Topeak DXP: 9.4 / 10

Advantages:

• Spacious and doesn’t look too big on your bike
• Rigid, doesn’t sag if empty
• Looks great!
• Panniers hidden until you need them
• Very easy to get on and off the MTX rack

Disadvantages:

• Might rattle against the rack when empty. Use a piece of rubber to solve this problem.

When you first heard about the Topeak DXP bag, you might have thought, “it’s too expensive for a bag!” And if you did, then join the team of the DXP owners. The vast majority of us thought that this bag is too expensive at first. And googling for a similar solution either found us even more expensive solutions with less advantages than the Topeak DXP, or some cheap bags so poorly made that you felt the need to close the website that’s selling them. Remember, the majority of us can’t afford to be cheap. So pick a bike bag that you definitely like. I hope this Topeak MTX Trunkbag DXP review will help you in your quest for a great bag!

You need Topeak’s MTX Trunkbag DXP if:

• You need a place to put groceries, clothes, laptop, etc. and you don’t like backpacks
• You need panniers. The DXP bag has folding panniers. Quickly unfold them when you need them
• You like the idea of coming to work or home and take the bag off your bike in 3 seconds. This is possible thanks to Topeak’s MTX system. Trunkbag DXP is MTX compatible, and you need a Topeak MTX compatible rack to use this system. I have the Topeak Super Tourist DX rack myself.
• You want to take stuff with you on a 2-3 day bike tour. Or if you’re like me, you like to take food and water with you even if it’s for a one-day trip.

You don’t need it if:

• You think you will never need panniers, or already have those. Then I’d recommend Topeak’s Trunkbag DX, which doesn’t have the folding panniers, so the side pockets are more roomy.
• You don’t have a bike. Even then, it’s a really nice bag to have!

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When the panniers are folded, they easily fit inside the side pockets of the DXP. This means that after deploying them, folding them back is not a problem. Although the panniers are in those side compartments, you still can stuff many things there. In the left side pocket of my Topeak DXP bag, you can find my cell phone, some paper towels and two inner tubes, with room to spare! In the other one, I carry all the tools I could ever need to fix a bike, plus a repair kit and one inner tube.

Topeak’s MTX Trunkbag DXP is compatible with all the MTX racks. So attaching it to the rack and taking it off is done in seconds. This is really useful if you have two or more bikes with Topeak MTX racks. I have one MTX rack, but I take the bag off the bike to unload groceries in the kitchen, to take it with me to the office when I go to work, or when I want to wash my bike.

The DXP bag is fairly water resistant when the panniers are folded. If you ride under a light rain, you can be sure that all your stuff in the bag will be dry. Since I bought it, I twice rode under torrential rain. Only the things that were close to the upper side of the bag got a little humid. I was pleasantly surprised, since my cell phone and passport were there! If you regularly ride under heavy rain, then you might want to order from Amazon the Topeak rain cover made especially for the DXP, along with the DXP bag. Its color is bright yellow, so it will also help you be seen by drivers.

The Topeak DXP Trunkbag features some 3M reflective stripes. They are located on the rear water bottle holder, as well as on the left and right side pockets. The 3M stripes are also present on the panniers (see image). Deploying the panniers reveals a vertical stripe in the middle. Nice attention to details, I would say. The 3M stripes are made from one of the best reflective tape you could ever find. On the top of the bag there’s a mesh pocket, in which I carry two maps and a pepper spray. I put my first aid kit in the rear pocket, in which you can put a water bottle.

When it’s empty, the bag might rattle against the rack on less than perfect roads. In this case, you may want to insert a piece of rubber (from an inner tube, for example) between the bag and the rack.

