Best back bike light

Qualitymark

I'm sorry if this has been covered before - mods may merge this - but can people give me some helpful advice specifically on a *back* light.
Cycling around Dublin in the dark I'm struck by how invisible many cyclists are from the back, even though they're legal in carrying a red light at the back of the bicycle.
What's the best back light in terms of visibility, and distinguishability from all of the other red back lights, the ones on cars? A blinking light seems to be some help; does the shape of the light make a difference?

cython

Personally I would say flashing definitely helps, and potentially one of the lights with a varying pattern of flashes (see some of the Smart branded multi-LED ones for examples) may be more distinguishable again.

That said I have a Lezyne Micro Drive, and had someone catch up to me at a junction and ask where I had gotten it, as it was very bright! You will probably get plenty of varying opinions on the best light, to be honest, but bright and flashing would be my main criteria, with unusual shape or patterned flashing being probably next on the list

CramCycle

I found the Smart ones grand, cheap and cheerful but prone to break very easily.

Best ones I have ever had are the Cateye LD 600 / LD 610 / LD 1100. Bright and have at least 270degrees visibility.

The last is best for commuting as you can achieve steady and flashing at the same time if that's what you want or you can just use one half and have the other half as a back up for when the battery starts to go.

Lumen

Almost all lights have enough output, more important is that the light can be fixed in a visible place and stays pointing in the right direction and doesn't run out of battery mid-ride turning you ninja.

For that reason two cheap lights are better than one expensive one.

I haven't had great luck with USB-chargeable lights, they never seem to last more than one winter.

What are you attaching it to?

tomasrojo

I used to use two Smart 0.5W lights, one flashing and one steady, but I got a Smart 1W that has a part flashing/part steady mode, so I use just that now at the back.

I was reluctant to use it on flashing as it's pretty bright and I thought it might be a distraction or irritant for other road users, but I've asked a few people to observe it, and they think it's fine. It's perfectly conspicuous on steady alone, but rechargeable batteries last no time at all: maybe three forty-minute trips.

If I wanted to improve my conspicuity, I suppose I wouldn't mind something the same as the Smart 1W, but with a bigger face. It's already bright enough.

Jawgap

I use the Smart 1 Watt light with the Hope Vision District 3 rear light.

The Smart is more than good enough around the city and I only use the Hope because I use some dark country lanes. Cheap as chips and will last a long time if looked after a bit.

The Hope is incredibly bright so it goes on the seat post and is angled down. I usually put the Smart on the backpack or on the back of my helmet.

mcgratheoin

I use an Exposure TraceR on a steady beam with a cheap flashing light just above it. I heard somewhere that traffic gets a much better idea of your location on the road via a steady beam rather than a flash, but the flashing light attracts more initial attention - therefore I like to have them both.

archer22

Anybody used the laser back lights..the ones that kind of mark out your space on the road.I got one from a seller in Hong Kong,looks good but I haven't got around to using it yet.

Amprodude

Qualitymark wrote: »

I'm sorry if this has been covered before - mods may merge this - but can people give me some helpful advice specifically on a *back* light.
Cycling around Dublin in the dark I'm struck by how invisible many cyclists are from the back, even though they're legal in carrying a red light at the back of the bicycle.
What's the best back light in terms of visibility, and distinguishability from all of the other red back lights, the ones on cars? A blinking light seems to be some help; does the shape of the light make a difference?

I find the red cateye ones the best. They are bright and you will be seen with them.

cdaly_

I use a Reelight on the rear axle which is constantly flashing and a smart 1/2W on the rack, again in flashing mode.

On the new bike, I have a dynamo hub and a B&M Rear plus brake light which shines steady and brightens up as a brake light when I slow down. No flashing on that bike and no apparent difference in motorist behaviour.

On both bikes, I am lit without worrying about batteries (apart from the Smart which will go 2 weeks on a rechargeable AAA set).

I find the extra bright rear lights dazzling and irritating, particularly in flashing mode.

Lumen

cdaly_ wrote: »

On the new bike, I have a dynamo hub and a B&M Rear plus brake light which shines steady and brightens up as a brake light when I slow down. No flashing on that bike and no apparent difference in motorist behaviour.

Any idea what the functional difference is between these?

