Light

NiteRider’s Ultrafazer Max might sound like a dodgy sci-fi spin off but it’s a very powerful commuter lamp utilising some equally clever optics.

A single watt LED casts a very pure white beam that’s adequate to see by in urban and suburban contexts, albeit a little underpowered for longer training runs taking in rural back roads. Claimed water resistant to a mind boggling 50m, it passed my bucket and hose tests hands down but peripheral vision and battery consumption need addressing.

The Cateye EL020 hybrid lamp certainly isn’t the most powerful in its class but sophisticated solar technology backed by a single AA contingency cell signals an end to sudden, unexpected and potentially fatal blackouts.

However, the small, uncharacteristically fiddly switch was poorly positioned and particularly difficult to engage on the fly, let alone wearing winter gloves.

Ixon IQ rechargable front light - on

Ixon IQ rechargable front light - mounted

MiNewt 150 cordless

MiNewt 150 cordless - mounted

This chunky torch from Electron has a measured beam and is built to last, but the lack of side visibility and short run time mark it down as a standalone commuting option, and there are cheaper lights available if you just want a bright torch.