April 04, 2017 / by Danny Mavis

Times constantly change, lifestyles surely aren’t immune to this, but what’s not susceptible is the trend of riding bikes. Sure, bikes are the products that are undergoing continuous transformations and ameliorations, but the wish to ride them hasn’t waned ever since their very beginnings back in the first half of the 19th century when the Draisienne appeared (invented by Karl von Drais). Nowadays, despite all the electronics getting in the way, bikes are still very much the preferred means for outdoor fun both for kids and grown-ups when not used for commuting.

Then again, there’s the special sort of bike designed for those who want to get a more adventurous ride away from the city hustle and bustle – the mountain bike. What makes this kind of biking get particular interest is the chance to be at one with nature, master the skills of riding the bike while passing by breathtaking landscapes, listening to the sounds of the wilderness and having the chance to meet other adventure enthusiasts. If there’s a place on Earth where wilderness abounds in beauty, it’s got to be Australia. No matter whether you set out for a morning ride, it can easily turn into a night one as you lose track of time enjoying which is why you must give mountain bike lighting some serious thought.

Bike lights are the inexpensive yet basic equipment that can save you from a great deal of trouble. You wouldn’t want to be out in the dark without the adequate lighting source, especially not in the unknown wilderness so shopping for mountain bike lighting should be among your priorities. As soon as you make your way back into civilisation, you have to be visible on the road where you expect to see traffic. Having this in mind, remember not just any light would do: you have to focus on the brightness and make sure it matches your riding path because of the importance to distribute light properly.

In the case of a rough terrain that’s made for faster technical riding, don’t even think of getting anything below 2000 lumens. When it comes to terrains that aren’t that much of a challenge and are rather flat, 1000 to 1500 lumens would do. To be able to see all the bumps on the road and avoid getting injured or damaging your bike in the dark of the night, it’s advisable to increase your lighting by adding up another lighting source, for instance a head torch for your helmet. While the bar light shows you the trails, the head torch could help you look around for obstacles and keep your gears in check.

You can expect to get the best of technology today since latest bike light choices are mostly LED. They’re as durable as can be, with features like easy and secure attachment through quick-release, more brightness outputs, rechargeable options as well as power status indicators to let you in on the amount of power left. Mountain biking in the dark can be exciting as much as it can be dangerous, so don’t get on your bike without taking care of the lighting first.