Rear lights - what to look for?
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Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby wellington_street » Fri Apr 01, 2016 6:36 pm
in the market for a new rear light, mainly because I don't think my current light is visible enough. I see other riders out and about that seem a lot more visible than me, so I'd like to get something similar. Not sure what the current light is (bike not handy right now to check) but it was an el cheapo that came in the whole bike and accessories package.
I've had a look at a couple of reviews on this forum:
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=68319" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=64056" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and there is a real gulf in price. Would like some thoughts from those with a lot more experience - what should I be looking for in a rear light and what is value for money?
My night rides are generally quite short (max 1hr) and I ride a normal round seat post, not an aero post.
Thanks!
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby Storm Boy » Fri Apr 01, 2016 7:09 pm
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Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby Ferrovelo » Fri Apr 01, 2016 7:24 pm
I bought one for one of my riding buddies too, so when we're out and he's in front I can see how it compares to other lights. It claims 100 lumens and on its brightest setting I'd say it is much brighter than most others i see out on the road.
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby softy » Fri Apr 01, 2016 10:15 pm
I found a super good deal from a china website, it is a copy of the PDW (Portland Design Works) Danger zone, which is also very good but much dearer. The flash cycle is slightly different and only one mount comes instead of two. The china copy is $5.80 US, waterproof and 2 x 0.5watt LEDs. Very bright, you can buy two at that price and have lights flashing everywhere.......
see it here; http://www.lt-box.com/raypal-rpl-2230-2 ... eries.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby Ferrovelo » Sat Apr 02, 2016 5:56 pm
Here it is in action this morning.Ferrovelo wrote:I was recently looking into rear lights, after something nice and bright. I went with the leyzene strip drive pro and I'm very happy with it. Compact, rechargeable, reasonable price <$60.
I bought one for one of my riding buddies too, so when we're out and he's in front I can see how it compares to other lights. It claims 100 lumens and on its brightest setting I'd say it is much brighter than most others i see out on the road.
Taken from about 10m @about 20 degrees.
https://vimeo.com/161271365
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby AndrewCowley » Sat Apr 02, 2016 7:20 pm
http://www.pushys.com.au/cygolite-hotsh ... light.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
But do definitely research the crap out of your front light. A much more important decision. It has to be fit for your specific requirements. It's not worth over-spending on a rear light and use the money saved on your front light.
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Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby Ferrovelo » Sat Apr 02, 2016 8:25 pm
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby Mulger bill » Sat Apr 02, 2016 9:03 pm
+1 Don't be scared to go big.Ferrovelo wrote:I guess I see it a bit differently. I certainly wouldn't argue about getting a good front light, but I feel that I have at least some level of control about what happens in front of me, or at least how a respond to it. Behind, your light is the only way you can even hope to influence what goes on back there. Since getting this light which is much brighter than what I had previously, and possibly even bordering on 'rude' on high in the dark, I'm sure I have noticed cars hanging a little further back and giving me a wider berth.
I'm not one for a tight focus beam on the rear either. You want to throw red light around a wide arc, make yourself as "big" as possible.
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby Thoglette » Sun Apr 03, 2016 1:34 pm
+1Mulger bill wrote:I'm not one for a tight focus beam on the rear either. You want to throw red light around a wide arc, make yourself as "big" as possible.
Things like my Serfas Thunderbolt throw a wonderful wide beam (but battery life is 1.5 hrs on high/ 6 on low).
I also like my Portland Design works RADBOT with 2 x AAA. Not quite as wide and nowhere near as bright but many more hours of run time (about 12) and with batteries replaceable on the road.
And that's really the rub - run time vs arc/brightness vs battery size & cost. Either are good. Flashing is overrated (for reasons I won't get into here)
The main thing to look for is the ON SALE sign
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby il padrone » Sun Apr 03, 2016 1:53 pm
Don't overthink your rear light. Other things - notably your reflectives - can play a much, MUCH greater role in your road safety at night.Mulger bill wrote:+1 Don't be scared to go big.Ferrovelo wrote:I guess I see it a bit differently. I certainly wouldn't argue about getting a good front light, but I feel that I have at least some level of control about what happens in front of me, or at least how a respond to it. Behind, your light is the only way you can even hope to influence what goes on back there. Since getting this light which is much brighter than what I had previously, and possibly even bordering on 'rude' on high in the dark, I'm sure I have noticed cars hanging a little further back and giving me a wider berth.
I'm not one for a tight focus beam on the rear either. You want to throw red light around a wide arc, make yourself as "big" as possible.
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby Howzat » Sun Apr 03, 2016 2:10 pm
I no longer use blinkies with flashing patterns. They say "bike ahead, not real road user".
Cheap junk lights will fail on you when you're on the road, and you probably won't notice when they do.
