Ive been noticing a trend lately where people are more concerned with having the brightest lights on their bikes rather than actually understanding what they need. So, Ill ask: How many lumens does the light emit on its lowest brightness setting, and does it really matter when most people are just going to blind everyone around them with their 1000+ lumen monstrosities anyway?
I mean, seriously, who needs that kind of brightness on a well-lit road or bike path? And yet, it seems like every other cyclist out there is running around with lights that could guide a 747 in for landing. And dont even get me started on the so-called commuter lights that are supposed to be designed for urban riding but still manage to pump out an absurd amount of lumens.
So, Id love to hear from all the experts out there: whats the minimum lumen output required for safe riding, and why do we need to keep pushing the brightness envelope with every new light that comes out? Is it just a marketing thing, or is there actually some science behind it? And whats the deal with the lowest brightness setting on these lights, anyway? Is it just a token gesture, or can you actually get by with it on a daily commute?