Magicshine UK the Company Showing us the Light

Magicshine products

If you are a keen cyclist then there can be no doubt that you will have heard of MAGICSHINE lights. These top quality lights are being talked about on worldwide forums as some of the best products to hit the cycling world for years. Universally great quality and high performance the lights are made with a cyclists needs as top priority. Not only do the company make cycle lights but also tailor products to diving enthusiasts and runners. With hand held models as well as those for fixing to bicycles and straps, there is something to suit all pockets and all needs. Many of the products come with a 12 month warrantee when purchased from MAGICSHINE UK who were the UK’s first retailer and importer of the goods and who remain the top choice for many enthusiasts. Who else do you turn to but the original and the best? Whatever your needs there will be something in the range to suit your needs

Why Magicshine are the best

• Some of the most powerful lights available to the public today
• Top quality manufacturing process
• Customer service that is second to none
• Suitable for travelling
• Available with rechargeable batteries
• Tough and hard wearing

Magicshine for runners, hikers and walkers

It’s not only keen cyclists who are taking advantage of MAGICSHINE products but also those of us who are keen on hitting the great outdoors under our own steam! Whether you are a fan of orienteering, or long hikes there will be a great product to suit your needs. Hand held torches and those which fit onto head or shoulder straps are a good choice and are proving very popular due to the high illumination capabilities. Nobody wants to get lost in the woods at night but if you’re going to then at least make sure you have a good torch in your pack! A back up battery or charger can really save the day (or night!) and enable you to enjoy your trip without the concern of losing your light source.

Magicshine for Divers

Even divers can benefit from the high power lights at MAGICSHINE UK as the company now stock a selection of extremely powerful dive lights. From budget torches right up to the more sophisticated models there will be something to suit all abilities and needs. These dive lights have a couple of things in common, they’re all top quality and they are all extremely powerful.

Magicshine UK bike light accessories

If you’re investing in a great bike light then it stands to reason you won’t want to skimp when it comes to the spares and extras available. At MAGICSHINE UK there are some great kit deals available but if you only want a spare battery, cable or O ring for fitting, then your needs are still catered for. From bags to store your lights and batteries to headbands to enable you to wear your lights, this is a one stop shop where quality and excellence go hand in hand. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!

Cycle Lights: Which do you need?

Cycle lights for commuters

There can be no doubt that the needs of the urban or suburban cyclist are very different to those of the mountain biker or long haul rider. Riding a few miles along well lit streets in the daylight hours give rise to specific needs and some of the extremely powerful cycle lights on the market will be vastly unsuitable for your needs. Dazzling oncoming traffic is not a good thing and can be potentially dangerous. However it needs to be considered that even a relatively sedate ride of a couple of miles to the office and back can be fraught with danger if there is a busy road to navigate. Another point to be taken into account are seasonal  weather conditions, winter light is poor and rain, fog or mist can reduce visibility to a large degree which can take a rider by surprise. Good cycle lights and even a spare back-up light which can be carried in a pannier or back pack can save lives. Likewise, if you are riding to work during the morning once the sun is well up, the worst thing is to be taken by surprise by dark winter nights. The sun can go down very early during the winter and so a relatively powerful light is necessary.  LED lights would be suitable for an average commute and combined with protective and reflective clothing this will provide an excellent degree of protection.

Cycle lights for rural areas

If you are considering riding in rural areas, then your needs may be slightly different. Dark country lanes may appear to be stress free and idyllic but they are fraught with hidden dangers of their own and the best quality cycle lights can be a real investment. Animals are not well versed in road sense and wandering cows and sheep can cause accidents as can horses that travel relatively quietly and can surprise a cyclist from around a blind corner. With animal dangers in mind a great solution for riding in darkness or poor light, is a head torch. A head torch can be attached to your helmet or to a band which fastens around your head; this can then be used as a source of directional light. Head torches are invaluable for sweeping the road ahead for dangers such as animals, pot holes, muddy patches and even overgrown tree roots or overhanging branches.

Cycle lights for mountain biking

Cycle lights for mountain biking are something which again require careful consideration. Riding in any extreme territory is potentially dangerous and due consideration must be taken with regards to the fact that you could be many miles from help or fresh supplies. If there is no nearby source for replacement equipment then spare cycle lights are a must-have part of your kit. Powerful lights are necessary if you are riding in hostile territory such as heavily wooded areas or on mountainous roads where corners may be sudden and surfaces uneven. Planning and careful choice are the main factors in ensuring you choose the right lights for your purpose. Remember that spare lights can be an invaluable addition to your kit.

