I’ve had these lights for 6 months now since USE-Exposure very kindly sent them to me to try out, these are the 2024 versions of the Toro (big one), Diablo (middle size one) and the Boost R (little one)…..I promise this isn’t going to turn into a Goldilocks “just right” scenario…..or is that Cinderella and a shoe? anyway I’d better explain why I didn’t follow every other online reviewer and magazine in the industry and publish this review before the darker evenings and winter started. If you are a regular reader you’ll know I try to do things a little differently at UKGC.
Firstly I wanted to test out the lights over a longer period of time rather than a rushed night ride test and then publish a review the next day kind of thing. I wanted to see how the batteries would perform after repeated use and recharges, how the different models stood up to being stuffed into bags, dropped on the ground accidentally or during repeated soakings by rain and flood and how the various mounts stood up to normal usage.
The second reason I didn’t rush to get a review out for the lights last October was that I thought about who might be using them. There’s lots of reviews endorsing the Exposure lights for competition, Exposure themselves sponsor many endurance events afterall so I thought there’s no reason to go into that, its a given. Not everyone though is into competition. From experience with friends and my online followers the overwhelming majority of users are those with very little time to ride. They can’t spare the time for a 24hr race or a week long bike packing trip. These are the riders who have busy work lives or family commitments. They have to sneak a ride in when the kids have gone to bed or be ultra prepared with kit and drinks the night before escaping the house for an hours intense ride before work. they might start their ride after work knowing the last hour will be into the twilight so they need lights to be able to ride at all and stay safe while they do it, they need them to be reliable, robust and ready to go at the last minute.
BOOST-R + ReAKT & Peloton Mk2 is a long name for a neat looking little rear light. Don’t be taken in with the diminutive size though, this light punches above it’s weigh and as the name describes isn’t just an L.E.D. light with a few flashing modes.
Boasting 80 lumens this rear light has a trick up it’s aluminium sleeve, when you hit the brakes or enter a brighter enviroment it will flare up to 150 lumens warning those behind you that you are slowing, and in the case of following cars, that you are there at all! the peleton part of the name is because if there’s a rider directly behind you with a bright light the Boost R will dim so as not to blind them. Anyone who’s closely followed someone with a flashing rear light knows it’s easy to become fixated or blinded by it to the point of missing the trail obstacles ahead. All this in a tiny package weighing just 45g. It takes 3 hours to fully charge using a mini USB cable, this was my only dislike and even this had been addressed as new models now ship with the much better and easier to insert USB-C type cable. After a full charge the light lasts 6hrs with a steady light and upto 48hrs in flash mode. The light comes with a seatpost mount with a rubber band making it easy to swap between bikes or take into work/cafe/gym with you so it doesn’t get stolen. You simply twist the light into the mount, this has been super secure in use (and when the rider falls off into the undergrowth!) This easy release band does mean it’s easy to knock out of alignment though so worth checking its pointing in the desired direction frequently. This had been my go to light for everything, commutes, night rides and “just incase i need it” rides. It’s been dropped numerous times and just continues to work.
Diablo Mk14 TAP is marketed as a helmet light, Why do I need a helmet light when all the other lights I see are on the handlebars I hear you ask. If you ride away from streetlights or off road a helmet light is invaluable, it allows you to see around corners, no seriously it does!
ok,obviously it doesn’t if we are thinking brick walled corners but riding off road in the dark as you approach a corner your bars and your handlebar mounted light will be facing forward, lighting the way ahead, but the corner, that’s in darkness untill you turn it may have all manner of obstacles, a fallen tree, thick mud or a wheel swallowing hole. A helmet light follows you eyes, turn your head to see where you are going and that corner is lit up allowing you to carry speed and well, not come a cropper.
The Diablo has 2000 lumens and four modes. Low, medium, high and flash plus many more available through the 8 different programs on the light. all controlled by the button on the back of the light. You can though enable the “TAP” function and this changes modes by just tapping the light with your hand, very er… handy when the light is mounted on top of your helmet and its awkward to reach or find the button in a hurry. The casing is very neatly machined aluminium making it very tough, i’ve wacked it on a few low hanging branches (it also comes with a lanyard to stop the light ejecting stage left/right in this scenario) The light takes 4 hours to full charge using a fast charger via a mains plug and depending on the mode will last from 1 (high beam) to 18 (flash) hours. An LED on the back of the light tells you the state of the battery charge so you can measure your ride length accordingly. It weighs 120g and although you’ll know its on your helmet its in no way heavy. In the box as well as a helmet mount you get a bar mount too making the Diablo very versatile as 2000 lumens is more than adequate for riding on the road/commuting and its in this position I’ve ued it the most.
Toro Mk14 with REFLEX is the largest of all the lights and is a dedicated handlebar light, nade with the same CNC machined aluminium body as the others it actually looks powerful before you even switch it on!
The Toro looks large but it is still only 236g but it smashes out 2250 lumens. it also has a hidden talent though and this is called “REFLEX” this boosts the light output to 3600 lumens via an internal accelerometer so when just riding along the light will emits normal power, if you decide to get rowdy and go faster or start throwing the bike around such as riding downhill over rough ground the light will boost the lumens without you even having to touch the light! it sounds like I’m making it up, but thats not all. it also uses temperature to change the light setting too. when crusing along those LEDS produce heat, the Toro measures this and dims the light, if you move faster and the air starts to cool the light it boosts the beam in seconds.
The Toro lasts 2 to 36 hours depending on the mode selected (these are printed on the side of the unit) and takes 6 hours to fully charge. The Toro comes with a quick release aluminium bar bracket that keeps the light very secure but allows quick removal if you are away from the bike. The only thing I don’t like about this is that the mount has to sit to one side of the stem or the other meaning it feels like it isn’t centered. This has no effect on light performance. To rectify this I purchased a mount that fits on the stem faceplate meaning the light is dead centre. The Toro is the only light in test I haven’t dropped! I have however took a roll into the undergrowth with it on the bars and it looks as good as new.
The rear screen tells you which mode the light is in and the state of the battery. The unit is charged using a fast charger that needs to be plugged into a mains outlet.
The Boost R rear light is an essential addition to you be safe and be seen equipment and a reassuring presence on your seatpost when things get dark (or indeed in daylight) I’ve failed to destroy it despite numerous ham fisted attempts. the fact that it gets brighter under braking or dimmer to stop dazzling your trailing ride buddy makes it a must buy.
The Diablo is far and away the most versatile light on test. As a helmet light its great, the TAP function raises it head and shoulders (yes deliberate) above all its competition. As a bar light it’s pretty much all you need for urban riding, commuting and it’s perfect for night time pee walks when camping.
The Toro is a specialist bit of kit, the reflex accelerometer makes it perfect for serious off roading at night. it maybe overkill for urban and commuting, it’ll certainly make sure you are seen though, just point the beam away from oncoming road users eyes!
In every case, the batteries and charging seem to be as good as the first time I used them, run times have been consistent. Although I’ve accidentally dropped, crashed and used the lights as a normal user would, I’ve not tried to be precious with them even though they aren’t mine, the finish on them still looks quality. They are built to last.
Theres’s no doubt that all of these lights are at the top of their game, there are so many built in features and battery tech that they just blow away their competition. Add in the warranty back up of a UK based company (they are still repairing lights that are 15 years old!) and it justifys the price of these lights. They are expensive it has to be said but its worth it for the features, the reliability and the back up.
more info from the Exposure lights website here
check out the ride video using the lights on the uk gravel collective youtube channel below and please take the time to subscribe!
UK GRAVEL COLLECTIVE 