Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 September, 2010, 04:09:18 pm
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I need a light to fit on the back of my rack. Every bike shop I go into has dozens of these - but only attached to the bikes they are selling. None seem to sell any separately. :( A further complication is that these are almost all dynamo-powered, and I want one that runs on batteries (I could buy a dynamo too, but then I'd get into buying a new front light and... not justifiable). So I've found some online. :)
There's the D-Toplight from Busch + Muller, (http://www.rowerystylowe.pl/busch-muller-dtoplight-permanent-baterie-p-3831.html) which also comes in a more expensive version with motion and darkness sensor. (http://www.rowerystylowe.pl/dtoplight-senso-czujnik-zmierzchu-light-safestop-p-3832.html) I don't think I need that sensor, but wait! There are others. B+M's website shows the different functions of all the models (http://www.bumm.de/index-e.html) but I'd like to know how much difference in brightness the number of LEDs makes. Anyone have any experience with these?
Then there's Axa-Basta's offering, (http://www.rowerystylowe.pl/axabasta-zoom-steady-system-light-safestop-dynamobaterie-p-3839.html) which claims to be brighter despite having only one LED and being a bit cheaper. I'm used to Smart rears which have at least 3 diodes, somehow I find it difficult to trust only one. Am I being over-cautious?
Lastly, does anyone know of any other rack-fitting lights?
Thanks to all.
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If I remember, you can get a Cateye bracket which fits to the rear of a rack.
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I've found that the basic 4D Toplight (http://www.bikester.co.uk/bicycle-equipment/bicycle-lights/battery-run-rear-lights/4994.html?_cid=1_3_2_2110_2114_2202_4994_&c=18#busch-u-mueller-b-m-4d-toplight-permanent-9079) is a perfectly good rack lamp.
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the smart 1/2W has a bracket assembly that fits just about anything.
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The Smart bracket assembly is/was available from Wiggle and allows for different hole spacings.
Anyone know if the new Smart lights use the same bracket?
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I've found that the basic 4D Toplight (http://www.bikester.co.uk/bicycle-equipment/bicycle-lights/battery-run-rear-lights/4994.html?_cid=1_3_2_2110_2114_2202_4994_&c=18#busch-u-mueller-b-m-4d-toplight-permanent-9079) is a perfectly good rack lamp.
The 4-D Toplight is about the only one the website I found doesn't have! I could always buy from your link, it's just easier and cheaper on postage (sometimes not only on postage) to buy from a Polish site. Do the extra diodes make a noticeable difference?
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I got a B&M Toplight flat permanent (http://www.bike24.com/p212794.html) for the rack on my folder.
It's not as bright as my other rear lights, (Smart 0.5 watts and a dynamo driven B&M on my Globe).
I know there are breackets available for e.g. the Smart lights to mount to the rack fitting, I didn't want anything that would stick out too farand hence might easily get knocked when stowing the bike on the train.
The toplight s better in this regard. It also incorporates a pair of good reflectors.
Note that although the description says "Extremely flat casing (approx. 117 x 50 x 20 mm)", it isn't actually that flat. the only way you can measure it at 20mm is if you ignore the half of the casing that has the AA batteries in it!
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What's the rack like ?
As mrcharly says, many LED lights can fit (or be made to fit) quite successfully)
I use a pair of these (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/showimage.asp?image=images/products/images/products/esgearclightbrktbig_xl.jpg&title=Hebie+ARC+J82S+SL+Universal+Rack+Fitting+Light+Bracket&image2=http://www.sjscycles.com/xxlimages/esgearclightbrktbig_xxl.jpg)
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the smart 1/2W has a bracket assembly that fits just about anything.
The Smart bracket assembly is/was available from Wiggle and allows for different hole spacings.
Anyone know if the new Smart lights use the same bracket?
Does it? I was under the impression it would only fit a tube of whatever sort, such as a seat post etc. I have a Smart light which I use on the seat post, but occasionally (almost every day actually!) it gets obscured but *something)* on the rack. One day this is going to happen when it's dark.
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What's the rack like ?
As mrcharly says, many LED lights can fit (or be made to fit) quite successfully)
I use a pair of these (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/showimage.asp?image=images/products/images/products/esgearclightbrktbig_xl.jpg&title=Hebie+ARC+J82S+SL+Universal+Rack+Fitting+Light+Bracket&image2=http://www.sjscycles.com/xxlimages/esgearclightbrktbig_xxl.jpg)
Been there, done that, albeit a little more homemade. I just want something that fits more flush and ideally incorporates a reflector too. As Oaky says, things that stick out too far get knocked off.
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the smart 1/2W has a bracket assembly that fits just about anything.
The Smart bracket assembly is/was available from Wiggle and allows for different hole spacings.
Anyone know if the new Smart lights use the same bracket?
Does it? I was under the impression it would only fit a tube of whatever sort, such as a seat post etc. I have a Smart light which I use on the seat post, but occasionally (almost every day actually!) it gets obscured but *something)* on the rack. One day this is going to happen when it's dark.
The rackmount bracket isn't supplied with the light, but is a separate accessory:-
SMART Rack Bracket :: £3.50 :: PARTS & ACCESSORIES :: Lights - Mounting Brackets :: Spa Cycles, Harrogate - The touring cyclists specialist. (http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b56s169p1130&rs=gb)
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Thanks, that's useful, looks neat, but would in turn mean finding another place for the reflector. It's like dominoes...
I think one of the B+Ms or Axas with integrated light and reflector is probably the way to go for me.
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Ooh, I've found one for less than ten złoty (that's about, ooh, a little over two quid!) It is (theoretically) in a shop 30km from me. Sporti.pl - Sklep Sportowo - Rowerowy / Karta produktu (http://www.sporti.pl/karta-produktu/art,516,lampa-tylna-na-bagaznik-3-diody-160268-r.html) Probably crap, but at that price might even be worth a ride!
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I've found that the basic 4D Toplight (http://www.bikester.co.uk/bicycle-equipment/bicycle-lights/battery-run-rear-lights/4994.html?_cid=1_3_2_2110_2114_2202_4994_&c=18#busch-u-mueller-b-m-4d-toplight-permanent-9079) is a perfectly good rack lamp.
The 4-D Toplight is about the only one the website I found doesn't have! I could always buy from your link, it's just easier and cheaper on postage (sometimes not only on postage) to buy from a Polish site. Do the extra diodes make a noticeable difference?
I think so. It's a bright light but not bright in a Smart kinda way.
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There's the D-Toplight from Busch + Muller, (http://www.rowerystylowe.pl/busch-muller-dtoplight-permanent-baterie-p-3831.html) which also comes in a more expensive version with motion and darkness sensor. (http://www.rowerystylowe.pl/dtoplight-senso-czujnik-zmierzchu-light-safestop-p-3832.html)
In case it's of interest... I have an unused Busch + Muller D Toplight Permanent here I keep meaning to sell. It's the battery model, and has, I think, two LED's which point sideways and two more facing the rear (which makes it the 4D? I'm as confused as you over the mutlitude of models). It's not the clever sensor model, so you turn it on and off manually. Runs on AA's.
It's not ever been used, but the packaging is a bit dog eared from having been in my bits box for ages.
£12 including postage.
(http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/1522/bmtoplight.jpg)
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Just bright should be enough - the lighting war is less advanced out here! But if the extra diodes do make a difference, then the ordinary 2-led version will be less bright. Well, should be ok, though.
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the smart 1/2W has a bracket assembly that fits just about anything.
The Smart bracket assembly is/was available from Wiggle and allows for different hole spacings.
Anyone know if the new Smart lights use the same bracket?
Does it? I was under the impression it would only fit a tube of whatever sort, such as a seat post etc. I have a Smart light which I use on the seat post, but occasionally (almost every day actually!) it gets obscured but *something)* on the rack. One day this is going to happen when it's dark.
The fittings supplied with the 1/2W fit many different sizes of tube, from seat tubes down to rack tubing.
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Get a Cateye LD600 or 610.
1 - If your rack DOES have a flat plate welded to the rear then buy the Cateye "belt-clip" adapter. This slides perfectly over the metal plate. You can then make sure it stays put by securing with a cable tie. (I actually drilled a small hole in the plastic clip to do a better job).
2 - If it DOESN'T then wrap some inner-tube around the rear-most rack tube, secure it with some tape and use the normal Cateye tube clamp bracket. Tightening it holds the whole thing in place.
I use both methods currently and they have been rock solid for years. I also really rate both the Cateye lights.
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There's the D-Toplight from Busch + Muller, (http://www.rowerystylowe.pl/busch-muller-dtoplight-permanent-baterie-p-3831.html) which also comes in a more expensive version with motion and darkness sensor. (http://www.rowerystylowe.pl/dtoplight-senso-czujnik-zmierzchu-light-safestop-p-3832.html)
In case it's of interest... I have an unused Busch + Muller D Toplight Permanent here I keep meaning to sell. It's the battery model, and has, I think, two LED's which point sideways and two more facing the rear (which makes it the 4D? I'm as confused as you over the mutlitude of models). It's not the clever sensor model, so you turn it on and off manually. Runs on AA's.
It's not ever been used, but the packaging is a bit dog eared from having been in my bits box for ages.
£12 including postage.
(http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/1522/bmtoplight.jpg)
That's tempting! When you say including postage, you do know I'm not in the UK?
