Which rear light to buy

[jackthelad]

Hi guys have been looking at rear lights eg the exposure flare etc, but all the different lights fit on to the seat post.I presently have a topeak saddle bag that blocks out the seat post and the light would not get seen,as wondering what other guys buy when they have a saddle bag fitted.

any help appreciated

jackthelad

 

[gaz]

Does your saddle bag have a loop on it to attach a light? If so some lights have a clip to attach on those, the blackburn Mars 4.0 for example.

Or you can get lights to go on the seat stays. Cateye make a bracket for it, fibre flares are designed to fit on there and i think a handful of smart lights will fit on the seat stays out of the box.

 

[BSRU]

If you have a saddle bag rack you can attach it to the rack.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Hi guys have been looking at rear lights eg the exposure flare etc, but all the different lights fit on to the seat post.I presently have a topeak saddle bag that blocks out the seat post and the light would not get seen,as wondering what other guys buy when they have a saddle bag fitted.

any help appreciated

jackthelad

I also use a saddle bag and have my "Smart Superflash" angled down pointing slightly towards the wheel. It seems to do the job.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I've always managed with a Cateye something or other on the seatpost despite using a large and often extended Topeak Aero Wedge, but I will admit I do have quite a high seatpost, and I sometimes clip an extra light onto the strap at the back of the saddle pack.

 

[fossyant]

Most will clip onto a loop on the saddle bags. As mentioned Mars 3.0, Mars 4.0, RSP Astrum, Smart Superflash should all fit a loop.

Or you could cable tie a length of tube to the loop - like this:- It's about 25mm diameter, covered in duck tape with a couple of bar end plugs in to finish off. Drill the tube, pass cable ties through, and secure on the bag loop.

 

[jackthelad]

guys thanks for the replies,I have a small light attached to the loop on the bag but the light is not that great,so was basically looking to see what chioice there is out there and with the replies seems there are quite a few,just need to go looking know, I am looking for a bright light,this is why i mentioned the exposure.

jackthelad

 

[PpPete]

Smart Polaris 1/2 watt fits my saddle-bag loop OK - and points slightly downwards so as not to dazzle riders behind - cos it is seriously bright. It has come off once on a fast and bumpy descent, but survived, and the clip is now backed up with a red "postie" elastic band. I put another light (Smart 1/2W Lunar) on my RH seat stay as well though. Both way cheaper than the Exposure.

 

[Norm]

I'd say Smart 1/2 watt for a cheap and "good enough" option with Exposure Flare for more a expensive but brighter, smaller and more reliable alternative.

 

[Paulus]

I would second/third the Smart lights. They are quite robust and give off a good light.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Blackburn are the winners for me. Check out their Mars light. They come with a lifetime guarantee that my father in law recently tested after nearly seven years! He had a Blackburn Track Pump that broke, rang them up and they said "no problem, send it to us at this address..." He sent it off and received their new model in the post a few days later. Can't argue with that!

Its a decent light too - ok, its not as bright as some of the ones you can buy if you want to fork out nearer 100 quid, but I don't think you can get many better for the price range.

 

[jayonabike]

I have the exposure flare, very bright and the silicone band means it can be attached to the seat tube as well.

 

[al-fresco]

I attach my rear lights to the 'off-side' rear stay. Most of my night riding is on unlit country lanes and it seems to work OK.

 

[Bobtoo]

I'm not entirely convinced by seat post mounted lights, I think they are too easily obscured so I've just bought this

 

[fossyant]

I'm not entirely convinced by seat post mounted lights, I think they are too easily obscured so I've just bought this

Oh dear. Used to have one of those. Crap compared to modern and even cheap ones. Sorry.