Toplight Line brake plus 323ALTV
LED rear light with LineTec: 2 high power LEDs inside the 90 mm LineTec light strip (transparent glass, shines red).
Super bright with 320° visibility. Standlight (powered by capacitor, no batteries required), deactivates automatically after 4 minutes (parking function) or manually.
Only 53 g, very slim, 94 x 45 x 16.5 mm.
Integrated large Z reflector. Mounting distance 50 or 80 mm. Mark of approval F.
 2 high power LEDs
 LineTec light strip
 320° visibility
 Standlight, can be deactivated
manually
 Large Z reflector

and

Toplight View brake plus 321ASKV
The most elegant TOPLIGHT of all times. The clear casing allows for optimal lateral light emission. Automatic standlight. Centrally integrated large reflector. 18 mm slim. Only 50 g.
LineTec x 2
Two super bright LEDs create a dual light source. Two patented light systems emit two strips of light. The effect: a brightly shining light area that can be perceived from great distances.

From p15 of this PDF
http://www.bumm.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Katalog/B_M__Catalogue_2014_15__English.pdf

Both have  dynamo-powered  standlight  BrakeTec

B&M: JUST TELL US WHICH IS BETTER!

07Lapierre

Expensive, but good:

http://www.hopetech.com/product/district-plus-rear/

CramCycle

Lumen wrote: »

From p15 of this PDF
http://www.bumm.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Katalog/B_M__Catalogue_2014_15__English.pdf

Both have  dynamo-powered  standlight  BrakeTec

B&M: JUST TELL US WHICH IS BETTER!

Top one, costs more, has details on stand time.

Bottom one, looks prettier but costs less.

My schmidt edelux had a standlight for the rear built in (it provided a dropped current when stopped for over 4 minutes) so you did not need your rear light to have one, which in theory means that the top one would last alot more than the 4 minutes claimed.

I think the top one is better as it has actual standlight times (and costs more )

codie

the moon comet is a super rear light around €35

Ole Rodrigo

I've been using this for the past few months and its very effective. I've fixed it lengthways to the seat stay with a doubled up O Ring leaving the seatpost free for a second light. Theres also the option of using a second one on the other stay. Small but powerful.



http://www.eurocycles.com/proddetails.aspx?pid=57250

quozl

Lumen wrote: »

Any idea what the functional difference is between these?

Toplight Line brake plus 323ALTV
B&M: JUST TELL US WHICH IS BETTER!

I can't tell you the difference between them but I have the Plus (stand-light) version of the top one of those on my hybrid and I'm very happy with it. Mine also has a brake-light function, where it's meant to get brighter if you brake (ie power from dynamo drops suddenly), but I've never seen that (as it's behind me) and I couldn't care less about that bit.

It's a highly visible, reliable light.

I combine it with a Mask OEM version of the Moon Shield, as I like to have two seperately powered rear lights just in case.

My road bike has the Secula (also in that PDF) as it can be mounted on a chain stay. Again, happy with it.

Qualitymark

Hm. So I'm dithering between some of these, mainly:

Cateye Rapid Mini
Moon Comet
Exposure TraceR
Smart Superflash 0.5
Cateye LD 610

with the Cateye LD 610 slightly out in the lead because it looks as if it's visible from all angles, and being wide, might stand out well from round car lights.

Thanks for all the good suggestions.

Pity you can't add a poll after a thread is set up…

inc21

Knog blinder.
It really hurts your eyes.

http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/5258/products/knog-blinder-4v-review/

mcgratheoin

Prices vary quite a bit on the ones you've selected, it depends on what's on your wishlist. I wanted usb rechargeable and I wanted it for cycling on completely dark country roads with relatively high volumes of traffic. If I was cycling solely in the city I may not have spent so much on the TraceR. As an aside, for a front light, I have a Lezyne (Super Drive XL) and I would have no qualms about a Lezyne rear either.

Here are two articles with some more info.
Bike Radar
The Guardian

Qualitymark wrote: »

Cateye Rapid Mini €30
Moon Comet €34
Exposure TraceR €60
Smart Superflash 0.5 €12
Cateye LD 610 €24

check_six

I saw a fellow who had a thing called a Fibre Flare attached to his bag. It's a very bright tube of red light about a foot long. The light looked the business.

I think there may be a problem with battery life, however. Anyone any experience with these lights?

CramCycle

Qualitymark wrote: »

Pity you can't add a poll after a thread is set up…

Poll added

Wishbone Ash

I'd take the poll results with a pinch of salt as it is meaningless unless all pollsters have experience of all lights listed.

CramCycle

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I'd take the poll results with a pinch of salt as it is meaningless unless all pollsters have experience of all lights listed.

Well aren't you mister negativity :P

At the very least it might show you that the lights voted for, people have experience of them and would recommend them, eg I voted for the Cateye 610, I think its a great light, lasts a long time and has good visibility, not just from behind. I would recommend sticking it perpendicular as opposed to horizontally, for maximum side visibility and most importantly, aerdynamics.

