Boasting 40 lumens it take up minimal handlebar space and weighs a mere 32g. A neatly machined, anodized aluminium body houses its single LED, circuitry and switches, rechargeable lithium-polymer cell.
Aesthetics aside, aluminium is sturdier and disperses heat better than composites, giving internals the best hope of a long and productive life.
Bucking the trend for simple sockets with protective flaps, the F40 screws into its mount for maximum protection from the elements. Nonetheless, I'm inclined towards a quick lick of silicone grease around the threads for maximum protection. Despite some initial trepidation, ours passed my hosepipe test without incident and hasn't missed a beat on some decidedly wet runs.
The user-friendly theme continues with a combined lens and positive switch that couldn't be simpler to operate, even on the fly wearing stodgy 'lobster' gloves. Click once for high, again for low and a third prod prompts flashing.
Its rubberised hook bracket is similarly intuitive, although it benefited from some pre-stretch to make it easier to fit. It can be adjusted for horizontal (fork) or vertical (handlebar) positioning. While positively limpet like on thin steel forks, it struggled to reach round 31.8mm tubing such as handlebar centres.
Overall performance is impressive relative to the size. The full 40 lumens translate as a very pure, albeit halo riddled beam. This registers on other traffic's radar from approximately 70 metres on clear nights and open roads, dipping to 50m when hustling across town.
Medium mode is comparatively impotent though useful in that it conserves battery charge (it runs for 5 hours 41 minutes, rather than 2 hours 47 minutes). The flashing mode's nagging tempo is by far the most attention-getting, visible from 150/85 metres and so became my go-to mode. Better still, it lasts for 23 hours 52 minutes and there's ample warning before the battery gets too low.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Lucas F40 Sport
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?
"The KOTR F40 Sport delivers 40 lumens of light from its sporty, compact, lightweight aluminum body. Its simple push lens operation, toggles light modes for between 3 and 25 hours run time form a quick 2.5 hour USB recharge. The KOTR Sport range has been designed to complement the design of modern road bicycles and offers an unobtrusive, solution for the style conscious rider". Broadly true but doesn't have the presence of larger units with comparable figures.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?
LED Type - 1 high Lumen LED giving 40 Lumens output
Power Source - 220 Ah Li-Polymer Battery
Light Modes - 3 functions (high, medium and flash)
Run Time - Long run time upto 25 hours
Design life between 900 and 15,000 hours.
Charge Time - 2.5hrs, Weight - 29g
Extra Features - USB Re-charge
Mounting - Quick release rubber strap
Rate the light for quality of construction:
7/10
Well made and nicely finished.
Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
7/10
Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
5/10
Simple to use and very tenacious but struggles with oversized bars/accessory mounts.
Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
7/10
Wasn't expecting it to pass my hosepipe test but it did.
Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
6/10
Good, rather than great in the steady settings, though on par with similar competition.
Rate the light for performance:
5/10
Generally good in flashing.
Rate the light for durability:
6/10
Rate the light for weight, if applicable:
7/10
Rate the light for comfort, if applicable:
5/10
Rate the light for value:
5/10
Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Overall, there's a lot to like about the F40. It's compact, well made and nicely finished. However, dimensions limits their road presence and so very much a tertiary system during winter or contingency model for summer evenings.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the light
Nicely made and finished. Frugal run times in flashing mode and user friendly lens-cum-switch.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light
Faces stiff competition from cheaper units boasting much greater road presence.
Did you enjoy using the light? Yes.
Would you consider buying the light? No.
Would you recommend the light to a friend? On balance no, there are very similar designs with comparable specification commanding less cash.
Age: 40 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
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