ActiveCyclingKnog Blinder 900 Front Bike Light review: torch and goKnog’s Blinder 900 redefines brilliance on and off the bikeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe Knog Blinder 900 is a bike light that means business – bright, tough, and versatile; it’s like having a mini lighthouse strapped to your handlebars. Whether you’re dodging potholes or lighting up the path ahead, this trusty gadget is a must-have for any cyclist.Reasons to buy+Solid build quality+Multiple lighting modes+Can be used as a handheld torch+Easy to mount/unmount+Long battery lifeReasons to avoid-Quick charge feature would be nice-Non-removable, rechargeable battery will lose performance over timeWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveCyclingKnog Blinder 900 Front Bike Light review: torch and goKnog’s Blinder 900 redefines brilliance on and off the bikeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe Knog Blinder 900 is a bike light that means business – bright, tough, and versatile; it’s like having a mini lighthouse strapped to your handlebars. Whether you’re dodging potholes or lighting up the path ahead, this trusty gadget is a must-have for any cyclist.Reasons to buy+Solid build quality+Multiple lighting modes+Can be used as a handheld torch+Easy to mount/unmount+Long battery lifeReasons to avoid-Quick charge feature would be nice-Non-removable, rechargeable battery will lose performance over timeWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Knog’s Blinder 900 redefines brilliance on and off the bike
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe Knog Blinder 900 is a bike light that means business – bright, tough, and versatile; it’s like having a mini lighthouse strapped to your handlebars. Whether you’re dodging potholes or lighting up the path ahead, this trusty gadget is a must-have for any cyclist.Reasons to buy+Solid build quality+Multiple lighting modes+Can be used as a handheld torch+Easy to mount/unmount+Long battery lifeReasons to avoid-Quick charge feature would be nice-Non-removable, rechargeable battery will lose performance over time
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
T3 VerdictThe Knog Blinder 900 is a bike light that means business – bright, tough, and versatile; it’s like having a mini lighthouse strapped to your handlebars. Whether you’re dodging potholes or lighting up the path ahead, this trusty gadget is a must-have for any cyclist.Reasons to buy+Solid build quality+Multiple lighting modes+Can be used as a handheld torch+Easy to mount/unmount+Long battery lifeReasons to avoid-Quick charge feature would be nice-Non-removable, rechargeable battery will lose performance over time
T3 VerdictThe Knog Blinder 900 is a bike light that means business – bright, tough, and versatile; it’s like having a mini lighthouse strapped to your handlebars. Whether you’re dodging potholes or lighting up the path ahead, this trusty gadget is a must-have for any cyclist.
T3 Verdict
The Knog Blinder 900 is a bike light that means business – bright, tough, and versatile; it’s like having a mini lighthouse strapped to your handlebars. Whether you’re dodging potholes or lighting up the path ahead, this trusty gadget is a must-have for any cyclist.
Reasons to buy+Solid build quality+Multiple lighting modes+Can be used as a handheld torch+Easy to mount/unmount+Long battery lifeReasons to avoid-Quick charge feature would be nice-Non-removable, rechargeable battery will lose performance over time
Reasons to buy+Solid build quality+Multiple lighting modes+Can be used as a handheld torch+Easy to mount/unmount+Long battery life
Solid build quality
Multiple lighting modes
Can be used as a handheld torch
Easy to mount/unmount
Long battery life
Reasons to avoid-Quick charge feature would be nice-Non-removable, rechargeable battery will lose performance over time
Quick charge feature would be nice
Non-removable, rechargeable battery will lose performance over time
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Jump to category:Price and availabilitySpecificationsDesign and build qualityPerformanceBatter lifeShould you buy it?Verdict
Jump to category:Price and availabilitySpecificationsDesign and build qualityPerformanceBatter lifeShould you buy it?Verdict
Knog Blinder 900 Front Bike Light deals
$84.95View$139.95View
$84.95View
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$84.95View
$84.95
$84.95
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$139.95View
$139.95View
$139.95
$139.95
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Knog recently rebrandedand released a slew of new products, including the electric bike-optimised Blinder E-Range and the long-lasting Blinder X-Range. All of these are based on the brand’s iconic Blinder lights, which are the subject of this review.
The Knog Blinder 900 is one of thebest bike lights, offering a maximum of 900-lumen light output, various lighting modes, easy mounting, and more. Better still, thanks to its rectangular form factor, it doubles up as ahandheld torchwhen you’re off the bike!
I love Knog’s brand identity and have used its smaller Frog lights for years. Upgrading to Blinder 900, which isn’t even the most powerful light in the series, felt like going from a ’70s Raleigh bike to a full-spec 2020s Specialized. Better still, it’s easy to mount and, as I mentioned above, can be used off-bike as a flashlight.