The others one might be better, might be worse, but the Cateye seems to fufill the requirements of the OP.

cdaly_

quozl wrote: »

I can't tell you the difference between them but I have the Plus (stand-light) version of the top one of those on my hybrid and I'm very happy with it. Mine also has a brake-light function, where it's meant to get brighter if you brake (ie power from dynamo drops suddenly), but I've never seen that (as it's behind me) and I couldn't care less about that bit.

I'm told (by fellow cyclists) that it's very effective and obvious. I presume it would be helpful in traffic when following drivers will see "brake light" and will therefore get ready to stop. Particularly when I keep hitting the brakes for amber lights...

Mec-a-nic

Best rear light? - I think the poll is missing a couple of options:
f) any red light that is pointing rearwards and fully lit (that super-dim flashing one tied to your backpack doesn't count - buy new batteries and mount it to your seatstem/seatstay)
OR
g) red light bolted to the bike and powered by dynamo

Mefistofelino

check_six wrote: »

I saw a fellow who had a thing called a Fibre Flare attached to his bag. It's a very bright tube of red light about a foot long. The light looked the business.

I think there may be a problem with battery life, however. Anyone any experience with these lights?

I've had two, about 4 - 5 years ago. The idea is great and they are very distinctive. However the execution is flawed. Neither light lasted more than a winter due to rubbish waterproofing resulting in corroded battery contacts.

Furthermore, while they are flexible, they are not that flexible. The body (flexy, clear plastic) will bend quite easily to mount around bags, along the back of a helmet etc. However the wire linking the small LEDs (one at each end) that runs in a cable guide doesn't take so kindly to being bent and can end up breaking from the blob of solder at the terminal.

Finally, there's the small issue of the standard-length Fibre Flare now costing the wrong side of €35. Rear lighting has moved on considerably from when the FibreFlare was first introduced - it's now not worth much more than a tenner (and that's if they sort the waterproofing)

tomasrojo

I see the Moon Comet and Moon Crescent have a square tab at the back for bracket mounting. Is this compatible with the standard Cateye bracket? Looks about right.

Qualitymark

Thanks, CramCycle, for adding the poll, and to those who've voted in it. Looks like that Cateye is the one I'll get. It's a present for someone who cycles a lot in dark evening streets; I might get one for myself at some stage, but at the moment I don't do that much nighttime cycling.

route66

I like the Cateye Rapid 3 Rear Light.





It's very bright and has a very eye-catching flashing mode and I like the fact that it uses an AA battery and not the AAA used by the LD-610. The Cateye Rapid Mini appears to be technically similar to my Rapid 3 but uses a rechargeable battery. I'm not too keen on these myself because they loose capacity over time and can't be replaced. You also can't just swap them out if they loose power as you could with an AA/AAA battery power light. And you can still get the cost/environment benefits of rechargeables with AAs!

Kodos

I considered buying the Cateye LD 610, but I settled on the Cateye LD560 (cateye.com/en/products/detail/TL-LD560-R/), mainly because the lens is also a reflector. I got it for the added visibility of the reflector, in case the batteries/unit failed.

The surface area of the lens is large so the reflector works well, it has 5 LEDs like the 610 and good side visibility, and it is a more compact unit. It uses 2 AAA batteries so it is lightweight. I have it over 2 years without any problems.

From reading the "Irish Cycling Legislation" thread, I think that the LD560 probably satisfies the requirement to have both a red rear light and a reflector (although I have never heard of anyone getting prosecuted for lack of a reflector).

Ryath

Lumen wrote: »

B&M: JUST TELL US WHICH IS BETTER!

Have a mudguard mounted B&M secula it's about as bright as smart half watt light I'd say though I usually have a lezyne micro drive on the seat post which is brighter than any other rear I've seen, usually use it on pulse don't like using flashing modes on really bright lights.

CramCycle wrote: »

Top one, costs more, has details on stand time.

Bottom one, looks prettier but costs less.

My schmidt edelux had a standlight for the rear built in (it provided a dropped current when stopped for over 4 minutes) so you did not need your rear light to have one, which in theory means that the top one would last alot more than the 4 minutes claimed.

I think the top one is better as it has actual standlight times (and costs more )

Never realised the edelux had a standlight function for the rear, was always impressed with how long my rear stayed on for after getting home never timed it but I'd say it's well over 10 minutes.

route66 wrote: »

I like the Cateye Rapid 3 Rear Light.

