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review

Fabric Lumacell Light Set

8
£36.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Smart looking, discreet 'be seen' lights with decent brightness and burn-times
Weight: 
29g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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If you aren't a fan of lights spoiling the sleek look of your best race machine then the Fabric Lumacell lightset is a good choice. Their minimal size and cool oval design mean they are barely noticeable when they're switched off, but turn them on and they are surprisingly illuminating.

  • Pros: Subtle design, rubber band clamp means they'll fit anywhere, great waterproofing
  • Cons: Low battery warning light can only be seen on low modes

For their size, the Lumacells really kick out some decent light, the front 30 lumens, the rear 20. Fabric has used COB technology, that's 'chip on board' – or in basic terms a strip of LEDs which are housed behind a nylon cover to spread the light. Fabric claims they offer 180-degree visibility, which is technically true but so little light is actually sent out to the sides that, unless you are in complete darkness, you won't be seen.

> Find your nearest dealer here

The LEDs are bright in the middle, with the rest of the light offering a healthy glow, so you should be easy to see from the front or rear. Neither light is bright enough for sunny daytime use to really make a difference, but if things are overcast or you're out at dawn or dusk they are surprisingly noticeable, especially on the high mode or flash.

Claimed burn-times are pretty good, with high at 2.5hrs, medium at 4hrs, and low and flash coming in at 8hrs. Each of those is easily achievable as well.

Fabric Lumacell Light Set - front.jpg

The only downside I found was that the red LED on the front light to show battery life isn't visible unless the light is in low or flashing mode, so it can be easy to miss that you've only got a few minutes left.

To charge the lights you simply remove the rubber cover to expose the USB and plug each light directly to a power source – ideal if you are a commuter and have access to a PC. A full charge is achieved in two and a half hours.

> Buyer's Guide: The best 2018 front lights + beam comparison engine

Clamping is dealt with by a rubber strap, and the great thing is it'll wrap around anything. Aero seatpost? No problem. My main road bike has an aero, flat topped handlebar/stem setup which means nothing fits when it comes to light brackets, but the Lumacell bracket stretched round and I could position the light horizontally in front of the stem.

The rear light doesn't take into account the angle of the seatpost, so it points down towards the wheel rather than straight out, but as long as you position it high enough towards the saddle it's not really an issue. When it's dark it casts a nice glow over your rear wheel and the ground behind.

Fabric Lumacell Light Set - rear.jpg

When it comes to waterproofing, the lights are IPX5 rated which means they can stand up to water jets from any direction.

We've had some decent days of rain lately and I've been using the lights on bikes without mudguards with little issue, but just to make sure I've given them a blast of the power shower, again without suffering any kind of ingress.

> Buyer's Guide: 16 of the best rear lights for cycling

Fabric suggests a price of £36.99 (a saving of three quid over buying them separately) for the set, which isn't bad. BBB's Spy Combo is nearly £50, and while they're about six quid more expensive than the Xeccon Geinea lightset, you are getting double the power output with the Lumacells without sacrificing battery life. I think they offer pretty decent value for money, especially as they seem to be well made and are easy to use.

Verdict

Smart looking, discreet 'be seen' lights with decent brightness and burn-times

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Fabric Lumacell Light Set

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the light set is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Fabric says, "Keep yourself visible even in low light conditions, with a compact back light that's perfect for on the go. Powered by COB technology the Lumacell 'be seen' light provides vital 180° visibility, housed in a compact, tough nylon case. Direct USB charging means it's portable and simple to reboot for the ride home."

I found the Lumacells easy to fit, simple to charge and great 'be seen' lights.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light set?

Fabric lists these features:

30 / 20 lumens (F / R)

Multi-position mount

Direct USB charging

IPX5 water proofing

Water tight seal

Rate the front light for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the rear light for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the light set for design and ease of use. How simple were the lights to use?
 
9/10

The lights have a simple button on top to scroll through each mode.

Rate the front light for the design and usability of the clamping system
 
9/10
Rate the rear light for the design and usability of the clamping system
 
9/10
Rate the front light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
 
9/10
Rate the front light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
 
9/10

Stood up to everything the rating says it should.

Rate the front light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
 
9/10
Rate the rear light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
 
9/10

Both burn and charge times were easily within Fabric's claims.

Rate the front light for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the rear light for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the front light for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the rear light for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the front light for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the rear light for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the light set for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the lights performed overall when used for their designed purpose

Surprisingly bright for their size and ideal emergency lights.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the lights

Their simple and sleek design.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the lights

Little warning that the battery is going flat in higher modes.

Did you enjoy using the lights? Yes

Would you consider buying the lights? Yes

Would you recommend the lights to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

A really well designed set of lights that'll fit any bike. Decent brightness and burn-times for a sensible price.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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1 comments

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Freddy56 | 5 years ago
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Everything Fabric I have bought is just great. They last , outperforming expectations. highly recommend

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