Best rear light

Oct 20, 16 11:30

Post #1 of 46 (11447 views)

So, as the days gets shorter, I was thinking about putting a blinking rear light on my rig, to avoid (to some extend) to get knocked over.

Any advice here on a cheapish well-working blinker here? (except the obvious "dont put lights on a race bike")

T

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 11:35

Post #2 of 46 (11437 views)

This one is ridiculously awesome https://www.amazon.com/...00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 12:09

Post #3 of 46 (11411 views)

I like the usb rechargeable ones that can fit on a variety of seapost shapes and have good vis from back and side. I've both of these types
A)Cateye Rapid X2. Very brigt. Excelent quality. Very long battery life.
B) Also bought a few much cheaper ones for less used bikes from Aliexpress which are surprisingly bright, with decent battery life and have lasted well even in heavy rain.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/5-LED-Bicycle-Cycling-Tail-USB-Rechargeable-Red-Warning-Light-Bike-Rear-Safety-88373/32717032188.html

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 12:19

Post #4 of 46 (11396 views)

Axiom Pulse 60 - recommended on a recent thread. I'm happy with it, bright, keeps a charge, easy mount and cheap. On sale for $30 here:

http://www.performancebike.com/...052_10551_1132451_-1___

ETA - I'm wearing it running now too as the clip secures it easily to a very light reflective vest and it doesn't bounce. Easy to switch back and forth

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 12:25

Post #5 of 46 (11384 views)

I use it on my bike as well as when running at night(use 2 of them: front and back). Uses 2 AAA, It has options to just blink or pulse.
Portland Design Works Radbot 1000 Tail Light
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030BS30K/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=6G1CH977W56M&coliid=IUEXPX2ER0T8L&psc=1

Re: Best rear light [baliman] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 12:52

Post #6 of 46 (11361 views)

Right - just got this one from Spanish Amazon. Looks just the same as yours Baliman, but different name:

https://www.amazon.es/Sidiou-Group-bicicletas-recargable-advertencia/dp/B019O9QPIS/ref=sr_1_36?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1476992844&sr=1-36&keywords=luces+de+bicicleta+trasera

thanks !!! T

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 12:56

Post #7 of 46 (11353 views)

This does not satisfy the "cheapish" requirement by any stretch of the imagination but to me it was worth every penny. Two of the bikes on which I use it cost less than this light.

http://store.dinottelighting.com/new-quad-red-taillight-with-built-in-battery-p111.aspx

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 13:28

Post #8 of 46 (11313 views)

Mulen wrote:

So, as the days gets shorter, I was thinking about putting a blinking rear light on my rig, to avoid (to some extend) to get knocked over.

Any advice here on a cheapish well-working blinker here? (except the obvious "dont put lights on a race bike")

T

I have had the NiteRider Solas 2 for the last 4-5 years now I think, Maybe it has only been 3-4. In that time, the only thing I did was buy a second for back up purposes:

Quick and Dirty

1) Super bright 2-watt LED (have been stopped by a few cars telling me thank you for being so visible)
2) Rechargeable
3) Nite-rider (I have not had to use their customer service to often, but when I have they have been great)

Save: $50 on Speed Hound Recovery Boots | $20 on Air Relax| $100 on Normatec| 15% on Most Absorbable Magnesium

Blogs: Best CHEAP Zwift / Bike Trainer Desk | Theragun G3 vs $140 Bivi Percussive Massager | Normatec Pulse 2.0 vs Normatec Pulse | Speed Hound vs Normatec | Air Relax vs Normatec | Q1 2018 Blood Test Results | | Why HED JET+ Is The BEST value wheelset

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 13:46

Post #9 of 46 (11294 views)

I'll 2nd the "not cheapish" but hella awesome of the Dinotte Quad Red. Our household has a pair of them and we run them in the day time too...even on the race bikes.

36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 13:57

Post #10 of 46 (11274 views)

Well, I have a Design Shine DS-500 and swear by it. It is unbelievably bright. Sadly, I don't think they are being made anymore. If they ever go back into production I will buy another.

