Rear Light Recommendations

[ByronApp]

Hey Guys,

Would love to hear recommendations for a good rear light is (if we're not ready to step up to the full fledged dinotte 400 quad that was just released) :banana:

Criteria is smallish, around $40-75, easily removable, and rechargeable.

What do you think?

[efaust_o]

Serfa Thunderbolt....in price range and bright!:eek:

[josephr]

Hey Guys,

Would love to hear recommendations for a good rear light is (if we're not ready to step up to the full fledged dinotte 400 quad that was just released) :banana:

Criteria is smallish, around $40-75, easily removable, and rechargeable.

What do you think?

Planet Bike SuperFlash...is not rechargeable...but AAA batteries last forever.

[Don49]

The recent best blinky discussions:

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=154002
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=146854
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=146402

[cinema]

the best in that category are cygolite hotshot and niterider solas.

[thegunner]

The recent best blinky discussions:

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=154002
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=146854
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=146402

Damn this is useful, can't believe I missed these (I was going go post something similar haha)

[dmurphey]

Blackburn Flea is da bomb, that's it.

[Don49]

Damn this is useful, can't believe I missed these (I was going go post something similar haha) If you read those you'll go blind, reportedly the Dinotte is that good.:)

[buckfifty]

Planet Bike SuperFlash...is not rechargeable...but AAA batteries last forever.
+1 for the superflash. The blink mode has a good blink pattern alert any motorist and it sure is bright. I have the 1/2 watt and it has served to well. There's even a full 1 watt version

[buck-50]

there's another buck-50?

[buckfifty]

Well, this is awkward... Will the real buckfifty please stand up?

[buck-50]

BTW, superflash is awesome.

[Bob Ross]

NiteRider Solas -- It's like a Planet Bike Superflash that's rechargeable, has better side visibility, and offers a paceline mode.

[tmf]

I love my NiteRider Solas. It's super bright, USB rechargeable and has flexible mounting options (seatpost or chainstay).

I've moved from a AAA tail light to a rechargeable. It's not fun on a long ride to notice your batteries have died off on your rear blinky. I recharge my light after every ride.

[tumbler]

Planet Bike SuperFlash...is not rechargeable...but AAA batteries last forever.

+1. Extremely bright and the batteries last forever. Very happy with mine.

[sjbraun]

A new player with some interesting features.

seesense.co

[tumbler]

Well, this is awkward... Will the real buckfifty please stand up?

I can't wait for buckfiddy to show up. :cool:

[endosch2]

I saw an independent test on brightness of lights somewhere - it was a really well done piece by an engineer. The conclusion was a serfas TL60 which I bought along with a white thundebolt for the front. The test may have been posted by someone on slowtwitch, I dont remember.

Anyway, with the TL60 in low blink mode it is visible a mile away, it is incredible the reaction I have had from cars in terms of space. I use it in morning and evening riding mostly. USB charger with lithium battery.

It is about 45 or 50 on amazon.

[xeladragon]

+1 NiteRider Solas. Good warranty/service as well. The clip on the backside of the light recently snapped on me after lots of commuting miles on imperfect roads. Unfortunately, it was run over by a car before I could turn around and retrieve it. I emailed NiteRider about my incident, and they sent me a new Solas, no questions asked.

[endosch2]

Here is the link to the review. This is where I first heard about the Serfas Tl60.

http://bicyclelightreview.com/bike-light-review/

Here is the conclusion:

The Top 11 lights tested (in OVERALL combined viewpoint- Brightest order)


•DINOTTE 300L $200 USD

This light is very bright (though not the brightest) from all possible viewing angles. It also has the longest battery life, USB rechargeable, and nicest flashing pattern. It suffers in cost and weight.


•SERFAS TL-60 $ 60USD

WOW doesn’t seem to do justice to this little dynamo. Placing first in brightness both on the meters and visually, USB rechargeable, decent runtime, weight and EZ mounting options for frame and helmet. This guy was The surprise entry. Suffers only in viewing angle. Ride with two or three and you’re set

[SlackMan]

Here is the link to the review. This is where I first heard about the Serfas Tl60.

http://bicyclelightreview.com/bike-light-review/

There is now a Serfas TL80. I don't have it, but it sounds like it is the brightest of the lights <$100.

[mktng]

PDW Danger Zone. Not sure if they have a USB version yet. Mine is a 2XAAA version. But it's been my rear light for three years now. Still going strong. Super bright.

[djg]

Here is the link to the review. This is where I first heard about the Serfas Tl60.

http://bicyclelightreview.com/bike-light-review/

Here is the conclusion:

The Top 11 lights tested (in OVERALL combined viewpoint- Brightest order)


•DINOTTE 300L $200 USD

This light is very bright (though not the brightest) from all possible viewing angles. It also has the longest battery life, USB rechargeable, and nicest flashing pattern. It suffers in cost and weight.


