Bontrager Flare 3

[downfader]

Bought myself a new rear light to play with on Wednesday. I had been using the Smart 1/2 watt on my other bike, wanted another seatpost mount to use it also on the Jake but couldn't get hold of one. Went in one final shop (The Hub here in Southampton) and saw these Flare 3 lights.


Very similar to the Smart, slightly better made. Just as with the Smart it looks like a giant boiled sweet that you could suck the sugary goodness from. 2x 1/5 watt leds and 2 smaller powered leds that project sideways for side-on visibility.

Interesting thing is how the mounting incorporates a silicone clamp. The best silicone clamps I've seen are the Knog Skinks, but this is more like a small golf ball so its a little less stable. But only a little. Its a shame it doesn't have more flashing and steady modes, I think that's a missed opportunity.

Anyone tried one of these yet? Just thought I'd share.

 

[gaz]

The best silicone clamps are definitely the fibre flare mounts

 

[downfader]

The best silicone clamps are definitely the fibre flare mounts

I've not had the pleasure just yet. I've seen the fibre flare in the pack and online but not in enough detail to comment. I've seen the Exposure Flare too and that is superb for its small size, not as stable as Skink though.

I've just sent the following to Bontrager to see if they're interested in any feedback:

Hi there! I just bought a Flare 3 from a local shop here in Southampton. I've used and bought nearly a hundred lights over the years as I like to experiment and collect.

If I may give my feedback on the Flare 3: good quality, nice and bright, a little overpriced compared to the likes of the Knog Skink or the Smart 1/5 watt for what it does. It needs two steady modes (the current 1x 0.5w light plus a second double mode which would be handy in poor visibility - eg rain and fog), it could also benefit from one or two more flashing/strobe modes (I believe a strobe with a solid 0.5w held on steady would work well for in and around traffic).

The red plastic could do with internal moulding to diffuse the light at the sides and rear centre. This would reduce glare to road users waiting at side roads.

The mountings are good, but the silicon mount needs to be adjustable due to the position of different seatposts. A second tighter "rung" on the clamp would allow it to clip to the rear stays of the frame too. My stays are both a little too narrow for the current clamp.

Lastly the rear pannier rack screw option should be slightly angled or have an angled washer so as not to fire directly at rearward approaching road users and dazzle them.

Hope you don't mind me sending you my views, it doesn't diminish from what is already a very good product.

Thanks

Did you do a video of the fibre flare and mount? I cant recall?

 

[gaz]

Did you do a video of the fibre flare and mount? I cant recall?

No but i am looking at doing a detailed review shortly.