Price: $159.99
Weight: 193g (217g with mount)
Dimensions: 117.4 L x 31.2 W x 40.3 H (mm)
Lumens: 1000 high, 500 low, and 300 flashing
Modes: 3 (high, low, and daytime flashing)
Battery runtime (per company): high 1000LM — 1.5hrs, low 500LM — 3hrs, day flash 300 LM — 12hrs
Waterproof rating: IPX4
Availability: Online and retail
Obtained by: Company sample
RBR advertiser: No
New Kindbeam Eliminates Blinding Oncoming Drivers and Cyclists
Trek launched its new Commuter Pro RT light in late 2022 with a new feature called Kindbeam. The light uses a lens and reflector to direct the beam toward the ground, thus preventing it from shining up. As a result, it avoids blinding oncoming drivers or cyclists, making it ideal for commuting, multi-use paths, and MTB trails.
The other night, I tested how well the Kindbeam worked against several other bike lights I had lying around the house. I mounted each light on the handlebars and shined it against a wall in the distance to see exactly where the beam was focused. Then I also walked toward the beam to see if it blinded me. The Trek Commuter Pro RT’ Kindbeam worked. As part of my testing, I closely monitored the beam while riding a local path at night. It was easy to see how it didn’t shine upward into the eyes of oncoming cyclists or drivers.
The light has three settings, high (1000 LM), low (500 LM), and daytime flash (300 LM). The company boasts a runtime of 1.5 hrs at high, 3 hours when using day flash, but I had difficulty replicating those times. Unfortunately, my usage times fell short. I’m unsure if it was the cold temperatures I was riding in, the light’s design, or a combination of the two.
Other Cool Features
In addition to the Kindbeam, the light’s USB-C charging port supports chargeback. This means you can use it as an auxiliary charging device for your phone or cycling computer by using a cable to connect the device to the light for on-the-go extended battery life.
If you use the Trek Flare RT rear light (I highly recommend this light, see review here), you can pair it with the Commuter PRO RT. Then use one button to turn on the front and rear lights. Also situated on top of the Commuter PRO RT is a dual “fuel gauge” that displays the available battery life for the light and the paired tail light.
Properly Mount the Light
The light comes with a handlebar mounting bracket that uses a thumb screw to tighten/loosen the mount around the handlebars. Make sure when the light is mounted, it is level with the ground and does not point up; otherwise, it will defeat the purpose of the Kindbeam.
After sliding the light onto the mounting bracket, I noticed some play to the light. I would like to see Trek improve on the mounting bracket in the future to create a more solid connection.
If you currently use a Trek BlendR mount that holds a cycling computer on top and the light underneath to save cockpit space, it won’t work with this light. When mounting the light this way, you must flip it upside down. With any other light, this wouldn’t matter, but with the Commuter PRO RT, the Kindbeam would shine up, defeating the purpose of the design.
Trek’s website shows a new BlendR mount that orientates the light correctly. This is an optional purchase, and while it is on their website, I couldn’t find pricing or a complete description.
What’s in the Box
The Commuter Pro RT light includes:
- Light
- Adjustable hard mount
- USB-C charging cable
Bottom Line
The new Trek Commuter PRO RT’s Kindbeam is an excellent concept and will probably become a standard on many bike lights. Seeing the road or trail without blinding oncoming drivers or riders is not only the “kind” thing to do but also safer. The two areas where I feel Trek can improve are the battery life and reducing the side-to-side “play” on the mount. So while a typical bike commute is under an hour, and the battery life on any of the three settings will get you there safely, you’ll still probably need to recharge the light before you head home if using the high beam.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.
Loose mount and rattling… My NiteRider lights rattle badly, but I love the beam! In once case, not only did it rattle but one actually rattled loose onto the street! Looking at the pic of the Trek mount, I see the same solution works. I cut a rubber band out of a flatted inner tube. (If you are tubeless, your closest bike shop should have a dumpster full of them!) “Wrap” the release tab to the light with the band. SILENCE!, and it adds perhaps two seconds to the mount/dismount process.
We use headlights as daytime run lights. If they point towards the ground that defeats the purpose of using them.
Sheri I’m thrilled you are recommending this light with it’s ‘top beam cutoff’. I know this term because I bought a Busch & Muller light over 20 years ago that does this reflector-aimed trick. This company’s lights are still improving and still for sale. I think Peter White Cycles is still the exclusive US seller. So, just to have some comparison products: https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/b&m.php