Are you planning to hit the trails after dark? Then you need the right MTB lighting to tear across the trails safely. In this article, we look at what features are important in MTB lighting and what the best devices are.
When do you need MTB lighting?
Of course, not when you ride during the day. MTB lighting is a must when you hit the trails or dive into forests after sunset. Ordinary bike lights are not suitable for this as they are mainly meant to be seen. To ride at night, you need to be able to adequately light a trail or forest path. For this you need more powerful MTB lighting.
During the winter months, the days are a lot shorter. Therefore, that doesn’t mean you can’t keep riding. The right MTB lighting can ensure that you have just as much fun regardless of the short days during the winter.
But also during the summer months, or in places around the world where the days are longer, night MTB rides are a blissful adventure!
Or consider very long rides or multi-day bike packing trips. With the right MTB lighting you suddenly get so many more options for riding.
What’s important about MTB lighting?
Lumen
Lumen is the degree of total light emitted by a lamp. The more lumens a lamp has the stronger the light source is. So that means the surface being shone on will also receive more light. A 2000 lumen lamp will illuminate a surface brighter and farther compared to a 500 lumen lamp.
For mountain biking in the dark you need at least 900 lumens. If you go below that, it doesn’t really become pleasant and safe on the trails anymore. Today there are also devices on the market up to 8000 lumens!
The higher the lumens, the more light. The consideration you need to make is how challenging the terrain you want to ride in the dark and how fast you want to ride. For example, if you ride downhill trails in low light then it is not unnecessary to go for a unit with +3000 lumens.
Beam pattern
The beam pattern is at least as important as the lumen count. Especially for lights that need to be suitable for mountain biking.
Simply put, the beam pattern is the degree to which the light is focused. This can be either a focused beam (narrower beam, but light reaches farther) or a wider beam (wider but light reaches less far). So you can see that not only a lamp with high lumens will necessarily shine the farthest, too!
A focused beam that shines farther can be useful when there aren’t many turns on the trail. You can go a little faster here and you can spot the obstacles earlier this way.
In turn, a wider beam comes in handy when you’re riding a twisty and/or dense trail. You may ride slower here and like to have a wider view of obstacles on and along the trail.
The better MTB lights combine both types of beams into 1.
Battery capacity
It goes without saying, of course, that you prefer MTB lights that burn for the longest possible time. You obviously don’t want to end up completely in the dark in the middle of your ride. Still, somewhere you have to make a choice according to what kind of night riding you plan to do.
The longer your MTB lights can run, the stronger/bigger the battery should be. So a larger (external) battery also needs to be tucked away or attached somewhere.
If you plan to ride shorter rides then you don’t necessarily need a heavy battery. Of course, if you choose MTB lighting with high lumens, then the battery will also automatically be a bit larger.
Water resistance
Of course, an absolute must for good MTB lighting is that it can withstand rough handling. A robust frame (and mount) preferably made of metal. The housing must also be able to keep out dirt and water.
The best MTB lights
- Pro choice: Magicshine Monteer 8000S Galaxy V2.0
- Runner up: Gloworm XSV
- Best price/quality: Gloworm X2
- Best budget: Petzl Swift RL
Magicshine Mount 8000S Galaxy V2.0 (Pro choice for MTB lighting)
The powerhouse of MTB lights
The Magicshine 8000s v2 is the deserved “pro choice”! With no less than 5 powerful LEDs, it provides you with 8000 lumens to illuminate the darkest paths. The output in terms of light is unprecedented. The trail is perfectly illuminated far ahead (315m) but also in width, the Magicshine 8000s v2 perfectly illuminates the environment around the trails. As if the light in the forest suddenly turned on!
Unmatched beam pattern
The 5 LEDs allow the Magicshine Mount 8000s Galaxy v2.0 to provide the perfect illumination. The focus leds provide the ideal “spot” lighting where the light is focused on the trail. In addition, the other LEDs provide the peripheral light to properly illuminate the entire area next to the trail. This makes it ideal for any type of trail you want to ride at night.
What struck us most was the way the Magicshine 8000s v2.0 distributes light nicely evenly. No “hot spots” (areas where noticeably more concentrated light shines) are noticeable. The Magicshine distributes light optimally and transitions almost seamlessly from focused light to more peripheral light.
4000 lumens 4 hours long!
MTB lighting this bright and powerful naturally needs to be supplied with sufficient power. The external 20,000 mAh battery provides this, which is connected via a cable to the 5 LEDs. This battery is rather “bulky” compared to other MTB lights (such as the Gloworm XSV). Actually, the same can be said about the unit with the 5 LEDs. The Magicshine is certainly not the most compact and lightweight unit but this much brightness obviously has to come from somewhere.
At maximum strength, this MTB light can provide you with just under 2 hours of light on the trails. That means at half capacity you can ride for over 4 hours with 4000 lumens! Cut that in half again and you have 8 hours of lit trails with 2000 lumens.
Ipx 5 waterproof
With 5 on a scale of 8 Ipx, the Magicshine Mount 8000s Galaxy v2.0 is “spray-proof.” That is, it will not suffer damage when sprayed (12.5 l/min) at any angle for 3 minutes at a distance of 3 meters. Even though this will be sufficient for most conditions, it is a minor downside. In terms of waterproofing, the Gloworm XSV does do better.
