Fabric FL150 light

Fabric's FL150 is a compact front light, its sturdy 6061 aluminium body measuring a tidy 77x20mm, with some very useful features. See those windows along the top section? These, coupled with reversible brackets, mean it doubles as an emergency front and, yes, rear light.

This four-diode strip is designed primarily as a contingency unit for limping home with, or using as backing singer to something more powerful. There are two settings – white and red – which engage in that order, with solid, pulsing and flashing modes for both.

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Used in this mode, the solid 30-lumen output is a little impotent, but coupled with a 4-hour run-time could prove a godsend should a main system go down, or that early afternoon ride extend further than planned.

As with the Fabric FL300 I tested previously, peripheral presence is relatively poor when mounted horizontally and, to a lesser extent, vertically. Pulsing and flashing are better bets in emergency situations; better still, they'll run close to the 19 hours cited, and the rear just about provides enough be-seen-by presence for pitch black lanes.

Full on

Used conventionally, the single Cree diode is capable of 150 lumens. Four modes are offered: full, medium, pulsing and flashing. Switching between modes requires a definite press and is a little tricky to locate in full-finger, winter-weight gloves, but means accidental switch-ons in a bag are unlikely.

In full beam, the FL150's pool of light feels broadly comparable with similar competitors, such as Electron's F150. The hybrid spot and flood beam is more than adequate for speedy suburban/urban riding, though along darker sections, such as railway bridges, minor imperfections in the beam quality become more apparent – holes and glass less so.

The pure arc, fish-mouth cutaway lens and proportionally good pool of light do give plenty of presence, and not just around town. Along the back roads, other traffic picked me out at a good 40 metres. I've managed 2 hours between charges with no problems.

Medium mode is around 70 lumens and okay for well-lit town sections, where being seen is the main priority. It's no better or worse than others boasting similar numbers, and sips reserves for a very reasonable 3 hours before powering off.

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Flashing is more than adequate for dull, overcast days. The slightly frantic tempo is very distinctive and friends say visible at a good 100 metres, further on clear, starry nights. I've certainly felt reassuringly conspicuous when negotiating roundabouts and other turns in congested, rush hour traffic.

Pulsing is almost as effective and arguably kinder on other road users' retinas when caught in pockets of slow-moving traffic. Both are reckoned to run for 7 hours. I've come close – 6hrs 58mins, dipping to 6:54 and 6:53 consistently since the first outing.

The integral lithium-ion cell requires a full two hours for mains charging, and another 20 minutes from laptop or PC ports. Unusually, it flicks from red to clear, not green, when fully juiced. The direct USB charging stick keeps things minimalist, but I've often resorted to an adapter in tighter spaces.

Mount

Now this is very sleek. Doubling as a protective cap to the direct USB plug-in, it features a rubberised foot that achieves a good finish-friendly purchase on standard and oversized bars, seatposts and seatstays.

The rubberised straps do a decent job of holding everything in place, although O-ring types will also do in a pinch, should you lose the originals.

Mounted on the stays, or on bikes without mudguards, it will accumulate silty, gritty stuff, so whip 'em off and rinse regularly to prevent swirls in painted, lacquered and anodised finishes.

With a little ingenuity the light also mounts atop most standard road and trail helmets, where – combined with a powerful bar-mounted main light – it came in really handy for reading road signs, maps and foraging through luggage for tools, keys and so on.

Ultimately, the FL150 is a surprisingly capable light for town riding and contingencies. It performs consistently well in all its guises, although for an extra £10 its FL300 sibling may represent better value.

Verdict

Innovative and very well executed town/contingency light