(Part 2) Best bike taillights according to redditors

it's obviously a heart shape. pervert.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GZZNVKY/ref=twister_B01GZWTZMA

I usually find the Google maps estimate a bit generous - on a 25-minute estimate I might get 20 minutes, and ride 14-18mph on an upright hybrid. I know some people here on their road bikes ride faster.

Safety-wise, I actually would say your vest is even more important than lights. I personally prefer these straps. I've been using them for over 2 years. They light up like day, and don't overheat you in the summer like a full vest would while allowing you to layer multiple coats in the winter.

A nice 1000+lumen front light is another must - you want to not only be seen but in dark conditions to be able to see hazardous objects on the road, particularly a country road. This is the light I've been using for over 2 years (plus backup batteries to easily swap out), but anything bright will do. I prefer steady beam on my front light rather than having it blink - again for visibility.

For rear lights you (again) want something very bright and visible from far away, but that blinks. This is the one that I use, but again anything bright is good.

Good luck out there!

First thing you need is lights and lots of them.

My habit is a solid red and a flashing red on the rear, a solid white and a flashing white on the front and a flashing red on the rear left side somewhat low (IME this gets the attention of cars you're coming up on, since it flashes directly in their right wing mirror).

The next big thing you need is to know your route quite well. Obstacles will come up on you much quicker in the dark because you can't scan out ahead as effectively.

Third, make yourself as reflective as you can. Bright colors and reflective gear make a big difference.

If you have a well lit route, so much the better.

Link-fu https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01GZZNVKY?psc=1

I do most of my riding in the city. I don't own a car, so biking is my means of transportation. With that said, I find that when riding in the city, I prefer to ride aggressively rather than passively. It forces my presence, but it also prevents a sense of complacency and/or trust that one can develop when casually riding in bike lanes. That is, I would rather be aware that I must be aware instead of simply riding with a false sense of security due to lights, a helmet, a bike lane, etc.

With that said, when riding on higher speed roads, in the country, on longer distance rides, etc., that changes. I think the Garmin Varia is a good investment if you are concerned with getting mowed down.

I found it but out of stock.
https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Sensing-Waterproof-Intensity-Aluminium/dp/B07FKKWLMB

Here are some deals I've seen and when they come up or shut down. (All times are Pacific)


USB Rechargable Bike Tail Light on sale at 3:45

Foam Rollers go on sale at 4

Kryptonite 18mm New York Fahgettaboudit U-Lock, Black Goes on sale at 3

Revolights bicycle lighting system Midnight

Womens Pearl Izumi Shorts

Pearl Izumi Jerseys 4:00

Different pearl izumi bibs

Pearl Izumi shorts 5:45

Pearl Izumi bibs as shown below 4:45

Canari womens shorts

Brooks saddles bicycle bar tap 2:45

Yakima DoubleDown 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack 4:45

Very compact sleeping bag 4:30

Compact first aid kit 3:00

Kryptonite Evolution Mini-5 Bicycle Ulock 3:35

headlamp 5:30

Polar Heart Rate Monitor 3:30

LED Strobe Lights 2:30

Youphoria Sport Towel ends at 3:15ish



Sram Bar Tape ends at 2:50
Kryptonite NY Standard on sale 6:50

if you are going full rain-gear, it would include either making your only bike all-weather compatible (full fenders, etc) with the understanding that it will be clunkier to ride and will deteriorate more quickly (rust, sand, drive train, brakes). if you can swing it, get a beater bike that is specifically set up for rain and keep your nice bike (if your bike is nice) in fair weather condition.

 

carry a basic toolkit (spanner, hex wrench multi tool, spoke wrench, tire levers) and a spare tube or two. unless you want to carry a small handpump, you could invest in some CO2 cartridges and a small inflator. include some elastics, bungees, and a small roll of rubberized gaffer tape (just tear a strip of a few feet and roll it on itself so you have a little finger of black magic) -- the tape can be used for many things, from lashing something to your frame to layering up and booting a tire puncture. last but not least, buy a box of rubber gloves, and keep a few pairs rolled up in your kit. all of this can fit in a small saddlebag, handlebar bag, or hip pouch.

 

along with your standard toolkit and flat repair/replacement kit, carry an emergency rain poncho and a pair of rubber boot covers. boot covers are especially nice if you end up getting a pair of shoes that you don't want sprayed with water and sand should you get caught in a downpour or have to ride on sticky/tacky surfaces after a rain.

 

if there is a chance you are going to be riding at night, get a rear flasher and a good headlight (a powerful LED array with multiple modes & brightnesses). good lights usually have a rechargeable external battery pack -- carry a spare battery pack or at least get a few cheap LED flashers (frog knog or similar) to keep in your toolkit as a backup.

 

one last thing that i find helpful is keeping a few drawstring backpacks rolled up in my kits, as they can really come in handy if you need to pick up or carry something (or remove some clothing) unexpectedly. when not in use they fold up smaller than a deck of cards. if you have to lock your bike up outside and have a nice saddle, you can tie one of these over it so it's not so obviously nice.

 

i didn't really answer any if your big questions with specific recommendations, or cover any basic cycling equipment (like riding gloves or bike locks), but these are little tricks or lightbulb discoveries that i've picked up over biking in the city for the past 12 or 13 years. most of the small things are non-essential, but come in very handy and can save a lot of unneeded cleanup and frustration. now i never ride without them.

