Mountain biking in the dark: the new craze?

If you thought mountain biking in pitch darkness was impossible without giving 3 trees a very serious hug within 50 metres, think again! Our laser-sharp mountain bike LED lighting guides you precisely along the narrowest singletracks and the darkest forest paths.

An intense kick, that MTB night riding

It gives an extraordinarily intense kick to set a lap time in the dark that is just as fast as in daylight. Close your eyes for a moment (only AFTER reading this little story, of course) and imagine the following: everything around you is pitch black, and all you see is the narrow forest path lit up by our bright LED lighting.

All you hear is your wheels whooshing along the trail, with a few creepy animal noises here and there, as if you have wandered into a film like "The Blair Witch Project". Goosebumps from head to toe. That, at least, is how I felt after my first time mountain biking in the dark.

Ready, Set, Go!

Every keen mountain biker should be able to experience this at least twice a month. With our Hilox mountain bike LED lighting, your bike is ready for a good night ride in no time. You do not need any tools to fit the LEDs, because rubber mounting rings in different diameters are included for every handlebar. All you have to do is charge the battery.

The batteries of our lighting kits last at least 2 hours at full power. On the lowest setting they last up to 10 hours, which is what you use on the road and the cycle path, where there is plenty of light anyway. Want to feel it for yourself? Order one of our mountain bike LEDs from the Extreme series for the best possible light on your mountain bike!

Also read the tips for preparing for a night ride or browse all LED bike lighting.

Which MTB LED should you pick for night riding?

Hilox has a handful of MTB LEDs, each suited to a different kind of ride. According to the product data:

• HX6: 4 Cree LEDs with up to 3,000 lumens, the brightest Hilox MTB LED. Made for the handlebar, 134 grams.
• HX3: 3 LEDs side by side for an extra wide beam, up to 2,200 lumens, 132 grams.
• HX2: 2 LEDs, up to 1,500 lumens and at 98 grams light enough for your helmet.
• X8: built-in batteries, rechargeable via USB and 6 modes, including strobe and SOS.

On a singletrack, a wide, bright light on your handlebar combined with a light one on your helmet works best. All MTB LEDs come with a 2-year warranty on the LED.

Battery and run time: how to get through the night

How long your light lasts depends on the mode you choose. According to the product data, the current lights with the standard 5,200 mAh battery give these run times:

• HX6: 1.5 hours on high, 3.2 hours on medium, 8 hours on low.
• HX3: 1.7 hours on high, 3 hours on medium, 8 hours on low.
• HX2: 2.8 hours on high, 4.8 hours on medium, 9 hours on low.

Use the high mode on the technical stretches and switch down on the road and the cycle path, where there is plenty of light anyway. If you ride for longer than the run time at full power, bring a spare battery pack. Hilox recommends conditioning the battery, so it does not run flat sooner than it should.

How to fit your MTB LED without tools

Rubber mounting rings in different diameters are included for every handlebar. This is how you fix the light in place:

1. Pick the ring that matches the thickness of your handlebar.
2. Fix the light where it can shine freely, without brake or gear cables hanging in front of it.
3. Tuck the cable to the battery away neatly, so it does not catch on branches or your knee.
4. Aim the light so you have a good view up to about 15 metres in front of your bike.
5. Charge the battery before you set off.

You fix a helmet light in place the same way, but choose a light one there, so your neck does not notice it after a long ride.

Riding safely at night: 5 tips

1. Protect your head and eyes: wear a helmet and glasses with clear lenses against branches.
2. Have a rear light: an ordinary red light or LED is enough to be seen.
3. Dress warm and visible: the temperature drops considerably after sunset. Clothing with reflective parts helps other bikers and drivers to see you.
4. Start with an easy route: your eyes need to get used to the dark, and in the dark you need more concentration than in daylight.
5. Ride together: with two or more of you, night riding is more fun and, above all, safer.

Read the extensive tips for an MTB night ride and the 10 reasons to go mountain biking in the dark.