Hillary Trout
San Luis Obispo, CA

Your trip is short. Make the most of it.
https://www.slogoing.net/

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 14:37

Post #11 of 46 (11236 views)

Dinotte...pricey but worth it.

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 15:02

Post #12 of 46 (11215 views)

Look for the highest Lumen light in your range. I bought two rear lights recently:

Lezyne Strip Drive 25 lumens - Bought it for my Speed concept and attaches nicely to the seat post.
http://www.lezyne.com/product-led-sport-striprear.php#.WAk-g_krI-U

But it doesn't hold a candle to the Bontrager Flare R I bought with 65 Lumens
http://www.trekbikes.com/...-tail-light/p/13202/

The Flare R is very bright and I turn it down one level for at night.

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 15:10

Post #13 of 46 (11211 views)

Some considerations:

Blinking is more attention getting than a solid light.
However, a fast blink is perceived as a solid light because of the time bright lights can "linger" in your vision.
I've also heard that blinking is better with impaired drivers as they tend to go toward solid lights (Not sure of the source).

When you're looking at lights in the store, do not be dazzled by the fancy strobing patterns.

Look for something that marches out a nice deliberate cadence and can be seen from a wide viewing angle.
Turn the light on and walk away from it, Look at it from the side and different angles.
Don't just hold it in front of your face, blasting from 1 foot away.

This is a cool concept, synchronized blinking, from a local guy.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/338547426/synchronized-wireless-bicycle-lights-arsenal-cycli

I talk a lot - Give it a listen: http://www.fasttalklabs.com/category/fast-talk
I also give Training Advice via http://www.ForeverEndurance.com

The above poster has eschewed traditional employment and is currently undertaking the ill-conceived task of launching his own hardgoods company. Statements are not made on behalf of nor reflective of anything in any manner... unless they're good, then they count.
http://www.AGNCYINNOVATION.com

Re: Best rear light [xtrpickels] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 15:23

Post #14 of 46 (11203 views)

I am in the U.K. So maybe what we can source over here is different / irrelevant.

The type I have is made my 'smart' and they have a slow pulse mode, they kind of throb ... lol

I parked the bike up in the street and went through all the modes and viewed from a distance. The pulse is really good and eye catching but without being blinding. I think it gives your eyes time to adjust to the brightness (they are bright !) rather than just being dazzled by a sudden strobe style flash.

My lights have two LED's in each light and I run two lights running up the back of my seat post.

I use them on my MTB which has a round post - not sure how they would adapt to mount on an aero post but I guess that problem is reasonably common across a range of lights ?

WD :-)

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 15:27

Post #15 of 46 (11200 views)

For a reasonable and cheap light: http://www.ebay.com/...7:g:trQAAOSwLzdWSZxV

-Low profile
-Will fit on aero seatposts (I use it on a Shiv)
-USB rechargable
-15 lumens (not the brightest, but highly visible if not in full daylight)

I have a 40 lumen blackburn flea that I used to clip on my jersey, but it tends to point more up than back, so now it's my running blinker.

ECMGN Therapy Silicon Valley:
Depression, Neurocognitive problems, Dementias (Testing and Evaluation), Trauma and PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Re: Best rear light [xtrpickels] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 16:32

Post #16 of 46 (11166 views)

xtrpickels wrote:

Some considerations:

Blinking is more attention getting than a solid light.
However, a fast blink is perceived as a solid light because of the time bright lights can "linger" in your vision.
I've also heard that blinking is better with impaired drivers as they tend to go toward solid lights (Not sure of the source).

When you're looking at lights in the store, do not be dazzled by the fancy strobing patterns.

Look for something that marches out a nice deliberate cadence and can be seen from a wide viewing angle.
Turn the light on and walk away from it, Look at it from the side and different angles.
Don't just hold it in front of your face, blasting from 1 foot away.

This is a cool concept, synchronized blinking, from a local guy.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/338547426/synchronized-wireless-bicycle-lights-arsenal-cycli [/quote[/url]]

I disagree about the blinking. I have a couple of rear lights. One on my helmet and one on the seatpost. Both are random blinking. I've received comments from fellow cyclists and even a couple of motorists have commented that they are really good to see.

Regular blinking, fast or slow doesn't matter, very quickly they get ignored by motorists as 'noise', whereas a random blink tends to attract their attention more.

