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Lights and lighting for bicycles
Bicycle Lights
If you want to buy a lighting system for your bicycle, you need to consider the different options and technologies available. Bicycle lights are one of the most important components for the safety of both urban and road cyclists, so we need to consider how we are going to use them, whether it will be in situations of poor visibility or for everyday use where we need a robust and durable lighting system.
In sporadic cases where lighting is needed, a battery-powered bicycle light may be an ideal solution, but if we want to avoid worrying about battery life and enjoy full autonomy, dynamo-powered bicycle lights are a very practical and reliable solution.
Dynamo hub axles
Bicycle dynamos can be hub dynamos, which are extremely effective, especially in adverse weather conditions. These hub systems include a magnetic mechanism in the front wheel axle that is continuously running even when the lights are off.
Their main drawback is their weight, as well as the cost of hub dynamos, as it is not easy to find cheap hub dynamos. Some offer an affordable price with very interesting features, such as the Shimano Nexus 6v hub dynamo. These hub dynamo systems are quite lightweight and offer improved rolling resistance. They can be purchased cheaply at many urban bicycle shops.
It is important to note that dynamo hub axles can power both front and rear lights, and some models have an external power supply that can be used to charge a mobile phone via a USB port, which can be very useful in emergency situations for cyclists who need help or want to consult a map.
Bottle dynamos
Power systems for bottle dynamo or traditional dynamo bicycle lights are very lightweight and offer the advantage that when power is not needed for the bicycle lights, they remain disconnected without offering any resistance on the wheel. On the other hand, they usually convert less than 20% of the energy they consume through friction, which means they are not very efficient. It is also important to note that these bottle dynamos or classic dynamos do not work very effectively when the wheels are wet.
There are some bottle dynamo systems that offer excellent performance, such as the Dimotec from Busch & Muller. This system offers 40% efficiency, which is twice that of normal systems. The contact wheel between the dynamo and the rim or tyre has also been greatly improved, allowing for proper operation in different weather conditions.
Battery operated LED lights
As an alternative to the high cost and weight of dynamo hubs and traditional bottle dynamo systems, battery-powered LED lights have been gaining ground in the bicycle lighting market in recent years, offering a wide range of products including LED headlights with high lighting potential in very small formats, or elegant traditional-style spotlights with a classic look, ideal for restoring vintage bicycles.
Both front and rear LED lights have batteries included inside them, and it is important that they are well insulated so that they can withstand inclement weather, especially rain. It is important to pay attention to aspects such as the materials they are made of, such as steel or plastic, and the type of batteries they use, their battery life, whether or not they indicate the battery status, and the amount of light they emit, which is measured in lux in lumens. If you want to buy a retro spotlight that is ideal for your classic bicycles, manufacturers such as Spanninga and AXA offer models with an elegant classic design and very good lighting performance.
Reflective reflectors
Other important elements in bicycle lighting are reflective reflectors or two bicycle reflectors, which make us more easily seen and are recommended for use on wheels. Many rear lights in Toledo Dinamo of any type always or usually include a reflector so that we can be seen more easily. Some pedals are equipped with reflectors, but we must ensure that these are approved and comply with the required specifications.
