LIGHT AND MOTIONWritten By Raleigh | Date 2007-07-05If they’re good enough for Chris Eatough, they’re good enough for anyone. All his sponsors could probably make this claim since Eatough is a six-time world 24-hour mountain bike champion that quite possibly demands more from his equipment than most cyclists.
Reliability is key when it comes to gear used in 24-hour racing and leading the pack in reliability – and performance – is Light and Motion, light sponsor to Eatough, but light brand of choice to many around the world, from adventure racers, to recreational night bikers, to bicycle commuters.
And now South African cyclists will have ready access to high quality bike lights since Probike has secured the local agency rights for Light and Motion.
“There is a growing need for peak-performance, reliable lights in this country. We believe that Light and Motion will become the leading brand of choice for discerning South African night riders,” said Brandon Els, Probike Managing Director.
With traffic congestion, particularly in Gauteng, becoming a major concern as well as a national mindset shift towards reducing carbon emissions to minimise the effects of global warming, bicycle commuting will become a more recognised form of alternative transport to the current mass motorised culture that prevails in South Africa. The Gauteng government has already made provision to cater for bicycles on new roads in the future.
Unique mountain bike events like 24-hour races and night races are also starting to fill the calendar as the sport continues to gain popularity, while adventure racing remains attractive to its hardcore community of participants, who understandably, are also the types that won’t settle for mediocre gear.
“Most big-name light brands on the market aren’t aimed at the serious cyclist, which means either disappointment or Internet buying from abroad,” explained Els. “With Light and Motion, Probike will be using its established distribution ‘muscle’ and market credibility to make cutting-edge light technology more widely available.”
“Light and Motion products aren’t cheap,” admitted Els. “But the quality of the products is evident and ultimately, it’s a case of getting what you pay for, which translates to value-for-money in the long run.”
And Els is putting his money where his mouth is: “I’m not one to compromise on quality. I’m riding the Transbaviaans event soon and have put my faith in Light and Motion’s ARC Li-ion to light my way through the night. In fact, my trust in the product is the reason we’ve struck up the relationship and secured the local distribution rights.”
Light and Motion is another born-in-the-garage success story. In 1989, two students Barrett Heywood and Michael Topolovac, started experimenting with underwater lighting systems in Monterey, California. These diving enthusiasts were driven to build a vertically integrated manufacturing company where designers would create innovative world-class products for a variety of sport-specific applications. In 1999, they brought their proven experience and pioneering spirit to cycling. As their product line continues to expand, their mission remains the same: To enhance the lives of our customers through our products and personal interactions.
The Light and Motion range of bike lights has developed into one of the most comprehensive available, catering for road riding and mountain biking in all conditions. The key elements of Light and Motion lights is the practical nature of the systems, including lighter batteries, shorter recharge times and longer-life chargers, improved reflection to offer better light dispersal and glass bulbs that deliver brighter, whiter light.
After his sixth consecutive world 24-hour championship victory, Eatough had this to say about his lighting strategy:
“Twenty-four hour races are often won during the night time, and most racers find this to be the toughest segment. During the first few night laps is when I try to take the most time out of my competitors.
“Once the sun really went down, visibility on the course became very difficult. Whistler's deep woods, as well as steady drizzle, made it a true test of lighting power, and my Light & Motion setup came through with flying colors. I was using an ARC Li-ion on the handlebar, and a Solo Logic Li-on on my helmet. This system gave me the best combination of brightness and accuracy, since I could use small head movements to highlight the section of trail that I needed to see the most.
“I maintained my lead during the night hours, and my lights performed so flawlessly that I never had to think about them, and that is exactly what I want during a 24 Hour race.”
If it’s good enough for Eatough…
For more information, visit
www.bikelights.com
