Rear lights for commuting

[JamesM]

Re:

I don't think one rear light is enough. I commute 80 to 100 miles a week and on a number of occasions I have reached my destination to find that one of my two rear lights has gone very dim or gone out completely.

I use a Lezyne microdrive and a Smart R1.

For the record the Smart R1 1 watt light when compared with the Smart 1/2watt light is brighter, but I wouldn't say it's that much brighter. It does however get through batteries in less than half the time of the 1/2 watt. Obviously because the main LED is twice the power but also on the R1 the other two smaller LEDs are on constant where as on the 1/2 watt they flash.

 

[JamesM]

Re:

One more thing. I don't really buy the whole thing about flashing lights and not being able to judge distance. F1 cars have been using flashing red lights in poor visibility situations for decades. I also drive and have never had a problem judging the distance to a cyclist with a flashing light. A little constant red bike light can easily be lost in amoungst all the red lights on motor vehicles. Flashing lights stand out in this situation.

 

[cce]

if you have a rack, the RSP Tourlite is really good.

 

[barry2017]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever driven behind one of those twin laser led rear lights?

I bet you can't see them under car headlights.

 

[barry2017]

if you have a rack, the RSP Tourlite is really good.

Another advantage of those big rack-mounted lights is that as they generally include a BS approved reflector, which is technically a legal requirement.

Does it matter? Maybe if you meet a pedantic police officer or are hit by a car and try to sue the driver. Otherwise I'd say it's academic.

 

[cce]

if you have a rack, the RSP Tourlite is really good.

Another advantage of those big rack-mounted lights is that as they generally include a BS approved reflector, which is technically a legal requirement.

Does it matter? Maybe if you meet a pedantic police officer or are hit by a car and try to sue the driver. Otherwise I'd say it's academic.

Now I've got a rack I don't see why you'd want to use anything else. It's bright, and even if it does fail it has the reflector as you say. it's also not about to get nicked


if you do meet a pedantic copper, then most of us don't have pedal reflectors....

 

[barry2017]

Totally agreed about the rear rack comment. Far and away the best place to mount a light if you have one.

 

[jimplops]

I've just picked up a cateye nima off eBay, only £9 delivered and incredibly bright and very compact and sat on the seatpost perfectly.