Be quick. No be very quick. These are going to sell out very quickly because, frankly, they are superb. More of that in a bit. Get off to your local Aldi immediately and nab some. They’re £12.99 each and, look, why are you still here? Have you gone yet?
Aldi don’t do cycling stuff as often as Lidl. About twice a year in fact. But when they do, boy do they go to town. But I can’t remember a range quite as extensive as this round with over 70 items to choose from. All your basic needs are there, cheap clothing, gloves, a bit of Muc Off. And there are some more expensive items such as a fluid turbo trainer (£69), bike stands etc. Oh, and the not insignificant matter of selling Garmin 810’s at £179.99. Beat that, well, everyone else. It’s not a fiction either, there were at least 3 in my local store, you might need to ask the manager as they’re generally in some glass cabinet with other exotic electronics.
But back to these lights. Aldi are selling a few different ones this time, from a £2.99 emergency button rear, a twinpack and separate front and rear strip lights. And, yes, for the observant amongst you they are Moon Nebula. I should probably put that in inverted commas or something. I don’t know if these are replicas or just OEM and made for Aldi, I suspect the latter, but for all intents and purposes they look the same. Hell, even the packaging appears to be the same. Context, both versions from Moon will typically set you back £35-£45. These then are just a bit cheaper……
So, what do you get? Well, the essential specifications are as follows:
Aldi Front Light
- High brightness LED
- 4 lighting modes and 4 flashing modes
- Water resistant
- Rechargeable battery with charging/low battery indicator
- Micro-USB rechargeable cable
- Universal brackets
- Provides 240 lumens output
Aldi Rear Light
- High brightness LED
- 4 lighting modes and 4 flashing modes
- Water resistant
- Rechargeable battery with charging/low battery indicator
- Micro-USB rechargeable cable
- Universal brackets
- Provides 100 lumens output
Both are, of course, rechargeable and report needing only 2 hours for a complete charge. Impressive. Run time? No idea. Between 10-20 hours it appears but, with a 2 hour charge time, it’s not much of an issue charging these every day. That will have an effect on battery longevity but, hey, £12.99.
Each light is equipped with a plethora of mounts. So, the first picture above shows the rear light attachments, a saddle clip, rubber band type mount (which is adaptable enough for seatposts and seat stays) and a belt clip. Yet another USB lead is supplied. The front, of course, does away with the saddle clip. Given that they seem to be Moon Nebula it’s pretty easy getting spare mounts and a wider variety as well. So I’ll be investing in the £4 helmet mount shortly to stick this at the back of my helmet.
The rear provides easy access to the charging port and the rubber fit is good meaning that these should stand up brilliantly in the wet. The body itself is aluminum and seems a pretty hardy affair. Charging is indicated by a flashing blue light which turns steady once fully charged. They arrive fully charged as well.
In use? Well, blinding. Don’t look at them. Of course you’ll need to make sure that you use them appropriately so as not to blind others. Operation is easy, just one switch to turn on, each press then escalates the lumens. Double switch and flash mode is engaged, each press then escalates the lumens. There are 4 solid settings, 3 flash settings and a strobe mode.
All pretty great but, you want to see some videos right? Well, here you go.
Overall? Brilliant. Let’s be clear, these won’t light the way (that comment being mostly directed at the front). But for getting you seen they are an absolute bargain. There’s nothing particularly smart about them but they’re a great addition to the winter cycling kit bag. They won’t be there long so grab some while you can. If you’re still reading this get on with it.
I live in constant fear of my lezyne straps failing so I shall pop and get some forthwith.
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Just bought , very impressed.
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I bought the rear one. Pretty damn bright, and I like the fact they included a clothes clip as well. No helmet mount but I have an exposure link which covers that angle.
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There’s a Moon helmet clip available on the web. About £4. That one will fit. Might get one myself. Love the belt clip, useful for rucksacks as well
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Hey..
How do we get about sending you some goodies (Bike light sample)?
there’s no contact info on your blog, at least I wasn’t able to find one :))
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Good point. I’ll add that but it’s humphreysc3@cardiff.ac.uk and thanks!
