Bike lighting kit Black Friday: promotional packs

Why buy your lighting in a kit?

A kit covers in one purchase both lights required at night and when visibility is low: at the front, a white or yellow position light that doesn’t dazzle, and at the back, a fixed red position light, as noted by service-public.gouv.fr. Two lights from the same range generally share the charging cable and the style of mount. Read the labels carefully: a “set”, a “pack”, a “combo” or two models separated by a slash denote a bundle, while a light marked “front” or “rear” sold alone is sold individually.

Points to check on a kit

• Power source: USB, batteries, dynamo hub, or connection to an electric bike with the voltage range listed in the title (6 to 12 V, 6 to 36 V).
• Rear mount: seat post, stay, mudguard, or rack. A rack light screws into two holes with a spacing of 50 or 80 mm, which is indicated in some titles.
• Front power: a small light is enough on a lit street; to see the tarmac on an unlit road, you need several hundreds of lumens, a figure that Knog lists in the name of its Blinder.

Spotting a genuine discount on a kit

A crossed-out price is only meaningful when compared to the same reference, and a name range often covers several power levels: a Lumina Micro 650 and a Lumina Micro 900 don’t provide the same brightness, and the associated rear light changes from one combo to another. So, compare both full references, and what’s included: mounts, cable, remote control on the handlebars for a powerful light like the Moon Titan Max. A discounted pack is mostly worth it if it costs less than buying its two lights separately, at equal power and with the same mounts. Lastly, compare the battery life in the mode you’ll be using, not in the most basic flashing mode. For a single light, check the bike lighting from the Black Friday; for a cycle computer to attach alongside the light, see the computers and GPS.

Brands of lighting kits

Herrmans, a Finnish manufacturer, offers its MR lights according to the source of energy: Dynamo MR4 and MR8 for a dynamo hub, E-bike MR4 connected to the battery of an electric bike.

Moon pairs its front and rear lights in USB-rechargeable sets, from the Rigel Lite with Helix Lite to the Meteor-X Auto Pro, which automatically adjusts intensity to ambient light.

Spanninga, a Dutch manufacturer based in Joure that also equips standard bikes, stands out with its rear lights for mudguards or racks, powered by a dynamo like the Lineo XD or for electric bikes like the Solo XE.

NiteRider, based in Poway, California, sells its powerful front lights in combos with a rear light: Swift 300 or Lumina Micro 900 with the Vmax+, Lumina 1000 Boost with the Sabre 110.

Kheax, a French brand, names its lights after stars and sells several in matching pairs, Capella with Tuban, Lezat with Tegmen or Mirza with Nash featuring USB-C charging.

Knog, a brand from Melbourne, offers its small lights in pairs, including Frog in silicone, Cobber Mini or Blinder in Twinpack.

After the operation

Discontinued kits then go to clearance, while new models join the new arrivals. The batteries for electric bikes, which sometimes power the lights, are listed separately, as are the smartphone holders; the rest is in the bike electronics from the Black Friday.

Frequently asked questions

Are lights mandatory on a bike?

Yes, at night and whenever visibility is poor, such as in fog: you need a white or yellow light in front and a red light at the back, in addition to reflectors. The kit isn’t required, it just provides both at once.

USB rechargeable kit or dynamo?

The USB kit fits almost any bike and can be removed when you park. The dynamo requires a wheel with a dynamo hub and lights that are fixed in place, but it doesn’t recharge: it’s the choice for daily commutes.

Can you plug lights into the battery of an electric bike?

Only lights designed for that, with a voltage range that matches the system, and provided the bike has a connection for the lighting. Check with the bike manufacturer before purchasing.

Can the rear light flash?

The rear position light required at night must remain steady. The flashing modes of rear lights are mainly for daytime visibility; once night falls, switch back to steady mode.

When can you find discounted lighting kits?

The Friday of Black Friday, the one after Thanksgiving, comes when evenings get shorter and lights are brought out again. This Friday remains the peak time, but Black Friday discounts from Vélo-Store on lighting stretch throughout November. Before completing your purchase, make sure the item is indeed a set and not just a single light.