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review
Lights - rear
PDW Fenderbot Tail LightPDW Fenderbot

PDW Fenderbot Tail Light

8
by rob_simmonds
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Mar 15, 2012

0
£16.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Nice practical rear light with a built in failsafe
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.paligap.cc
How we test

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This neat little light from Portland funsters PDW won't win you any prizes in the great rear light arms race but it's a useful safety aid nonetheless.

PDW do good names and there's a clue in this one. It attaches to your mudguard rather than the seatpost, which means it's impossible to forget or lose. If you have mudguards with a reflector already fitted then you're in luck, just unscrew it and fit the Fenderbot using the holes. If you don't have holes then you'll have to drill some and PDW have kindly printed a template on the packaging. The only downside of this extra security is that you have to unscrew the front of the light to replace the batteries, but that's not such a big deal because this isn't a honking great space laser and two AAA batteries will last a claimed 200 hours.

As I've hinted, this isn't the kind of rear light that fries eggs at a hundred yards and inspires epic 'but is it safe?' debates on cycling forums. It's a pretty modest single LED sitting on top of a large reflector. PDW don't say much about the reflector but their bigger Radbot 1000 light has one just like it and that is, apparently, 'EU compliant'. With the LED rocking its thing (flashing or steady, no silly bossanova patterns here thanks) the reflector is pretty much irrelevant but it's good to know you have it, just in case.

Urban cyclists might be wanting something a bit more eyecatching, a small LED somewhere below knee height isn't going to cut it in the neon jungle, but long distance types will certainly appreciate it. It's plenty bright enough to keep you visible on country roads and it's not going to distract, enrage or hypnotise anyone riding on your wheel, very important on group rides and longer audaxes. Back it up with something a bit sharper on your seatpost and you've got an ideal rig for all types of riding.

It's not cheap but it feels solid and shows that a rear light doesn't have to be a FRIKKIN LASER BEAM to be effective.

Verdict

Nice practical rear light with a built in failsafe.

road.cc test report

Make and model: PDW Fenderbot Tail Light

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product 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?

Blurb - "The fenderbot™ taillight is a rock steady safety signal designed to make you more visible."

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

"It's equipped with a precision reflector and super bright red LED."

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

It's a small LED, but effective in less built up areas.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

62g isn't going to drag you backwards on hills.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

There aren't many lights like it around and it's a practical addition to any touring, commuting or audaxing bike.

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

Very good

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Huge runtime, reflector adds a failsafe mechanism if the light fails, friendly to riding companions.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Excecllent addition to anyone's lighting armoury.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 5' 8  Weight: er....85kg

I usually ride: Kona Dew Drop, Dawes Century SE, Carlton Corsa  My best bike is: Guess SC1 scandium

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, Audax and long distance solo rides

 

PDW Fenderbot Tail Light
PDW
Portland Design Works

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