Exposure Lights’ upcoming Strada model – the brand’s flagship road cycling light, due for release in October – has just undergone a pretty thorough overhaul, updating what was already a market-leading front light.

With the addition of ANT+ compatibility, as well an upgraded 2.0 version of the previous iteration’s AKTiv+ automatic high-beam dipping, Road Specific Beam, Intelligent Thermal Management, DayBright daytime running function and a host of other ultra-clever tech (about all of which, more later), Exposure has repositioned the new Strada fairly and squarely at the front of the road bike light market.

But the Strada is only the highest-profile example of Exposure’s elevated position within the global cycle light market; the brand’s entire range, manufactured according to Exposure’s unique underlying ethos, provides road cyclists with incredible night ride performance. So we thought it would be fun to look behind the scenes and see what makes this UK brand so special.

British designed, British made

There’s a special place in many road cyclists’ hearts for British brands – whether that’s traditional names like Brooks saddles and Brompton folders, or more modern market-leaders like Muc-Off and Hunt Wheels.

As part of the Ultimate Sports Engineering group – with its headquarters in rural West Sussex – Exposure is proudly British. That means the lights it produces have been designed by UK-based riders who fully understand British road conditions and British cyclists’ needs.

Exposure Lights - world-class ingredients assembled here in Britain
Exposure Lights – world-class ingredients assembled here in Britain. (Image Credit: Exposure Lights)

But Exposure goes a step further then just being ‘UK designed’. While the component parts are sourced from some the best manufacturers in the world – such as LEDs from brands like Cree, or lenses from LEDiL – every Exposure light is actually assembled right here in the UK.

And with the software needed to maximise the hardware’s functionality also produced by Exposure’s in-house tech boffins, it means that any problems that could arise can be dealt with quickly, here and now. Which leads us to…

Sustainability and longevity

With ecological concerns one of the most pressing global issues right now, sustainability is obviously a key ingredient when it comes to any product purchase. Exposure Lights’ approach to the subject is straightforward, practical, and benefits the user directly: buy once, and don’t replace.

Exposure Lights are designed to last a lifetime, with anodised aluminium bodies, high-level weatherproofing and quality components used throughout. They all come with a three-year warranty, and a lifetime warranty on the LEDs.

Exposure Lights - light bodies
Exposure Lights are built to last a lifetime. (Image Credit: Exposure Lights)

And, as we mentioned, if something does go wrong, or you feel your light could do with a service, there’s no need to discard and replace – simply get in touch with the team down at Exposure HQ, and they’ll get it sorted for you.

There’s no shortage of Exposure owners who have happily used the same light for more than 10 years, only deciding to move on to a newer model when there’s a technological benefit to do so. Which leads us to…

Cutting-edge technology

We mentioned at the start that the new Strada will feature ANT+ technology, meaning you will be able to link it with other accessories to do things like operate it remotely, or check battery power. But this is only the latest in a long line of Exposure’s technological advancements.

Over the years, Exposure has championed innovative technology, such as Intelligent Thermal Management (ITM), which automatically reduces LED output if the light overheats, then restores it once the light has cooled. Or Optimised Mode Selector (OMS), which is a curated set of programmes tuned for the specific type of ride you’re undertaking.

The circuit board is one place where the Exposure Lights magic happens
The circuit board is one place where the Exposure Lights magic happens. (Image Credit: Exposure Lights)

Exposure’s road bike lights have also benefitted from road-focused technology, such as AKTiv+, which automatically dips the high beam to avoid dazzling fellow roads user. AKTiv+ was actually designed before mass-market integration in the automotive industry, with Exposure first introducing it to Strada lights seven years ago. There have made some major updates since, culminating in the AKTiv 2.0 being released into the newest Strada. On the other side of the safety challenge, Exposure lights also use DayBright flash patterns that have been developed to specifically attract the attention of others.

Exposure works closely with the world’s leading battery manufacturers to bring breakthrough power technology to its products. And by working alongside the world’s leading lens manufacturers, Exposure has also developed its Road Specific Beam. This dual-lens design – modelled on car headlights – provides a flat peripheral beam as well as a focused spot beam, each controlled independently. Together, it gives riders ultimate control over their front-facing illumination. Which leads us to…

Uniquely accurate testing

When you buy a bike light, it will generally say what lighting power it produces in terms of lumens. But when it comes to bike light marketing, not all lumens are quite the same.

That’s because, to satisfy product description legislation, a manufacturer only has to say how bright its lights are in optimum conditions. These figures don’t take into account that, in real-world cycling conditions, it’s not typically -20°C (LEDs work best in the cold), and your battery isn’t constantly fully charged, and a rider might want full brightness for more than just the light’s 10-second burst at switch-on.

Exposure, however, has gone a slightly different route. The stated illuminative output of its products it calls ‘Real Lumens’ and are arrived at by using an advanced measuring system.

Put to the test! Determining Exposure Lights’ lumens figures
Put to the test! Determining Exposure Lights’ lumens figures. (Image Credit: Exposure Lights)

Ever since it began making lights back in 2005, Exposure has measured the output of all its products in the same way. Every single lumens figure published by Exposure is arrived at by using a specialised calibrated integrating sphere, in every programme and mode, across a full runtime.

While the theoretical output of a light might be good for marketing, it’s of no use when you’re on the limit, riding down a steep descent or taking on dark country lanes at speed. But with Exposure Lights products’ stated output, you can be sure the power you need for night riding is actually there. Which, finally, leads us to…

Go further

The four factors we’ve touched on here are some of the reasons why Exposure deserve their reputation as a premium bike light manufacturer.

But the team at Exposure Lights doesn’t go to these lengths just to secure its place in the market; it does so because that team is made up of cyclists themselves, who want to take to the road or trail knowing they have the best equipment to illuminate their own way ahead.

Thanks to their British engineering, their dedication to longevity, a focus on developing new technology, and their commitment to real-world performance, you can be confident that you too can ride further as the nights draw in this year with Exposure Lights mounted to your bike.

Exposure Strada in action
…and it all translates to real-world performance. Go further this winter with Exposure Lights. (Image Credit: Exposure Lights)

To find out more about Exposure Lights’ product range, visit exposurelights.com