•SERFAS TL-60 $ 60USD

WOW doesn’t seem to do justice to this little dynamo. Placing first in brightness both on the meters and visually, USB rechargeable, decent runtime, weight and EZ mounting options for frame and helmet. This guy was The surprise entry. Suffers only in viewing angle. Ride with two or three and you’re set

Surprised not to see the Vis 180 in the test, not because it's the brightest rear light (it's not) but because it's hard for me to believe that it failed his threshold test for inclusion. I like the Vis 180 -- I've no good reason to recommend it over all of the alternatives, but it's way better than a cheapie blinkie, and I like some of the basic design features, and I've found it dependable. Maybe that little Serfas is a killer, though. Or an anti-killer.

[coffeecake]

Chiming in with high praise for both the Serfas Thunderbolt and the PDW Danger Zone. As far as budget lights, these both deliver.

[thegunner]

i'm not byron (obviously) but any opinions on the serfas or the solas in terms of swapping between bikes? sure i could buy two, but i'm poor / cheap.

[saab2000]

That Serfas TL80 looks interesting. But I'm not a fan of the rubber strap mount......

These things need to come with fixed mounts. I wonder if this would work with some of the Cateye mounts I have.

https://www.serfas.com/uploads/ProductLineItemImage/cache/1000x1000_5303ba99e1896.jpg
https://www.serfas.com/uploads/ProductLineItemImage/cache/800x800_53eaa335e0807.jpg

[mktng]

PDW comes with fixed mounts. It's a deal breaker for me if they come with rubber mounts like that. I'm always checking to see if they are still attached. PDW is also super cool with replacing busted mounts.

I've also used the light clipped onto a rear saddle bag. Never any issues. Good build quality. Good price. Good clip system. Win win win.

[endosch2]

Not sure what the gripe is with the rubber strap mount - it is very solid and also makes it very easy to transfer bike to bike.

It also has a clip mount to clip on a webbing loop.

I have ridden with my TL60 for 6 months now on three different bikes and I have never been concerned with it coming off. I will let everyone know if it does but the rubber is very heavy duty.

[saab2000]

Not sure what the gripe is with the rubber strap mount - it is very solid and also makes it very easy to transfer bike to bike.

It also has a clip mount to clip on a webbing loop.

I have ridden with my TL60 for 6 months now on three different bikes and I have never been concerned with it coming off. I will let everyone know if it does but the rubber is very heavy duty.

My Cateyes had a 'permanent' mount which could be removed and installed in about a minute with a screwdriver. I'd just rather have something more solid.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2856/11313103906_d94cb29ccc_b.jpg

[tctyres]

NiteRider Solas -- It's like a Planet Bike Superflash that's rechargeable, has better side visibility, and offers a paceline mode.

I really like this. The old model had problems, and mine burnt out. NiteRider replaced mine for free---great folks.

I have a couple PB Super Flashes, and they simply aren't as good.

A few more online references:
http://bicycles.blogoverflow.com/2012/03/tail-light-review/
http://www.bikelightdatabase.com/

[dekindy]

Light and Motion Vis 180 micro.

[one60]

they have a range of great lights including the zecto drive which meets all your requirements & has a simply O-ring mount rather than a permanent mount.

Another important consideration is ease of operation, since the need for lighting often coincides with colder temps & riding with gloves. Being able to switch them on/off w/o removing gloves is a plus.

[Don49]

there's another buck-50?One of you has to leave.:)

[Don49]

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1132451_-1_400159__400159 Axiom Pulse 60 LED Tail Light $35.

I remember reading somewhere that this light is as good as the Serfas TL80.

[thegunner]

any opinions on the knog blinder lights?

[Lanternrouge]

any opinions on the knog blinder lights?

I've got a Knog and it seems pretty bright. Another thing I like about it is that it does not seem like the battery loses charge from just sitting around. I hadn't used mine in a really long time and when I took it out recently, it still had a good charge and I've done several morning rides without having had to recharge it again yet. At least with my seat bag and amount of post, it is really hard to turn it on/off when riding, so when I think it is time to turn it off, I end up taking it off to do that, which is actually easier to do than hitting the button while still riding. There may be others at the same price point that area bit better, but overall, I'm pretty happy with it.

[rwerkudara]

any opinions on the knog blinder lights?

I've been using the Knog Blinder ROAD R light for about a year - http://usd.knog.com.au/cycling/lights/blinders/blinder-road-r.html

Solid rear light, no complaints. Rechargeable, bright, and the charge lasts a while.