Remote
The v2.0 version comes with a wireless remote. You can attach this to your handlebars where you can use it without taking your hands off the
Gloworm XSV (Runner up for MTB lighting)
3 powerful LEDs
A worthy “runner up” in terms of MTB lighting is definitely the Gloworm XSV. Within the robust aluminum frame is 3600 lumens of light packed with 3 powerful LEDs. This will provide excellent illumination of the path in front of you!
Beam pattern of your choice
The standard beam pattern is a good mix of focused light and wider light. What makes this Gloworm XSV top notch (and quite unique) is that you can swap the standard lenses of the lights with other lenses (3 you get extra). This allows you to set your own desired beam pattern for your type of trail.
Long battery life
The battery of the Gloworm XSV is claimed by the manufacturer to last 1.5 hours at maximum strength (3600 lumens). During our tests, we find that this is more likely to even go to the 2 hours mark. As always, it does depend somewhat on what the outside temperature is. But even in the case of 1.5 hours at 3600 lumens, it means that at 50% brightness you can easily ride for 4 hours. And with 1800 lumens you have more than enough for most trails. The long battery life is among other things what makes the Gloworm XSV ideal as MTB lighting! Moreover, you can also use the battery as a regular powerbank.
The battery is an external unit. Through a cable you connect the battery to the lamp unit. When you place the lamps on your helmet you will have to store the battery somewhere at the back of your cycling shirt. If you place the light on your handlebar, you can attach the battery to the frame with the included mount. This is the better option from our tests. You don’t have to bother with the battery this way.
You also get a lot of accessories as standard such as mounts, interchangeable lenses, cables, etc….
IP67 waterproofing
The entire setup (battery and lamp) are waterproof to the IP67 standard. That means they can be placed under water for 30 minutes at a depth of 1m without water damage AND are completely dustproof. So no problem at all when you’re looking for the wettest and dirtiest trails.
Connectivity
You can set and control your Gloworm XSV via the app on your smartphone. Handy to set different modes for each type of trail this way in advance. Moreover, you can also sync multiple Gloworm lights in an ecosystem. For example, if you have a lamp on your helmet and one on your handlebars, you can have them lit and operated in sync.
In conclusion, the remote that comes with it is also super handy. You attach it to your handlebar along your grip. This way you don’t even have to let go of your handlebars to adjust your MTB lighting.
Gloworm X2 (best price/quality for MTB lighting)
Amazing power/compactness ratio
Those who like to keep it light and compact but still want to be provided with sufficient brightness are in good hands with the Gloworm X2 1700. Two powerful LEDs provide 1700 lumens. It was designed specifically for mountain bikers who prefer to keep the price a bit lower but still want to count on quality features. In that respect, we think it more than succeeded. Hence, the Gloworm X2 1700 is the best price/quality MTB light.
Beam pattern
As with its “big brother” the Gloworm XSV, the X2 also allows you to change the lenses. This allows you to fine tune your ideal beam pattern. Of course, you do have slightly fewer options since the X2 only has 2 LEDs compared to 3 LEDs of the XSV.
That said, the Gloworm X2 provides good exposure on the trails. Through the different modes in terms of brightness and focused or wide light, you can adjust the beam pattern on the trail. Since the MTB light has 2 LEDs, you will have to switch modes more often compared to the 2 models above.
Battery life
The compact external battery provides 1.5 hours of light at 1700 lumens. That’s more than enough for most trails in the dark. However, this MTB light is rather suitable for those who do not want to ride long rides of e.g. 6 hours in the dark.
Waterproofing
The Gloworm X2 has the same water resistance as the XSV (IP67). That is to say completely dustproof and quasi waterproof.
Compactness
For those who like it light, compact but still strong, the Gloworm X2 is the ideal option. This device is also more suitable if you want to put your MTB lights on your helmet. In this sense, it can be perfectly combined with the XSV.
The wireless remote that you attach to the handlebar completes the package.
Petzl Swift RL 900 (best budget for MTB lighting)
Versatile outdoor light
One that is always stuck in our adventure backpack is the Petzl Swift RL. At 900 lumens, this headlamp is the most powerful of all headlamps with an internal battery. The Petzl offers you enough light for an occasional XC ride at night (up to 150m). Additional “Uni Adapt” mounts allow you to secure the Petzl Swift RL to your helmet. Just keep in mind that you cannot mount this MTB light on your handlebars.
Beam pattern
The Petzl Swift RL has 2 LEDs: one for focused light (far shines) and one for peripheral light (wide shines). Using 3 modes, you can adjust the light intensity. The Petzl also has a light sensor that can automatically adjust the light intensity according to the ambient light. The beam pattern is not really comparable to the above models but the Petzl Swift RL does what it should for a soft price.
Battery life
The Petzl Swift RL provides you with 2h of maximum brightness. Going lower than the 900 lumens we don’t really recommend. Therefore, this MTB light is not really suitable for long night rides.
Water resistance
The headlamp has an IPX 4 water-resistance rating, meaning it is “weahter proof” and can withstand splashing water. It can take quite a beating. We have never had any problems in all this time.
Omni outdoor sports
With a weight of only 100 grams, an internal compact battery and 900 lumens, the Petzl Swift RL is super compact to carry anywhere. In that regard, it’s also useful for much more than just mountain biking. Think mountaineering, hiking, skiing,…etc. So the ideal companion for all your adventures!
Featured image by Jan Kopřiva
