Some time ago I wrote on here about Pedalites, the self-powered lights for the pedals on your bike. I ordered a set and promised to report back once they’d arrived, been fitted and tried out. That time is now.
They’re about the same size as my old pedals, but much chunkier and a little heavier. They don’t look so good, being made of plastic with large bulges for the power packs, but they’re by no means eyesores.
Now as they’re more expensive than an average set of pedals they’re supposed to be difficult to steal, so the first thing you see on opening the box is an allen key that you use to screw them in place. Regular pedals can be unscrewed from the crank using nothing more complex than an adjustable spanner.
This turned out to be more difficult than expected, as you have to hold the pedal horizontally while turning the screwhead with the other. While one went in with relative ease – probably because of using the dominant hand – the other refused to line up, and it took ten minutes of careful and frustrating effort to get it in without sheering the thread on the crank.
It was worth the effort, though, as once in place, the pedals felt safe and sturdy, and the dimples on the upper surface gave good grip.
The Pedalites people warn that the first few times you use them you may notice some extra resistance but that this would slacken off over time. We didn’t. It felt just like we were using our old, regular pedals, and despite an oncoming headwind needed apply no extra effort.
It was difficult to judge the amount of light given out until we parked the bike in the shed, at which point each flash lit up its interior to an impressive degree. It should certainly have been enough to be spotted by an oncoming driver.
Of course, Pedalites are no substitute for regular front and rear lights on a bike, but when combined with a fluorescent jacket and good LED bulbs they should contribute to your safety on the roads in the dark winter extremities of the day.
The price – £34.99 plus postage – is fair when you consider the technology incolved and compare it to regular lights (although Halfords is currently having a half-price in-store lighting sale that’s worth checking out), and so the Pedalites earn themselves a four-star Blagger rating. They’d have got five out of five if installing them hadn’t left us worried about that thread on our crank.
Price £34.99
URL pedalite.com
Pros No running costs; fix and forget convenience.
Cons Fixing was a little awkward.
Verdict A simple way to improve your visibility and safety when cycling in the dark, but one which should only be used in conjunction with conventional bike lighting.
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cycling, pedalites, pedalite
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Great photo. It seems odd that the anti-theft provision should involve switching from an adjustable spanner to an Allen key, since nearly every commuter cyclist in the world carries one of the little fold-up Allen hex key sets to adjust brakes or saddle post! So, is the Allen key they supply really no different than the 4/5/6mm hex key in my little fold-up kit? Or have they used a non-hex profile, or perhaps a Torx (star-shaped) profile? Thanks for your review.
To answer my own question posed above: the Pedalites that I received here in North America install with a spanner (wrench), just like most pedals. No Allen key required. I notice a touch of resistance when pedaling, but I think it is an acceptable trade-off for the increased visibility. The front and rear flashing LEDs are quite bright when viewed on-axis; the yellow LEDs on the sides could use some brightening, or less directionality and more brightness both. The lights stay on for longer than advertised when you stop pedaling; I clocked mine at 8 minutes or more, so it seems that they could trade off a little of that storage capacity for increased current draw to achieve greater brightness. Overall, though, I’m absurdly pleased to use them in the dark half of the year.
I have been using Pedalites for over a year now – and for the first year it meant that I continued cycling to work in the winter as I felt safer on the roads.
I agree Pedalites alone are no substitute for front and rear lights, but they are great for additional safety. Cars seem to keep their distance more since I added them to the bike so I know they flash brightly. They definitely make me feel safer in the dark and more confident in general.
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