Bike Tail Light: The 5 Best Cycling Blinkies to Keep You Safe in 2017
When lights are mentioned, only a few think of the bike tail light. Most bikers tend to focus on the headlight, not knowing that the tail lights are legally mandatory. Although headlights help you see where you’re going, tail lights make it easy for other road users to notice you from behind.
Depending on how and where you ride, your priorities regarding flashing modes, battery life, and brightness will vary. Do you go for standard or would LED lights prove a more worthwhile solution? Read on to find out more.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Bike’s Tail Light
Type of Riding
For people who use their bikes just to run errands and get back home, a basic bike tail light will do the job. Simple flashers that use batteries are effective and cheap, not to mention that they are durable. For those who take long rides at night or commute on busy roads, brighter lights will do the trick.
You can find multiple brighter AAA powered rear lights and USB rechargeable rear lights that will attract a driver’s attention from afar. Some riders fit more than one rear light to increase their chances of being noticed by oncoming drivers.
Optics
The characteristics of the light cast matter when you are trying to cast different shadows from potholes. Things tend to appear undefined and flat after dark, but the right rear light can help you avoid potential hazards.
The Type of Flashing
The law requires bikers to have tail lights that have flashing modes between one to four flashes per second. The actual modes differ and some will be outside that range. However, you don’t want to end up with constant pulsing modes.
The type of flashing differs for different riders. Some will keep their light flashing on because it makes them visible from far while others will keep a constant light for the oncoming drivers to easily judge the distance.
Durability of the Battery
While most tail lights will easily last you for long, you cannot trust USB rechargeable batteries to last you a whole night. If you prefer tail lights that don’t need to be recharged all the time, go for a rear light with AAA powered batteries.
Visibility
Although most tail lights are bright, in some cases, traffic may be approaching you from different directions and this can become a problem. In such a case, go for a light with a wide angle of visibility.
Mounting
You can now find rear lights with various types of mounting styles and options like strap mounts or clamp mounts. Strap mount tail lights are popular as they are placed on the seat post without requiring any special tool. If you’d rather go for a heavier light, the clamp mounted tail light would be ideal.
Number of Lumens
While companies could easily trick you into buying a rear light, go for one that has an FL-1 certification. This ensures that the lumens advertised are what you’ll find when you buy the product. For cycling in the city, you can opt for 300 – 500 lumens. If you simply use your bike to go to the mall and back, a rear light with 200 – 300 lumens would be ideal.
Here are the top 5 Best Cycling Lightsin 2017
Knog Blinder Road R70
Being one of the strongest performing and well-designed lights available, the Knog Blinder rear light pumps out sufficient light to keep you visible. Moreover, it has a huge variety of placement options while still giving you a good battery life. With 44 lumens, you’re assured that you’re well-lit without blinding the person behind you.
Features:
- Side illumination
- Constant flash modes
- Extreme power
Pros:
- Four color variants available
- Constant brightness throughout
- Automatically regulate light output to improve performance
- Waterproof integrated USB plug
Cons:
- In brightest or flashing mode, the battery drains quickly
- Short charging code
Blitzu Cyborg 168T
Blitzu Cyborg provides plenty of intensity light. With its ability to give consistent light for added visibility, these rear lights are also easy to install and are perfect if you’re riding in poorly lit areas.
Features:
- 180-degree visibility
- Compact design that is easy to install
Pros:
- Larger and brighter than other bike lights
- Easy to install flashlight
- USB rechargeable
- Wide beam to keep you safe in poor lighting conditions
Cons:
- The design and construction look cheap
CygoLite Hotshot 50 lm
Compared to its original version, this tail light provides maximum light which is nearly 50 lumens for added safety.
Features:
- 24/7 safety technology
- Solid and flashing modes
- Six lighting modes
Pros:
- The rear light has a mini USB charging cable, seat stay mount, and seat post mount
- USB rechargeable and water-resistant lithium-ion battery
- Adjustable speed of flash
Cons:
- Some users think of it as a low-quality product
- Has a min-USB connection
Cycle Torch GT800
Powered with 800 lumens, the Cycle Torch helps you to reduce the chance of an accident to almost zero. You’re assured of an advanced level of visibility and safety. Featuring a compact design, this rear light is lightweight and works with different kind of bikes.
Features:
- Four work modes
- 800 strong lumens
- Li-ion Samsung battery
- Auto adjusting brightness system
- Water-resistant design
Lezyne Strip Drive Pro Rear Light
One of the many additions for Lezyne is the Strip Drive Pro which is a revamped version. With a maximum output of 100 lumens, this Lezyne rear light ensures that you’re visible to anyone and everyone when riding in poorly lit conditions.
Features:
- Maximum optical reflection lens
- Nine modes of lighting
- Aero seat post compatible
Pros:
- Bright enough for maximum visibility
- Reasonably priced compared to other rear light in the market
- Five flashing modes
Cons:
- Some complain that the light can be a bit distracting especially if it’s in flash mode
Choosing a rear light for your bike is no longer about luxury. Tail lights ensure that you’re visible to oncoming drivers which could help prevent injuries and accidents. Go for a quality tail light made of durable material, one that is easy to mount, and a rear light that provides maximum visibility for your type of riding be it commuting or just running simple errands.