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+1 for Cateye LD600 or 610. Even some of the smaller and older Cateye LED rear lights are still nice and bright.
You can't tell how bright a light is by the number of LEDs. Yes, a single LED can be brighter than five other LEDs put together in some cases. Multiple LEDs sometimes (only sometimes) broaden the viewing angle, though.
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That's tempting! When you say including postage, you do know I'm not in the UK?
Oh, sorry, didn't realise!
£10 plus postage at whatever it costs then. I don't know where you are so unsure how economical it would be to send to you.
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I'm in Poland. Don't know how much it would cost, presumably it depends on the weight. Anyway, I'm going to investigate a clip and a Smart light!
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The now legendary Radbot 1000 is about twice as bright as a Smart, includes a decent reflector and comes with a (Smart-compatible) rack bracket.
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Are you suggesting I start gently throbbing? :)
The rack-fitting bracket means it fits to the back of the rack - to the metal plate with holes in that is welded on to the back of the rack - rather than a sticky-up extra bar thing?
Googling Radbot reveals that the Habsburg dynasty was founded by one Radbot, died 1045, whose brother Werner was bishop of Strasburg.
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Are you suggesting I start gently throbbing? :)
The rack-fitting bracket means it fits to the back of the rack - to the metal plate with holes in that is welded on to the back of the rack - rather than a sticky-up extra bar thing?
Everyone should do a bit of gentle throbbing... :)
Yes, it's a flattish triangularish thing that bolts to the plate on the rack and provides the Smart-style fixing.
They also include the usual clamp-to-a-tube bracket.
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with the bigger rack mounted, flattish style, lights, how is the battery life? I use a couple of little Smartflash things on one bike and they're still on the original triple A's.
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That B&M light is pretty bright and has a humungous reflector. Its Achilles heel is that the lens can fall off if it gets whacked, and then needs gluing back on. Some racks tuck the rear light underneath to top platform slightly (my Tubus Vega doesn't), which would protect it.
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The batteries in my B&M 4DToplight Multi rear lights last for absolutely ages. But they're dynamo powered.
No, hang on a minute, I can be more scientific than that...
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=34773.msg652800#msg652800 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=34773.msg652800#msg652800)
Obviously AAs have a higher capacity than AAAs, so you'll have to compensate for that to compare them.
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+1 for Cateye LD600 or 610. Even some of the smaller and older Cateye LED rear lights are still nice and bright.
+1
I'm also a big fan of the Cateye AU100 (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cateye/tl-au100-bs-rear-light-ec009139), which is plenty bright enough, has excellent side-on visibility and incorporates a reflector.
If your rack has a plate on the back, it doesn't even need a bracket because you can screw it directly to the plate - I have two AU100s fixed to the back of a Tortec rack in this way.
d.
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I had just made my mind up to order a 4D Toplight, having found it on another site for only a little more than the 2D, but now I'm considering the TL AU100, which is rather cheaper. In fact, I could almost get two... :-\
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The TL AU 100 is pretty dim by today's standards. I thought it was great when it came out, but it looks very disappointing against even a Wilko special these days.
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The TL AU 100 is pretty dim by today's standards. I thought it was great when it came out, but it looks very disappointing against even a Wilko special these days.
One of the advantages of the AU100, is that in the UK it's sold as the "TL-AU100 BS" and is actually a BS6102/3 conforming light (one of the few easily available).
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One of the advantages of the AU100, is that in the UK it's sold as the "TL-AU100 BS" and is actually a BS6102/3 conforming light (one of the few easily available).
I'd say that a German 'K' number, as the B&M stuff has, is a reasonable equivalent if you care about legality.
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Whilst I believe the current legislation says that a light conforming to an equivalent European standard should be as acceptable as a UK BS6102/3 light, I'm not sure that this has ever been legally shown to be acceptable (ie in a court). Clearly with a BS6102/3 light, there is no question of argument (hopefully) from either the courts or insurers.
Having said that, I'm happy that my TL-LD1100 and Dinotte 140R-LI light far exceed the light provided by a BS6102/3 conforming light, and prefer this to an AU100, especially since I had an older AU100, which made a leap for freedom and shattered into a thousand bits. :-\
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One of the advantages of the AU100, is that in the UK it's sold as the "TL-AU100 BS" and is actually a BS6102/3 conforming light (one of the few easily available).
I'd say that a German 'K' number, as the B&M stuff has, is a reasonable equivalent if you care about legality.
I'm in Poland (at the moment anyway :-\) so BS is bs and K is... well, there's a Polish word that fits but I won't use it here.
More to the point, it looks as if the reflector on TLAU100 is far from parallel with the rear casing, so when mounted on a rack or any other vertical surface, the reflector (and possibly also the light itself) won't in fact conform to UK CUR. The first review on this page (http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews-all-118378.html) seems to confirm that.
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The TL AU 100 is pretty dim by today's standards. I thought it was great when it came out, but it looks very disappointing against even a Wilko special these days.
One of the advantages of the AU100, is that in the UK it's sold as the "TL-AU100 BS" and is actually a BS6102/3 conforming light (one of the few easily available).
Technically it isn't!
The BS6102/3 is referring to the reflector and not the light!
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British Standards really are BS. Conforming to the designated standard means nothing more than the light ticks all the boxes on a checklist drawn up by some civil servant in Whitehall.
As Roger says, there are much brighter lights on the market now than the AU100. I've just bought some of those cheapo lights from Hong Kong off ebay and the rear lights (which I have mounted on my Bagman rack using a couple of the Hebie brackets mentioned by MV upthread) really are stupidly bright - I'm scared to have them in flashing mode for fear of bringing on epileptic fits in any driver who approaches me from behind.
The AU100s are plenty bright enough for most purposes.
d.
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I like these at £4.99
Clas Ohlson
(http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?id=152355253)
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Yeah, I almost went and bought a 4D Toplight for 99 zloty. Which sounded ok to me. Then I converted into pounds and it's about L22, which for some reason sounds scary! Good job I'm not still thinking in rupees, I guess. Oh, I am?
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The TL AU 100 is pretty dim by today's standards. I thought it was great when it came out, but it looks very disappointing against even a Wilko special these days.
One of the advantages of the AU100, is that in the UK it's sold as the "TL-AU100 BS" and is actually a BS6102/3 conforming light (one of the few easily available).
Technically it isn't!
The BS6102/3 is referring to the reflector and not the light!
No, BS6102/3 refers to the light. BS6102/2 - which it also has - refers to the reflector.
So it's a myth (or reference to a previous version?) that the BS mark is for the reflector only - and I've been guilty of repeating it myself.
The light is adequately bright for urban roads, IMO, and economical, especially as it uses AA rather than AAA batteries.
I recommend an LD610, LD600, LD130 or LD150 to those who want something brighter, lighter and smaller. These each take AAA batteries. None makes you legal, though, since they have steady modes and no BS marks.
DFT Guidance about lights on pedal bicycles (http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/guidanceaboutlightsonpedalbi4556)
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More to the point, it looks as if the reflector on TLAU100 is far from parallel with the rear casing, so when mounted on a rack or any other vertical surface, the reflector (and possibly also the light itself) won't in fact conform to UK CUR. The first review on this page (http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews-all-118378.html) seems to confirm that.
Hmm, I'm not sure I get you (or that review). As far as I know, the AU100 comes with a fairly standard CatEye mount, which will probably best fit a seat post. The reflector should be broadly vertical, because then the emitters will also be horizontal and pointing directly rearward. The clamp may also fit on the seatstay (may need some packing out), but the two parts of the mount can be rotated relative to each other to accommodate that.
You can also buy a CatEye clamp for the rear of a rack, which will adjust to suit many racks, and other bits to suit different thickness of tubes etc.
The reflector doesn't need to be all that vertical, since it's a retro-reflector, and will reflect the light back towards it's source for most orientations of the reflector and the light, as long as these aren't too extreme.
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Get a Cateye LD600 or 610.
1 - If your rack DOES have a flat plate welded to the rear then buy the Cateye "belt-clip" adapter. This slides perfectly over the metal plate. You can then make sure it stays put by securing with a cable tie. (I actually drilled a small hole in the plastic clip to do a better job).
2 - If it DOESN'T then wrap some inner-tube around the rear-most rack tube, secure it with some tape and use the normal Cateye tube clamp bracket. Tightening it holds the whole thing in place.
I use both methods currently and they have been rock solid for years. I also really rate both the Cateye lights.
Lee, I just did the same thing last week, with the variation of expanded polystyrene pipe-lagging instead of inner tube, also using a cable tie as extra security. Seems pretty solid. The pipe-lagging also appears on my bar-ends for shock absorption in Rochdale's moonscape. This'll probably have to be replaced fairly regularly, though; after yesterday's 200, it was pretty well moulded and a lot thinner!
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More to the point, it looks as if the reflector on TLAU100 is far from parallel with the rear casing, so when mounted on a rack or any other vertical surface, the reflector (and possibly also the light itself) won't in fact conform to UK CUR. The first review on this page (http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews-all-118378.html) seems to confirm that.
The main part of the rear casing is not parallel to the part that fits on the bracket. The part that fits the bracket is parallel to the reflector, so when mounted normally, the reflector is exactly vertical, and the main LEDs point directly rearward. (Some Cateye brackets are pivoted so you can have any angle you like, but this isn't needed to get the reflector vertical with a bracket that is vertical).
