The NiteRider Lumina Micro 900 Bike Headlight is a sturdy, no-frills model that, as the entry-level option in the Lumina range, delivers good performance for the price. It's great to use, definitely made me feel safe and visible, and aside from a slightly overactive lock mode, is easy to figure out. However, it is fundamentally let down by a flawed mounting lock which left me collecting it from the floor on multiple occasions.
While I did enjoy using the NiteRider, there are a few areas where I feel it could be improved: it has a strong 900-lumen capacity, but there isn't a huge amount of side-on visibility, and there's only the one flashing mode. The lack of a quick-charging USB-C port and the two-hour run-time on full beam means the Micro 900 is probably best suited to shorter rides.
Check out our guide to the best front bike lights for more options.
My personal preference is for lights to do the simple things well, without complex mode and button combinations that, to my mind, are just unnecessary bells and whistles, but you might find the five choices of solid 30/200/450/900 lumens and flashing 900 somewhat limiting.
At the minute, I'm mainly riding around London at peak times, so I mostly used the flashing 900 setting. I try to keep it lowered so as not to dazzle oncoming cyclists, but there are more advanced lights available, like the Ravemen mentioned below, with that kind of functionality. There's also limited side visibility.
When I did need full glow on quieter, less urban roads, I was happy with the beam's road coverage. It has a strong, white, forward-facing beam and I could easily pinpoint potholes when careering along country lanes at speeds over 35kmph and felt safe using the light's one-button system on the move.
On the full 900 lumens you get just under 2 hours of life, with flashing 900 a claimed 11 hours. While 4.5 hours on 450 lumens is decent, combined with the fact that you can't charge and use it simultaneously, bikepackers and endurance riders will probably look elsewhere.
Mount
The light and mount weighed 160g on the road.cc Scales of Truth, which is competitive for lights of this spec. The mount doesn't require any tools and is versatile, screwing onto my vintage Reynolds bike's handlebar as well as my modern aero bars.
As is quite common, a small rubber mount slots inside the mount to create a tight and grippy fit. This can fall out, so be very careful not to drop it on a dark pavement at night.
The light slides into the mount nicely but doesn't lock automatically – which I thought was a bit of an odd feature; you have to lift the 'handle' to activate the lock. And once locked, the connection seemed quite fragile and didn't inspire confidence.
Out on the road, this did cause some problems. If I forgot to click up the 'handle', the light would almost instantly detach and fall down through my spokes to the floor. I accept that this was mostly my fault, but even when I had remembered to click up the 'handle', on a number of occasions the light was dislodged at high speed. The light is now pretty bashed but does still work – so at the very least it proves its hardiness! I found myself holding onto it on quicker, bumpier descents, having lost confidence in the mount's ability to keep it in place.
Lock mode
Talking of locking... the light arrived in something called Travel Lock Out Mode, to avoid burning the battery in transit. It has a habit of flicking back into this mode – so you might find yourself digging through the instructions while thinking you've got a dud light. (You'll need to hold down the power button for 10 seconds to release it.)
Charging
Niterider is proud of its Intellicharge feature, which pumps through quicker power transfer when you use a higher-wattage power source. Perhaps I don't have fancy enough plugs, but I was never able to activate this double-quick charging.
It's a shame, because NiteRider has opted for the slower USB over USB-C, which seems slightly outdated. It's also not possible to charge and use the light concurrently.
Build quality
The Lumina isn't waterproof, just water resistant to IP64, but it got a few decent drenchings without any issues. Elements of the electrics come with a two-year warranty, while the rechargeable battery cells get just a year.
Value
For £60 the Niterider Lumina 900 is certainly competitively priced. A max output of 900 lumens is good – there aren't many in this price range putting out this kind of power. It's also well made and from a reputable brand so it strikes me as decent value.
The Exposure Boost Daybright, for example, was well reviewed by Ed, but despite an excellent build quality, it doesn't have the night-time capability of the Lumina and is mainly a 'be seen' light. It has a max brightness of 350 lumens and now costs £80.
With the NiteRider you get another 100 lumens over Lezyne's Micro Drive 800+ for the same money, though that has USB-C charging and a higher waterproof rating.
The Blackburn Dayblazer 1000 has lots of different beam options and an additional 100 lumens for just a fiver more, but John thought it was let down by its rubber strap.
