Kryptonite Avenue F-100 COB

The Kryptonite Avenue F-100 COB front light is a six-mode 100-lumen light with a tough build and better output than the numbers suggest.

• Pros: Bright, good value, decent run-times
• Cons: Side windows can be obscured by your hands

Thanks to the chip-on-board (COB) assembly pattern, which allows more diodes to share the same space, it's adequate in the highest steady setting for well-lit, shorter distance town riding. The rows of tiny chips crammed together on the same circuit board, combined with the decent wraparound lens, result in a bright, pure arc of light.

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While superficially generous, the side-windows offer reasonable peripheral bleed on a flat bar but can be obscured by your hands on the hoods of a drop bar.

There are two 100-lumen modes, 'high steady' and daylight pulse. Sandwiched in between are four others, which in my view are sensibly chosen. Medium steady is 50 lumens, night time pulse 60/20 lumens, low steady 20 lumens and finally economic flash, which is also 20 lumens.

Steady performance

Output in the high steady is impressive, better than Moon's similarly powerful Comet. It'll also manage this for almost two hours – great for those (thankfully rare) occasions when I've had a main light fail.

In an emergency/out of town it's good enough to squint home on, and with just enough bite for map/sign reading, but crucially other vehicles and riders seemed to acknowledge me from about 80 metres, maybe 100 on clear nights on unlit, rural roads.

Medium steady is also very bright, superior to Moon's Crescent (in the latter's highest mode). I've had 4hrs 28mins from a full charge, which could be a godsend if you're a long way from home, or just fancied conserving reserves when riding along shared-use paths.

The low steady's 20 lumens isn't particularly impressive but it's a far cry from some filament front lights I used 20-odd years back. It's not something I'd use save for dire emergencies, but in those contexts I'd be very glad of it and the 11 hours 9 minutes it glowed for. And traffic and pedestrians picked me out at 20-30 metres.

Daylight pulse

I'm not sure 100 lumens is optimum for a daylight mode, especially on lighter days, but I've appreciated it on grey, cloudy afternoons. I seemed to register on most people's radars at 150 metres, falling to 100 in built-up districts. Its frugal 9 hours' run-time matched that quoted.

Night-time pulse

The night-time pulse is a new but growing trend, here comprising a steady 20 and pulsing 70 lumens. I was a bit sceptical to begin with, but these are growing on me. Other riders reckoned they could pick me out at 200 metres along the lanes, and some friends in cars suggested further still, even on moderately overcast nights. I found it really effective at dusk, when tackling roundabouts or entering the flow of traffic.

This mode will return a good 7hrs plus, more than adequate for dynamo pairings on a dusk-til-dawn ride, although in some situations, such as slow-moving town centre traffic, I've slipped to eco-flash. This is 20 lumens and, for me at least, hits the sweet-spot between assertion and economy. Kryptonite says it'll last 22hrs 30mins; I've yet to call its bluff, but on the strength of the other settings, I'd say you stand a sporting chance of it delivering.

If reserves do run low, at 10% the system automatically defaults to the lowest setting, which is a godsend should you be out longer than planned or forget to charge up.

Charging

Charge times are cited as 2hrs 30mins when fully depleted. Our sample seemed fully juiced around 2hrs 15mins. The switch-cum-charge indicator flicks from solid red to green when done.

Switch

That switch is a nigh-on pancake flat, rubberised square, a little tricky to locate in gloved hands but otherwise intuitive and positive enough to prevent unwanted engagements.

Press for two seconds to power up (and down). Subsequent nudges cruise through the six settings, and a memory mode defaults to your last choice.

Mounting

The F-100 can be mounted either vertically or horizontally, depending on your preference or competing handlebar clutter.

Its bracket – a simple 'watch strap' design – achieves excellent, strain-free tenure across the full zodiac of handlebar diameters, or indeed the frame's head tube. With a bit of luck and lateral thought, helmet mounting is also possible.

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I've had no problems with vibration, let alone more obvious movement, whether hustling through pock-marked high streets or, paired with a high power/dynamo setup, speeding through deserted lanes.

It's also easily whipped off when parking in the street, so remember to take it with you...

Water resistance

I can also confirm the light is water resistant. I've had no problems leaving it in-situ while giving bikes a sudsy bucket wash – just be sure that the port plug is fully seated after charging.

Conclusion

All told, the F-100 offers a decent blend of performance, economy and modes for most contexts and at a decent price. The lower settings are perfectly adequate for overcast days or wedded to a main light, though the side windows aren't as effective as their size suggests.

Defaulting to eco flash could be enough for a fortnight's middle distance commuting between charges or, at the other extreme, marathon all-nighters.

Verdict

Competitively priced, competent front light with decent run-times