Used to have a rapid 5 and it was a very good light misplaced the battery cover at some stage. Considering the rapid 3 bit smaller and neater. Want to get a another supplementary rear to mount on saddle bag or helmet only have a small cr2032 cateye for the helmet at the minute. Was looking at the lezyne zecto drive but you do have point about the integrated batteries. I haven't noticed a drop of in performance of my lezyne lights though over 2 years. I have recently invested in a decent battery charger and some long life aa batteries so a aa powered light it may be a better option. You can also get a bracket to mount it on fizik saddles so would be a good option cycling back from summer league races.

padjo5

cdaly_ wrote: »

I use a Reelight on the rear axle which is constantly flashing and a smart 1/2W on the rack, again in flashing mode.

Hi cdaly those reelights look the business, would you recommend?

tomasrojo

tomasrojo wrote: »

I see the Moon Comet and Moon Crescent have a square tab at the back for bracket mounting. Is this compatible with the standard Cateye bracket? Looks about right.

To answer my own question, apparently the Cateye bracket isn't compatible with the Moon products.

However, Moon does a belt clip, and a belt clip for mounting a Moon Crescent was what I was looking for.
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/moon-belt-clip-for-shield-comet-crescent


As you were.

cdaly_

padjo5 wrote: »

Hi cdaly those reelights look the business, would you recommend?

They're good for never having to worry about batteries. I would say the axle mounted ones are too low to use alone but they do fork crown, handlebar, rear carrier and seat stay versions. I have fork crown and axle lights on front and axle on rear (plus the smart 1/2W rear). They're not that cheap but I reckon they're worth it...

gickna1

The see sense rear light is excellent,
It changes it's pattern when a car etc. lights hits it, check it out I picked mine up in FitzCycles Stillorgan

marty_crane

check_six wrote: »

I saw a fellow who had a thing called a Fibre Flare attached to his bag. It's a very bright tube of red light about a foot long. The light looked the business.

I think there may be a problem with battery life, however. Anyone any experience with these lights?

I have one of these and I swear by it. I got a front one also (not as effective). VERY bright to the point that on more than one occasion I've been asked by motorists at traffic lights about it. Can't recommend it highly enough and it's only around 30 notes. Also I can not complain about battery life.

Wishbone Ash

CramCycle wrote: »

Well aren't you mister negativity :P....

Apologies CramCycle if I seemed negative. That wasn't my intention. I have four Smart Superflash's used over several bikes and I can't fault them but I have no experience of Cateye, Moon, Exposure etc. and they may be better lights but I can't comment. That was basically the point I was making.

Qualitymark wrote: »

......Cycling around Dublin in the dark I'm struck by how invisible many cyclists are from the back, even though they're legal in carrying a red light at the back of the bicycle......

Just using a rear light doesn't make one 'legal'. The light must meet the legal specifications - many don't.

crazydaize

Qualitymark wrote: »

Hm. So I'm dithering between some of these, mainly:

Cateye Rapid Mini
Moon Comet
Exposure TraceR
Smart Superflash 0.5
Cateye LD 610

with the Cateye LD 610 slightly out in the lead because it looks as if it's visible from all angles, and being wide, might stand out well from round car lights.

Thanks for all the good suggestions.

Pity you can't add a poll after a thread is set up…

The Cateye Rapid Mini and the Moon Comet are the two brightest and most visible lights on that list. I would recommend the Cateye Rapid Mini more than the others.

The Cateye Rapid 5 would probably be a better option than the Cateye LD-610 for visibility (but still neither are as bright/visible as the Rapid Mini or Moon Commet).

Moreilly

I run a both a Fibre flare & a Cygolite hotshot on the rear with a Magicshine MJ880U on the front, the fiber flare gives very good visibility from all angles and the hotshot is very bright and gives quite a focused beam. found both lights to be very good but the bracket for the hotshot is a poor design as if you go over any very rough terrain it can cause the hotshot to loose position

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

I have a cateye mini rapid and a knog as a backup (sometimes both are used if the weather is terrible) both are fantastic, but the recharging mechanism on the Knog is a pain in the arse. OH has the moon shield and it's an awesome little light.

I use a leyzene up front and I would suspect that the rear version would be great too. Fantastic build but maybe a little expensive.

CramCycle

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Apologies CramCycle if I seemed negative. That wasn't my intention. I have four Smart Superflash's used over several bikes and I can't fault them but I have no experience of Cateye, Moon, Exposure etc. and they may be better lights but I can't comment. That was basically the point I was making.

I was only joking. I got your point, the poll without opinions underneath is not much help at all. More useful to rule out options in that if no one has any experience then they can be potentially disregarded as there is no experience to fall back on.