It's been suggested that the supplied bracket doesn't conform to the regs, but I think that's unrelated to angles, and I'm not even sure it's correct.
(http://www.blayleys.com/articles/lights/thumbnails/cateye_tl.jpg)
Photo borrowed from The Bayleys (http://www.blayleys.com/articles/lights/page5.htm).
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The bit about the supplied bracket relates to, IIRC Chris Juden's explanation, that the bracket is of an 'adjustable' type band rather than a solid band. The standard Cateye bracket supplied is like a zip tie. I am not sure why this should be seen as less acceptable but there you go.
I like the light very much and still have three which get supplementary use on various machines. Mine have seen years of use yet remain very reliable. Having the integrated reflector is a major bonus IMO.
I would have liked a similar spec lamp, i.e. led, battery powered and with an integrated reflector that could be mounted onto a mudguard. Such a best seems to be non-existent. Pity.
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I wasn't quite sure what the bit about the brackets was referring to, I had assumed that there were different brackets to fit the light to different places. Biggsy's photo shows that I was wrong about the relative angles of the light's parts - the photo I'd seen (http://www.rowerystylowe.pl/cateye-tlau-p-3940.html) didn't show the back part.
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I would have liked a similar spec lamp, i.e. led, battery powered and with an integrated reflector that could be mounted onto a mudguard. Such a best seems to be non-existent. Pity.
You mean something like this? (http://www.rowerystylowe.pl/lampka-tylna-retro-diodowa-baterie-p-2352.html) Don't know who makes it, it just says that it's made in Holland and used in Batavus bikes. It isn't clear whether it runs on AAs or AAAs - I expect the latter - but it's definitely battery powered and fits on a mudguard. They're selling it for about 6.50, I don't know if they would post it to UK though.
Edit: now with correct link.
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Spannanga do a couple of battery powered mudguard taillights. We use them, AAA batteries.
Ooh. Found some at Peter White (in the US), looks quite good.
Did you get yours posted from there? (and if so, at what cost, any import duties, yada yada ...? :) )
They also do this neat-looking rear light. Looks like it would go on seat stays without the annoying pointing up into following riders' eyes issue (that the ubiquitous Cateye's suffer):
Seatpost Mounted Taillights - Hella RL ONE (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/taillights-bat.asp#seatposttls)
EDIT: crosspost, I'm guessing you ordered direct from NL? But I can't see any BUY buttons on the Spanninga site ...
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Thanks LWAB - the Pixeo XBA looks superb. Think I'll be trying to source a couple or three... :thumbsup:
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Sorry, I gave the wrong link. I've corrected it now Rowery holenderskie - RoweryStylowe.pl - rowery męskie i damskie, rowery miejskie, rowery elektryczne, rowery Wrocław, Warszawa, Krakow, serwis rowerowy Wrocław, sakwy rowerowe, torby rowerowe, rowery używane: Lampka tylna Retro diodowa / na baterie (http://www.rowerystylowe.pl/lampka-tylna-retro-diodowa-baterie-p-2352.html) and I think it actually is the Spanninga light. They don't give the manufacturer but it looks the same and is made in the Netherlands.
Edit: actually I think it's a copy of the Spanninga, as other items on that page are stated to be from Spanninga but this is given as "other".
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Get a Cateye LD600 or 610.
1 - If your rack DOES have a flat plate welded to the rear then buy the Cateye "belt-clip" adapter. This slides perfectly over the metal plate. You can then make sure it stays put by securing with a cable tie. (I actually drilled a small hole in the plastic clip to do a better job).
2 - If it DOESN'T then wrap some inner-tube around the rear-most rack tube, secure it with some tape and use the normal Cateye tube clamp bracket. Tightening it holds the whole thing in place.
I use both methods currently and they have been rock solid for years. I also really rate both the Cateye lights.
Cateye makes a rear rack bracket, available separately -
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cateye/rear-carrier-light-mount-ec008153#BVRRWidgetID (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cateye/rear-carrier-light-mount-ec008153#BVRRWidgetID)
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Spannanga do a couple of battery powered mudguard taillights. We use them, AAA batteries.
Ooh. Found some at Peter White (in the US), looks quite good.
Did you get yours posted from there? (and if so, at what cost, any import duties, yada yada ...? :) )
Import from the USA & unless they have an arrangement to pay the VAT, you're liable to pay it on delivery. The Post Office charge an administration fee on top of that, for collecting it. Better to buy within the EU, if possible.
I like the look of those Spanninga lights, but I've not found a UK supplier, so one probably has to buy from across the Channel.
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Some good offers (upto 50% off) on Cateye rears here at the moment. Just ordered a TL610, and they also stock the carrier mount bracket.
Rear Lights - Bike Lights from CycleExpress.co.uk (http://www.cyclexpress.co.uk/categories/Bike_Accessories/Bike_Lights/Rear_Lights.aspx)
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Ooh, I've found one for less than ten złoty (that's about, ooh, a little over two quid!) It is (theoretically) in a shop 30km from me. Sporti.pl - Sklep Sportowo - Rowerowy / Karta produktu (http://www.sporti.pl/karta-produktu/art,516,lampa-tylna-na-bagaznik-3-diody-160268-r.html) Probably crap, but at that price might even be worth a ride!
Does poland still use the infamous zloty? I assumed it was the euro - (forgive laziness re googling but nothing like someone on the ground) - I have memories in communist era Poland of desperately trying to feed zlotys into a payphone to call the UK - the coins were worth so little that I usually got cut off due to insufficient firing rate - should have used a machine gun. A bit off topic maybe I know :)
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It's better now. 1 current zloty is worth 10000 old (pre-1995) zlotych.
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Yes, it's still the złoty and likely to be for a good few years yet, but it's not the infamous one of the People's Republic. After hyperinflation in the late '80s and early '90s there was a currency reform in, I think, 1996 - one new złoty equal to 10,000 old złoty! - which brought reasonable price stability. When I first got here it was a bit confusing, because all the prices were in new złoty, but some people were still talking in old ones. You spent ten million złoty at the supermarket? :o :)
Edit: crossposted with Bledlow. What he said!
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Yes, it's still the złoty and likely to be for a good few years yet, but it's not the infamous one of the People's Republic. After hyperinflation in the late '80s and early '90s there was a currency reform in, I think, 1996 - one new złoty equal to 10,000 old złoty! - which brought reasonable price stability. When I first got here it was a bit confusing, because all the prices were in new złoty, but some people were still talking in old ones. You spent ten million złoty at the supermarket? :o :)
maybe I should PM you with recollections of Poland circa 1986 or this thread will go way off topic - from rear lights to currency moves/reshaping of the European map
all the best
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That might be interesting, thanks! A expect it would be a slightly different view to people's memories that I know.
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I would have liked a similar spec lamp, i.e. led, battery powered and with an integrated reflector that could be mounted onto a mudguard. Such a best seems to be non-existent. Pity.
You mean something like this? (http://www.rowerystylowe.pl/lampka-tylna-retro-diodowa-baterie-p-2352.html) Don't know who makes it, it just says that it's made in Holland and used in Batavus bikes. It isn't clear whether it runs on AAs or AAAs - I expect the latter - but it's definitely battery powered and fits on a mudguard. They're selling it for about 6.50, I don't know if they would post it to UK though.
Edit: now with correct link.
Shame those mudguard lights dont seem to be available in the uk
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EDIT: crosspost, I'm guessing you ordered direct from NL? But I can't see any BUY buttons on the Spanninga site ...
The JOS International link at the bottom of the page used to allow international ordering. I expect that an email to the Spanninga contact page would give you other options.
Well I didn't expect this:
From:
"Spanninga Sales Dept." <sales@spanninga.com>
Add sender to Contacts
To: ...
Dear mr. C,
We sell our lights in the UK under the brandname Bike Hut to the company
Halfords.
I hope this information is helpfull for you.
Spanninga Metaal bV
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That is unexpected! But unexpectedly good.
Meanwhile I still haven't got myself a light - tempted by the Spanninga Vector or the cheaper Arcus. Or maybe the Axa-Basta Zoom. Can't make up my mind. ::-) Have decided the D-Toplights are too ugly, though.
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Except that when one visits the Halfords website, the only Bikehut rear light shown does not fit to a mudguard.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_525149_langId_-1_categoryId_165636 (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_525149_langId_-1_categoryId_165636)
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I wouldn't be surprised if Halfords have more products in the shops than online. It's that sort of company.
Not that I want to raise hopes too high!
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And in any case isn't Bike Hut as a brand defunct?
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And in any case isn't Bike Hut as a brand defunct?
Only the BikeHut branded shops, they've reverted to normal Halfords stores now.
The BikeHut brand of cycling stuff is still alive and kicking and being sold in all of the Halfords stores.
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As I was in Halfords today, I did indeed scrutinise their light selection. No sign of the 2 rears I've mentioned here.
I wasn't surprised - I suspect they only import a small fraction of the Spanninga range - but then it's a small-ish store, so there is a glimmer of hope ...
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It'll be great if the Spanninga mudguard light was avaliable at Halfords, as long as it's reasonably priced.
I've been wanting to get one for a long time. There was a discussion on the CTC forum where it was mentioned you could buy it online from Jos. However the P&P was over £10, the light itself was well under £10.
