Taillight recommendations

[bob_in_pa]

I'm new to the forum and recently back to cycling after a long time off. It seems from other cyclists that I see and a recent thread that the consensus is we should be using tail lights. I'm not opposed to this but really don't know what the hot setup is. Is there any one brand or set of features that I should be looking for?

Thanks for your help.
-Bob

[RoosterCogset]

Garmin varia if you have a garmin head unit.

[okayku]

I really like the Bontrager Flare RT which I've had for a year now. It has auto-adjusting modes for day and night time lights, and is very bright without taking up a ton of space.

[ti_or_die]

I second the Garmin Varia, and even though I have a Garmin head unit, it does link to non-Garmin head units like Wahoo.

[parris]

I've had a bunch of different inexpensive tail lights. A few years ago I bit the bullet and picked up the original version of the Bontrager Flare tail light. It works very well. I've got a couple of different mounts so it can go on a bag, the bike, jersey, etc. They've come out with a new version that has a smaller form factor that's supposedly better and when the one I have now stops working I'll probably replace it with one of the newer versions.

The important thing though is to get a decent light and use it without fail. Just my opinion but it has made a difference in the amount of space that cars give me.

[bart998]

I been very pleased with the simple Ascher rechargeable I've been using. Easy to mount and move bike to bike. Very bright, flash modes, perfect. Head and tail light were $35.

[bob_in_pa]

Thanks everyone!

I think the Garmin is a little more than I need at this point. I'll take a look at the Bontrager and Ascher lights.

-Bob

[trener1]

Also have a look at the Cygolite hotshot line

[stev0]

I have a Lezyne Zecto Drive Max 250 - I feel like this is the best value taillight out there - $50, super bright, works well in the daytime, and has decent battery life. Very happy with it.

[bob_in_pa]

Thanks I’ll take a look at those. How many lumens do you need for a daytime tail light?

-Bob

[bikinchris]

Thanks I’ll take a look at those. How many lumens do you need for a daytime tail light?

-Bob

Daylight would be 100 lumens minimum. 250 is better of course. When your riding late in the day, a low sun glare makes 250 necessary.

[bob_in_pa]

Daylight would be 100 lumens minimum. 250 is better of course. When your riding late in the day, a low sun glare makes 250 necessary.

Thanks. I figured there was some rule of thumb but couldn't find any details. Since I seldom ride after dark I'll look for something in the 250 range.

-Bob

[tuxbailey]

Third on the Varia.

Though it is more expensive than normal tail lights, it adds so much if you have a compatible head unit.

[mmfs]

One of the previously mentioned Bontrager lights or the Planet Bike Superflash Turbo if you want to use AAA batteries and a ~$30 price point.

[melonyogloo]

I have two tail lights on my bike for redundancy. I have a Cygolite Hypershot 250 on flash mode at all time plus a Planet Bike Superflash on steady after dark.

[reconstyle]

What does the varia do if you have a garmin hu?

[srode1]

it's hard to beat the Cygolite tail lights for visibility, price, and convenience. I can ride over a week between charges. That said, i also have a Varia light, I run both at the same time.

[Scott5182]

Thanks for the info. I’ve been contemplating buying a tail light but just wasn’t sure what one to buy.

[Ozz]

I have two tail lights on my bike for redundancy. I have a Cygolite Hypershot 250 on flash mode at all time plus a Planet Bike Superflash on steady after dark.
+1 I have a Planet Bike Superflash and a Light&Motion Vis 180

[Dired]

Bontrager Ion lights are excellent. Super bright, tiny, fast to charge, lots of operating time on a charge, and remote ant+ on/off.

[Bob Ross]

I'll make my obligatory and oft-repeated recommendation of the NiteRider Solus (https://www.niterider.com/products/solas-250). The missus and I have one of these on all of our bikes

...okay, most of our bikes. The outlier has a PlanetBike Superflash USB.

[p nut]

I have multiple PDW taillights which are bright and work well.

But my next taillight will be a Varia.

[Upcountry]

What does the varia do if you have a garmin hu?

It can alert you via colored overlays on your screen.... I haven't jumped on board, but I'm tempted.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/04/garmin-varia-rtl510-radar-cycling-light-in-depth-review.html

[bob_in_pa]

It can alert you via colored overlays on your screen.... I haven't jumped on board, but I'm tempted.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/04/garmin-varia-rtl510-radar-cycling-light-in-depth-review.html

Thanks, I was wondering the same thing. A very interesting idea just not sure I'm willing to take the plunge at this point.

I suspect to look back at this and think I should have just done it from the start....

-Bob