Topeak Mini USB Combo

The Topeak Mini USB pair is a small but relatively mighty set of rechargeable lights ideally suited to TT missiles and early morning/evening playtimes on pared-to-the-essentials best bikes.

How small? Well, the front measures 49x28x24mm and the rear 48x35x24mm. They're dinky.

Both weigh a paltry 22g each and attach via a comprehensive range of wrap over straps to grab handlebars between 22.2mm and 31.8mm and seatposts or stays between 12mm and 34.9mm wide. Aero shapes required some careful adjustment, but otherwise they hang on firmly even on pencil-thin seat stays. Topeak seem quite keen on integrated systems, so I wasn't surprised to discover the rear's integral clip is designed to cadge a lift on their wedge packs; I've had some success with other brands too.

The shells are made from injection-moulded plastic, which seems durable enough, although I'd expect aluminium bodies at this price point as you find on Moon lights and the Blackburn Flea. Inside there's a lithium-ion cell, switch gear and two or three 0.3 and 0.2 watt LEDs, projected through resin collimator lenses. As might be expected, peripheral bleed is good, relative to their size.

The lumens race seems to have cooled a little bit over the past couple of years. These are a sensible 60 and 11 respectively. Charge time from a main unit is four hours from zero to fully charged, 4:12 from a PC.

The centre-mounted rubberised switches are positive enough; easily operated in all but the thickest winter-weight gloves. They need a firm enough press that accidental power-ups in pockets and segregated compartments have not been a problem.

Arguably two modes are all we ever need but three gives a bit more variety, to suit the situation and conserve juice. The initial 'on' key press activates the potent blinking mode, another click makes things steady, and the final click is brings up the rapid blink mode, which also happens to be the most frugal. That was my choice for overcast afternoons and to accompany a hub dynamo system on some all-nighters.

Casual chat with passing riders suggests visibility between 200 and 325 metres. This dipped to 150 on early spring morning escapes before the sun had burned through the mist. The standard flash seems more potent and much brighter than its 11-lumen rating would suggest, although other compact pairings are substantially brighter.

Peripheral visibility is pretty good, especially when it's seat-post mounted thanks to the relatively generous wraparound lens. I seemed to stay on other traffic's radar when negotiating roundabouts and otherwise camouflaged in grey/black.

Generally speaking, the front is more potent. Standard blink is good to around 350 metres along pitch black country lanes, 250 through built up sections. However, it needs to be since otherwise, that comparatively shallow lens limited peripheral punch. In steady mode there's arguably enough presence for quick scoots around town and the frugal run times are certainly enticing.

Talking of which, ours returned 6:56, 2:54 and a whopping 34:52, while the rear hit 5:56, 2:26 and 14:56 (in blinking, constant and fast blinking modes respectively). Forgetful types and those prone to gassing will be pleased to note there's a reserve and indicator light that buys another 30 minutes before those little cells are completely depleted. That said, the front became progressively weaker fifteen minutes after the red light engaged.

Despite their charms, compared with other bijous blasters, such as Moon's Ring £59.99 feels a little steep.

There are some things I wouldn't expect from this price point, specifically fiddly squidgy port covers. Admittedly, ours have behaved impeccably despite hail and heavy rain but they weren't the most precise fits, potentially allowing water to sneak inside, shortening their life span.

Verdict

Cute, compact lights with decent output and run times but price is a big turn off