Topeak MTX TrunkBag DXP Specifications:

• Compartments : 3
• Capacity : 20.6 Liters / 1380 cubic inches
• Insulation : Molded EVA foam
• Material : 600 Denier Polyester; Dupont Teflon Coating
• Bag Attachment : MTX QuickTrack with attached side panels
• Size : 36 x 25 x 21.5~29 cm / 14.1” x 9.8” x 8.5”~11.4”
• Weight : 1160 g / 2.53 lbs

And these added features:

• Water Bottle Holder (rear pocket)
• Shoulder Strap
• Carrying Handle
• 3M Reflective Strip
• RedLite™ Clip
• Elastic Top Bungees
• Optional Rain Cover

What I didn’t like when I first got the Topeak DXP bag was the top zipper. From time to time it got stuck and I had to open it and close it again. After a couple of weeks the problem went away, for whatever reason. Although it’s ok now, I don’t think such an expensive bag should have zipper problems! But to be fair, I think it’s because the zipper is intended to be water resistant, which is why it’s a little tight.

The Topeak MTX DXP bag is available at Amazon. And if you need the rain cover, don’t forget to order it, too. It will never stop to amaze you how much stuff this bag can hold!

Giro Prolight: 9.2 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Lighter than light
• Good and simple fit system
• Good airflow, thanks to internal air channeling

Disadvantages:

• Small vents

Giro just released the Prolight, the lightest helmet on the planet. They achieved this by not using their proprietary composite subframe. This made it possible for the Prolight to be lighter. It also made it technically impossible to have bigger vents. It’s the perfect helmet to have, if being lightweight is what you’re after.

Giro Prolight has smaller vents than other high-end helmets. Does this impact its ability to maintain adequate airflow? Not much. The Prolight has internal ventilation channels which circulate the air right above the rider’s head. This offers a far better cooling effect than a helmet with bigger vents and no internal channeling.

Prolight vs Ionos: The similarly priced high-end helmet, Giro Ionos, has bigger vents and internal channels. So the airflow there is better than in Giro’s Prolight. But the Ionos is also heavier. So if you don’t need the absolute best ventilation, get the Prolight.

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Weighing in at 175g for the small size (around 185g and 195g for the medium and large sizes, respectively), the Prolight is definitely the lightest helmet. Its light weight and comfortable fitting system makes it really appealing to riders who want no constraints. You’ll barely feel it on your head.

Giro Prolight helmet features the tri-position Roc Loc SL adjustment system. It consists of 3 positions on each side of the helmet. This is a one-time adjustment, which means that you won’t need to adjust it each time you put your Prolight on.

Giro Prolight Helmet Specifications:

• Vents : 25, with Internal Channeling
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $200
• In-Mold Construction
• Roc Loc SL Adjustment System
• Tri-Position Roc Loc SL Fore + Aft simple one-time adjustment
  
• Super Fit Sizing
• Weight : 175g

Giro Prolight is light, has a very good fit system, and is comfortable. It’s very well ventilated. Less so than other high-end helmets, but still, the airflow in the Prolight is better than most lower priced ones. So if you decide that you want the lightest helmet, you can buy it here.

Delta Airzound: 9.7 / 10

Advantages:

• Loud!
• No cartridges or batteries needed, refill it with your pump
• Adjustable Volume
• Air container can be mounted anywhere, doesn’t take water bottle spot
• Lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects

Disadvantages:

• None

The Airzound bike horn is one sure way to get you noticed on the road. Nobody wants their car and/or body to be smashed by a truck. And that’s exactly what the Airzound sounds like! More often than not, car drivers stop dead in their tracks when they hear this loud horn.

The Delta Airzound bottle (air container) holds 500 ml of compressed air. The instructions say to refill to 80 psi, but not to exceed 100 psi. It can be mounted directly on the bike’s frame with a Velcro strap. So you don’t have to use a water bottle holder. the bottle’s extremely light, so Velcro is safe and will hold it in place. I mounted it on the head tube:

The horn’s volume can be adjusted, but not while riding. You can try, but that wouldn’t be safe. I set my Airzound to the loudest volume when I first mounted it a year ago, and haven’t touched it since. The horn is exclusively for inattentive drivers, so I need the airzound’s full power to get their attention. You might need to turn the volume down if you ride in a quiet neighborhood, so volume control is nice to have.

