The Infini Olley is a diminutive rear light that looks sleek on a race bike yet is very bright with good battery life, and can also be attached to clothing or a backpack for versatility. It's a good light and easy to use, but there are brighter options for the same money.
- Pros: Compact, light, good choice of modes
- Cons: There are brighter lights for similar money
I'm a real fan of the compact form-factor of the Olley rear light. It almost disappears on the back of the seatpost, you hardly see it during the daytime – a good thing if you're concerned with the aesthetics of your bike and don't want its clean lines ruined by a bulky light. I think you're more likely to keep it on all the time as well for that reason, or that might just be me...
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A thick silicone band fixes it in place, and it accommodates a range of seatpost diameters from 25.4mm round posts to aero seatposts. It also has an integrated plastic clip for attaching it to clothing, say the back of your jeans, or to a rucksack. That means you can use it as your main light on the bike or as an accessory light on your person. Also included in the box are cable ties and a Velcro strap for extra attachment options.
The 20-lumen output from the 38-chip LED gives a decent brightness that is sufficient for commuting and riding into dark countryside lanes. It's more than capable of being the main light and not just a backup/emergency light, though some might prefer a brighter option.
There's a choice of modes from constant to flashing, easily operated by the top button. One of the modes is a daytime flashing option, though it's a good choice for night as well as using during the daytime. Side-on visibility, ideal for dealing with junctions, is helped by the contour shape that increases viewing angles.
The small plastic light is water resistant to IPX4 standard. That means it offers protection from a splash of water in any direction for at least 5 minutes. That doesn't sound overly impressive, but I got caught in a horrendous downpour that instantly turned roads into rivers and the rain was accompanied by hail, as good a test as any for a rear light. It coped admirably, continuing to project its red beam into the growing darkness that surrounded me.
> Buyer's Guide: 16 of the best rear lights for cycling
Infini claims 8 hours on the daytime flashing mode, and between 5 and 20 hours on the other four regular flash modes, and 1.5 or 4.5 hours on the two constant modes. It's a good selection of modes and the run-times compare favourably with other diddy rear lights and are sufficient for daily commuting and training rides. I found the cited durations about on the money in my testing.
Charging is via a mini USB socket located underneath a thick rubber cover, with just two hours required to brim the battery. To prevent overcharging, the light has an auto full-charge cut-off system, handy for leaving the light on charge overnight.
All things considered, it's a well-made light that is tiny and lightweight and a good option as your main light for commuting and training, or as a backup to a brighter main light. It's easy to use and mount, has a good selection of modes, and the run-time is decent.
The price is reasonable, too, though there are brighter lights for the same or less money. The Oxford Ultratorch Slimline is a similarly compact light and costs a few quid less but does boast a 50-lumen output, so if you want more brightness it has the edge.
Costing precisely the same is the Sigma Nugget Flash rear light which looks to offer easy mounting, good battery life and a useful selection of modes.
Verdict
Compact and easy to use light, though there are brighter options for the same money
Make and model: Infini Olley rear light
Size tested: 50.6x28x20mm
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?
Infini says:
Rear safety lighting now comes in a new, versatile form factor. Introducing the I-210R olley boasts a 38-chip, 20 lumen output illumination in a compact, versatile configuration. The olley is user-friendly and offers low battery reminders, power level monitoring and smart charging that shuts off when the power is topped off.
DESIGN
The I-210R olley's all-new 38-chip LED is bright and conspicuous despite being compact and versatile. The contoured shape belongs on any bike or bag while the mounting options make it versatile enough to fit anywhere.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?
Innovative 38-chip LED maximizes visible surface area.
Daytime flashing and night time illumination modes.
Contoured lens enhanced viewing angles for increased safety.
Integrated plastic clip can be installed on a belt, bag clip, or anywhere.
Auto full-charge cut off system can prevents battery damage by overcharging.
IPX4 waterproof standard.
Rate the light for quality of construction:
7/10
Nicely made little light.
Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
8/10
It's as simple to use, the single button operation is a doddle.
Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
8/10
Very easy to use rubber band or a clip to attach to clothing/bags.
Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
8/10
More than adequate to dealing with heavy prolonged rain.
Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
7/10
Run and charging times live up to expectations.
Rate the light for performance:
7/10
It's bright, has lots of modes and is easy to fit to the bike.
Rate the light for durability:
7/10
I've been impressed so far, it's been absolutely drowned in horrendous rain and subjected to loads of mud spray from long winter rides and it's still going strong.
Rate the light for weight:
8/10
Rate the light for value:
6/10
If you want max brightness there are better value lights.
Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Does what a rear light is supposed to do. I like the range of modes and it's easy to use.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the light
Very small and easy to use.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light
It could be brighter, I guess.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
There are brighter lights for the same or less money but I feel this one is bright enough, and the clean design, ease of use and small form-factor are appealing.
Did you enjoy using the light? Yes
Would you consider buying the light? Yes
Would you recommend the light to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
A really compact, smart looking and easy to use light with several attachment modes for bike or person, but there are brighter options for the same money if you want to dazzle other road users.
Age: 31 Height: 180cm Weight: 67kg
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, mountain biking
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