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The Apollo light here used to be available through Chain Reaction (or maybe wiggle) for some crazy price, something nbetween £3 and £7 rings a bell.
At least as good as the german product in my view.
Us Lewisham Cyclists know a guy who bought loads for his school cycling club.
Very good though the control sequence of off/on/flashing/off forever perplexes me.
http://www.infini.tw/product_flashing_and_safety_lights_2.html
may be available in other markets of course - have seen some of their stuff on sale in Italy.
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The Apollo light here used to be available through Chain Reaction (or maybe wiggle) for some crazy price, something nbetween £3 and £7 rings a bell.
At least as good as the german product in my view.
Us Lewisham Cyclists know a guy who bought loads for his school cycling club.
Very good though the control sequence of off/on/flashing/off forever perplexes me.
http://www.infini.tw/product_flashing_and_safety_lights_2.html
may be available in other markets of course - have seen some of their stuff on sale in Italy.
I bought a couple of these in 2008 from CRC (ain't google mail wonderful) and yes they are very good rack lights, and yes the button control sequence is completely mad.
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Halfords apparently can be good at ordering things for you sometimes, so perhaps it's worth asking about the light in question.
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The Apollo light here used to be available through Chain Reaction (or maybe wiggle) for some crazy price, something nbetween £3 and £7 rings a bell.
http://www.infini.tw/product_flashing_and_safety_lights_2.html
Oooh! Exactly what I need to replace the dead rear light on my Brompton.
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The Apollo light here used to be available through Chain Reaction (or maybe wiggle) for some crazy price, something nbetween £3 and £7 rings a bell.
Got down to 3.99, possibly 2.99. I bought a few before they went out of stock. Decent light with an excellent reflector. Comparable to the B&M stuff.
Very good though the control sequence of off/on/flashing/off forever perplexes me.
Short clicks cycle between off/auto/permanently on. Long clicks toggle between static and flashing. The auto mode is rubbish.
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I tried the Cateye rack mount on my pomp.
Holes wrong spacing. So used the supplied cable ties. Light rattles a lot and fell apart twice. Now one of the cable ties has snapped.
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I tried the Cateye rack mount on my pomp.
Holes wrong spacing. So used the supplied cable ties. Light rattles a lot and fell apart twice. Now one of the cable ties has snapped.
The cable tie approach to using those mounts seems a bit naff at best. Luckily all of my mounts have holes with the right spacing, and they are pretty solid mounts when fitted like that.
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There seem to be two standard spacings for rack mounts, 5 and 8 cm. Many, but not all, racks simply have two slots in the plate to accommodate both. Some lights let you select which spacing you want to use by eg. inserting bolts into one of two pairs of holes, but with others you have to select the correct model at purchase. There are also racks with a plate which has only two holes fitted vertically above each other (I think Blackburn racks are like this), and others with no mounting plate whatsoever. Some standardisation might be beneficial for us poor users of these items.
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I tried the Cateye rack mount on my pomp.
Holes wrong spacing. So used the supplied cable ties. Light rattles a lot and fell apart twice. Now one of the cable ties has snapped.
The cable tie approach to using those mounts seems a bit naff at best. Luckily all of my mounts have holes with the right spacing, and they are pretty solid mounts when fitted like that.
I've got a number of the cateye rack mount adaptors. Very good, though they can make removing the light a bit tricky.
Much better than the 'bodge round a tube' approach.
..d
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Halfords apparently can be good at ordering things for you sometimes, so perhaps it's worth asking about the light in question.
Not a bad idea; of course I don't know the model in "Bike Hut" speak, but if they have a catalogue with pictures ...
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There seem to be two standard spacings for rack mounts, 5 and 8 cm. Many, but not all, racks simply have two slots in the plate to accommodate both. Some lights let you select which spacing you want to use by eg. inserting bolts into one of two pairs of holes, but with others you have to select the correct model at purchase. There are also racks with a plate which has only two holes fitted vertically above each other (I think Blackburn racks are like this), and others with no mounting plate whatsoever. Some standardisation might be beneficial for us poor users of these items.
The two holes, one above the other, is the old (as in used since well before WW2) standard fitting, used for reflectors & the like. The original Vistalite LED rear lights, & quite a few others, fit it. A stud to fit in one hole & stabilise the light, & a single bolt for the other hole. Neat & efficient, easy to fix lights to. It's long annoyed me that light manufacturers didn't stick with it as the sole standard.
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There's always someone on YACF who knows things like this. And it's wonderful that it is so!
That vertical spacing standard does seem to be still used for reflectors, including ones that are actually intended primarily for other mountings, such as on a brake bolt. And it was presumably still the standard in the mid '80s when I bought my Blackburn rack, which has those fittings and no others. As that rack does not fit any bike I have now, that is not an immediate problem. Why light manufacturers should have abandoned that standard I don't know - I can only suppose that the horizontal fittings allow for a wider light/reflector with a larger surface area - probably an advantage for a reflector rather than a light. It's interesting that the vertical fitting standard has been in use for so long, though.
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The Apollo light here used to be available through Chain Reaction (or maybe wiggle) for some crazy price, something nbetween £3 and £7 rings a bell.
At least as good as the german product in my view.
Us Lewisham Cyclists know a guy who bought loads for his school cycling club.
Very good though the control sequence of off/on/flashing/off forever perplexes me.
http://www.infini.tw/product_flashing_and_safety_lights_2.html
may be available in other markets of course - have seen some of their stuff on sale in Italy.
I bought a couple of these in 2008 from CRC (ain't google mail wonderful) and yes they are very good rack lights, and yes the button control sequence is completely mad.
I figured it out once but am now lost. At the end of a few Lewisham Cyclists ride, as we get off the train in the dark I'm often to be seen madly pressing the button. Sometimes when I think it's sorted the thing then goes out after a few secs.
The small flashing LED is involved somehow I know.
If you've sorted it and its no trouble, feel free to post here
(yes I know this sounds stupid to anyone who hasn't used it) :)
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Is this the same type of light
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=54000 (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=54000)
But £28 a time :hand:
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The description on CRC is rather vague, I mean is that the sensor version etc etc ???
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Sometimes when I think it's sorted the thing then goes out after a few secs.
That's auto mode. It should then light up if it senses darkness and vibration, with a 4 minute 'standlight'.
The small flashing LED is involved somehow I know.
I can't remember the blink sequence of that, but it presumably does something to show when you've gone from 'auto' to 'on'.
Most of the time it simply functions as a "you are using NiMH batteries" (aka. battery low) indicator. It's the opposite way round to the ones on B&M lights: it lights up when the voltage is low.
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The auto mode on the Infini works, but has a fairly dark definition of 'dark'. If you stick a couple of layers of masking tape over the sensor it's a bit more useful.
The B&M lights (front and rear) with sensor modes do work well.
How useful this is depends on your bike and how you use it, I think. If you're regularly locking up in public spaces or on railway station platforms and manually switching lights to 'off', it doesn't gain you much. If your light's mounted somewhere you can't reach from the saddle it might be useful. If you regularly ride through dense wood or tunnels, it's probably quite handy.
For my sins I have a 'brake' light on one of my bikes. It uses a PIC microcontroller and spoke magnet to measure the speed of the rear wheel. When there's a significant drop in speed, it lights up. After a couple of seconds of no rotations it stops timing the wheel revs and goes into use-bugger-all-power mode to save battery. It works, but I'm unconvinced of how useful it is. It was a Sunday afternoon project to test a new PIC programmer.
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The B&M lights (front and rear) with sensor modes do work well.
How useful this is depends on your bike and how you use it, I think. If you're regularly locking up in public spaces or on railway station platforms and manually switching lights to 'off', it doesn't gain you much. If your light's mounted somewhere you can't reach from the saddle it might be useful. If you regularly ride through dense wood or tunnels, it's probably quite handy.
There's a railway underpass that crosses beneath four widely-spaced tracks, which has a "headlights on" sign as you enter it. I used to go through this tunnel every Tuesday (to teach a student who lived on that side of town) and used to wish I had something similar. It wasn't quite long enough or dark enough to make it worthwhile stopping and turning on lights. I'm not sure, in fact, of the legal status of that sign as relating to bicycles - it may only legally apply to motor vehicles - but it would have been nice to be able to simply flick a switch and light up. With the year-round daytime headlight law we now have here, I wonder whether that sign is still used? Maybe I'll go and check one day.
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Sometimes when I think it's sorted the thing then goes out after a few secs.
That's auto mode. It should then light up if it senses darkness and vibration, with a 4 minute 'standlight'.
The small flashing LED is involved somehow I know.
I can't remember the blink sequence of that, but it presumably does something to show when you've gone from 'auto' to 'on'.
Most of the time it simply functions as a "you are using NiMH batteries" (aka. battery low) indicator. It's the opposite way round to the ones on B&M lights: it lights up when the voltage is low.
Thanks for that Kim - bike isn't with me at the moment but will check it out when reunited and get back via PM if it's still got me foxed.
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Is this the same type of light
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=54000 (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=54000)
But £28 a time :hand:
Fenders? It fits on the things my parents put on their boat to stop it graunching things when it bumps against them? Since when have bikes had such objects affixed?
I HATE it when USian is left untranslated in British ads.
Oh yeah - and what's with the 'rear tail light'? Are there front tail lights? Rear front lights? Shovel time!