For another £20, the Ravemen PR1000 offers a bit more in terms of light variety and features than the NiteRider, and Stef liked the remote control button and was impressed by the battery life, though it's another one with a disappointing rubber strap.
Conclusion
The Lumina Micro 900 is a solid and sturdily constructed light, with a chunky mount that looks superior to the rubber straps used by some rivals, but couldn't be relied on. The light is also slightly let down by its strictly manual locking system, and some might be left wanting more beam options, but the battery life is decent and it won't be stopped by bad weather.
Verdict
Limited beam options but does the basics well, though the mount needs revising
Make and model: NiteRider Lumina Micro 900 Bike Headlight
Tell us what the light 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?
Niterider says: "Looking for our best selling Lumina™ series in a smaller and lighter package? Look no further than our Micro 900. NiteRider® makes this headlight USB rechargeable for convenient on-the-go charging. Another feature of note on the 900, Intellicharge™, which reduces your charge time in half''giving you more time riding and less time waiting. Its light weight at 130 grams makes it quite suitable as a helmet mountable option as well as bar compatible''standard and oversized 35mm diameters."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?
Niterider lists these features:
* Lumen Output: 900
* 5 Modes with Run Times: 2:00 – 60:00hrs
* Charge Time: 2:30 / 4:30hrs
* Weight: 130g
* Battery: Li-Ion
* Low Battery Indicator
* Micro USB Rechargeable
* Compact and Lightweight
* Water / Dust Resistant IP64 Rated
RUN TIMES*
Low - 11:00h at 200 Lumens
Med - 4:30h at 450 Lumens
High - 2:00h at 900 Lumens
Flash - 11:00h at 900 Lumens
Walk - 60:00h at 30 Lumens
Rate the light for quality of construction:
8/10
It's well made and fits neatly into the palm of the hand while being very sturdy. Keep an eye on the removable rubber mount insert – if you lose that you're in trouble.
Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
7/10
There being only one button does simplify things, but the sequencing takes a while to master. The light lock-in system on the mount feels slight on first inspection and proved so during testing, dislodging on quicker and bumpier sections of rides.
Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
5/10
A sturdy, plastic and quite bulky affair that won't perform well in the wind tunnel. The large hinge means it can fit on a wide range of handlebars including both my flat aero bars and my ordinary town bike. It screws on very securely and the light slots onto the clamp, but the lock system isn't automatic nor is it secure. Keep an eye on the removable rubber mount insert, too.
Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
9/10
IP64 rated so not actually waterproof, but in all the soakings I gave it, no problems at all.
Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
7/10
Not sure why NiteRider has opted for the slower USB over USB-C as that seems slightly outdated. It's not possible to charge and use concurrently. The battery life held up well to the stated times. If you can get the Intelli charge feature to work that would be a bonus.
Rate the light for performance:
8/10
No complaints at all. Simple but effective. All the run times are competitive with other lights and the single flashing option was enough for my needs. The light weight is also a plus.
Rate the light for durability:
8/10
Feels really strong and has taken a few tumbles (!) without any issues.
Rate the light for weight:
8/10
Competitive compared with similar output lights.
Rate the light for value:
5/10
Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It's the smallest and least bright of the Niterider Lumina range and I thought it packed a very decent punch considering. For road riding at night, in rural areas, it will have you covered for a couple of hours. I predominantly used the flash setting for city riding, so 11 hours of run-time per charge was good.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the light
No tool is required for the mount and it screws into place incredibly tightly. The light is very quick to remove – so it works well for commuting and when you're locking up and popping into shops. Minimal beam options are also a plus for me – spurious additional choices just waste time in my opinion.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light
The mount not holding the light securely at all times.
Puts itself back into 'Travel Lock Out Mode' frequently (so you'll need to hold down the button for 10 seconds).
It also says it has 'convenient on-the-go charging' and yet it can't be used while charging.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
It's pretty competitive considering the spec.
Did you enjoy using the light? Yes
Would you consider buying the light? Yes
Would you recommend the light to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
It's a simple but strong light that covers the main bases without being wildly versatile, but the mount needs to hold it more securely.
Age: 34 Height: 187cm Weight: 80kg
I usually ride: Pearson Hammerandtongs My best bike is:
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: road racing, commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, Ultra endurance
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