SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

Aside from the fact that side lights aren’t overly common, the choice of flashing tempo and easy mode switching greatly reduces the likelihood of being drowned out by competing illuminations, and equally significant, being mistaken for turn signals. Cars and crucially, bigger vehicles were palpably more cautious when I was passing junctions and gave way more readily when entering the flow of traffic. 

​

Though never complacent, switched to my low-slung Yak homage trailer, the beast of burden was also more conspicuous - drivers have been known spot the solo and rider but not expect the tagalong/trailer, pulling out too quickly and colliding with them. In these contexts, 150, maybe 180 metres in flashing seemed to be the point at which most cottoned on, which is plenty of time to react. The song remained broadly similar in the daylight flashing settings and on overcast days. 

 

Run Times 4/5

​

Brightside cite a maximum run time of 34 hours from the 15 lumen flashing modes. Credit where its due, it has come within a few minutes of this, from a full charge. The 30-lumen fast flash has delivered 16hrs 54, easily good enough for a fortnight’s middle-distance commuting or training and the steady 2hrs 10minutes. 

​

I was surprised by the speed our charge indicator slipped to amber on a couple of occasions, especially given temperatures were around 13-14 degrees. Nonetheless, they’ve met their promised run times. The steady also kicked down to flashing when reserves bombed, buying 35 minutes before powering down completely.  

​

Durability 4.25/5

​

Despite weighing a feathery 79g, its reassuringly solid. Passed my garden hose test with flying colours and without missing a beat. Same when attached to my trailer and subjected to a tsunami of standing water, attached to my trailer. I’ve not felt any inclination to add a lick of silicone grease to the port cover (although you could, as a precaution, riding in very harsh conditions). 

​

Ours has bounced from my pocket and onto a hard concrete floor (from a metre, or so) with no battle scars and again, no issues operationally. Brightside have even driven over one without killing it. They have also been frozen in ice and left in a river, and still come back to life!

​

Value 4.25/5

​

£29.99 is excellent value, whichever way we cut and dice things. There is very little to draw direct comparison. Both Cat Eye and Blackburn used to offer side illumination systems, but these are no longer current products.

​

Summary

​

Ok, so it’s not essential. Nonetheless, I’ve been impressed by the Brightside Bright, Amber & Sideways. It's bright and captivating in all, although particularly the flashing modes. It’s also very well made and user friendly, which is a great combination, especially given the modest price. My one minor gripe is the very short OEM charge cable.