[jasonlee]

If you're looking to be safe, you may want to think more than just how inexpensive, bright and annoying it can flash.

Read up on object fixation and human perception of distance of a single object with no real size to gauge (this is why I use a light that also diffuses into a larger reflector housing).

I personally hate all of the superflash, blinding, really annoying as hell lights because if I am blinded by them riding on the street, then think of how the driver feels when hitting you is a small thump compared to hitting another vehicle head on to pass you with room because they are trying to get out of the 360 degree, super bright, lighthouse style rear light you seek.

[mvrider]

Planet Bike SuperFlash & SuperFlash Turbo
Great lights, solid mounts, long runtime. If you want rechargeable, just use rechargeable NiMH AAA batteries (the Eneloops work well).

Niterider Solas
Great lights too, broader beam than the SuperFlashes. Runtime is certainly long enough to get through a century in blinky mode. I get nervous about the runtime anyway and end up plugging them in once a week.

Note that the Solas does fit the mount for the SuperFlash, except that it doesn't click in. So I use a cut piece of inner tube to hold it on, allowing me to reuse all the mounts I had accumulated for the SuperFlashes.

A note about bikes with level top tubes, and seat bags
Some lights, such as the L&M Vis 180 and the Dinotte Quad Red, are designed to extend upward from the mount. This works great for compact geometry frames, but for level TTs, and especially if a seat bag is used, there is not enough room. The SuperFlash and Solas extend downward from the mount, over the brake, so they work great. Dinotte recommends using a seatstay mount in this case, but not all my seatstays are round, and I don't want to mess up the paint on some of them.

[thegunner]

re: the knogs - no one here's broken any straps?

[jr59]

re: the knogs - no one here's broken any straps?

lifetime warranty

[jr59]

[

Note that the Solas does fit the mount for the SuperFlash, except that it doesn't click in. So I use a cut piece of inner tube to hold it on, allowing me to reuse all the mounts I had accumulated for the SuperFlashes.

.

Do you have a pic of this set up? I have both and can't seem to work it out in my head how this would work!

[rwerkudara]

lifetime warranty

Never experienced a broken strap, but have been told by my LBS that the warranty is great.

[endosch2]

Here is my set up with the two serfas lights F +RTL60. Very easy on and off - I can attach the rear on the seat tube below the clamp.

I have complete confidence in the rubber straps.

[eippo1]

One of you has to leave.:)

Two men enter, one man leaves!

http://www.cageyfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/thunderdome_03.jpg

Also, I have the Vis 180, a superflash and the Niterider Solas. All great lights, but I would echo what is said above re: the level toptube. Part of the reason I have both the Vis and the Solas.

[tbcpn]

I have a level top tube 58cm steel frame, and the Vis 180 mounts nicely on the upper seat tube so that it sits between the seat stays above the brake bridge. It's out of the way, easily accessible, and totally visible from the rear.

[ByronApp]

re: the knogs - no one here's broken any straps?

I've used knogs for a while, never broken a strap. They are not that bright though. I tried out a much brighter version recently which was OK but still brighter is better at night IMO.

[ByronApp]

Two men enter, one man leaves!

http://www.cageyfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/thunderdome_03.jpg

Also, I have the Vis 180, a superflash and the Niterider Solas. All great lights, but I would echo what is said above re: the level toptube. Part of the reason I have both the Vis and the Solas.

Lol!

[pdmtong]

Knog blinder 4V. Slim bright great battery life $45

[mvrider]

Nothing magic, really. Just a cut piece of inner tube used as a rubber band. Pretty foolproof, even on bumpy California country roads.

[thegunner]

Knog blinder 4V. Slim bright great battery life $45

yeahhhh picked one of these up, although it was only $30...

[fatallightning]

I do A LOT of night riding, probably 10 hours a week in the dark. Some thoughts on some of the lights mentioned.

Flea, not quite bright enough, I do like them as a secondary light on my helmet or clipped onto winter booties or something like that.

Superflash, the standard for a while, they do work well, BUT two things. It's hard to notice when the AAA start to get low, because the light still operates, but in a diminished capacity. They are also not the greatest for water intrusion, makes them get weird, either shut off, change modes, or not turn off.

I like the NR solas, mine did fail once though.

Currently like the 2 cygolite hotshots now, the programmable flash speed is a cool trick, smaller form factor then the NR, also assembled in the USA. My current fav is the new hotshot micro. The lens has a nice fresnel for better side throw, even smaller form, and plays nice with non round posts, of which I have a few.

http://www.rivbike.com/v/vspfiles/photos/LT00614x-4.jpg