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My back light takes more than 9 hours to fully charge is this normal?? front takes about 2 hours
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No, that’s very not normal! Mine take about 2. (Front and rear). Do they have any more in stock? Does it last the same length of time?
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Very nice back light and super bright to keep me visible during dark winter commutes. Just a shame that it only lasted 2-3 months. First of all it needed recharging every 3-4 days (30 minute commute) and now it only works when plugged in. What was worse it tended to cut out during a ride without showing the low battery indicator which is not only annoying but dangerous!
Great value and I hope anyone else buying it has a better life out of it.
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There are reports of them being hit and miss. Mine are still going strong. Not that that helps!
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My front light seems to have given up the fight. Got these in December 2016 and use them most evenings on my 20 minute commute home. Will be sending Aldi a message about the warranty today. I would happily purchase another one considering they are cheap compared the the moon equivalent that retails for over £50. Just a shame that Aldi only seems to stock items for a short period. So is always a pain if you want to purchase or exchange for a replacement a few weeks later.
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I wonder, and I should get some to try, how the Moon ones last in comparison.
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My fronts just died. Frustrated as when working they’re great. Time to try the 3 year warranty!
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I seem to be very lucky! And my rear is just by the mudguard in all the spray.
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Mine when working was great but now it hey are both corroded after less than 10 uses Aldi not interested as don’t have store receipt. One corroded in on position other still working but showing rust all over
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yes my back light has rust all over still works but the bracket has broken
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Hello
Just to add, to the above, got my front light about a month ago, really impressed with the value/performance factor, didn’t expect to match any branded one but so far is good fit for purpose, reasonable value for my winter reasonable valued bike, the first impression was quite high, however, with use you notice that the charge last only 3 days on a low dim flashing mode, ok just 2 hour charge isn’t that bad, waterproofing is good considering the typical winter Scottish weather, one thing that really annoys me is that the lovely metal plate to the front is getting rusty, not a big deal reading the above comments on which the lights have already failed…
For me 3.5 stars out of 5, well done Aldi
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Mine are still going strong. Used the front and rear again today. They do seem hit and miss on longevity (according to others) so I’ve been lucky!
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My front light seems to have given up the fight. Got these in December 2016 and use them most evenings on my 20 minute commute home. Will be sending Aldi a message about the warranty today. I would happily purchase another one considering they are cheap compared the the moon equivalent that retails for over £50. Just a shame that Aldi only seems to stock items for a short period. So is always a pain if you want to purchase or exchange for a replacement a few weeks later.
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Mine did not work – charged and charged – naff all, only paid a fiver for it but did not know it was duff. Tried taking it apart and bloody hell it chimed into life and blinded me – woo that’s friggin bright, still a bit temperamental and seems to be a poor connections to the LEDS, couple more squeezes and its working ok. Xmas Stocking filler present for my mate who cycles a lot more than me.
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The quality is not great. I have replaced two rear lights in six weeks (Aldi were fantastic regarding swapping the broken lights). my local Aldi stores do not stock the lights anymore and now my front light has also given up. I wouldnt purchase the lights again as the quality and life of the lights I would consider to be very poor. I have had the frog mount lights costing about £1 each last longer!!!
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Mine are still working flawlessly!
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I got the back light when it came to our local aldi store about 3 / 4 months ago still haven’t tried it yet , I fully charged the light when I got it , but when i went to use it the light was dead so i recharged the light again ready for the next ride but again it had gone flat , i don’t know if this is normal or if you have to charge the light and use it on the same day
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Definitely not normal D. Get your money back!
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The new (2017) version does that. One minute it’s glowing wonderfully the next it won’t switch on after recharging. Pity cause when they work they are very easily seen
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I’ve found the same rear light with different bracket (clip on and a flexible band) available on Amazon for £6.44 delivered free. The bike bracket options were better on the Aldi version. Not compatible with Aldi bracket.
Delivery from China quoted 3 weeks but arrived in less than 2. Impressive. And the light works well.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DNC7H61/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
starnearby 8 Modes COB Rear Bike Taillight Safety Warning USB Rechargeable Tail light
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