This blog post outlines an integrated approach to having reliable light, heat, and power when bikepacking. More efficient and higher quality LED light sources, larger battery capacities, and the quick charging capabilities of many newer devices have created options for lightweight and robust systems. After comparing the specifications of various different elements I settled on two headlamps from Lynx OGT in Nelson BC, some handwarmer/cache batteries from Ocoopa, and front and rear blinky lights from Leyzne. The Power Delivery cache batteries outlined in this blog post continue to perform well, and have not been replaced. All items have been purchased at retail prices and are mentioned solely on their merits.
Background: 2022 was a year where several key electrical items stopped working while I was bikepacking. The most irritating was a fairly new Fenix HM65R light that shut off while I was night riding in a heavy rain storm. I was able to reach my destination with a backup headlamp. One of the lens seals was leaking, damaging the electronics. Replacement Fenix proprietary 18650 batteries are more than 4 times the price of standard units… A couple of Eddie Bauer branded USB rechargeable hand warmers also faded away after years of use.
A pair of Lynx OGT headlamps with the headbands replaced by Velcro for direct mounting to the handlebar, and the top of a bike helmet. Combined, these lights can produce 2,000 lumens of very high quality light.
Rear Lezyne Zecto 80 lumen light. On day-flash (high visibility) the light is rated to run for 7.5 hours.Front Lezne Zecto 250 lumen light. On day-flash (high visibility) the light is rated to run for 4.5 hours.A pair of Ocoopa Union handwarmers each with 5,000 mAh quick charge batteries. Runtime about 8 hours on Low.Ocoopa 10,000 mAh handwarmer/cache battery with Power Delivery USB-C input and output. This unit weighs only a few grams more than a single-function cache battery of the same capacity. For late spring, summer, and early fall overnighters this is the only heat and power source I’ll carry. Two of these heat/power sources only weigh 50 grams more than a single 20,000 mAh PD cache battery.Night riding along a lake shore. Primary lighting is from an Aurora (medium setting ~800 lumens) on the handlebars, and the bright rectangle is a CatEye 2 on the helmet, at about 600 lumens. I can ride about 6 hours on these settings. Including mounts, this pair of lights weighs 200 grams. On the highest settings this pair of lights produces about 2,000 lumens, much more than I need under most conditions. Lynx OGT from Nelson BC is creating some world-class and cost effective lighting systems!
Lighting: The Lynx OGT headlamps have similar controls consisting of a single button that is easily operated with gloves, mitts, and cold digits. The first press turns the light on to the “remembered” setting, second press is full power, a double press switches the light to strobe mode. There is also a stepless dimmer that “remembers” the last setting. The strobe setting is excellent for daytime riding on busy roads. The push button is translucent and has segmented red and green LEDs that indicate discharge and charge status. Both lights use standard 18650 3,500 mAh batteries. The mounts for both lights can be easily adapted for direct mounting. Lynx OGT sells additional mounts at a very modest cost. The Cat Eye 2 (left image below) has an adjustable beam pattern that can project a smaller and evenly lit area. This pattern is my preference as a helmet light. Around camp I’ll use the widest setting on low (50 lumens). The handlebar mounted Aurora (centre and right images) has three white and two red LEDs that produce uniform and far reaching light patterns. I find the white High (1,200 lumens) setting to be too much for most backcountry riding. The red light is a gamechanger!!! I prefer to run it on red High (300 lumens). it is easy to see conditions ahead, while also being able to enjoy the surrounding naturally lit night views. See picture and comments below.
Cat Eye 2 on high beam, narrow focus. The outer ring of light is also helpful.Aurora only on medium settingAurora only on high red (300 lumens)I was not able to capture an image of the cracks in the ice visible with red lighting. The crack immediately left of the front wheel and extending out onto the lake surface could be seen while night riding from about 10 metres away. Wider cracks can be seen from greater distances.
Light Mounts: Lynx OGT lights can be readily adapted for direct mounting to helmets and bikes.
Industrial Velcro patches on light mount and top of helmet.Light mounted and then strapped into place with Velcro OneWrap.OneWrap straps visible and not interfering with the function of the MIPS harness.
Alternative mounting using the headband looped through the visor.Very secure, and a little front-heavy for me.Velcro patch on stem.Aurora light strapped to stem with two 12″ lengths on Velcro OneWrap.Lots of clearance beneath the bars for luggage.This is a cockpit view of the Aurora top-mounted to the front of the Jones H-Loop bar with Velcro OneWrap. This mount is secure, will not damage luggage, and does not cast shadows of the cables. The black handlebar bag is a tester FireballBag in Ultra 200. This top-loading rolltop weighs less than 200 grams for about 25 litres of storage.
Running lights: A pair of Lezyne Zecto Drive lights are an excellent compromise between weight and brightness. The day-flash settings are very visible, with reasonable run times. The lights recharge fairly quickly despite only having micro-USB charging ports. There are side-mounted LED’s that provide lateral visibility, and another set of indicators of battery levels. Build quality and design are very good.
Adding Velcro mountsLoop patch on left front fork legHook patch on back of the white lightTop view of mounting the light on a Jones H-Loop barThe small Velcro patch on the light creates a very stable and secure addition. The light is offset on the Velcro loop bar-wrap to provide space for mounting the Aurora light. Front light fork mounted. On this bike, the Aurora is mounted to the stem.Rear light clipped into the left loop of a custom Ultra 200 20 litre CompressionPannier.
Charging: There are many variables when recharging devices in the field. I prefer to recharge my phone and GPS head prior to going to bed. This typically takes less than 90 minutes charging both USB-C devices.
This is a typical charging image in the tent when the temperatures are above freezing. The USB-C Power Delivery port on the handwarmer will recharge the Wahoo head very quickly. The Pixel phone typically takes an hour or so from 60% charge.Verifying power consumption of a 5,000 mAh handwarmer with a USB tester on a 75 watt Power Delivery charger. Using a USB-A to C cable to recharge the Wahoo. I prefer to use C to C for quicker results with greater reliability. The USB A to C cable and port does not have the ability to negotiate recharging requirements and may shut off prior to a complete recharge.Recharging and verifying consumption from a recent overnighter. The handwarmer ran on low for 90 minutes, and then recharged the Wahoo head, and the phone; in total using about 30% of total battery capacity.A pair of spare Lynx OGT batteries for the headlamps. I only carry these if night riding more than six hours per day. Both of the mentioned Lynx OGT lights can also be directly recharged from cache batteries (including while in use) or wall chargers. The batteries each weigh 50 grams.
As previously mentioned there are many variables with bikepacking light, heat, and power. If you’re looking to create a mental-model of your power requirements, a USB tester can help reduce the time spent developing and validating a power management plan.
Embracing winter while night riding with 300 lumens of red lighting.