What’s not to like? Read my Knog Blinder 900 Front Bike Light review below to see if this is indeed the best illumination gadget ever invented for cyclists.
Knog Blinder 900 Front Bike Light review
Price and availability
The original Blinder was launched over two decades ago, with the tested Knog Blinder 900 being the latest iteration of the lights. It currently sells for $79.95/ £79.99/ AU$129.95 atKnog.
Knog offers free delivery on its products when you hit a certain threshold, which is $100/ £100/ AU$100 in the US/ UK/ AU.
The Blinder series goes from 600 (Blinder 600) to 2,300 (Blinder X 2300). The Blinder 900 is the second ‘weakest’ model, so to speak, when it comes to maximum light output.
Specifications
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Design and build quality
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Knog Blinder 900 boasts a beautifully crafted CNC-machined 6061 aluminium housing, offering robust support for the integrated polycarbonate optics. Its four LEDs are arranged in a 2x2 configuration, with two featuring spot optics and the other two equipped with wide-angle elements.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Blinder 900 weighs 167g/ 5.9oz and measures 110mm in length, 27mm in width, and 27mm in height. With an IP67 rating, it is designed to withstand rainy conditions, and Knog specifies an operating temperature range of -20 to 50 °C, making it suitable for year-round use.
The company supplies two mounting options: a flexible silicone strap that wraps around your handlebar and aGoPro-esque plastic mount that allows you to affix the Blinder 900 to the bottom of your cycling computer. The latter certainly provides a better aerodynamic advantage.
Performance
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Knog Blinder 900 is remarkably straightforward to mount and operate. The silicone mount, which I used most of the time during testing, can be affixed to your handlebar in a matter of seconds. Then, all you have to do is press the Blinder 900 into the cradle, and you’re ready to go.
It’s worth mentioning that the light need to be pressed into the cradle hard to ensure it stays put during your rides. You’ll hear a click when it’s in position.
The light output is more than sufficient for anything but riding in pitch-black conditions. Thanks to the four-LED setup, the spread of light is near-perfect and covers a big enough area to help you feel safe on the road.
It’s really hard to find any flaws in the Blinder 900. I initially thought that the silicone strap might break sooner than the light itself, but you canbuy replacementsfor peanuts, so that’s not a big issue.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Another issue – I’m splitting hairs here – is the rechargeable battery. It’s environmentally friendly to use rechargeable batteries, of course, but their performance deteriorates over time, whereas swappable battery lights can maintain their light performance for longer.
Needless to say, this is very theoretical, as bike lights with swappable batteries also deteriorate over time. In my opinion, the Blinder 900’s rechargeable battery is still a better option.
One of my favourite features of the Blinder 900 is that it can also function as a flashlight. I often used it as such when I was looking for my keys or when I was undoing the bicycle lock. It fits perfectly in the hand and operates exactly the same way as handheld torches. The Knog Blinder 900 really is two lights in one!
Batter life
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Knog Blinder 900 offers an impressive maximum battery life of 120 hours in Eco Flash mode, delivering a 130-lumen output that is ideal for daytime visibility.
Personally, I favoured the Steady Pulse mode, which provides a balanced 450-lumen output. This mode effectively bridges the gap between continuous and strobe settings, ensuring both enhanced visibility for the rider and increased conspicuity to oncoming traffic. The Blinder 900 can operate for up to eight hours in this mode.
The High Steady mode, with its powerful 900-lumen output, lives up to the light’s name, making it highly effective for early morning or late-night rides. However, in this mode, the Blinder 900’s battery life is limited to a few hours on a full charge.
Should you buy the Knog Blinder 900?
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
You absolutely should buy the Knog Blinder 900, yes. It’s affordable, doubles up as a handheld torch, and is well-built. Light output and battery life are on point, and it’s also easy to operate the light. Highly recommended!
Verdict
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Knog Blinder 900 is an outstanding bike light that lives up to its reputation, offering a powerful 900-lumen output, versatile lighting modes, and a robust, well-crafted design. Its ease of use and dual functionality as both a bike light and handheld torch make it a valuable investment for cyclists.
While the rechargeable battery might raise concerns about longevity compared to swappable batteries, its performance remains impressive, especially with a maximum battery life of 120 hours in Eco Flash mode. Overall, the Knog Blinder 900 is a highly recommended, reliable, and versatile lighting solution for any cyclist.
Knog Blinder 900 Front Bike Light: Price Comparison
$84.95View$139.95View
$84.95View
$84.95View
$84.95View
$84.95
$84.95
$139.95View
$139.95View
$139.95View
$139.95
$139.95
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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