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TECH NEWS

Revolutionary Revolights now available in Europe

Tron-style LED wheel lighting system now in production, European delivery expected from June

We brought you news of the Revolights LED wheel lighting system last year, and this week the Californian company is going into full production with a worldwide launch, following a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise $200,000 in funding.

The City Revolight v1.0 features twin LED rings attached to the wheel rim with lightweight alloy rings, controlled by a system of sensors and a fork-mounted magnet, and an integrated accelerometer to assess speed and direction so that the lights, in the case of the front wheel, only fire when they're in the forward facing position. The LEDs provide 35 lumens each.

The slim batteries, 350g per wheel, can be charged via USB ports. Battery life is a claimed 4-hours. The system is fully water resistant and apparently theft resistant as well, which is good to know here in London.

Changes since the Kickstarter campaign include support for deeper section rims, up to 40mm, and compliance with international electronics regulations. They’re designed for 700c rims and up to 37mm tyres and any style of brakes.

Started by Kent Frankovich and Adam Pettler in 2011, they’re entirely funded by Kickstarter supporters, which allows for crowd funding through the company’s website. We’re seeing a lot of cycling products, like Full Windsor, reach the market with the help of investors around the world pledging their support.

And the light can now be pre-ordered in Europe. Delivery of the product is expected to be June though, so you’ve got a short wait. They cost $229. Get yours now at http://revolights.com

Here's a video showing how it works and looks;

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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22 comments

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Raulito09 | 10 years ago
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Quite a lot of negative posts I see. Well bound to happen as everyone has free will and this isn't Ask.FM Just bought mine. Don't care if it adds or seems bulky or is this and that. The concept and function is what I'm sold on. Clears my handle bars for a bell and maybe a camera. And they look bloody cool. Hipster or not this will get me seen and heads will turn. You spend a few quid here on some components you spend a few hundred there on others. Choose what ones you want...free will!!!!  4

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Yosemite Sam | 11 years ago
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Couldn't resist - ordered a US pair a few months back - finally getting a mate to bring them over. Will post some pics but can't help but imagine they'll rock my Pashley Urban!

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pwake | 11 years ago
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I wanted some extra lighting to be seen by, so eBay it was for a set of valve-mounted 5 led wheel lights. Two sets for about £8, batteries and postage from China included (when they arrived they actually sent four sets). They weigh next to nothing and the five LEDs change sequence to give you pretty patterns. Bargain compared to these things...

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andyp | 11 years ago
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'The rear lights blinded me'

I suspect this may not be true.

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crazy-legs | 11 years ago
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They're designed as a semi-permanent fixture which means a commuting bike where weight is less of an issue. Not supposed to be taken off, put on etc; just left on there as a fit-and-forget, virtually fail safe light. New product, first production run, that's not a bad price although obviously for mass market they'd need to be cheaper.

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CycleLove | 11 years ago
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Woaaaah, this is first generation technology, go easy folks!

In a few years time I wouldn't be surprised if both the price and the weight had halved...

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Raulito09 replied to CycleLove | 10 years ago
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I agree and hey call us mavericks but so what....these look bloody ace and on my Condor Potenza on the CS7 from Sutton to Monument....they'll be firing it up!!!!!!!!!!  19

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Leviathan | 11 years ago
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Has anyone bought or seen Mini Monkeylectric up close. Anyone got a view on what would be the better system?

http://www.monkeylectric.com/m210_bike_light/

They are 40g, much cheaper and sit in the spokes so no off road damage risk, but they wouldn't have the forward/rear light casting but good for side visibility. Something between these two might be ideal.

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Puz | 11 years ago
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The lights on your bike can be as bright as you want as long as they don't dazzle other road users. And these may not put out light to the front but seeing that from side on someone would definitely see you better than a spot of light on the road a few meters in front of you.

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hamishmct | 11 years ago
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Nice. As more than one person has pointed out, an extra rotating mass of +700g, not nice. Maybe on the pub bike, which they are too expensive for. I'm out...

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aslongasicycle | 11 years ago
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Brilliant for commuting. WANT.

Here's to the innovators.

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themartincox | 11 years ago
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expensive yes, 'cool' yes.

if it gets you noticed by drivers then its got to be a good thing, version 2.0 I can see as being a very interesting product indeed!

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farrell | 11 years ago
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If you were going doing a bit of late night off roading, you wouldn't use them.

If you were doing long club rides or similar you wouldn't use them.

If you do a bit of urban riding you would probably like them and use them.

These are luxury item and they look cool, if they were in my price range I would use them in a heart beat, but as it goes, I'll wait to see if someone redesigns them and makes them lighter and much cheaper.

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doc | 11 years ago
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Hmm. Technologically interesting but a long way to go. Weight at the rim is an issue, weight of battery, and actual forward reach of light is not great, so at any speed in unlit areas, not a lot of use. When you consider that better lighting systems are available which are cheaper, lighter, and actually provide useful amounts of light for making good progress, it may be think again time for the manufacturers.
It culd be that for those with cash to burn who want to stooge around cities, it will become the latest "must have" accessory for your (illegal) no-brakes fixed wheel bike!

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notfastenough | 11 years ago
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Look awesome, but I'm not paying that to add 700g of rotating weight.

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sm | 11 years ago
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Hmm, a hipster's dream no doubt. Soon we'll all be lit up like Christmas trees. Bike lights have already become too bright. I was passing a another cyclist recently who had three of the brightest lights on both the front and rear of the bike. Six lights! The rear lights blinded me as I passed. Are there no regulations on how bright lights can be on the road? I'd like to see things like the above the banner. They are a gimmick, a distraction. Drivers will turn to stare and when they do they'll not be looking at the road in front of them.

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STATO replied to sm | 11 years ago
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sm wrote:

They are a gimmick, a distraction. Drivers will turn to stare and when they do they'll not be looking at the road in front of them.

Next you'll be saying attractive women (or men) are not allowed to ride bikes, or even walk in the street.

I agree on the crazy bright lights some riders use, but the purpose of a light is to see and be seen. This does both without imparing the vision of anyone else.

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sm replied to STATO | 11 years ago
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STATO wrote:

the purpose of a light is to see and be seen. This does both without imparing the vision of anyone else.

I can think of better ways of lighting the road and being seen. Not as 'cool' obviously. Point taken about the pretty women and men. Get them big coats.  3

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bfslxo replied to sm | 11 years ago
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sm wrote:

I was passing a another cyclist recently who had three of the brightest lights on both the front and rear of the bike. Six lights!

i run two handle bar mounted lights (a cree flashlight on steady & magic 900 lumen light on blinking) - two nite lites on the wheels, a fibre flare on the back pack & exposure flare on rear seat post on pulse - six lights - oh & an altura night vision in hi yellow on my commuter - which is a mix of town & back country - bright i bloody well hope so but tell that to the SMIDSY who still took me out at a major roundabout in the town January last year!!!

i still intend to get a helmet mounted light & probably another flare on the back - i for one hope they never limit how bright a bike light can be

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a.jumper replied to bfslxo | 11 years ago
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bfslxo wrote:

bright i bloody well hope so but tell that to the SMIDSY who still took me out at a major roundabout in the town January last year!!!

Doesn't matter how bright you are - some drivers are blind, I'm sure.

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bohrhead | 11 years ago
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The effect is cool but the price, weight and general clunkiness of it all makes it seem like they are selling a prototype.

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nappe | 11 years ago
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350g per wheel and $229, wow, and not in a good way.

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