If you enjoy riding your bike, you may be doing everything you can to stay safe while you are out enjoy a ride. Now that fall is here and the days are getting shorter, you may find that you have to ride your bike when it is getting dark or after the sun has already set. Having a bike light installed on the front of your bike is a great way to illuminate what is in front of you, while also alerting drivers, pedestrians and other bike riders to your presence.
If you have an aero bar installed on your bike, you may need a different type of light for the front of your bike compared to someone else who has a traditional bar on the front of their bike. Read on to get answers to the questions you may have about bike lights and to learn about some of the best bike lights to use on an aero bar.
What Is an Aero Bar on a Bike?
Aero bars go by many different names, including triathlon aero bars, tri-bars or clip on aerobars. These types of bars are an extension that mounts close to the center of your handlebar and veers out, or cantilever out, over the front wheel of your bike. Aero bars are designed to help you shape your body while riding your bike in a more aerodynamic position. This ultimately helps you to go faster. This is why you often see those competing in a triathlon use this tool. This tool forces the body to get into a more aerodynamic position, helping a triathlete go faster. There are many benefits associated with using an aero bar on your bike if you are looking to increase your speed, but one of the downsides with an aero bar is that it is often clipped onto the handlebar in the same place that a headlight or front light on a bike would go. This limits the lights you can place on your bike when using an aero bar.
Do You Have to Place a Light on the Front of Your Bike?
Most states require bicyclists to have a light on the front and back of their bike if they are riding their bike during periods of reduced visibility. This may be during foggy weather, rainy weather, at dusk or dawn, or during the night. If you reside in one of the few states that does not have light laws for bicycles, installing a headlight to the front of your bike can be beneficial to you, and as such, you should consider doing so.
What Are the Benefits of Placing a Light on the Front of Your Aero Bar?
There are a number of benefits associated with placing a light on the front of your bike, especially if you are riding when you and your bike may not be fully visible. Adding a light to the front of your bike helps drivers, pedestrians and other bicyclists see you. This is important for your safety, as not seeing a bicyclist is a top cause for bicycle versus automobile collisions.
Another benefit associated with placing a light on the front of your bike or on the front of your aero bar is that the light helps to illuminate what is in front of you. This works similar to headlights on a car. The light can help to illuminate things like rocks, sticks or potholes, helping you to avoid these hazards.
What Are Things You Should Consider When Selecting a Light For An Aero Bar?
When you are selecting a light for an aero bar, there are many factors you need to consider. You need to consider how bright the light is, how the light is powered, how the light attaches to your aero bar, and the pulse patterns of the light. Paying attention to each of these factors can help you to hone in on the light that is right for your bike.
What Are Some of the Best Bike Lights for Aero Bars?
If you are ready to purchase a bike light to attach to your aero bar, read on to learn about some of the best lights available.
Cygolite Dash Pro – 600 Lumen Bike Light
The Cygolite Dash Pro – 600 Lumen Bike Light is one of our top picks for attaching to an aero bar. The light has eight different light settings for day and night and is extremely bright. This makes it perfect to use when it is extremely dark out. It is also rechargeable, ensuring you never have to worry about batteries.
CECO-USA: 1,000 Lumen USB Rechargeable Bike Light
Another top pick is the CECO-USA: 1,000 Lumen USB Rechargeable Bike Light. This rechargeable bike light is extremely tough and durable. It is waterproof and designed to sustain falls. It is also one of the brightest bike lights currently only the market.
NiteRider Lumina Micro 900 Front Bike Light
The NiteRider Lumina Micro 900 front bike light makes our list because it has five different modes with five different light levels, reaching up to 900 lumens of light. The various modes also help your light to last longer, helping to ensure your light can last up to five hours when you are out for a ride. This is a rechargeable light that can be recharged in as few as two hours.
Adding a light to the front of your bike helps to increase your safety when you are riding your bike before the sun rises or at dusk, while also helping to illuminate the area that you will be riding in. Most lights are designed for regular bike bars, but not everyone uses traditional bars on the front of their bike. If you have an aero bar installed on the front of your bike, you need to find a light that will work with this type of handlebar extension. Selecting a light listed above ensures the light will work on your aero bar, helping to keep you safe when you are riding your bike.
