHTS
Most e-bikes often come with lights, but usually they aren't all that bright, especially if you're riding in the depths of the dark night (or want uncompromising safety). We import e-bike lighting from Supernova, Busch & Muller, Spanninga and Herrmans - all representing the very best of Europe. These lights all work with quality e-bike systems - including systems from Bosch, Yamaha, or Shimano. For info, email timm@curbsidecycle.com.
B&M IQ-XE
150 LUX
It's hard to get brighter than this! The IQ-XE has a massive 150LUX, perfect for making a statement. And, with reduced intensity at the top of the beam, oncoming traffic aren't blinded either.
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B&M IQ-XS
70 LUX
The e-bike version of Busch and Muller's most popular light. 70 LUX offers more than enough power for city riding and the aluminum shell looks pretty and is very durable.
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SUPERNOVA V1260
235 LUMENS
Famed for their all-season durability, from extreme cold to salt-water exposure, the Supernova lights are profoundly bright and made to take a pounding. CNC'd alloy. Made in Germany.
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SUPERNOVA V521S
235 LUMENS
Same light as the Supernova V1260 in a slimmer package. The V521S takes the V1260 and removes the switch because why do you need a switch anyways? Daytime visibility, night time vision.
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HERRMANS H-BLACK PRO
The dark horse and a staff favourite! Projection technology means the beam starts a meter ahead, buying more forward vision. This light has ridiculous beam width and intensity. Made in Finland.
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HERRMANS
MR8 60 LUX
Don't need the deep-night power of the H-Black Pro? The MR8 packs a ton of power per dollar and has remarkable width and intensity for your commute. Made in Finland.
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SPANNINGA
AXENDO 80 LUX
Originally designed in colloboration with Phillips, the Axendo 80 is a meeting of Dutch engineering and Dutch bicycle lighting. Amazing value for the dollar. We like the cool retro 80's look too!
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SPANNINGA
AXENDO 40 LUX
Great power for the dollar! All the power you need for urban night time riding and safety during the day. A quality replacement or upgrade light for your e-bike.
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