BTW, Electra is a US firm selling lifestyle bikes, accessories & fashion. If this is a re-badged Spanninga light, it's had a huge markup added by Electra. :(
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I've mudguard lights to be a bit iffy on modern light(ish) metalised plastic mudguards. They tend to not be rigid enough to stop the light sometimes swishing the entire thing sideways, and causing it to wobble against the tyre. I suspect that's one of the reasons that they've fallen out of favour, since the time of good solid metal mudguards.
Whilst I applaud the technology involved in Kim's brake light, I suspect timing wheel rotations to determine brake use is not really fast enough. It's probably better done with a mercury switch, possibly with some debouncing code (to remove the effect of potholes), and probably experimentation with the exact orientation for optimal energising.
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...mudguard lights to be a bit iffy on modern light(ish) metalised plastic mudguards. They tend to not be rigid enough to stop the light sometimes swishing the entire thing sideways, and causing it to wobble against the tyre. I suspect that's one of the reasons that they've fallen out of favour, since the time of good solid metal mudguards.
The plastic mudguard itself is flexy, but the metal stays should make it rigid enough for a dynamo or 2xAAA mudguard light.
Electra Townie Rear Tail Light | Buy Online | ChainReactionCycles.com (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=54000)
"Electra Townie Rear Tail Light"
(http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Full/54000.jpg)
looks almost exactly like the Spanninga SP XB/XBA:
Spanninga -- Keeping ahead of light -- bicycle, parts, headlamps, rearlamps, stands,innovative, innovatief, koplamp, achterlicht, LED, standaard, batterij, dynamo, verlichting, fiets, spanninga, Q-lite, spacialist, accessories, specialist, Projecteurs,piles,dynamo,Feux arrière,kits d'éclairage,Catadioptres,Béquilles,Sonnettes,Accessoires,Reflectoren,Fietsstandaards,Fietsbellen,Houders,Lampen & Kabels,Bidon houders,Opladers
(http://www.spanninga.nl/xhtml/product_details.php?cid=10&pid=69)
(http://www.spanninga.nl/productpics/spx-bulk_ap.jpg)
If it's a re-branded Spanninga SP XB/XBA, then it should be 2 x AAA, not 2xD.
But £28 does seem a lot to pay for the light + re-branding/marketing.
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Note. The conversation about brake lights has been put into a new topic:
Brake lights (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=38375.0)
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I eventually got around to ordering myself one of these, (http://www.spanninga.nl/xhtml/product_details.php?cid=10&pid=73) which arrived yesterday. I fixed it to my rack today after a little play but have yet to use it properly. It seems pretty bright and has a nice big reflector and lens. My only doubts would be the sensitivity of the auto function - it definitely seems to interpret dark as really dark, but as it has an on mode that's not really a bother - and possible water ingress through the join between lens and back at the bottom, which doesn't seem to seal properly. However, with the current weather I should be able to confirm or deny that pretty soon. Overall quality seems pretty solid.
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So, the battery version of the Spanninga Vector has an "auto" setting, in which it turns itself on and off according to a light and movement sensor. The dynamo version has a stand light, which Spanninga call "safe stop", whereby the light continues to shine for about 4mins 30secs after stopping. Great. I thought the standlight time applied to the battery version too - that would be sensible, surely, to ensure you don't become invisible to following traffic while waiting at a junction. But mine only lights for about 30s after stopping. That's not enough.
So I sent an email to Spanninga asking them about this. It seems I simply misread the website - I can't remember now if it was their website or the seller's I read, probably both - and 30s is the designed time for the battery version to stay alight. Full marks to Spanninga for replying to me within an hour or so of my emailing them. :thumbsup: But I think I shall take care to wobble the bike under me while waiting at junctions in the dark (the motion sensor is very sensitive, and the darkness sensor seems appropriately set too).
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Is this of any interest?:
RSP CityBright 1/2 Watt Rack Light - The Bike Chain, Online Cycle and Bike Clothing Shop (http://www.thebikechain.co.uk/store/product/27954/RSP-CityBright-1-2-Watt-Rack-Light/)
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So, the battery version of the Spanninga Vector has an "auto" setting, in which it turns itself on and off according to a light and movement sensor. ...
- and 30s is the designed time for the battery version to stay alight. ... I think I shall take care to wobble the bike under me while waiting at junctions in the dark (the motion sensor is very sensitive, and the darkness sensor seems appropriately set too).
I used to have a light like that, until someone nicked it, complete with the rack it was firmly bolted to*. I found a little tap on the top tube with the knee of my right leg (the left was keeping me upright) would switch it back on.
*Unfortunately it was in the one bit of the bike racks outside Reading station not covered by CCTV at the time.
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You mean someone came along and unbolted the rack from your bike? Bloody hell, that's so deliberate it's almost nastier than stealing the whole bike. :o
Thanks for the tip.
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Just to update on Spanninga battery mudguard rearlights, Velo Orange have had the new model Pixeo in stock at $20 for a few weeks. I've just a couple of Pixeos arrive and will be fitting them shortly. They are noticeably smaller than the XBA, barely longer than a AAA battery.
Spanninga Pixeo XS Fender BATTERY Tail Light (http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/spanninga-pixeo-xs-fender-battery-tail-lamp.html)
I look forward to the review :thumbsup:
How much was the shipping? [yes,I've read their FAQ page ;)]
Is $40 under the UK tax threshold (which last time I read about it, noone could agree on) ?
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You mean someone came along and unbolted the rack from your bike? Bloody hell, that's so deliberate it's almost nastier than stealing the whole bike. :o
Yep. Bit of a shock when I got off the train & found it.
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Just to update on Spanninga battery mudguard rearlights, Velo Orange have had the new model Pixeo in stock at $20 for a few weeks. I've just a couple of Pixeos arrive and will be fitting them shortly. They are noticeably smaller than the XBA, barely longer than a AAA battery.
Spanninga Pixeo XS Fender BATTERY Tail Light (http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/spanninga-pixeo-xs-fender-battery-tail-lamp.html)
It's crazy to be buying European lights via the USA. For the love of all that's holy, can't anyone find a way to buy them from within the EU?
Think of what it saves on transport, as well as the avoidance of all the tax & other complications of transatlantic buying.
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I fitted an RSP Astrum on Mrs V's Super Galaxy at the weekend
This is as a backup / extra rear light. Although it is probably brighter than the existing cateye tl1100 on a rack bracket
With a small amount of duct tape on the rear of the struts at the back of the rack the RSP fitted fine with the supplied bracket. Same bracket also fitted another ASP on the stays of the Roubaix
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Aha!
Spanninga Pixeo - €9,00 from Germany. Seek & ye shall find . . .
http://shop.flow-berlin.de/Spanninga-Pixeo-Batterie-Ruecklicht-fuer-Schutzblech (http://shop.flow-berlin.de/Spanninga-Pixeo-Batterie-Ruecklicht-fuer-Schutzblech)
€14,00 for the automatic version. Smart battery lights for mudguard mounting €8.
Bloody hell! €20 shipping outside Germany! Not bloody worth it unless you're buying lots. Still, it shows there are vendors out there.
http://shop.flow-berlin.de/Versand (http://shop.flow-berlin.de/Versand)
OK, here's another one. A bit more pricey, at €10.90, but shipping abroad is €14.90. Still expensive. :(
http://www.fahrradladen-berlin.de/versandkosten.html (http://www.fahrradladen-berlin.de/versandkosten.html)
Dutch - €9.95 + 13.95 shipping . . . for the automatic one.
http://www.fietspunt.nl/nl/Achterlicht-op-batterijen-Spanninga-Pixeo-led-automatisch-614-05314/ (http://www.fietspunt.nl/nl/Achterlicht-op-batterijen-Spanninga-Pixeo-led-automatisch-614-05314/)
Looks & charges the same, but different name & with a sterling option at £8.25
http://www.veclo.com/nl/Achterlicht-op-batterijen-Spanninga-Pixeo-led-automatisch-614-05314/ (http://www.veclo.com/nl/Achterlicht-op-batterijen-Spanninga-Pixeo-led-automatisch-614-05314/)
I've found it at €8.50 in the Netherlands, but with no overseas shipping option.
And €7.95 + €14.50 shipping . . .
http://hollandbikeshop.com/index.php?cPath=89_109_558 (http://hollandbikeshop.com/index.php?cPath=89_109_558)
All cheaper than $20, some a lot cheaper. At current exchange rates, two Pixeos plus shipping from Hollandbikeshop is about $40.40, so unless Velo-orange charges no shipping, it's cheaper, & with no worries about having to pay VAT plus admin charges on top.
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Did I not post a link to the Polish site I got mine from, somewhere up thread? Not sure how much it would work at with shipping, but they were prompt and it's intra-EU at least. Here Rowery holenderskie - RoweryStylowe.pl - rowery męskie i damskie, rowery miejskie, rowery elektryczne, rowery Wrocław, Warszawa, Krakow, serwis rowerowy Wrocław, sakwy rowerowe, torby rowerowe, rowery używane: Oświetlenie Oświetlenie tylne (http://www.rowerystylowe.pl/oswietlenie-oswietlenie-tylne-c-24_284_287.html)
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I tried the Cateye rack mount on my pomp.
Holes wrong spacing. So used the supplied cable ties. Light rattles a lot and fell apart twice. Now one of the cable ties has snapped.