Just using a rear light doesn't make one 'legal'. The light must meet the legal specifications - many don't.

True indeed. The number that are only visible when you are a few metres away due to low battery, or are under a pannier, or the rear one is stuck to the handlebar, or placed on top of a bag so that it points straight up, or has a long cost draped over the one on the seatpost so it is not visible.

And these are only a fraction of the stupid ways I have seen bike lights used in the last fortnight.

I am more concerned with the functional side of things then the legal side of things. If it does not help traffic see you then, as far as I am concerned, it is the same as not having a light at all.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

CramCycle wrote: »

...or placed on top of a bag so that it points straight up...

Fantastic as a backup light for HGVs who sit really high up. Many lights are only visible to lower vehicles.

CramCycle

Laylah Lazy Herb wrote: »

Fantastic as a backup light for HGVs who sit really high up. Many lights are only visible to lower vehicles.

Laylah Lazy Herb 1
CramCycle 0

Hands up never occurred to me.

minterno

I have a good few rear lights but the best two would be the Smart Lunar 2X1/2 Watt Rear,nice and bright with some good flash modes,I also have the moonshield 60 which is super bright,on a sunny day on the high setting you're visible from a good distance,its too bright at night on the high,however its handywhen traffic gets too close for comfort,ie on a main road sometimes for whatever reason, traffic seem to be extra careless,its like your invisible,i turn it up full mode and the driver behaviour changes straight away.
I also have the Lezyne micro drive,another super bright rear light but the beam is too tight and the angle of the mount points the light down to the ground a bit too much,for me the moonshield is by far the brightest I have seen,I have it over a year and out in all weather and its been great,the only negitave is the little rubber cap that covers the usb port has lost its rubber hinge so I have to put some tape over it to min it,there a copy of the moonshield 60 on planetx http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIMOSHIE/moon-shield-60-rear-light its sold out atm but should be back again

Wishbone Ash

mcgratheoin wrote: »

....... and I would have no qualms about a Lezyne rear either......]

Ryath wrote: »

.... Was looking at the lezyne zecto drive....

Laylah Lazy Herb wrote: »

...I use a leyzene up front and I would suspect that the rear version would be great too. Fantastic build but maybe a little expensive.

I've also been tempted to get a Lezyne Zecto rear but the seatpost rubber strap has always put me off. It looks a bit flimsy and I'd hate to lose a €40 light. Has anyone any experience of them. Does the rubber deteriorate over time?

(I use Lezyne up front and have several other Lezyne products and the quality is excellent).

Unknown Soldier

I use fairly standard rear lights but I prefer to invest in batteries and change them every month or two depending.

The difference is unreal.

Wishbone Ash

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

I use fairly standard rear lights but I prefer to invest in batteries and change them every month or two depending.

The difference is unreal.

Every month or two??? Jesus, I change them every few days. I fine they lose the extra brightness by then. €1.50 for a dozen in the Eurosaver shops.

eeeee

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Every month or two??? Jesus, I change them every few days. I fine they lose the extra brightness by then. €1.50 for a dozen in the Eurosaver shops.

I find better batteries last longer. The cheap ones don't last pissing time for me anyway

tomasrojo

Do you not use rechargeables? Do they run out too soon?

I think I get well over five years out of AA and AAA rechargeables. I have a very old, slow charger, which I suspect keeps them going longer.

eeeee

tomasrojo wrote: »

Do you not use rechargeables? Do they run out too soon?

I think I get well over five years out of AA and AAA rechargeables. I have a very old, slow charger, which I suspect keeps them going longer.

Can you put rechargeables into regular lights? I use the Smart one and it came with regular so I put regular ones in, I thought the thing had to specifically say 'can be used with rechargeables' on it no? Feeling pretty dim if it doesn't

CramCycle

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

I use fairly standard rear lights but I prefer to invest in batteries and change them every month or two depending.

The difference is unreal.

gadetra wrote: »

I find better batteries last longer. The cheap ones don't last pissing time for me anyway

I picked a recharger, 4 AA and 4 AAAs from Tesco for half price a few years ago, 17euro for the lot, energiser brand. Normally give me at least a month at decent output. Pop in the charger over night, job done.

gadetra wrote: »

Can you put rechargeables into regular lights? I use the Smart one and it came with regular so I put regular ones in, I thought the thing had to specifically say 'can be used with rechargeables' on it no? Feeling pretty dim if it doesn't

Yep, manufacturers used to say certain things did not suit rechargables, maybe they had voltage issues years ago or they were not as profitable but I have not had any issues.