The package contains the following items:

1. The Delta Air Zound horn
2. Air container
3. Mounting velcro strap
4. Two zip ties

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Airzound Horn Specifications:

• Up to 115 db loud
• MSRP : $29.99
• Refill valve: Schrader

And now some tips on how to use the Airzound horn more effectively:

- Time it so that the car driver is looking away. This way he’ll stop the car first, then look in your direction.

- Don’t use it on pedestrians. It’s not only annoying for their ears. It also can scare them to death, literally. Also, they might react by attacking you, verbally or otherwise. I use a simple bicycle bell to get the attention of pedestrians.

- Don’t use it in real emergencies! Use your brakes to stop your bike first. Then if the car driver deserves it, blow the airzound horn for punishment’s sake!

-Oh, and do not try it at home! You will damage your hearing. If you have a child at home, get one of those plastic valve caps and screw it on the Airzound’s valve.

Some owners state that the Airzound doesn’t work in freezing temperature. I went for a ride this winter to test this. It was 5 degrees (F) (-15 Celsius), and the horn worked. Maybe because I pumped it to 80 psi before I went out. As you know, everything, including air, shrinks when it’s cold. So I thought those who had problems didn’t refill the container, so the pressure in the cold wasn’t enough for the airzound to work properly. Another thing might be some moisture freezing inside the valve.

Wanna be heard? Being on a small vehicle like a bike sometimes means that we’re ignored by cars on the road. Some drivers notice us, but their brain registers us as a slow vehicle. That’s why sometimes car drivers look at us, but don’t see us (i.e. dismiss us). The Delta Airzound will make sure everyone knows you’re there. Usually a half second tap is more than enough to make yourself heard. This thing is really loud!

The Delta Airzound is the best bike related investments I’ve ever made. Get it, and soon you’ll be wondering how you could ride without it. It’s available on Amazon for about $25. For $25, that’s a lot of sound!

Topeak Road Morph G: 9.0 / 10

Advantages:

• Light
• Efficient
• Comfortable T-handle
• Flexible, expandable hose with inline gauge
• Fold-out foot pad

Disadvantages:

• None

Dealing with too many flats lately? Or maybe you’re searching for a decent pump to top off your tires before each ride? Either way, a frame pump like the Topeak Road Morph G is more dependable than a mini pump. It’s also a lot more efficient. Which means you’ll spend more time riding and less time pumping!

And now, let’s make sure that Topeak’s Road Morph is the right pump for you. Do you agree with the following statements?

• The efficiency of a pump is more important to you than its size.
• You want to spend your time riding instead of pumping.
• You want to inflate your tires without worrying about damaging the inner tube’s valve.
• You want a gauge.

It’s clear from the first statement that the Road Morph is not a mini pump. It’s 13.8 inches long, but really slim. You’ll be able to mount it on almost any frame. And its efficiency makes up for all the disadvantages you can think of regarding its size. And you might find that Topeak’s Road Morph G pumps air so fast that you won’t need that floor pump after all. So if you were thinking of also buying a floor pump, wait until you test the Road Morph first. You will be impressed, especially if you’re used to mini pumps!

There’s one more advantage the Road Morph has over other pumps. It has a flexible air hose. After using this pump, you will never want to go back to using “hoseless” pumps! Why? Because with this hose, you don’t put a strain on the valve while pumping. This system also makes pumping a lot easier, because you don’t operate the pump between your two hands. Instead, you put it on the floor and pump using your body weight. And the hose expands 2.8 inches, like you see in these photos:

The Road Morph G has an in-line gauge. It’s built into the rubber hose. It reads up to 140 psi / 9.6 bar. The pump’s capacity (maximum pressure), though, is 160 psi / 11 bar. The majority of us don’t even go up to 140, so don’t worry about the gauge not showing 160 psi! The numbers on the gauge are easy  enough to read for a gauge this size. This means that if you have perfect vision, you might be able to read it without leaning toward it. Otherwise, you’ll have to get closer to the gauge to see it clearly.