Which Cycle Lights are Right for You?

Choosing Cycle Lights

Whether you are a seasoned cyclist or a new member of the club, you will be aware that there is an enormous range of cycle lights on the market today. Choosing the perfect lights for your needs requires careful consideration and looking at all the options available will enable you to make the best choice. Things to consider when looking at all of the available options include.

• What kind of terrain will I be riding on?
• When will I be riding mostly? Night or day?
• Will I need a back-up system or spares?
• Do I want to spend a lot of money or a little?
• What is most important to me, brightness or reliability?

Cycle lights for commuters

So you have chosen to ride your bicycle to work and back daily and now you need to choose the most suitable cycle lights for your journey. Whether your desire to start cycling is part of a health kick, a money saving exercise or because you want to reduce your carbon footprint there is one thing which is paramount and that is your safety whilst on the road. Even if you will be cycling through well lit urban or suburban streets during the summer months, you need to be aware that in the winter, lighting quality can be very poor quite early in the evening and mist or rain will affect visibility. Things to consider are as follows.

• How long is my journey?
• How well lit are the streets?
• Are the roads very busy?
• What extra lighting precautions could I take?

Battery driven cycle lights can be a good choice for riders who know that they will not usually be out after dark, they are cheap to buy and reliable. As you will not be using your cycle lights often you will find that you do not need to replace them with any regularity.

Cycle lights for countryside and off road

Cycle Lights for any terrain which is rough or dark such as forests, woods or mountainous regions should be reliable and very bright. LED lights are eminently suitable for this as they are extremely bright and also not prone to running out of battery power at inopportune moments. Things to remember when choosing lights for cycling in rough terrain are as follows.

• Will I be miles from help should my lights fail?
• How much battery power do I envision needing?
• What type of spare would be best for my needs?
• How rough is the terrain?

Remember that once you have chosen the right lights for your cycle and for the regular journeys you will be making, you can relax safe in the knowledge that you and your vehicle will be not only visible to other traffic but also that you will be able to see the land ahead if you are travelling through wooded areas or narrow country lanes. Your safety is paramount and the lights which you choose should be the best you can afford.

Cycle Lights and Cycling in History

Cycle lights and cycles of yesterday

There can be no doubt that cycles and cycle lights have come a very long way over the centuries. Looking at the high tech. options on the market today and then comparing them with the amazing and sometimes rather strange looking designs of yesteryear can provide us with many an unfair giggle at our ancestors and their efforts at creating a simple yet effective mode of two wheeled transport. From Velocipedes to Penny Farthings to the sleek high speed model of today we have come a huge distance and funny as the old designs of yesterday are, it is thanks to the early founders of cycles and cycling that we can today enjoy a wide range of models and high performance lighting options.

When cycle lights were candles!

When the first two wheeled cycles appeared on the market, there were no options available for lighting other than lanterns with candles inside them. As you can imagine this did not make for a very reliable form of lighting in bad weather and on bad roads where the slightest jolt would put the candle out! Repeatedly stopping to re-light your cycle lights would not make for a very speedy journey so it became obvious pretty quickly that an alternative was needed. Something reliable and light had to be invented. Acetylene gas was to provide a bright and simple solution to the problem of candlelit lanterns although these lamps came with problems of their own in that they required a lot of maintenance and were not very reliable; they were soon superseded by battery powered lamps in around 1890.

Cycle lights move on

Lead acid batteries were the next big development in cycle lights and even though they were invented as early as 1859 they were not in common use until around 1890. They were again a huge leap forward for cycle lights but were soon to be replaced by dry cells and cycle lights became much less unwieldy and far simpler to maintain. It was of course at around this time that dynamo’s first made an appearance and by using the bicycles own movement to generate power a reliable source of light was found which was also more practical due to the size of the battery.

Cycle lights today

There is a huge range of lights available for bicycles today and most people can tailor their lighting system to their own habits and needs. Low cost and energy efficient LED lights are a popular choice for cyclists who do not ride in darkness regularly whilst battery powered lights are also poplar but require more outlay on replacement batteries than LED lights do.

Research the options fully and take advantage of the enormous choice on offer, we have come a long way from the days of guttering candles on the fronts of our cycles and with more and more energy efficient and cheap models on the market, it’s not difficult too find the perfect lights for your needs.

Cycle Lights and Road Safety

Cycle lights: why are they important?

