Specialized Stix Elite 2 Head and Tail Lights
Specialized Stix Elite 2 Lights. Bright daytime running lights that you don’t notice are there! Pete Christensen gives us his view.
Using lights on your bike during the day is becoming much more common. And with good reason as even on the sunniest day all it takes is some shade and you are less visible to motorists. A good light, be it flashing or always on, is a sensible precaution. And they are also compulsory now in all time-trials in the UK, both front and back.
Something that’s less important than safety – but still important! – is not having your very-cool-bike look less cool by sticking big ugly lights on it! And that’s where Specialized Stix come in.
Specialized Stix Elite 2 Features
Each one is just 28x60mm and 17mm deep. Yet they produce 100 lumens on “always on”, or 200 lumens in “power flash” mode, that’s bright! I’ll confess I have no way to validate the 200 lumen claim, but I can assure you these are plenty bright enough to be seen in the shadows; even by that motorist in sunglasses.
Claimed running time in “power flash” mode is 10hrs. I’d say that’s a bit ambitious, but not by much. I ran mine down in around 8hrs. They charge by plugging straight into a USB port, no cable needed.
Mounting options
And these things have flexible mounting options that will blend in with your bike, and not draw attention to themselves; except for their bright light of course! Here’s my Handsling A1R0evo road bike with the lights mounted as an example.
The rear light is mounted upside down on a d-shaped post using the standard rubber-band-style mount that’s included. It holds firm, no moving around the side of the post mid ride.
The front light is mounted around the headset spacers. Specialized sell an additional mount that replaces a standard spacer, however that won’t work with an integrated cable spacer like those on my A1R0evo. I’ve instead used the Aero Mount (just a slightly longer version of the standard mount) with the light once again upside down. You could also put it horizontal on the bars, but I just prefer it here.
How about on a TT bike?
Well, here’s my Cervelo P2. There’s a few places the front light could go, but I’ve gone for the riser block under the ski bars (again, using the aero mount). For the rear, I’ve used another Specialized add on, a SWAT saddle mount. But note this will only work with certain Specialized saddles.
Now, I haven’t wind tunnel tested these, but they pass the eye test, don’t they? I also pop these on to my commuter bike during the winter (combined with a “light the way” style light on my helmet). So I’m really getting the most out of my investment.
Which is good, as the only downside to these lights is the price. Each Stix Elite 2 (front or rear) has an RRP of £40. That includes a standard mount, but the aero, headset & saddle mounts are all an extra £8 each. As an alternative, there is also the Stix Combo Light which is a more reasonable £32. Or £55 for a pair. They look nearly identical to the Elite 2, but only make it to 100 lumens in power flash mode.
In conclusion
So, the Specialized Stix Elite 2: If you want a light that is both bright and unobtrusive, these are a good buy. Consider the amount you’ve likely spent on your road bike, or all that aero equipment for your time trailing and maybe a few extra £s on some good lights is justified.
Specialized Stix Elite 2 Headlight
Specialized Stix Elite 2 Taillight
Specialized Stix Saddle Mount:
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