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Topeak Road Morph G (Gauge) Specifications:

• Capacity : 160 psi / 11 bar
• Size LxWxH : 13.8 x 2.2 x 1.1 in | 35 x 5.7 x 2.8 cm
  
• Gauge : In-line gauge, up to 140 psi / 9.6 bar
• MSRP : $39.99
  
• Head: Presta/Schrader
• Weight: 0.49 lb / 220 g
  

It seems Topeak listened to customers and improved the foot pad’s design. It feels sturdy. I use it often, and it hasn’t broken. At first it was tough to fold it out, but that’s a bit easier to do now. There are some negative feedback on Amazon regarding the foot pad, but I guess those reviews are obsolete now. Anyway, given the choice, I’d buy it again without even thinking about it! It’s available at Amazon for less than $30.

Topeak Turbo Morph G: 9.4 / 10

Advantages:

• Efficient
• Light
• Ergonomic T-handle
• Flexible hose
• Fold-out foot pad
• Nice design

Disadvantages:

• Foot pad feels flimsy

Is Topeak Turbo Morph G the right pump for you? It is, if you agree with the following statements:

• You need a full size frame pump, not a mini pump.
• You want a gauge.
• You want to be able to inflate your tires fast…
• …without too much effort, using your body weight against the ground.

When I was in the process of buying myself a new pump, I also wanted it to be my only one. That’s mainly because my apartment is small and even a floor pump would take too much space. So I got the Turbo Morph, and the only space it takes is on my bike’s seat tube.

The package contains the following items:

1. Topeak Turbo Morph G pump
2. Mounting bracket
3. 2x Screws
4. 2x Rubber pads
5. 2x Zip ties
6. Basic instructions

Mounting the pump can be done in two ways. You can use the mounting screws located on your bike’s frame. But your bike might not have such screws. Or maybe you’ve already used them to mount bottle cages. In this case, don’t worry. Topeak Turbo Morph can be mounted using zip ties (included). I mounted mine using zip ties, and it’s been holding up really well. It didn’t even budge when I rode down a cobblestone street the other day, though my arms almost fell off at the end of that road.

The Turbo Morph G is light, weighs only 280g. But it feels really sturdy. The flip-out analog gauge is accurate. I compared the readings it gave me with a digital manometer and it was spot on. The pressure gauge is easy to read, unless your eyesight isn’t perfect and you’re not wearing your eyeglasses. In that case, our friend the Red Arrow comes to the rescue. It can be rotated and positioned on your goal pressure, so you don’t have to squint and strain your eyes to be able to see the numbers.

A close-up of Turbo Morph’s gauge.

Like other owners of the Topeak Morph series, you’ll like the flexible hose system. Other frame pumps have to be directly connected to the valve while pumping. The stress on the valve associated with this causes valve stem damage. Connecting a pump through a flexible air hose prevents damaging the valve. And it also allows us to use the Turbo Morph as a floor pump.

The Turbo Morph G pump can be used to inflate tubes with either Schrader or Presta valves. There’s a drawing on the back of the pump’s box that instructs us on how to switch between the two. Doing this takes about 15 seconds, and is needed only if you have bikes with different valve types.

The T-handle is a great idea, and lets you push harder against the ground.  Its width is 2.5 inches (6.5 cm). Unless you have really big hands, you’ll be comfortable using it.

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Topeak Turbo Morph G (Gauge) Specifications:

• Capacity : 160 psi / 11 bar
• Size LxWxH : 12.7 x 2.3 x 1.2 in | 32.2 x 5.8 x 3 cm
• Gauge : Flip-out analog
• MSRP : $41.99
• Head: Presta/Schrader
• Weight: 0.62lb/280g

For a quality pump with such an original design, Topeak Turbo Morph’s price isn’t bad at all. At the time of writing, you can buy it on Amazon for 17% cheaper than the MSRP. And with Topeak’s amazing customer service, you can’t go wrong!

