Exposure Strada mk 5 front light

The Exposure Strada Mk5 follows where its predecessors left off, providing an exceptional amount of light and a wide variety of beam choices to see you right on every type of road.

The Strada is a self-contained unit without any cables or straps, manufactured in the UK. The illumination comes from two Cree XPG white LEDs and everything lives in a rough 'n' tough CNC-machined aluminium shell. It might pick up the odd scratch over winter if you're not careful but you're unlikely to do any real damage unless you're very unlucky.

The Strada's main point of difference from the majority of high-power lights is that the beam is shaped so it doesn't dazzle oncoming traffic.

Fitting the Strada is simple, you just fix the forged alloy bracket to your handlebar with an Allen key and then slide the lamp unit in place. It's held there by a sprung steel pin and it's perfectly secure. You can't adjust the angle of the light once it's on unless you purposely leave the bolt loose, and I really wouldn't advise that.

You choose from six different light programs, each with either two or three different beam choices. Program 1, for example, has a high mode (which will run for three hours from a full charge), a medium mode (which will last 10 hours) and a low mode (which will last 24 hours).

Switching between the modes is easy, you just push a button on the rear of the light unit (or use the remote switch that's included in the package) and it'll take you through them in order. If you're not interested in that low mode, you can select Program 2 which has just the high and medium modes.

To give you another example, Program 6 has two modes, the higher one giving you 10 hours of light, the lower one giving you 24 hours. That's an option to go for if you don't need a really powerful beam at any point – if you're riding on well-lit roads, for instance.

You get the idea, anyway: you just select the program that works best for the riding you're doing. Setting the program takes seconds and the various durations are printed on the shell of the light so you'll never lose them.

The beam picture/data given here relates to the Strada's strongest beam. I really like this beam for lighting the way on unlit roads, especially fast sections or roads that I don't know well.

If I ride at night, I tend to head around the lanes to avoid traffic, but that means I really need a good view of the bends coming up ahead and any bumps or holes in the Tarmac. This beam is strong enough to show up pretty much everything and it's broad enough that you get a good view of the whole width of the road. Even going fast downhill, you can lay off the brakes because visibility is excellent. I've never found myself wanting any more light than is on offer here.

If you like, or if you want to preserve the battery, you just go down to the medium beam. That still gives you good visibility on unlit roads, easily enough to ride by. Whatever it is that you need, the beauty is that you can easily select the beam that works best for the environment, LEDs on the back of the unit telling you which mode you're currently in.

When the light is on, more LEDs on the back indicate the battery level. There are five of them so when all are lit the battery is 80-100% full, four indicates 60-80%, and so on. If all the LEDs go out, the light uses its reserve battery life to power the low setting, hopefully long enough for you to get home.

You can recharge the Strada direct from the mains or via USB. The charge port is gold plated to avoid corrosion and it's protected by a silicone cover to stop water or gunk getting in there.

Rather than being a wholesale redesign, the Strada Mk5 is a tweaked upgrade of the Mk4. The electronics have been altered slightly to improve efficiency and the the light's aluminium body has been adapted to help with cooling, again adding to the efficiency. On top of that, the remote switch, which you can fix out by a gear shifter if you like, now has a softer touch and easier mode changing.

Verdict

High-output light with a variety of beam options suitable for all types of road riding.

The light comparator

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