The cable tie approach to using those mounts seems a bit naff at best. Luckily all of my mounts have holes with the right spacing, and they are pretty solid mounts when fitted like that.
I just got a Cateye rack mount for the OH's commuting set-up. Really didn't like the look of the screws into plastic approach, so drilled out the two holes to take M5 bolts... the heads of which then had to filed down, otherwise the LD-1100 would not go on.
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Wybe Pol, owner of Altaflex Fiets + Techniek, sells the Pixeo for €8.50 & will post to the UK for €9.95. Lower price for any order of more than 10 -
Battery with on/off switch € 5,95.
Battery with on/auto/off switch € 7,95
Dynamo with stand light € 8,95
His English is adequate (i.e. a lot better than my Dutch) & it seems like a pretty good deal. He also sells other stuff, of course, & apparently BOVAG (trade association of car, bike, & motorbike business) rated him the best bike mechanic in the Netherlands last year.
www.altaflex.nl (http://www.altaflex.nl)
Altaflex Fiets + Techniek
Schoolstraat 48a
9581 GC Musselkanaal
0599-61 75 34
info@altaflex.nl
I suspect that shopping in the USA is done because of language, but with online translation of websites it's almost as easy to shop across the Channel nowadays.
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Is $40 under the UK tax threshold (which last time I read about it, noone could agree on) ?
Not for VAT, which is £18 including postage. $40 = ~£25.
Royal Mail's handling charge for VAT/duty collection is £8. Some other couriers charge more.
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IMHO the last 4 posts are of no interest or use to anyone bar the 2 posters.
Could you 2 agree-to-disagree or take it offline? This was a really useful topic, please get back to posting the constructive stuff. :thumbsup:
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Why is it that rack lights are so tricky to come by? There are plenty of racks available at most of the popular UK retailers, some of which have the fixing plate for a light but there doesn't seem to be the lights to go with them. Reading above, people seem to get around this in various ways but with the choice available in general back lights you'd think some would be good for rack mounting. Am I missing something amongst the detail?
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Why is it that rack lights are so tricky to come by?
I suppose because racks and rack plates aren't standardised enough. You'll find a suitable bracket if you're lucky.
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It's an unfortunate truth that many rack manufacturers don't give any thought to the ease of fitting lights. Blackburn racks, for example, have nothing to fit a light to.
I now have a rack which I don't much like in some respects, but is good enough, and has a bar with holes in at the back to which I can fit lights or light brackets. If all racks had such a bar, I expect that more light manufacturers would make lights or brackets to fit it. Cateye does.
AFAIK, reviewers rarely criticise racks for not having light mountings, or praise those that have them. That annoys me.
I think the plates are relatively standard (there are two horizontal hole spacings, & the traditional two vertical holes as in the old reflector bracket), but many manufacturers don't provide any plate at all, or anywhere to fit one.
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Light plates on the back of racks are standardised with 2 pairs of holes at 50mm & 80mm separation, and lights to fit are common enough.
The thing is that most of the lights to fit are dynamo lights. It's because the 50/80mm standard is a German standard, dynamo lights are compulsory in Germany except on racing bikes (<11kg), and racks aren't generally fitted on lightweight bikes.
There are a couple of battery versions of the dynamo rack lights eg this one (http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s39p2027)
Smart do a bracket to fit one of their Superflash etc lights centrally using the 50mm holes, and I think Cateye may do one for the LD600 fitting
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Anyone tried the RSP TourLite? Its rack mounted, and includes as reflector. There's a few places selling it for about £11.
Mountain Bikes | Road Bikes | Cycling Accessories & Clothing | Cyclelife (http://raleigh.co.uk/ProductRange/Product/Default.aspx?pc=2&pt=117&pg=4722)
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Smart do a bracket to fit one of their Superflash etc lights centrally using the 50mm holes, and I think Cateye may do one for the LD600 fitting
Cateye do sell a bracket (available from Wiggle, among others,http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-rear-carrier-mounting (http://others,http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-rear-carrier-mounting)), which the LD1100 & various other lights fit. Avenir racks mostly have light mounting plates, as do Topeak & Tubus. The RSP lights should fit anything with the old British vertical hole fitting, & I think maybe the 50mm holes.
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This looks OK too
Wiggle | Cateye TL-LD560 Reflex LED Rear Light Rear Lights
(http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-tl-ld560-reflex-led-rear-light/)
"Supplied with Cateye's own lockable rack adapter "
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apols for double post, looking for cheaper supplier of above led to amazon, not cheaper but which led to some further options.....
Amazon.co.uk: Cateye Reflex TL-LD560 Rear Bike Light: Explore similar items (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cateye-Reflex-TL-LD560-Rear-Light/sim/B0042SRL76/2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_esi)
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On the subject of racks (and apologies if this is merntioned above - can't wade through the bizarre arguments that erupted) Tortec racks are also good for light mounts. Also they are excellent good value racks with very good fitting adaptors - they must be if cack-handed me can swap them between bikes now and again.
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Posts removed as requested.
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looking for cheaper supplier of above led to amazon, not cheaper but which led to some further options.....
Amazon.co.uk: Cateye Reflex TL-LD560 Rear Bike Light: Explore similar items (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cateye-Reflex-TL-LD560-Rear-Light/sim/B0042SRL76/2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_esi)
Probably clever Amazon marketing as a result of my looking at the above a while back - I just received an email from Amazon entitled " Parkers Pannier Mounted LED" including all the rack mounted lights and related stuff that Amazon sell.
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Has anyone mentioned the Basta Zoom? Auto on/off rack mounting, 50 & 80mm fitting.
http://www.parkersofbolton.co.uk/p-431-basta-zoom-auto-rear-pannier-mounted-led-light.aspx (http://www.parkersofbolton.co.uk/p-431-basta-zoom-auto-rear-pannier-mounted-led-light.aspx)
Most mainland European firms seem to do both dynamo & battery rack mounted lights: Basta, Spanninga, etc.
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SJS is selling an unbranded rack fitting light for £9.18 (£11.68 inc P&P), & a Chinese (An Lun) LED rear light to fit on mudguards for £6.12. The latter is out of stock, but expected in on February 5th.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/rear-carrier-led-light-prod23693/ (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/rear-carrier-led-light-prod23693/)
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/an-lun-3-led-rear-light-for-mudguards-prod23754/ (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/an-lun-3-led-rear-light-for-mudguards-prod23754/)
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I've just bought 2 of their mudguard lights, one for my daughter's bike because she has insufficient seatpost showing to mount a light on, and one will be my backup light on PBP. They strike me as a good anti-theft light since you could only undo their bolt by taking the mudguard off first. They feel very lightweight and replace the rear reflector that would go there.
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Tempting. Good that you way they're very light.
I fettled the rear light on my Brompton when it failed last September due to internal looseness & slight corrosion, but now it's gone again, & I think finally, so I need a not particularly tempting to thieves (as I often leave the Brompton locked outside rather than carrying it round supermarkets) replacement with two bolts 50mm apart. The mudguard light could replace the mudguard reflector on my (sadly underused until my health is fixed) best bike, giving me a permanently fixed emergency light in case of loss, failure, or leaving at home of the main light.
Spread the postage across two cheap lights & suddenly it doesn't seem to add much to the price.
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I've got one of the SJS mudguard lights (Anlun). Pretty useless IMHO because the three LEDs are aimed perpendicular to the mudguard. That means they are aimed into the eyes of a following rider and not horizontally. The Pixeo blows it out of the water from a driver's eye POV.
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But unless you happen to be visiting a country (e.g. the Netherlands) where the Pixeo is sold for less than £[obscene rip-off & large multiple of proper price], it's a hell of a lot cheaper.
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A light is a waste of time if it is crap, no matter the cost.
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No: any light is better than no light. Did you miss the bit about permanently fitted emergency back-up light?
Also, it would be better to compare it with something that is sold in this country, rather than something that has to be bought from abroad at silly cost.
Instead of the An Lun, what would you advise? Imagine you're advising someone with a tight budget, not someone who doesn't mind paying a multiple of the standard retail price just because it's nice.
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What about mounting a light to the rack? That can be done on a low budget - when you find an appropriate light/bracket/bodge. Presumably we all have racks for the bikes in question, since this thread is about lights to fit on a rack.
This (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=39618.0) is my solution for my Brommy, since I didn't have a bracket directly suitable for the rack at the time, and also wanted to place the light further back to clear any overhanging bag.
I would have used the seatpost instead, if I didn't have a bottle cage in the way.
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Bledlow, do whatever you like. I have an Anlun and I think I have thrown my money away. I advise getting something that at least points in the right direction.
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Not read earlier posts but Parkers have been selling the Smart Lunar R1 for £12 and surely a bit of bodging/zip tie can reatin a lamp. I've 2 on my fixed and zipties/generic brackets work fine. A good bike shop will prob.have a bucketful of light brackets you can wadet thro'
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Bledlow, do whatever you like. I have an Anlun and I think I have thrown my money away. I advise getting something that at least points in the right direction.
I think it's a useful backup personally, although you're right about the alignment being poor. I can't find a Pixeo battery job for sale anywhere! Don't suppose anyone fancies organising a group buy? I've got enough on my plate with the Audax Cymru jerseys at the moment!
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What about mounting a light to the rack? That can be done on a low budget - when you find an appropriate light/bracket/bodge. Presumably we all have racks for the bikes in question, since this thread is about lights to fit on a rack.