The plastic foot pad hasn’t broken in months of use. A metal one would give the Turbo Morph G a more solid look and feel, though. Having said that, I wouldn’t think twice about getting another one, if I needed it. Good job Topeak!

Bell Triton: 9.5 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Fits great
• Very good ventilation
• Great price

Disadvantages:

• None

My mother-in-law decided to buy me something a couple of weeks ago. She knew I wanted some light shorts for the summer, so she got me those. And a hat… If you have a 25″ head like me, then you already know what I thought. So I reminded her about my head’s size. She replied: “Don’t worry, I got you the largest size available!”

You should have seen the look on her face when I put that hat on.

Finding the right sized hat might be difficult. But here’s the good news. It’s a lot easier to find a bike helmet for your large head. Bell Triton for the rescue! It’s nice to see that helmet manufacturers thought about people like us.

Except for the larger size, Bell Triton has the characteristics of other quality helmets. It’s safe, comfortable and fits great. It has 17 vents, which provide a really good airflow. A snug fit can easily be achieved thanks to Bell’s ErgoDial system. You can adjust the Triton’s fit while riding your bike, because a thumb and a finger are all you need.

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Bell Triton’s visor is removable. So if you don’t like visors on your helmet, it isn’t going to be a problem for you. It’s easy to remove and reattach. There are four holes in the front of the helmet where the visor is mounted. But they’re tiny and unnoticeable from a few feet away.

Bell Triton is a large helmet. But don’t worry, it will look only natural on your large head. It’s all about proportions.

Bell Triton Bike Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 17
• Size : Universal Large 22.8-25.6 in | 58-65 cm
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $40
• Fusion In-Mold Microshell
• PinchGuard Buckle
  
• ErgoDial Fit System
• Snap-In Visor
• Cam-Lock Levers
• Weight : 10.2oz/330g
  

I’ve had my Triton helmet for 4 months now, and I love it! The ventilation is very good. In the sun, your head will definitely feel cooler with the helmet than without it. This is especially true if you have dark hair.

Companies tend to ask high prices when targeting a specific market. But Bell doesn’t do that with the Triton. You can get it at Amazon for around $35. Also, you might want to take a look at the user reviews.

Giro Me2: 9.5 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Fits great and easily, thanks to Giro’s Acu Dial
• Grows with your baby
• Wonderful design, kids love it!

Disadvantages:

• Chin strap not completely pinch-free. Nothing too serious, though

It’s great to see so many people searching for helmets that would fit toddlers! Parents are usually concerned about the safety of their children riding their first bike. You might think that a helmet is not necessary in the backyard, but want your toddler to get used to wearing a helmet when riding a bike. If your kid’s head measures between 18.75 – 20.5 inches (48-52 cm), then Giro Me2 is the best helmet you could buy them.

If your child’s between 1-3 years of age, Giro Me2 should fit perfectly. But just to be on the safe side, be sure to measure your child’s head circumference before you order this helmet. Giro Me2 might last even longer if your kid has a smaller than average head. Girls have smaller heads than boys, so it can be an advantage if you have a baby girl. I don’t recommend buying this or any other helmet for infants under one year of age. They shouldn’t ride a bike (alone or with you) at this age anyway, as their body is not ready for it yet.

The main advantage the Giro Me2 helmet has over other infant helmets is the fit adjustment system. You know how dressing a toddler can be a real challenge? Imagine you not only have to put the helmet on their little impatient head, but adjust the chin strap so that the helmet fits. With Giro Me2, you’ll only have to fasten the chin strap, and Giro’s Acu Dial system will help you get the perfect fit. This dial is located on the back of the helmet. I’m not saying this will be super easy, especially if you have an active toddler with a lot of energy to spare. I’m just stating that the Giro Me2 helmet will be easier to adjust.

