FABRIC FL300 & FLR30
£49.99/£29.99 › Compact performance lights
FABRIC’S EXPANDING RANGE of parts and accessories includes cleverly designed and wellpriced lights. The 300-lumen front and 30-lumen rear use minimal IPX5 waterproof rated [remains waterproof when subjected to water jets from any direction] cylindrical casings and micro USB charge ports.
A Cree LED powers the front’s main beam and gives a nicely directed light with a focused centre and some spread. This makes it a decent option for commuting on lit streets and urban areas, but if you get out onto unlit country lanes, it does feel a little underpowered, although not any more than other £50 lights it competes with.
It will run for two hours on full power, three on medium, and six on flash or strobe. Four further LEDs inset into the sandblasted aluminium cylinder cases cleverly double as a get-home-safe mode. Simply rotate the light’s mount to point these forward or attach to your seatpost to aid visibility even when the battery level has dropped below that required to power the front lens. If you only use the LEDs you’ll get a massive 58 hours run time on strobe mode.
Its 23mm diameter and 90mm length with a minimal rubber mounting strap take up little room on your bar, and the simplicity of fitting and removal means you won’t have to leave it in place as temptation for the light fingered. The FLR30 rear light is the star of the show. A rubber strap mounts the nylon-reinforced body to allow for plenty of adjustability, both vertical or horizontal positioning, and plenty of seatpost compatibility. The 30-lumen output may sound on the low side, but in use it’s plenty bright enough on whichever mode (flashing or full) you use. The internal accelerometer senses when you’re slowing down and increases brightness, or goes from flashing to constant, working as a brake light to show other road users, and is a brilliant feature.
Run times are impressive too, with eight hours on high power rising to nine on strobe or medium power modes. High waterproof levels and compact (23x74mm) dimensions make this one of the better rear lights around for not much cash.
WE SAY Well-priced lights that will add safety to your commuting miles