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review
Lights - rear
Topeak RedLite Aero rear lightTopeak Redlite Aero

Topeak RedLite Aero rear light

8
by dave atkinson
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Nov 13, 2013

4
£16.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Cleverly designed, unobtrusive rear light that's simple to fit, and easy to see
Weight: 
34g
Contact: 
www.extrauk.co.uk
How we test

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If you want a low-profile, fit-and-forget light for your road bike then the Topeak Redlite Aero is a good choice. Its output won't be melting any eyeballs but it's simple to fit in a variety of positions with a good field of vision.

The Redlite Aero couldn't be simpler really. Crack it open to put in a single AAA battery and turn it on, and the three LEDs will flash in the single blinking mode for a claimed 80 hours, or run constantly for 40. Mounting is a simple rubber strap with a loop at each end, which locates on a mount either side of the light; the rubber foot keeps it from moving about.

Two mounts are included, one that's designed to go around a seatstay and one for a seatpost. The LEDs are angled so that they're pointing about straight in either position, depending on which way up you put it.

It's not the brightest light out there by some margin, but it's plenty bright enough to be used as a standalone rear light on your bike, and the LEDs have a very wide field of vision thanks to the design, so there's plenty of visibility from the sides. The mounting means that the light hardly protrudes at all from the sides of a seatpost, which will be good news if you find your thighs clipping bigger clamps. And if it's still an issue you can bung it on the stay instead.

Topeak classify the Redlite Aero as water resistant rather than fully waterproof. The clip-together design suggests you might be able to force some water in on a really filthy ride, but I've not had any water get in during testing. The way it's designed means the mounting strap pulls the light down onto its rubber foot, creating a tight seal.

Overall it's a very likeable light. The simple design makes it a breeze to fit, it's bright enough to be used on its own, and the versatile mount means you'll easily find a place for it somewhere on the back of your bike. And is it aero, like the name suggests? Well, yes, I guess, although if you're worried about how aero your rear light is then you probably want to take a look at yourself.

Verdict

Cleverly designed, unobtrusive rear light that's simple to fit, and easy to see.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Topeak RedLite Aero rear light

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the light is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Slim, aerodynamic tail light fits seatpost or seatstay perfectly. Rubber strap allows tool-free mounting/ removal and multi mounting positions.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?

Lamp 3 Super Bright Red LED's

Battery AAA x1 (included)

Control 2 Modes, Constant/Blinking

Burn Time (approx) 40 hrs / 80 hrs

Light Output 20 cd

Lamp Housing Injection Molded Plastic

Mount Fits Seatpost and Seatstay (ø25.4-ø 34.9mm)

Size (L x W x H) 6.6 x 2.4 x 3.4 cm

2.6' x 0.9' x 1.3' (light)

Weight 32 g / 1.13 oz

Rate the light for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
 
10/10
Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
 
9/10
Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
 
8/10
Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
 
8/10
Rate the light for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the light for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the light for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10
Rate the light for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well, simple to fit and works well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the light

simple unobtrusive mounting and wide field of vision.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light

Nothing really.

Did you enjoy using the light? Yes.

Would you consider buying the light? Yes.

Would you recommend the light to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 190cm  Weight: 102kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...  My best bike is: Genesis Equilibrium with SRAM Apex

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

 

Topeak RedLite Aero rear light
LED
Dave Atkinson

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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4 comments

Avatar
FatFaceJoe | 11 years ago
0 likes

Will it fit on 'aero' seatposts, such as the Giant vector?

Avatar
KirinChris replied to FatFaceJoe | 10 years ago
0 likes
FatFaceJoe wrote:

Will it fit on 'aero' seatposts, such as the Giant vector?

Exactly, that's the point of it being called aero - not the light itself but will it go onto aero road bikes.

I have a lot of trouble getting lights onto my Ridley Noah.

Avatar
russyparkin | 11 years ago
0 likes

And is it aero, like the name suggests? Well, yes, I guess, although if you're worried about how aero your rear light is then you probably want to take a look at yourself.

ba ha ha this is why I love road.cc

Avatar
jarredscycling | 11 years ago
0 likes

Looks like a great design, I mean that couldn't be easier to fit but I seriously don't consider the aero effects of my red light. I am glad they didn't jack the price way up just because it was labeled "aero"

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