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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