The majority of the parents who bought Giro Me2 stated that after the initial adjustment, putting the helmet on their kids’ head was a snap. And even though some children aren’t glad at first, they eventually forget about it. This tells us that Giro Me2 is comfortable. It’s also light at 8.5 oz . The ventilation is good. There are 6 vents with bug nettings.

The design of this helmet is good, too. It sort of has a built in visor to protect the eyes from the sun. Your kid won’t only look cute, but will also get attached to the animal graphics on Giro Me2. This will get them excited about putting the helmet on before riding the bike. Well, my daughter never gets tired of telling us, every single night before she goes to sleep, that the cats on her bed sheets are happy she’s with them.

Giro Me2 is available in 4 colors: “Blue Aviator Pigs“, “Pink Bunnies“, “Red Duck, Duck Goose” and “Yellow Chicks“.

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Giro Me2 Helmet Specifications:

• Vents : 6
• Size : Universal Fit Infant : 18.75-20.5in | 48-52cm
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $29.99
• Acu Dial adjustment system
• Weight: 8.5oz/240g

How can you beat such a helmet, especially at this price? You can buy it from Amazon for $26 or so, depending on the color you pick. Sure, you might find something cheaper at Walmart, but it won’t be as comfortable as Giro Me2, not by a long shot.

Bell Influx: 9.4 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Very good fit
• Well ventilated
• Affordable
• Impressive features for such a price!

Disadvantages:

• N/A

Looking for a new helmet? I hope yours is just too old, or you want another one for your cycling wardrobe. No one likes it when a helmet cracks, especially when it’s on your head at the time! Whatever your reason, Bell Influx is a great choice. This helmet is really affordable at $64 MSRP. It’s better than most helmets in its price range, and you might even like it more than some $150+ helmets.

Maybe the first thing you’ll notice when you open the package is the size of the Influx’s 18 vents. They’re bigger than the average vents found in other helmets. In the Bell Influx, this is achievable thanks to Bell’s Internal Reinforcement technology. Helmets featuring this technology have reinforced skeletons. Internal Reinforcement is usually reserved to the high end Bell helmets. But fortunately, the Bell Influx has it, which is really good! This way we get to have bigger vents and a lighter weight for $64 only.

Bell Influx is available in 6 colors, but you might be able to find even more colors at Amazon. Be sure to pick the right size (S, M or L) before ordering!

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Bell Influx’s visor is removable. When it’s removed, you can use the provided logo plugs to cover the holes where the visor attaches. As for Bell Influx’s fit, Bell’s Geared Positioning System (GPS) is very easy to use. You just slide the dial with one hand to get the most comfortable fit. The fit of the Influx helmet is incredible. Of course, it might not fit every head out of the box, but the adjustment system really helps.

Bell Influx weighs 10.5oz/309g, and feels light. The good airflow also adds to the comfort of this helmet. Featuring 18 large vents and the Channeled Ventilation system, the Influx will keep your head cool in the hot summer days.

Bell Influx Bike Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 18
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $64
• Fusion In-Mold Microshell
• Internal Reinforcement
• Registered Graphics
  
• Channeled Ventilation
• GPS Fit System
• Blade Visor
• Cam-Lock Levers
• Weight : 10.5oz/309g

There’s a reason a lot of people love the Bell Influx. It’s not just because of the features, the comfort and the fit. It’s because of the relatively low price you pay to get them. You can get it for $64 or maybe less. Chances are you’ll love it, too. And you’ll want to get another Influx in a few years, when it’s time for a new helmet!

Bell Slant: 9.1 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light, and feels even lighter
• Very nice fit
• Cool design
• Very good airflow

Disadvantages:

• N/A

I’ll tell you right away: Bell Slant is awesome! Why, you ask? Because it’s not only comfortable and looks cool, but also costs $54. It’s not heavy at 12 oz./340g. But it’ll feel like the lightest helmet you’ve ever worn, because of the excellent weight distribution.