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby Tim Mifsud » Sun Apr 03, 2016 4:10 pm
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby wellington_street » Fri Apr 08, 2016 8:43 pm
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby NhiTrac » Mon Apr 11, 2016 7:35 pm
One of the best rear lights I've ever used (in terms of throwing light down at the back) was the Niteflux Zone 4/8 series however after 3 warranty returns I gave up on the brand.
BMC Teammachine SLR01
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby softy » Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:43 pm
DON'T buy this light, the clip is taken off one of the moon lights cheap counterparts and breaks quite easily. If you look closely the plastic on the light is made out of different material to the clip. It may spec as high lumens but it has a very narrow beam and is not that cheap. I am not a fan of moon lights, tired many models, really china lights are better and heaps cheaper.wellington_street wrote:Saw the Moon 'Shield' in action the other night and it certainly does the job - very visible
Moon light don't like water.....
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby CKinnard » Mon Apr 11, 2016 11:05 pm
If you don't ride more than an hour in the dark, then going with something that has to be cabled externally would seem like overkill.
I'd suggest two 2 watt LED USB rechargeable tail lights. I have the cygolite hotshot and Echelon Sports Beacon. They've both been very reliable over the 3 years I've owned them.
I'd suggest wearing one on your seat post and another on your helmet.
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby softy » Tue Apr 12, 2016 9:39 pm
I do something like this too. Good advice.CKinnard wrote:IME, it's better to have two lights if you are on narrower roads with anything more than very light traffic. This makes you more visible earlier and gives a somewhat better indication to motorists of distance.
If you don't ride more than an hour in the dark, then going with something that has to be cabled externally would seem like overkill.
I'd suggest two 2 watt LED USB rechargeable tail lights. I have the cygolite hotshot and Echelon Sports Beacon. They've both been very reliable over the 3 years I've owned them.
I'd suggest wearing one on your seat post and another on your helmet.
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby Bunged Knee » Tue Apr 12, 2016 9:51 pm
CKinnard wrote:IME, it's better to have two lights if you are on narrower roads with anything more than very light traffic. This makes you more visible earlier and gives a somewhat better indication to motorists of distance.
If you don't ride more than an hour in the dark, then going with something that has to be cabled externally would seem like overkill.
I'd suggest two 2 watt LED USB rechargeable tail lights. I have the cygolite hotshot and Echelon Sports Beacon. They've both been very reliable over the 3 years I've owned them.
I'd suggest wearing one on your seat post and another on your helmet.
I do have 2 rear lights my bikes. Fly6 on seat post and Cygolite Hotshot 1st version on my helmet at all times. Got hotshot for $30 from Loop the Lake stall in 2013.softy wrote:
I do something like this too. Good advice.
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby DavidS » Tue Apr 12, 2016 11:00 pm
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby fat and old » Wed Apr 13, 2016 7:46 am
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby ianganderton » Wed Apr 13, 2016 9:43 am
http://en.bumm.de/innovationoriginal/linetec.html
The reason I went for this light was it was one of the few that had an off switch for the stand light. I didn't want to leave the bike locked up in a public place with a bright light potentially attracting unwanted attentionLineTec is our patented rear light optical lens. The pin-point light source of a high performance LED is spread through a light guide with the help of this optical system. the light emitted now has an extra dimension. How does that help? To the human eye approaching from the rear, a point of light pretty much remains a point of light. No matter how close you are, or how fast you are approaching, there is no significant change to this. Once this point becomes a line or an oval or has a specific shape, the change we can see through a change in perspective becomes much more apparent. The result is that traffic around you is better able to judge where you are and at what speed you are moving in a particular direction. That makes you safer!
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby caneye » Wed Apr 13, 2016 11:30 am
how do you mount the cygolite hotshot on your helmet? cable-tie?Bunged Knee wrote: I do have 2 rear lights my bikes. Fly6 on seat post and Cygolite Hotshot 1st version on my helmet at all times. Got hotshot for $30 from Loop the Lake stall in 2013.
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby avolve » Wed Apr 13, 2016 12:49 pm
For my recently acquired Catrike Trail I have ordered a Supernova Airstream for the font ($$$).
I lean towards good rear lights (and reflective panniers/etc).
Most of my commute is on cycleway (away from the road), and some spots with little-no street lighting — which is why I went for a more expensive front light.
I had a Supernova E3 Pro (dynamo) on a previous bike which I liked (until it was liberated from the garage by unknown visitors on night), so stuck with what I know...
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Re: Rear lights - what to look for?
Postby jaseyjase » Wed Apr 13, 2016 1:16 pm
USB charge, easy to install.
http://www.mrcyclingworld.com.au/knog-b ... pack-black
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