TriDork

"Happiness is a myth. All you can hope for is to get laid once in a while, drunk once in a while and to eat chocolate every day"

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 20, 16 17:19

Post #17 of 46 (11128 views)

I'm a big fan of the PDW Danger Zone:

https://ridepdw.com/collections/lights/products/danger-zone

which runs off two AAAs for me, but you can now get as USB-rechargeable too. Thought I'd mention it since nobody has yet.

Also, +1 for any and all Dinotte lights.

I race duathlons and like it.

Re: Best rear light [Alex E] [ In reply to ]

Oct 21, 16 6:32

Post #18 of 46 (10996 views)

I'm a big fan of

http://www.orfos.bike

Started as a Kickstarter in 2014.

I have 2 .....Crazy bright

JW

Re: Best rear light [CDriver] [ In reply to ]

Oct 21, 16 6:47

Post #19 of 46 (10983 views)

Does the Flare R attach to the Speed Concept seat post okay?

Re: Best rear light [McNabb] [ In reply to ]

Oct 21, 16 6:59

Post #20 of 46 (10966 views)

McNabb wrote:

Does the Flare R attach to the Speed Concept seat post okay?

No, it has a rounded / small clamp. Unfortunate too because it's such a good light

Re: Best rear light [Mulen] [ In reply to ]

Oct 21, 16 7:01

Post #21 of 46 (10967 views)

It is impossible not to be noted with this one.

Re: Best rear light [CDriver] [ In reply to ]

Oct 21, 16 7:12

Post #22 of 46 (10955 views)

Do you just end up not using it on that bike? Or have you hacked something together to get it on and working?

I have heard great things about this light and it is on the list to pick up, but frustrating it doesn't work on the SC. I do ride my road bike a lot outside so it will just clip on there without issue, but would be great to have a single solution for all my bikes.

Re: Best rear light [McNabb] [ In reply to ]

Oct 21, 16 7:40

Post #23 of 46 (10932 views)

Actually, yes, there are two ways to do it...depending on which vintage FlareR you have/get.

The original FlareR came with what we call the Sync mounting bracket, which can be hacked to mount directly to the rear reflector mount that comes with the bike. In the pic below, the Sync bracket is shown (just barely) stretching around the post with a Flare1 attached and a hacked bracket is shown just to the left (below) that, attached to the reflector mount:

The Sync bracket is also available separately as PN 418921 (MSRP ~$7). I have several of these mounts, so I can leave my SC and Emonda front&rear light-ready at all times and just pop the lights on and off depending on what I'm riding.

The current FlareR ships with a different band that isn't hackable like the Sync was. You can, however, get PN 418932 from your Trek dealer, which is a rack/chainstay light mount compatible with the FlareR. MSRP is about $2, and it can be hacked in a similar manner to the Sync mount such that you're bolting directly to that same reflector mount...just in a different way.

Here's another pic...slightly different bracket than 418932, but I think it gets the idea across:

Carl Matson

Re: Best rear light [Carl] [ In reply to ]

Oct 21, 16 9:01

Post #24 of 46 (10879 views)

Thanks for all of the details Carl! Really helpful.

Re: Best rear light [tridork] [ In reply to ]

Oct 21, 16 9:12

Post #25 of 46 (10870 views)

tridork wrote:

I disagree about the blinking. I have a couple of rear lights. One on my helmet and one on the seatpost. Both are random blinking. I've received comments from fellow cyclists and even a couple of motorists have commented that they are really good to see.

Regular blinking, fast or slow doesn't matter, very quickly they get ignored by motorists as 'noise', whereas a random blink tends to attract their attention more.

I also like the random blinking for a single light. But the regular synchronized blinking of the lights pickles posted is awesome. I didn't think it was such a big deal until I was on a pre-dawn ride with the developer of those lights. I contributed to the kickstarter that day.

Our Partners

transition-DOT-area-AT-slowtwitch-DOT-com

Advertise with us

©1999-2024 Slowtwitch, Inc., and Slowtwitch.com
Reproduction of material from any Slowtwitch.com page
without written permission is strictly prohibited.