Niterider's Lumina Micro 220 is at the bottom of their performance range but it's still a decent light for seeing and being seen. It's not the brightest you can buy, and the battery life isn't great, but if you want a simple, easy-to-fit light that's bright enough for the lanes then it's worth looking at.

The torch-style Lumina lights fit to your bars with an adjustable clamp that's both easy to use and secure; it'll do all your bikes, whatever bar diameter. The single button lights up red when the battery is getting low (charging takes about three hours using the supplied cable from a computer USB port) and it doesn't toggle through off to get back to high beam. There's a flashing mode if you like that sort of thing from a big light (I don't) and the whole kaboodle weighs in at under 140g. That's plenty light enough to use as a helmet light, though you'll have to buy a separate lid mount as there isn't one in the box.

The beam is concentrated but not to the extent that there's no side visibility: it's a good shape for the road, more technical off-road stuff will have you groping in the shadows on the turns if you fit it to your bars though. On full beam it's plenty of light to get you through even the darkest of lanes, albeit not at breakneck speed. Lower settings are good for around town; the Lumina isn't really visible from the side though.

Niterider claim a 1h 30m runtime on full beam; I got near that but not quite up to it. 'Walk' mode is just 15 lumens and lasts all night; it's great for reading a map on a dark lane, or rummaging in a bag. The middle two modes (120 lumens and 80 lumens) claim run times of 2h45m and 4h00m respectively.

This isn't a light for an all-nighter, or someone with a long, dark commute, but if your after-dark duties are shorter and you don't need a searchlight you might find it fits the bill nicely. It's easy to use with a good beam shape and it's not that expensive.

Verdict

Decent round-town light for anyone who needs a bit more ilumination than a blinky; battery life is average though.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: NiteRider Lumina Micro 220 – Front Light

Size tested: Black, Front light

Tell us what the light is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Big things come in small packages and the Lumina Micro 220 is the proof. Smaller and more compact than the original Lumina series, the Lumina Micro 220 delivers a powerful punch with 220 lumens of light output. Also available as a combo with the innovative Solas USB bicycle tail light to give you the ultimate in visibility in any riding situation.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?

RUN TIME

1:30HR High- 220

2:45HR Med- 120

4:00HR Low- 80

14:00HR Walk- 15

LUMENS

220

BATTERY

1300mA/h x 1

CHARGE TIME

3:30 HRS

FLASH MODE

YES

WEIGHT

126 Grams

LIGHT LEVELS

4

Rate the light for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
 
9/10
Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
 
8/10
Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
 
9/10
Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
 
5/10
Rate the light for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the light for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the light for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the light for value:
 
6/10

Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It's a good commuting light if you need more than a blinky.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the light

Well made, good clamp, decent beam.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light

Battery life is so-so.

Did you enjoy using the light? Yes.

Would you consider buying the light? Probably not.

Would you recommend the light to a friend? Possibly, depending on their needs.

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 41  Height: 190cm  Weight: 102kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing…  My best bike is: Genesis Equilibrium 853

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track