Redshift is best known for its vibration-damping Shockstop stems and seatposts. Today, the brand is officially launching a smart pedal with integrated LEDs to improve rider visibility. Read on for details and our review of these smart pedals.
The Redshift Arclight pedals feature front and rear-facing LED lights that cast a 360-degree field of light around the rider, enhancing rider visibility from all angles. It's well established that reflective accents, bright colors, and lights in positions of motion, such as on the rider's shoes, socks, or pedals do a significantly better job of alerting motorists to the presence of a cyclist than static lights on a seatpost or handlebar.
Studies conducted by Clemson University have concluded that vulnerable road users (VRUs) benefit greatly from lights that identify them specifically as cyclists and pedestrians. According to one such study, lights that highlight the natural movement of the body in various methods of locomotion, known as bio-motion, are associated with up to a 57% increase in visibility compared to standard front and rear lights.
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Lights and reflectors integrated into bike pedals are nothing new. What makes the Arclight pedals stand out, and what makes them "smart" pedals, is the use of rechargeable LED lights that know their orientation in order to emit white (front) or red (rear) light. Motion sensors detect movement and automatically turn the lights on and off.
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Button's on the side of each LED pod allow the user to select between steady, flash, and eco flash modes. Run times are 3, 11, and 36 hours, respectively. Redshift also makes magnetic brackets for the Arclight light modules that allow them to function as headlights and taillights.
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The LED light pods are housed in the pedal body with magnets and can be easily removed for charging. Redshift includes a four-port USB charging station with each set of pedals.
Redshift Arclight Pedal Review
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I spent several weeks testing the Arclight pedals on my e-cargo bike. The Arclight pedals weigh in at 700-grams per pair with the lights installed, which is approximately 210 grams heavier than the Shimano XT flat pedals they replaced. While far from light, the Arclight pedals are not intended for performance road and gravel bikes—though I would love to see this technology integrated into such pedals in the future.
The aluminum pedal bodies are sturdy and the magnetic light modules are easy to install and remove for charging. The pedals worked as advertised. It took a few pedal strokes to wake the pedals before the lights kicked on, but no matter how many times I flipped the pedals around, they always knew which way was up, and thus, which side was facing front or rear. The ability to easily remove the light modules from the pedal bodies to change them at the office or overnight makes them incredibly convenient.
My only complaint about these pedals is the lack of grip on the pedal body itself. It's adequate for most excursions, but I'd prefer taller pins for wet and snowy commutes. I may add strips of grip tape to the center of the pedal body to improve traction.
Redshift Arclight Pedal Bottom Line
I can't say if the bio-motion created by these pedals improved my visibility by 57-percent as some studies claim. The biggest compliment I can give the Arclight pedals is that during testing I came away with the distinct impression that motorists gave me more space while passing. At $139.99 per pair, the Arclight pedals aren't cheap, and the lights built into the pedals don't negate the need for a steady headlight when navigating dark streets, but this is a worthy upgrade for any cyclist who wants to improve their visibility—during the day and especially at night.
Studies conducted by Clemson University have concluded that vulnerable road users (VRUs) benefit greatly from lights that identify them specifically as cyclists and pedestrians. According to one such study, lights that highlight the natural movement of the body in various methods of locomotion, known as bio-motion, are associated with up to a 57% increase in visibility compared to standard front and rear lights.
Redshift Arclight Pedal Review
The aluminum pedal bodies are sturdy and the magnetic light modules are easy to install and remove for charging. The pedals worked as advertised. It took a few pedal strokes to wake the pedals before the lights kicked on, but no matter how many times I flipped the pedals around, they always knew which way was up, and thus, which side was facing front or rear. The ability to easily remove the light modules from the pedal bodies to change them at the office or overnight makes them incredibly convenient.
My only complaint about these pedals is the lack of grip on the pedal body itself. It's adequate for most excursions, but I'd prefer taller pins for wet and snowy commutes. I may add strips of grip tape to the center of the pedal body to improve traction.
Redshift Arclight Pedal Bottom Line
I can't say if the bio-motion created by these pedals improved my visibility by 57-percent as some studies claim. The biggest compliment I can give the Arclight pedals is that during testing I came away with the distinct impression that motorists gave me more space while passing. At $139.99 per pair, the Arclight pedals aren't cheap, and the lights built into the pedals don't negate the need for a steady headlight when navigating dark streets, but this is a worthy upgrade for any cyclist who wants to improve their visibility—during the day and especially at night.
