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In this week’s edition of Five Cool Things, we have a rear light from L-Bow designed to make you “appear wider to faster moving traffic”, the latest electric mini pump from Truflo, a rain jacket from Rapha, heavy duty wall anchor from Pragmasis and a two-in-one backpack and bike bag from Ortlieb. Here are the previews before our full reviews go live…
L-Bow Mk-2 rear bike light (£24.95)
Designed to reduce close passes, the second-generation L-Bow rear light claims it “encourages vehicles to pass you at a safer distance, drastically reducing close passes… because the L-Bow’s unique design makes you appear wider to faster moving traffic.”
Weighing in at 190g on the road.cc Scales of Truth, the light delivers a maximum of 120 lumens and is USB-C rechargeable. It fits round seatposts only (not aero) and can be aligned in three different positions. Josh Price is currently putting it to the test, so check back soon for his full review.
Truflo Electron Compact Electric Pump (£49.99)
Truflo has been making bike pumps since the 1980s, and the Electron Compact Electric Pump is their mini electric offering. Priced at £49.99, the Electron Compact is cheaper than most electric mini pumps we’ve tested and promises an accuracy range of ±1 PSI.
The brand claims it can inflate three tyres from flat on a single charge, with a maximum pressure of 120 PSI.
Is it time to ditch the fiddly mini pump/or avoid the hassle of CO₂ cartridges and go electric? Jen George will be putting it to the test and sharing her verdict soon.
Rapha Men’s Core Rain Jacket (£140)
> How to choose the right waterproof cycling jacket
The Rapha Men’s Core Rain Jacket is described as “fully waterproof, wind resistant and light”, made from a 100% recycled polyester construction.
Rapha’s Core range is designed with a regular fit to suit a wide range of body types, sitting looser than the brand’s close-fitting Pro Team range. The jacket is lightweight at 158g, and Henry Winchester is currently testing the Ultraviolet colourway. It’s also available in grey, dark green, black, navy, cornflower and bright orange, with six sizes from XS to XXL.
Pragmasis Super Shed Shackle (£79.95)
> Which type of lock is best for your bike?
This heavy-duty wall anchor is designed to be used with a Pragmasis chain to deter even the most organised thieves from trying to steal your pride and joy. It has a Sold Secure Gold security rating and is designed to create a secure anchor point in wooden sheds, bike stores, and timber outbuildings.
The Super Shed Shackle is 8mm thick and the brand claims it can be installed in 15 minutes. Has it given Matt Page some extra peace of mind? His verdict is coming soon.
Find out more information here
Ortlieb Vario Lite (£155)
The Vario Lite from Ortlieb combines a waterproof backpack with a bicycle bag in a clever design, featuring a roll-top closure and Ortlieb’s Quick-Lock mounting system that’s designed to fit almost any luggage rack.
It has a reversible Powernet flap for switching between backpack and bike bag mode, and there’s 22L of storage on offer. An outer pocket provides quick access, while internal organisation includes a padded laptop sleeve.
For all the latest full test reports on road.cc, head over to our reviews section. For more advice before splashing the cash, you can check out our buyer’s guides, and head over to road.cc Recommends to find all our top-rated products in one place.
7 thoughts on “A rear light designed to reduce close passes, an electric mini pump from Truflo + more cool stuff from Rapha, Ortlieb and Pragmasis”
Crikey! I thought I had all
Crikey! I thought I had all my pressies (to myself) sorted this Christmas…. what a dilemma I now have.
If the elbow is designed to reduce close passes, may it should protrude 1.5m???
If the elbow is designed to
If the elbow is designed to reduce close passes, maybe it should protrude 1.5m???
It would need to protrude 2m from the midline, then I would genuinely consider it. It may be that one of the ‘3 positions’ would do that. I await the review to tell us whether the torsional stability is good enough. It wouldn’t deter the hardcore ‘well I had to overtake and there was a bus coming the other way and anyway the police do it so it must be OK’ driver, but it could really help!
https://upride.cc/incident/sr17lhv_hilux_closepass/
https://upride.cc/incident/kn21axh_lancspolice_closepass/
I have been using a homemade
I have been using a homemade version of the Lbow for years. It is 750 mm from the centre line and works really well to reduce close passes to near zero. It is also great for encouraging drivers to slow down and execute a proper pass. I e it stops those foul “Oh I can Just squeeze past quickly” passes that go wrong when there is something coming the other way.
The L-Bow light looks
The L-Bow light looks promising enough to be worth a punt. How about a RoadCC review of it?
They already have a review in
They already have a review in hand!
Any plans to make a bracket
Any plans to make a bracket that will fit aero seatposts? Every rear light etc I have bought for years has an aero post mounting option.
“Mounting bracket included to fit ROUND seat posts from 22-32mm (will not fit aero seat posts)”
It’s really not the sort of
It’s really not the sort of product many people would put on an aero bike – kind of defeats the point – so I doubt the demand would make it worth their while. Wouldn’t have thought it too difficult to jury-rig a converter though?