Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

forum
road.cc bike forum

New Rear Light

by funk3y
Thu, Apr 26, 2018 21:58
9

Hi guys im after a rear light for a 20 minute commute at night.

 

Ive come across the moon comet X and the bontrager flare r city which is the best of these as both are the same price?

 

Or is there anything better I should be looking at in this price range thanks.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

Add new comment

9 comments

Avatar
froze | 5 years ago
0 likes

I just don't think that 35 lumen tail lights is worth owning!  For close to the same price you can get a Cygolite Hotshot pro 150...means 150 Lumens!! for only $37 on Amazon which includes free shipping!  The difference between 35 and 150 lumens is shockingly bright, the 35 won't even be seen in the daylight, but the 150 will be seen at least a mile away in bright daylight.  Being seen from a further distance is important these days with people driving distracted, so the job of the tail light today has become serious and it needs to be bright enough to wake up the distracted driver even in the daytime.

https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-Rechargeable-Bike-Light/dp/B01IO...

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds replied to froze | 5 years ago
0 likes

froze wrote:

I just don't think that 35 lumen tail lights is worth owning!  For close to the same price you can get a Cygolite Hotshot pro 150...means 150 Lumens!! for only $37 on Amazon which includes free shipping!  The difference between 35 and 150 lumens is shockingly bright, the 35 won't even be seen in the daylight, but the 150 will be seen at least a mile away in bright daylight.  Being seen from a further distance is important these days with people driving distracted, so the job of the tail light today has become serious and it needs to be bright enough to wake up the distracted driver even in the daytime.

https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-Rechargeable-Bike-Light/dp/B01IO...

Again, give me some proof 150 lumens is safer than 30 lumens and I'll concede. As I said 150 lumens for a rear light is far too bright, brightness does not equal safety nor being seen any earlier, you need to read up on stuff because your mistakes in believing so just as many before you are why we are in the shitter with light wars and no improvement in safety, in fact it's gone backwards for both bikes and motors due to ever increasing light brightness.

Avatar
funk3y | 5 years ago
1 like

I ended up just getting the moon meteor x auto pro and moon comet x pack on ebay for £29

Avatar
ibr17xvii | 5 years ago
0 likes

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/exposure-tracer-usb-rechargeable-rear-light-with...

 

These are excellent.

Avatar
scotthunter | 5 years ago
0 likes

Just got a CatEye Rapid X3 and it's blinding. 150 lumens and has two independant LED strips for wider visibility. It was £35 from Wiggle.

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds replied to scotthunter | 5 years ago
1 like

scotthunter wrote:

Just got a CatEye Rapid X3 and it's blinding. 150 lumens and has two independant LED strips for wider visibility. It was £35 from Wiggle.

And there's the problem, lights that are too bright are just as unhelpful including 'blinding' for people on bikes following and likewise for front llights for oncoming.

If your commute is only 20minutes then this is all you'll need, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Evans-Cycles-FWE-Usb-Rechargeable-30-Lumen-Re... 30 lumens in more than enough for  rear light even in urban traffic. The slow pulse mod is my favourite.

This has been my main commute light for the last two years, I only use the single light but it has a twin or mixed pulse/flash mode https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/ETC-Tailbright-Duo-2-LED-3-Mode-Rear-Bike-Bicyc... 2 half decent AAA batteries last plenty long enough

£30 on a rear light is wasted money IMHO, you're not improving safety, the only thing you gain with more money is longer run times but my old Knightlite run for a dogs age on 2AAA. I've never had issues with being seen at night in 35 years of road cycling, people will see or not see, same as always.  

 

Avatar
Yorkshire wallet | 5 years ago
0 likes

Those USB lights are pretty generic and very cheap now. They also work very well even at £5. I got a twin pack for £9 and it's as bright as you'd need. I just leave a USB cable at work and top up as needed. Lasts pretty much all week anyway.

Avatar
Welsh boy | 5 years ago
0 likes

If you are quick and can find one have a look at this one, I bought one a week or two ago and it is great

 

https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/rechargeable-led-safety-rear-bike-light-a01ub

 

Apart from that I have used Moon lights (front LX760, rear Comet Mk II) for years and have tried others but keep going back to the Moon.

 

Quick edit, I have just checked on line, Maplin still have them in stock, free P&P so I ordered another 2 for spares.

Avatar
zero_trooper replied to Welsh boy | 5 years ago
0 likes
Welsh boy wrote:

If you are quick and can find one have a look at this one, I bought one a week or two ago and it is great

 

https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/rechargeable-led-safety-rear-bike-light-a01ub

 

Apart from that I have used Moon lights (front LX760, rear Comet Mk II) for years and have tried others but keep going back to the Moon.

 

Quick edit, I have just checked on line, Maplin still have them in stock, free P&P so I ordered another 2 for spares.

Moon +1
I bought a Gemini for only £10. (CRC I think). Two bright LEDs and the quality is excellent

Latest Comments