Author Topic: Rear lights to fit on a rack  (Read 54155 times)

Cudzoziemiec

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Rear lights to fit on a rack
« on: 13 September, 2010, 04:09:18 pm »
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, which also comes in a more expensive version with motion and darkness sensor. 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 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, 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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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #1 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:11:36 pm »
If I remember, you can get a Cateye bracket which fits to the rear of a rack.

Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #2 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:13:47 pm »
I've found that the basic 4D Toplight is a perfectly good rack lamp.

Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #3 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:13:55 pm »
the smart 1/2W has a bracket assembly that fits just about anything.
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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #4 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:15:24 pm »
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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Cudzoziemiec

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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #5 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:18:29 pm »
I've found that the basic 4D Toplight 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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Oaky

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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #6 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:19:52 pm »
I got a B&M Toplight flat permanent 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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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #7 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:20:06 pm »
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


Cudzoziemiec

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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #8 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:21:57 pm »
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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Cudzoziemiec

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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #9 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:24:58 pm »
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


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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Oaky

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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #10 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:25:29 pm »
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.
You are in a maze of twisty flat droves, all alike.

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Cudzoziemiec

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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #11 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:29:29 pm »
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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Cudzoziemiec

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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #12 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:32:19 pm »
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 Probably crap, but at that price might even be worth a ride!
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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #13 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:33:10 pm »
I've found that the basic 4D Toplight 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.

Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #14 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:36:01 pm »
There's the D-Toplight from Busch + Muller, which also comes in a more expensive version with motion and darkness sensor.

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.





Cudzoziemiec

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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #15 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:37:01 pm »
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.
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #16 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:37:49 pm »
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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LEE

Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #17 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:38:51 pm »
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.

Cudzoziemiec

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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #18 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:39:35 pm »
There's the D-Toplight from Busch + Muller, which also comes in a more expensive version with motion and darkness sensor.

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.





That's tempting! When you say including postage, you do know I'm not in the UK?
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Biggsy

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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #19 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:41:31 pm »
+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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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #20 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:42:32 pm »
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.

Cudzoziemiec

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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #21 on: 13 September, 2010, 04:46:07 pm »
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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Kim

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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #22 on: 13 September, 2010, 05:08:39 pm »
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.

Cudzoziemiec

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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #23 on: 13 September, 2010, 05:17:02 pm »
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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Re: Rear lights to fit on a rack
« Reply #24 on: 13 September, 2010, 05:25:51 pm »
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.