I think the issue is that racks without a light mount built into the design are an enormous faff to attach "standard" brackets to - because the latter are 99% designed for large tubes of seat-stay or seatpost size.
If I don't do it, someone else will mention the Hebie adaptor (for the 7th time):
Hebie ARC J82S SL Rack Fitting Light Bracket (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/hebie-arc-j82s-sl-universal-rack-fitting-light-bracket-prod553/)
These are great, but at £8 is a little dear compared to £6 lights (and you need one for every rack, or two to attach 2 lights.)
I am interested in "good" bodges. The only one I've found is the scrap-piece-of-seatpost trick (described often on the CTC site) Sounds quite effective, but quite a lot of DIY required :-\
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Don't think this one has been mentioned before:
Raleigh Rear Led Light 2 x 0.5 Watt LED (http://www.parkersofbolton.co.uk/p-2138-raleigh-rear-led-light-2-x-05-watt-led.aspx)
Note it takes 2 x AA (not AAA) so it's quite a bit larger/heavier than most 1/2 watt flashers.
Also has a couple of regular LEDs if you want a non-dazzling mode for group riding.
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I would like to see brackets especially and well made for racks without built-on mounts, but without, it only takes a few minutes worth of faff with lights such as Smart Lunar (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/smart-lunar-r1-rear-light/) and RSP Astrum (http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A4183&rt=nc&_nkw=astrum+light&_dmpt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1).
Some bulking-up is needed with tape or shim, but not an enormous amount. Add a zip tie or two if support is needed to stop if drooping.
£11.88 and £16.19 (posted) is cheap enough, especially considering they are super-bright.
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Bledlow, do whatever you like. I have an Anlun and I think I have thrown my money away. I advise getting something that at least points in the right direction.
I think it's a useful backup personally, although you're right about the alignment being poor. I can't find a Pixeo battery job for sale anywhere! Don't suppose anyone fancies organising a group buy?
I've searched assiduously, but can't find any Spanninga mudguard-mounted battery lights for sale in this country. I did find a Dutch shop which had a low basic price & would give a bulk discount. Referenced earlier in this thread - ah! Found the e-mails.
To send products to the UK is no problem. Normal are the shipping costs € 4,95. To send it to the UK it is € 9,95.
The Spanninga Pixeo rear light are € 8,50. If you want more than 10 I can make another price for you.
My English is not very best but I can read and write it a little.
I have look for the price's if you want order 10 or more.
The Pixeo on battery's (aaa) with on/off switch are € 5,95.
The Pixeo on battery's (aaa) with on/auto/off switch are € 7,95
The Pixeo on cable with stand light are € 8,95
With friendly regards,
Wybe Pol
Altaflex Fiets + Techniek
Schoolstraat 48a
9581 GC Musselkanaal
0599-61 75 34
Altaflex Fiets + Techniek. Webshop en Speciaalzaak. (http://www.altaflex.nl)
info@altaflex.nl
I think the postage per unit would also be less for a bulk buy. Prices from 24 November 2010, probably still valid.
If someone got together a bulk purchase (I'm not volunteering - too much crap happening round here right now, unfortunately) I'd take one.
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This is my effort here, based on others I've seen and the little light mount pillar you get with a Madison:-
Homemade Rack Mount - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37729119@N08/sets/72157625945277544/)
Obviously easier if you've got all the bits lying around, I used a bit off an old mop/broom handle, it's thin metal. Then I squished on end flat in the vice, drilled two holes to match the mounting plate on rack, slid on some tubular foam bar grip and bashed in a bar end cap to round it off. Just used two standard bolts to attach to the bike and have a couple of smart brackets on it. I may have gone too long as I could comfortably fit 4 lights on it, but it's almost no weight and, so far, rock solid. The only bit that could be an issue would be if you wanted to mount a rack pack. But you could always mount this bracket sideways on if desired.
With the bits I have lying around I could probably put together another 3 to 4, happy to do so if anyone would like one. Obviously would need to leave the drilling the holes, supply of bolts/fixings, to you, but I can pop the rest in the post. Just send me a PM....Al
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I would like to see brackets especially and well made for racks without built-on mounts, but without, it only takes a few minutes worth of faff with lights such as Smart Lunar (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/smart-lunar-r1-rear-light/) and RSP Astrum (http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A4183&rt=nc&_nkw=astrum+light&_dmpt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1).
Some bulking-up is needed with tape or shim, but not an enormous amount. Add a zip tie or two if support is needed to stop if drooping.
Some racks might be easier, but the ones that I find a real arse are like this:
Buy Blackburn Blackburn EX-1+ Disc Compatible Pannier Rack - black from SJS Cycles, fast delivery for the UK (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/blackburn-blackburn-ex-1+-disc-compatible-pannier-rack-black-prod22369/)
Madison Ridge rear cycle pannier rack (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/madison-ridge-rear-cycle-pannier-rack-for-bikes-with-disc-brakes-prod15300/)
The easiest attachment is to the stays, but then panniers foul them
Maybe I need better DIY skills to make a bracket? Dunno ...
(I really must get round to buying something built for lights to put on the Audax bike!)
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It'll depend on your panniers as well. My bracket at the top of an ordinary rack stay doesn't get obstructed by a smallish-medium pannier.
Otherwise, yes, more faff required, perhaps.
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This is my solution (for my Dinotte(s))
(http://www.alfiecat.co.uk/yetacf/dinotte_fitting.jpg)
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You can just see my Cateye (RIP) fixed to the back of my new Tortec rack (RIP) on my new Pompino (RIP).
LOGIN (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=22914.480)
It worked really well, no interference whatsoever from panniers.
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You can just see my Cateye (RIP) fixed to the back of my new Tortec rack (RIP) on my new Pompino (RIP).
LOGIN (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=22914.480)
It worked really well, no interference whatsoever from panniers.
I have the same rack (but in silver) and the same cateye (only in white) on my Fuji. Your pomp was such a lovely bike :'(
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(I really must get round to buying something built for lights to put on the Audax bike!)
Tortec Ultralite has a light bar with all the holes.
(http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/tortec%20tour%20ultralight%20rack.jpg)
Oops! Ms Gordinho has beaten me to it.
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(I really must get round to buying something built for lights to put on the Audax bike!)
Tortec Ultralite has a light bar with all the holes.
(http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/tortec%20tour%20ultralight%20rack.jpg)
Oops! Ms Gordinho has beaten me to it.
The only thing I would say about the Tortec is it is quite a narrow rack, and the velcro strapped on type rack bags can tend to flop around from side to side on it a bit. They don't actually fall off though and it is a very very light rack.
You have to buy a special cateye bracket for the rack but it was only £3.19
Wiggle | Cateye Rear Carrier Mounting Light Spares
(http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-rear-carrier-mounting/) and it is quick release.
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Thanks Bledlow. I'm sure I'll find something suitable, lots of racks seem to have the mounts - it's just unfortunate that I've previously bought several bikes with racks lacking them!
Oops! Ms Gordinho has beaten me to it.
Maybe ... I can't see Linda's picture ???
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Thanks Bledlow. I'm sure I'll find something suitable, lots of racks seem to have the mounts - it's just unfortunate that I've previously bought several bikes with racks lacking them!
Oops! Ms Gordinho has beaten me to it.
Maybe ... I can't see Linda's picture ???
Can't you? Try http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/lindagordinho/Fixed009.jpg
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You could get a bracket like this to provide mounting holes : Busch+Muller Rear Carrier Fitting Bracket AMBA Marketing (http://www.amba-marketing.com/products/133-buschmuller_rear_carrier_fitting_bracket.php?r=1m7b0s53)
It should be able to attach to most racks.
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The only thing I would say about the Tortec is it is quite a narrow rack, and the velcro strapped on type rack bags can tend to flop around from side to side on it a bit. They don't actually fall off though and it is a very very light rack. ...
The narrow Tortec racks, and similar, aren't really meant for top bags, but for carrying panniers.
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The narrow Tortec Ultralite is fine with a Carradice Prima or Super C rack top bag if you have the straps tight. Fit the bag with the straps fairly loose to begin with, then retighten each strap in turn, pulling hard.
Tortec does some larger racks as well, also with light mounting plates.
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The narrow Tortec Ultralite is fine with a Carradice Prima or Super C rack top bag if you have the straps tight. Fit the bag with the straps fairly loose to begin with, then retighten each strap in turn, pulling hard.
Tortec does some larger racks as well, also with light mounting plates.
That is good to know. I might just have to do a full conversion over to Carradice now I have their bar bag and my new Super C Barley ready to go on my new bike ;D
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The narrow Tortec Ultralite is fine with a Carradice Prima or Super C rack top bag if you have the straps tight. Fit the bag with the straps fairly loose to begin with, then retighten each strap in turn, pulling hard.
+1. I found it fine with a Super C.
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an easy and lightweight bodge can be done using p-clips and a part of bracket that the light clips into. but i personally wouldn't mount the light where i can't reach it while riding (to turn on/off/change mode as and when needed).
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Of course I used to have a handlebar-mounted rear light on/off switch in my yoof (and a homemade brake light), but nowdays don't mind not having that sh1t for the sake of neater cabling. Getting off the saddle to switch the light is not really much of a bovver after all.
