After work, test rides don’t stop here at Cyclingnews just because it’s dark (and cold… and wet). I’ve been testing out the latest Specialized Diverge in the dark, and while I’ve been crashing about in the woods, I’ve been illuminating my way with the ludicrously bright Exposure MaXx-D as part of my testing for my guide to the best bike lights.
It’s truly transformative, with its maximum brightness of 6,000 lumens and ability to automatically increase brightness the faster you ride. It’s allowed me to hit trails at the same speed as I would in broad daylight, and it has a battery life more than enough to cope with extended periods in pitch black… but for gravel, I don’t think you should necessarily buy one. It is amazing, but it’s frankly overkill.
For MTB duties, where the jeopardy is higher and the risk of a surprise tree is higher, I can see the appeal, but on gravel tracks in the forest, you don’t need one that bright. I do, however, understand the appeal of just getting the product with the biggest number. People buy diving watches that can cope with deep-sea conditions only to wear them in the shower, and I have previously purchased a sleeping bag capable of keeping me alive in the Arctic, only to use it (uncomfortably) in the mild British Autumn.
Sadly, I’ve not been able to find a comparable deal Stateside. Competitive Cyclist does stock Exposure lights, though, just not these models. You still might find a good one though.
Why are these so good then, and probably more pertinently, what sets them apart from less expensive lights?
Let’s start with the build quality. Exposure lights are legendary in this regard. They’re as close to unkillable as bike lights can get, with beautifully machined alloy bodies awash with heat-dissipating fins and extremely sturdy (if a little fiddly to install) mounts. I’ve had an aftermarket mount fail on a descent, sending my beloved Exposure Strada tumbling…
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