Guide: Choose the right headlamp for cycling

HEADLAMP GUIDE

CYCLING

Choose the right headlamp for cycling

How much light you need depends on the type of cycling you do. Road cycling requires far less light than MTB, while gravel and forest roads are somewhere in between. For downhill and highly technical trails, a powerful headlamp is essential to read the terrain in time.

Tips when choosing a headlamp for cycling

BRIGHTNESS

For commuting by bike at a relaxed pace, an outdoor head torch will be sufficient. 1,500 lumens is enough for road cycling on well-lit roads, while 2,500 lumens is recommended for dark country roads and gravel. For MTB, we recommend 2,000 lumens for wide forest roads, 3,400 lumens for technical terrain and up to 10,000 lumens for highly technical terrain and downhill riding.

BURN TIME & WEIGHT

For short road rides, a smaller battery (S) is sufficient. Since weight doesn’t affect you the same way as when running, you can go for a larger battery (M) mounted on the frame, in a pocket, or in your backpack. This gives you longer burn time and fewer charges. Higher brightness – such as for gravel or MTB – requires more power and therefore a larger battery (M).

Helmet and bike mounts

With a Free Bar Mount Kit, you can use your Free headlamp as a bike light on the handlebar, and with a Helmet Mount Kit, you can attach both the headlamp and the battery to your helmet.