Bell Slant’s 21 vents provide enough airflow to cool your head on those hot summer days. But it’s enough to freeze it in the winter, too. Slant’s visor is detachable, so you can easily remove it if you don’t like it. Bell included logo plugs that you can plug the holes with when the visor is removed.

The Bell Slant helmet is available in the following 5 colors. You might also find an Orange/Titanium Slant at Amazon.

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The following are higher resolution images of Bell Slant, around 100 KB each.

Bell Slant Bike Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 21
• Sizes : Universal Adult
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $54
• Fusion In-Mold Microshell
• Channeled Ventilation
• ErgoDial
• Blade Visor
• Cam-Lock Levers
• Weight : 12 oz/340g

Bell Slant is a very comfortable bike helmet. In fact, it’s possible you’ll forget you’re wearing it. The ErgoDial fit system guarantees a snug fit, and it’s very easy to adjust it to your liking. If you’re looking for a good all-around helmet, chances are that you’ll love Bell Slant. And its affordability makes it even better. You can buy it for $54 from Amazon.

My Rating: 7.5 / 10

Advantages:

• Front and rear lights make you visible to others. Drivers will know you are there
• For the price, Blackburn Quadrant (front light) is bright, and perfect for city riding
• Water-resistant casing
• Great battery life
• Lifetime warranty

Disadvantages:

• The Quadrant is not suitable for riding in complete darkness, especially at high speeds
• Front light can get in your eyes, especially in blinking mode. Easy to fix with some dark-colored tape

Since I don’t want to waste your time, let’s get one thing clear. The Blackburn Mars 3.0 is a great rear light. Blackburn’s headlight, the Quadrant, is only a good choice if there’s enough ambient light already, from city lights, for example. It’s designed to make drivers notice you. It’s also good for the occasional dark road. But if you often find yourself riding in total darkness, I recommend you take a look at other, more expensive, lights. If you want to invest in an excellent headlight for those dark roads, I highly recommend Planet Bike HID Alias bicycle light. Its MSRP is $400, but you can get it at Amazon for $330 $364. Just take a look at this photo and see for yourself. Then compare it to other Planet Bike lights on their comparison page.

Mounting the Blackburn Quadrant and Mars 3.0 takes only minutes. Installing/changing the batteries in the Mars 3.0 requires a tiny screwdriver (jeweler’s set), so don’t forget to buy one, if you don’t have it. A set of those is really cheap, and chances are you’ll need them for other things, as well (glasses, watch, etc.). I really don’t understand why opening the battery compartment isn’t tool-free, like in the Quadrant. The 2 AAA batteries used for the rear light last for months, though, so don’t worry about it. The front light requires 4 AA batteries.

The Quadrant has 4 LED and 3 modes of operation: 4 LEDs steady; 4 LEDs blinking; 2 steady+2 blinking LEDs. Since it’s designed to be seen from various angles, the light from the headlight can get in your eyes. Nothing a black tape can’t fix, though.

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Blackburn Quadrant and Blackburn Mars 3.0 Combo Product Specifications:

• LED : 4 White (Front), 7 Red (Rear)
• Quadrant Run Time : 110 hours Steady, 300 hours Flash
• Mars 3.0 Run Time: 50 hours Steady, 150 hours Flash
• Batteries : 4 AA (Front), 2 AAA (Rear)
• MSRP : $33
• Water Resistant
• Lifetime Warranty

If you ride your bike mainly in the city and want an inexpensive light set, the Quadrant/Mars 3.0 is a good choice. This bike light set costs $29.99 at Amazon. I recommend using rechargeable batteries. I use Eneloops myself. Alkalines may give you a brighter light for a very short while at first. After that their voltage decreases from the initial 1.5V to below 1V at the end and the light becomes dimmer and dimmer. Rechargeable batteries give a constant 1.2V, so the light is brighter overall. Don’t forget to buy a charger, if you don’t already have one.