Riding your bike without cycle lights would be as bad as travelling in a car without headlights. A fast moving vehicle, with no illumination sharing a road with other vehicles and the odd pedestrian is a recipe for disaster. It’s not only during the dark evenings that cycle lights are an important safety factor; winter evenings can draw in very early and that’s not even considering the likelihood of vision blurring rain, mist and fog!  Similarly reflectors and reflective clothing are an important issue not to be ignored by a careful cyclist. The more visible that you can make yourself and your bike, the better chance you have of staying safe. A good choice of cycle lights can be found today, far wider than was once available and varying strengths of luminosity make it possible to tailor your lights to your routine and to your cycle. Check out all of the options carefully to ensure you by the best available lights for your cycle and maximise your visibility on the road.  Don’t forget that it is illegal to ride a bicycle without proper illumination and if you are sent to be doing so, you could get a hefty fine not to mention the fact that you may be endangering yourself or others.

Cycle lights, cycling and U.K. law

Clothing and lighting are very important factors for cyclists and it is illegal to ride a cycle without taking certain precautions to ensure your safety and visibility. A helmet is a necessity and can play an important role in saving lives; a proper helmet gives real protection from serious head injury if a cyclist is involved in a collision. Clothing which maximises your visibility is just as important; fluorescent armbands, high visibility. Vests or sashes should all be considered whether riding in the countryside or the city, helping motorists to see you is the first step in remaining safe when cycling. High visibility clothing is not expensive and it is worth investing in. It is arguable that of all the safety equipment necessary for a cyclist, cycle lights are the most important factor. Today’s lights are incredibly bright and long lasting when we compare them to the lights of the past. It is important to know the law regarding cycle lights as it is there ultimately to protect you and others who may be on the road. Below are some important points to consider regarding your lights and the law.

• Cycles must have a white front light
• Cycles must have a red rear light
• A red rear reflector is required by law
• Amber pedal reflectors are required by law
• All lights should be in clean and working order
• Lights should be used between sunset and sunrise

Cycle lights up close

There are many minute expectations regarding cycles and lights, in the event of an accident certain small irregularities which a rider has not taken care of, could be considered as a partial cause of damage or injury to the rider or to other parties. Therefore it is very important that cyclists are aware of the law and take every precaution regarding their lights, in this way you could maximise your chances of safety and help to keep not only yourself but others free from danger on the road.

Buying Cycle Lights

Buying cycle lights

Choosing which kind of cycle lights will be best for you and your needs isn’t quite as simple a task as one might imagine! Once upon a time it was an extremely easy job as there were very few choices about. Now that technological advances have taken place in the world of lighting, there are seemingly endless variants and endless options!

A keen cyclist will more than likely be very sure of their needs regarding lighting, but a new or inexperienced cyclist may need some guidance when it comes to making the final decision on their cycle lights. Some questions which may be sensible to ask before choosing your lights are as follows.

• Do I anticipate being out after dark?
• What kind of terrain will I be travelling through?
• Do I want battery operated lights?
• Would solar lights be best?
• Should I wear reflectors on my clothing?

What to consider when choosing cycle lights

The options are very varied when it comes to types of cycle lights. Remember that there is a big difference between seeing and being seen. In other words, if you are planning on riding through rural lanes in the pitch black, then you will need a powerful light with a large spread of light which will illuminate as much ground as possible; you may also want to consider a head-lamp which you can sweep about at will in order to view dangers such as animals, pot holes and pedestrians which may otherwise be invisible. If you are riding on well lit roads in suburban or urban areas then a large concern will be your visibility to other traffic and this is where reflectors are particularly useful in addition to cycle lights.

Types of cycle lights

LED (light emitting diode) cycle lights are very popular amongst those riders who are often in urban areas. This is partly due to their brightness and also to the fact that they do not use an enormous amount of power. LED lights can be set in different modes, flashing, constant or strobe and this is another reason for their popularity. The amount of bulbs within an LED light varies from as little as one or two right up to ten; the average amount of bulbs needed in a cycle light meant for ordinary urban use would be around three. This would give a good illumination without dazzling.

For people who are mountain bike enthusiasts and who may enjoy night riding, stronger cycle lights would be preferable. Lithium ion batteries are common choices for the powerful lights on these cycles and are large and relatively heavy; they will usually be attached to the body of the cycle for ease of transport.

Are cycle lights enough?

Whilst it cannot be denied that reliable lights are a must for any rider, another important factor in safety is reflective clothing. Armbands and reflectors for pedals are excellent at increasing a riders visibility and whether you are cycling during a misty morning or a balmy summer evening, your visibility on the road can be impaired by poor lighting conditions. Ensure that your equipment is well cared for and check it regularly for signs of wear. Good protective clothing is a must and well maintained kit could save lives.