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The only thing I would say about the Tortec is it is quite a narrow rack, and the velcro strapped on type rack bags can tend to flop around from side to side on it a bit. They don't actually fall off though and it is a very very light rack. ...
The narrow Tortec racks, and similar, aren't really meant for top bags, but for carrying panniers.
I don't consider the Tortec Ultralite as narrow at all. My Creek2Peak rackpack fits on it perfectly well and it's not a thin rack pack.
The Tubus Fly, however, is much thinner and rubbish for rack packs (but fine for panniers obviously).
Anyway, back on topic...
After a few recent incidents I'm going to stop recommending the B&M D'Toplight. My complaints with them are:
* The single screw that holds it all together falls out too easily. On a recent commute I hit a bump in the road and the whole thing committed suicide into the road (recovered but the screw is lost). Poor design.
* I've had 2 with dodgy switches meaning I have to find the magic position somewhere between on and off for it to work (luckily it stayed in this position once on). More poor design.
It's a shame because I like the rest of the design (the size/shape and the built in reflector) and it's not stupidly bright so it won't dazzle people in 2 tonnes of metal coming up behind me at speed.
Time to get a Cateye carrier mount and use some of my old Cateyes (TL-LD1100) although it does leave me without a rear reflector.
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I wish there was a bracket for fitting a Smart rear light to a Blackburn rack :(
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I wish there was a bracket for fitting a Smart rear light to a Blackburn rack :(
if you've got a piccy, or link, of the rack I reckon I could make you something to use
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That would be cool. The problem is that the back part of the rack is two tubes welded together. So it's not fat & round, and it doesn't have a flat bit to bolt things to. I noticed that Wowbagger overcame this by using a jubilee clip and a length of dowel.
This (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/images/products/medium/Blackburn-blackburn-ex-1+-disc-compatible-pannier-rack-black-IMG22369.jpg) is the best image I can find of the back of the rack :(
I'd take a photo, but I can't really upload it for lots of reasons I don't want to bore you with atm :(
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yeah I can thow something together for that, PM me your address and I'll pop it in the post....cheers....Al
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Blackburn racks can be awkward, but a single P-clip is all it takes to attach a standard Cateye rear bracket
(http://www.aukadia.net/pix/bracket2.jpg)
and you can do similar with a Smart bracket - in this case point the P-clip downwards with the flat side out, and a Smart rack bracket will bolt straight on, a single bolt attaches the bracket and tightens the clip.
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Would something like this help for Blackburn racks?
Lights Dynamo Product Page (http://www.bikeplus.co.uk/cgi-bin/quikstore.pl?store=&search=yes&detail=yes&product=LAMPDYN54&category=Lights_Dynamo&keywords=&hits_seen=10&page=search.html&and=&affiliate_id=)
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Would something like this help for Blackburn racks?
Lights Dynamo Product Page (http://www.bikeplus.co.uk/cgi-bin/quikstore.pl?store=&search=yes&detail=yes&product=LAMPDYN54&category=Lights_Dynamo&keywords=&hits_seen=10&page=search.html&and=&affiliate_id=)
Good work - we went 13 posts between references!
Now don't spoil it by posting the Hebie adaptor thingy... Doh!
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Just £4.45 though! excluding SJSC's P&P though...
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Just resurrecting this as I'm shopping around for a battery rear light for rack mounting and was looking at the Philips Saferide:-
http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k999/a59791/saferide-led-rear-light.html
the 'Lumi ring' effect appealed to me but I'm not finding much in the way of reviews. The rack I want to put it on has a full plate which covers all the fitting bases.
Anyone any experience of this?
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I haven't had any experience of that particular light, but increased "all-round" visibility is a double edged sword.
If you can see light over a wider area, then it has to be dimmer, because the same amount of energy is being distributed over a greater volume of space. Alternatively it'll just run for a shorter period of time at the same level of brightness, for that same reason.
It's listed as being powered by AAA rather than AA batteries, which is also typically a sign that it's dimmer, since AAAs obviously have a lower total power output than AAs, so you often find the smaller dimmer lights use AAA batteries.
It's quite possibly fine, but don't necessarily expect it to be a terribly bright light, because it probably isn't. The Lumi-ring sounds like it's essentially a "leaky" light guide, so it's probably not a bad idea to provide illumination over a wide angle. Some very bright lights directly to the rear, have relatively poor sideways visibility. That's one of the reasons I quite like the CatEye TL-LD-1100 lights, because of the ten LEDs, six point rearward, but two pairs point off sideways, so it has good visibility from that angle as well.
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I'd say it's a triple-edged sword, as you've also got to factor in that something like that gives more illuminated area than a single powerful emitter, which tends to look like a point source. Anecdotally, that means it can be 'bright' without being as 'blinding' (compare car taillights with a typical high-power rear light), and probably helps with judging distances at close or medium range. The FibreFlare, for exmaple, isn't particularly bright but is awesomely visible in urban clutter.
The AAA choice is odd though. There's usually plenty of room for AAs in a rack-mounted light. Be interesting to see what the brightness / battery life is like.
(Agreed about side-pointing LEDs, I also like the B&M '4D' series for that reason, and the lamented Excellent Infini Rear Lights™)
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Hmmm, thanks folks, that Cateye LD1100 looks pretty good but I'd need to get a seperate plate to attach to rack and therefore the light would be clipped not bolted on. This isn't planned to be my only rear light or to be switched around bikes, I just wanted something to leave permanently on the run around.
Good point about the triple A v double A
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I like my LD1100 when I'm riding alone, but it's one of the many modern rear lights which can be a bit too much for the cyclist behind when riding in a group.
From what I've seen from a car, & catching up on cyclists in the dark, a big glow is better than a point source, & it's less of an 'Ow! I can't see!' for following cyclists.
Basically, what Kim says.
I think some rear lights (especially point source ones) have gone too far in getting brighter & brighter. They're now well into dazzling territory, when what they're meant for is to be seen. I have a cheap (Wilko? Can't remember) big red glow bolted on to my Brompton, & I've had positive comments on its visibility. So I wouldn't worry about it being a terribly bright light, as long as it's bright enough.
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Kim, can you refresh my memory does the D Toplight range work as a battery only light as well as a dynamo one or are the batteries only for the standlight function?
Sorry for some reason I can only get the German version of the B&M website up.
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There are several Toplight versions, some are battery only (auto or switch only) and some dynamo versions (auto or always on) use the batteries as a standlight. A dynamo taillight is not the same as a battery only taillight.
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There are several Toplight versions, some are battery only (auto or switch only) and some dynamo versions (auto or always on) use the batteries as a standlight. A dynamo taillight is not the same as a battery only taillight.
;D I know and I was trying to work out which was which but my German is non existent and I was sure Kim knew the answer anyway.
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Yeah, there are various versions.
Annoyingly, the 4DToplight (the '4' denotes an extra pair of side-pointing LEDs as I mentioned upthread) series doesn't come in a dynamo powered with standlight version. Hence I use the 4DToplight Senso Multi, which is both battery and dynamo powered (dynamo taking precedence, so effectively only uses the batteries for the standlight).
The DToplight Plus is the dynamo light with standlight (but no side-facing LEDs), and there is a DToplight Permanent (battery only) and 4DToplight Permanent (battery only with side-facing LEDs), as well as various other permutations.
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Yeah, there are various versions.
Annoyingly, the 4DToplight (the '4' denotes an extra pair of side-pointing LEDs as I mentioned upthread) series doesn't come in a dynamo powered with standlight version. Hence I use the 4DToplight Senso Multi, which is both battery and dynamo powered (dynamo taking precedence, so effectively only uses the batteries for the standlight).
The DToplight Plus is the dynamo light with standlight (but no side-facing LEDs), and there is a DToplight Permanent (battery only) and 4DToplight Permanent (battery only with side-facing LEDs), as well as various other permutations.
Ah, gosh and darn, does that scupper my ideas of getting a battery rear light that could convert to dynamo if the need ever arose?
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Yeah, there are various versions.
Annoyingly, the 4DToplight (the '4' denotes an extra pair of side-pointing LEDs as I mentioned upthread) series doesn't come in a dynamo powered with standlight version. Hence I use the 4DToplight Senso Multi, which is both battery and dynamo powered (dynamo taking precedence, so effectively only uses the batteries for the standlight).
The DToplight Plus is the dynamo light with standlight (but no side-facing LEDs), and there is a DToplight Permanent (battery only) and 4DToplight Permanent (battery only with side-facing LEDs), as well as various other permutations.
Ah, gosh and darn, does that scupper my ideas of getting a battery rear light that could convert to dynamo if the need ever arose?
Hang on, isn't that what the 4DToplight Senso Multi is? A battery light, that can also take power from a Dynamo?
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Yes, exactly that. 'Multi' is the magic word there. Not having a standlight capacitor, it needs batteries to work when the bike isn't moving, but when connected to a dynamo the batteries will get so little use you hardly have to think about them.
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Thanks Tim & Kim, or Kim & Tim, it's glad too know I am just as stupid as I always was ;D
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From what I've seen from a car, & catching up on cyclists in the dark, a big glow is better than a point source, & it's less of an 'Ow! I can't see!' for following cyclists.
Seconded.
I like to have two rear lights because if one fails you won't notice it, unlike a front light. In that case it makes sense to have one diffuse, such as the Philips Saferide, and one brighter, maybe a flashing one - though I wouldn't use it flashing on a group ride.