Rear carrier rear light advice wanted

[John F]

Thinking of upgrading my rear carrier fixed light to a more powerful one. They seems to be less of a choice than for the seat post type. Any ideas?

 

[103Alex1]

Thinking of upgrading my rear carrier fixed light to a more powerful one. They seems to be less of a choice than for the seat post type. Any ideas?

Which one do you have at the moment ?

These are cheap as chips, robustly constructed and very good :

Smart Lunar R2 Rear Led Bike Cycle Bicycle Light - 2 x 1/2 Watt Led's New Boxed | eBay

If you want to splash out on the best there is then this one is probably top of the tree, but you need to run it off a rechargeable battery pack or wire it in :

http://bikerayuk.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=55

Otherwise a Magicshine MJ-818 can be had a bit cheaper and is very powerful too.

 

[John F]

Needs to be fixed to the carrier at the rear using the 2 mounting holes. Current one is the original Woosh one which I'm not too impressed with regard to weatherproofness.

eg the RSP Tourlight 1/2 watt one or Busch and Muller D Toplight.

I'm after some more power, but It's difficult to appreciate just how good these are without seeing them

Which one do you have at the moment ?

These are cheap as chips, robustly constructed and very good :

Smart Lunar R2 Rear Led Bike Cycle Bicycle Light - 2 x 1/2 Watt Led's New Boxed | eBay

If you want to splash out on the best there is then this one is probably top of the tree, but you need to run it off a rechargeable battery pack or wire it in :

BikeRay Rear Light kit 3 Watt

Otherwise a Magicshine MJ-818 can be had a bit cheaper and is very powerful too.

 

[Clockwise]

Have a look for something called a "fibre flare" not as good over distance but very good close up with wide viewing angles. Unsure how you would mount it but they have lots of options against the usual handlebar/seatpost width clamps.

 

[EddiePJ]

Even the cheapest of rear lights is bright enough to pee off anyone approaching from behind. Why do you need a more powerful one.

Your money would be better spent on grey/white Scotch 3M reflective gear than anything else.

 

[John F]

As I said, the main reason is I'm not too happy with its likely longevity over winter. Also I would prefer a flashing option which it doesn't have. It's reasonably bright actually.

Have some Scotchlite on order too.

Even the cheapest of rear lights is bright enough to pee off anyone approaching from behind. Why do you need a more powerful one.

Your money would be better spent on grey/white Scotch 3M reflective gear than anything else.

 

[John F]

Fascinating - what will they think of next! Have you seen one in action?

Have a look for something called a "fibre flare" not as good over distance but very good close up with wide viewing angles. Unsure how you would mount it but they have lots of options against the usual handlebar/seatpost width clamps.

 

[peerjay56]

A Magicshine MJ-818 can easily be fitted to a rear rack - the post mounting bit comes off leaving a flat screw base. Steady, flashing bright, or flashing bright/not so bright.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

You can fit any light you like to the rack. You only have to make an adaptor out of a bit of scrap aluminium. You have a couple of nice fixing holes to bolt it to. I cut a strip of aluminium, drill two holes bolt it to the back of the rack and bend it into a U shape, then you can clip on a light like the Lunar R2. If you use a bit of imagination, you can make an adaptor to fit any light

 

[EddiePJ]

Have some Scotchlite on order too.

I hadn't given much thought to just how bright and effective Scotchlite was until our local dustbin collectors changed their work gear. The stuff is superb.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Good point' If you're going to ride at night-time in the winter, you should get one of these jackets. you can see how effective they are. There's a very bright rear light on that bike. They're also extremely warm and waterproof.

High Visibility Yellow Bomber Jacket Hi Viz Reflective Hi Vis Various Sizes | eBay

 

[103Alex1]

Needs to be fixed to the carrier at the rear using the 2 mounting holes. Current one is the original Woosh one which I'm not too impressed with regard to weatherproofness.

As above, you can fit an MJ-818 direct to a carrier by removing the backplate and using one of the carrier mounting holes. It is very effective and has a range of flash/constant settings :

Magicshine MJ-818 Cycle rear Bike light + Y splitter cable for MJ 808 872 816 | eBay

Most people run one off the same 8.4V battery pack as their Magicshine (or CREE T6 clone) front light. It comes with a Y-splitter but depending on where you put the battery pack you may need an extension cable (couple of quid).

I've got a B&M dynamo Toplight rear light on the Kalkhoff and it is really very good. No need for anything brighter to be honest. It glows even brighter when you brake too so not sure how it compares to the regular ones presumably battery powered ? I'm sure this one would be pretty good :

http://www.bike24.com/p21500.html

 

[RobF]

It's worth paying attention to rear lighting - I reckon a rear ender is at least as likely as an other type of collision.

Some rear lights are surprisingly feeble and difficult to see from any distance.

There's a B&M carrier light on the Rose - probably similar to the one on Alex's Kalkhoff - and I agree with him it's fairly good.

I add a small seatpost light for longer rides in the dark, although I don't think there's much point in using more than two lights.

 

[jackhandy]

.

I add a small seatpost light for longer rides in the dark, although I don't think there's much point in using more than two lights.

If I'm feeling trepidacious I clip one on the backpack as well.

 

[D C]

I can recommend this for brightness
MetroFlash Danger Zone Tail Light: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors
I've not had it long but seems to be well made and weather proofed and can be fitted as d8veh in post 9 suggests.
switch is very sensitive, a slight touch will switch it on but cheap at £11 and there's a good video review.

 

[EddiePJ]

Just as a back up, I have one of these fitted to my helmet. Obviously only of any use if you wear a helmet, but with Xmas coming up, it could be one to add to the list. Topeak Headlux Helmet Light | Merlin Cycles

 

[MikeyBikey]

That jacket makes rider look like a UFO! great
Wonder if they make Red retroreflective? But white is brightest, stick on mudguard, (if flat in middle
If Woosh light powered by main battery try replacing led bulb with brighter one (5v or 36v?)
Try sealing lamp with silicone (clear), or if must be openable, try a rubber band as a seal.
Most rear reflectors too small, best more like 100mm wide x 50mm high with light mounting holes drilled thru it.

 

[John F]

Woosh light is AA battery powered, with a gasket that's way too thin. In fact I can't get it back fitted properly.

Ideally one steady + one bright flashing would be my choice. Think I'll go for the Metroflash, keep the Woosh for now, and lash the Metroflash up beneath it. Have 1M of Scotchlight on order, so just need to apply it in an artistic and best seen manner.

Thanks for all the tips folks

That jacket makes rider look like a UFO! great
Wonder if they make Red retroreflective? But white is brightest, stick on mudguard, (if flat in middle
If Woosh light powered by main battery try replacing led bulb with brighter one (5v or 36v?)
Try sealing lamp with silicone (clear), or if must be openable, try a rubber band as a seal.
Most rear reflectors too small, best more like 100mm wide x 50mm high with light mounting holes drilled thru it.

 

[EddiePJ]

. Have 1M of Scotchlight on order, so just need to apply it in an artistic and best seen manner.

Some form of phallic symbol would probably do the trick of getting you noticed.

 

[RobF]

Woosh light is AA battery powered, with a gasket that's way too thin. In fact I can't get it back fitted properly.

Ideally one steady + one bright flashing would be my choice. Think I'll go for the Metroflash, keep the Woosh for now, and lash the Metroflash up beneath it. Have 1M of Scotchlight on order, so just need to apply it in an artistic and best seen manner.

Thanks for all the tips folks

Sensible solution.