We give you the lowdown on the bike kit you just can't do without...
Exposure Maxx-D
You don't need anything like this amount of power for your commute on the road, but if you want to head onto the trails this super-bright light will turn night into day. It's a rechargeable, cable-free design that's weatherproof and very secure on your handlebars. Brilliant... in more ways than one.
£325.00
www.exposurelights.com
Cateye EL-020 Hybrid
This is clever. The Cateye runs off solar energy. Sit it on the windowsill at work all day and it charges up for the journey home, shining out for up to 2.5hrs in constant mode or 6hrs on the flashing setting. The one watt LED is surprisingly powerful - certainly bright enough to get you noticed on the road at night thanks to an excellent lens. If the solar-charged battery runs out you just flick a switch and use the standard AA battery instead. Like we said, clever.
£49.99
www.zyro.co.uk
SuperNova E3 Pro
Compact, stylish and super-powerful, the E3 Pro is a world away from any dynamo system you have seen before, and the anti-glare lens makes it ideal for the road. The energy is provided by a dynamo hub (that you buy separately) so it's available whenever you ride. Also available as a battery version.
£165.00
www.supernova-lights.com
Knog Boomer
As well as a constant mode, this bright around-town LED has three intermittent settings including a random flash that's impossible to miss. It weighs just 60g, lives in a soft silicone body and attaches to your bars in seconds. A rear version is available for £22.99 and a twin pack for £45.99.
£24.99
www.todayscyclist.co.uk
NightRider MiNewt Mini-USB Plus
This little unit - MiNewt in name, minute in size - is among our favourites. The stem-mounted battery, LED lamp and straps weigh in at just 175g yet you get enough light to see the way clearly even on unlit roads for up to three hours. When the charge indicator light says you're running out of juice you can top it up from either a wall socket or, if there's not one nearby, a USB port on your computer - handy! A helmet mount comes as part of the package - a version without it costs £99.99.
£129.99
www.2pure.co.uk
Smart LED Mini Front
This little LED is definitely one for getting you seen rather than lighting the way, but it's lightweight and has a runtime of up to 120hrs so you won't often have to mess about with batteries. It's waterproof too and the curved window means you get good visibility from the sides.
£10.29
www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk
Blackburn Flea 2.0
Hitting the scales at under 20g, the Flea is tiny yet the four LEDs kick out a surprising amount of light to get you seen. It attaches to your handlebar in seconds with a simple Velcro strap and runs for 6hrs - or 12hrs in flashing mode. When the battery level indicator says you're low on power you just recharge from any computer's USB port. A rear version of the Flea is available too at the same price.
£24.99
www.madison.co.uk
Electron Terra 1
This new, rechargeable commuter light is an absolute bargain. You can select from three different modes depending on where you're riding, and on the highest setting it pumps out a beam that's easily strong enough to show the way on roads without streetlamps. Unlike many high-power lights, the lamp unit has side windows that ensure you get spotted as you pass junctions and make it road- legal without the need to use a supplementary LED, while a low battery indicator ensures you're never caught out in the dark.
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