2016 Lights Shootout

The Fenix BC21R sports good construction.

The Fenix BC21R sports good construction (click to enlarge).​

Editor's Note: This article is part of Mtbr and RoadBikeReview's 2016 Bike Lights Shootout. See the 2016 Mtbr Headlights Index and the RoadBikeReview Commuter Lights Index.

The Lowdown: Fenix BC21R

The Fenix is a self-contained light from Fenix claiming 880 Lumens for an affordable price of $80. It features a field replaceable battery, thus allowing the rider as much run time as needed by carrying spare 18650 lithium batteries.

There is red side lighting available and there are cut-outs in the lens cap to give it good side visibility.

Additionally, Fenix prides itself in controlling the beam pattern well with a fairly distinct cut-off on the top and a secondary beam that illuminates the trail directly in front of the rider.

Claimed Lumens: 880 LumensMtbr Lux: 72
Measured Lumens: 750 LumensMounted weight: 155 grams
Lumens per $: 9.38 LumensCategory: Headlight
Lumens per gram: 4.84 LumensPrice: $80
Run time on high: 1:20 HoursRating:
4 Flamin' Chili Peppers
4.5 Chilis-out-of-5
Stat Box


Pluses

Minuses
  • Excellent brightness for the money at 9.38 Lumen/dollar
  • 750 measured Lumens doesn't match up to 880 claimed
  • Beam pattern is shaped very nicely
  • Light is bigger than the competition
  • Side visibility is very good
  • Forward center spot is not as bright as its peers
  • Mount is simple and is removable
  • Plastic body does not dissipate heat very well
  • Beam pattern has two spots with good color

Full Review: Fenix BC21R

The highlight of this light is the beam pattern. It's got a nice warm color that's not too white so it's easy to see shadows and trail contours.

More importantly, the beam is very well controlled. It has two spots, one that lights up the trail immediately ahead and one that reaches far ahead. Periphery is well lit with good spill at close range. Finally, the top is chopped off a little bit to conserve light from being wasted at the very top of the beam. It also allows the rider to avoid shining the top of the beam into drivers' eyes when commuting on the road.

Fenix BC21R has good heat sinking.

Fenix BC21R has good heat sinking (click to enlarge).​

Infinite battery is a good feature of this light, as it uses a standard 18650 lithium battery that is field replaceable. The battery is very easy to access with a removeable rear cap. This makes long rides a possibility well beyond the 1:20 run time at the highest setting. The rider simply needs to carry as many spare batteries as needed.

Continue to page 2 for more on the Fenix BC21R, the beam pattern and Lumen measurement »

The Fenix BC21R tapers towards the rear.

The Fenix BC21R tapers towards the rear (click to enlarge).​

Mounting is a solid affair with a removable rubber strap mount that can be rotated left to right. The mount can be removed easily when not needed and the cradle can be screwed off if the user wants to use this as a sleek flashlight.

Fenix BC21R Beam Pattern

Beam Pattern Photo

We photographed the lights in the same location setting with the same camera settings. The photo was taken in the back yard that is approximately 25 yards long. The backyard beam pattern allows you to gauge the throw and the width of the light. Compare all Beam Patterns here »

Integrating Sphere Measured Lumens

This light measured 750 Lumens in an integrating sphere. Claimed Lumens by the manufacturer is 880 Lumens. Compare all Lumen Tests here »

The weakness of this light is two-fold. One, it claims 880 Lumens but only puts out 750. The need to overstate its output is completely unnecessary since it's already very bright and competitive compared to the competition.

The other disadvantage is head dissipation is handled only by the small, silver metal ring near the lens of the light. The rest of the light body is plastic so it doesn't absorb and dissipate the heat. Sure it's always cool to the touch but a light this small should use more of the surface area to dissipate heat.

As a result, the light steps down to lower levels after about 5 minutes on high with no airflow. When the rider gets moving again, the light will not brighten itself automatically and the rider needs to switch it back on high mode.

It would be nice to get a helmet mount too but at its price, one can't complain too much since its already great value.

Fenix BC21R's weight of 155 grams is right on target with the competition.

Fenix BC21R's weight of 155 grams is right on target with the competition (click to enlarge).​

This light is an amazing value at $80 for 750 measured Lumens. The real highlight is the good construction and the highly refined beam pattern.

For more information visit www.fenixlight.com.

This article is part of Mtbr and RoadBikeReview's 2016 Bike Lights Shootout. See the 2016 Mtbr Headlights Index and the RoadBikeReview Commuter Lights Index.