Nat Bromhead
Fans of classic British cars would know of the many one-liners surrounding their lighting and electrical systems, poor Joseph Lucas being the butt of many ‘Prince of Darkness’ type jokes. But British manufacturing and indeed lighting has come ahead leaps and bounds through the decades, the latest bike lights from Exposure being a brilliant example of this.
Bicycling Australia has recently been riding Exposure’s Boost and Trace front and rear lights. To say we’re hugely impressed with the build quality, performance, attention to detail and overall abilities of these high-end lights would be a major understatement.
Exposure TraceR Rear Light
“Bike lights, they’re all fundamentally the same,” you may think, but that’s certainly not the case when it comes to the Trace series.
The unique selling point of this TraceR ReAKT (the rear Trace), is the ingenious ‘Peloton’ mode. Using what the company calls ‘Ambient Kinetic Technology’ – hence the AKT in its name, this light automatically adapts to riding conditions.
The light reads the surroundings and flares up to 120 lumens when braking is detected or the rider enters brighter areas such as out of a tunnel or into street lighting. In addition to this, in ‘Peloton mode’ the light dims when a light from the rider behind is detected.
The TraceR ReAKT features a mode selector to adjust its three inbuilt brightness levels plus the comfort and safety of side illumination.
It has an IP6 waterproof rating, a run time of three to 24 hours depending upon mode, and will fully charge in three hours. Exposure lights are built to last but also surprisingly light – the light features a red anodised alloy casing and weighs in at 35g. A very well-made mounting bracket and heavy-duty rubber attachment strap is included in the packaging.
Specifications
LEDs: 1 x XPE-RED
IP Rating: IP6
Max Lumens: 75
Battery: 850 mAh Li-Ion
Runtime: 3-24 Hours (FL)
Charge Time: 3 Hours
Weight: 35g
Material: Anodised 6063 Aluminium
Length: 57mm
Head Diameter: 28mm
Included: The rear light and a seat post mount
Exposure Trace Front Light
Finished in gunmetal grey anodising, the front Trace light is more about personal safety and visibility than spotlighting the road ahead. The same size and shape as the rear light – the red (rear) and grey (front) combination are designed to blend in with the colour schemes of most bikes.
This front light features a 125-lumen main beam, an internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and constant, pulse and ‘Daybright’ lighting modes.
‘Daybright, what’s that?’ You may ask. This is a specifically designed pulse mode that Exposure engineers have designed and optimised for maximum visibility. Similar to and inspired by the strobe and light patterns used by emergency services, all aspects of this light are about keeping you safe and seen, day and night.
With a powerful single LED, the front of the lens extends around 7mm from the alloy casing to ensure side illumination. This, coupled with the same design on the rear TraceR, means 180° visibility to keep you safe.
Subtle and stylish in form, these Exposure Trace lights scream quality and the ‘Made in Great Britain’ branding on the packaging says it all.
Specifications
LED: 1 x White XPG2
IP Rating: IP6
Max Lumens: 125
Battery: 850 mAh Li-Ion
Runtime: 3-24 Hours (FL)
Charging Time: 3 Hours
Weight: 35g
Material: Anodised 6063 Aluminium
Length: 57mm
Head Diameter: 28mm
In The Box: Trace DB MK2, QR Handlbar Mount, Micro-USB Charge Cable, QS Guide
RRP Trace pack (Front & Rear lights) $160 – Ask at your local bike shop or check dealer locations at https://www.bikebox.com.au/dealer-locator.html
Exposure Boost Front Light
Offering the output of a larger light, Exposure’s Boost can pump out up to 350 lumens.
Perfect for commutes where more output or burn times are needed but still small, USB charging but extremely portable.
It also features the Daybright pulse pattern we mentioned in the Trace review, a cutting-edge feature designed to cut through the many distractions we see on roads.
Specifications
LED: 1x XPL2
Output: 350 lumens
Weight: 45 grams
Run time: Min 2 hrs to a maximum of 24 hrs pulsing.
Battery: 1400 mAh Li-Ion
Dimensions (mm) Length 66, Head 28, Back 22
Exposure Boost R Rear Light
The BOOST R is a slightly larger version of the popular form of the Trace R (reviewed above). Ten grams heavier than the smaller model, the Boost offers twice the burn time.
There’s also a quarter-turn locking bracket to ensure the light remains secure to the bike.
Like the rear Trace, it features the ReAKT (Ambient Kinetic Technology) to adapt its output to conditions. Following a rider using this light is an impressive sight! The Boost flares up to 150 lumens under braking or, when entering brighter environments. It also features the previously described ‘Peloton mode’ to dim when light from the rider behind is detected.
Overall, top-quality workmanship, the attention to detail is outstanding, and this is a sturdy, very well made and no doubt long-lasting rear light offering. Top marks Exposure.
Specifications
LEDs: 1 x Red XPE-R
IP Rating: IP65
Max Lumens: 80 (150 ReAKT Flare)
Battery: 1400 mAh Li-Ion
Runtime: 6-48 Hours
Charging Time: 3 Hours
Weight: 45g
Material: Anodised 6063 Aluminium
In The Box: Boost-R ReAKT, Seatpost Mount, Micro USB Cable.
RRP: Boost Pack (front and rear) $249 – Ask at your local bike shop or check dealer locations at https://www.bikebox.com.au/dealer-locator.html