Nope: Waterproof Night Cycling Safety Led Shake Testicles

Ponnky Creative Bike Taillights-Waterproof Night Cycling Safety Led Shake Testicles (Blue) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B074M6334B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_7cS.Bb7CTK6NB

At 3 miles, you could walk that in 45 minutes, so 15-30 minutes to ride each way depending on the hill. Good that you are planning it now, instead of waiting till later. I think the first thing you need is a feasible route. Perhaps you already do, but it is more pleasant to ride without a car behind one. So perhaps you can ride much of it on roads that are less busy and likely have a lower speed limit. Google Maps has a bicycle option so you could see what that suggests. When you get your bike (or if you can borrow one), ride the route early on a weekend morning. Check that there is someplace to lock the bike at/near the school, because you need to securely lock it. The lock deters a thief by making it more difficult, not impossible to take. The more expensive the bike looks, the more formidable the lock should look. If the front wheel has a quick-release skewer, you should secure it so something like or this

I strongly recommend a helmet. They all meet the same standards, so I buy less expensive.

There are lights that help make you visible and those that help you see the road as examples, but not recommendations.

You've thought about rain for your backpack, but you may want to consider for you too, because being soaking wet at school is no fun, rain jacket, rain pants and fenders. I have a pair of these which might be a good choice if you can carry other shoes to wear in school. Even without rain, it will seem colder when you are going downhill in the morning, so I use running gloves (full finger) some winter mornings. You can bundle up toasty warm for the mornings because you don't have to pedal that much, and then carry some of your clothes instead of wearing when you ride home, so I recommend a rack and a couple of bungee cords to help with that.

Since it is a walk-able distance, you should probably leave the water bottle, multi-tool, patch kit and pump at home on school days just to keep it simple and keep from losing those things. It probably makes sense to keep it minimal and cheap while starting out like this. If you get a floor pump with a gauge, you can use it to check the pressure once or twice a week and then learn how to feel the tires to see if they are firm enough. I've not found a mini-pump with a gauge that is universally regarded as reliable, so the pump I take with me has no gauge.

For your commute to school you shouldn't need to fuss with padded biking shorts or spandex shirts or even fingerless gloves. I rode quite a bit when I was your age without any of those. If you are looking at longer rides, then you might want to try some of those (no underwear under the biking shorts) to reduce chafing against the seat and wind resistance from floppy clothing.

PlanetBike Superflash series of lights. They make you look like a cop. I don't think there's anything else that will automatically earn you more consideration from motorists.

$20 on amazon.
I have both headlight and taillight, works pretty well but then again I just got my GT today. Pretty bright IMO

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AB5YVV8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009Z43VKS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Although I agree with everything you're saying, I would say traveling on the shoulder would be safer in some areas as long as you had a hazard light going behind you that is classified for being able to be visible through the sun.

The Fly6(ce) is like this, and I think there are areas that the shoulder is simply the only option. Take i-80 for example, that is an interstate that allows bicycles on certain sections like going through Nebraska and the shoulder would be the only place you could ride. But I could only see that being viable with a light like the one I described before.

Ultimately it really should be up to the cyclist who knows the area better to judge this, since there are times where even I have to take the shoulder over the roadway due to the area I'm in and it really depends on the speed I'm going.

edit: If anyone reading this already has a rear camera highly recommend this light. Can see the person from about a half a mile away in the daytime so the driver knows to stay within those lines.

MEILAN X5 Wireless Remote Control Smart Bike TailLight Rear Light Automatic Brake Light with Turn Signal Light USB Rechargeable Safety Flashing light Fits on Any Road Bicycle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075PYDN5V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-DnHDbY36YQSW

Shred lights in front.

I think I found the light you’re taking about: Central 50 Rear- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013CH61TQ/

Second this -- a hybrid is probably the OP's best bet.

He can probably save some money by getting a single speed bike, but he should resist that temptation -- Austin is hilly, and gears are nice.

If he has a friend who knows bikes and can go with him (to tell him what's good and what's not and help him determine if it fits), Frankenbike is often a good place to find a used bike, if he wants to save even more.

If he ever rides at night (and every commuter eventually ends up riding at night), he'll want lights. One can spend a lot on them, but there's no need -- lights like these and these are very good (not 5000 lumens good like the headlight claims, but even the 1000 it really does is very good) and reasonably priced. Lights are way cheaper to order online than buy locally, and while the Chinese knockoffs do tend to be inferior to the name brand stuff, they're generally good enough and 80% cheaper.

All lights you purchase will have mounts included with them, look for USB rechargeable lights as opposed to battery operated lights.

On the frame in the rear

Ultra Bright Bike Light Blitzu Cyborg 168T USB Rechargeable Bicycle Tail Light. Red High Intensity Rear LED Accessories Fits On Any Road Bikes, Helmet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015IEJ0GC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_TOF7radLPpoOj

Under the saddle.


LE Super Bright Bike Light, USB Rechargeable Rear Tail Light, Cycling Light, 4 LEDs, 5 Light Modes, Red, Cable Included, Fits on any Bicycles, Helmets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0197X16BC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_kdJj4Z6x6Tr61


There are much better lights available, I'm upgrading my front currently. So I don't have a link.
And apologies if the links don't work. Not that tech savvy.

Why lights? Safety. Night or day. Be seen, drivers will pay attention.

This one they make is even more blinding, but I don't like how it mounts as much https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-Bike-Tail-Light/dp/B01IO12OLO

I recently got a road bike to compliment the mountain bike and I've been using it for some light commutes and we've been doing some night-time rides on the recreation trail that goes around the lake here.

I got one of these from Amazon that works pretty well for a tail, although the mount could be better. I used some stainless hardware to strap a 18650 powered T6 Cree spotlight on the handlebars that illuminates the trails great, but only gets ~45-60 minutes on a battery. I used a handlebar mount to put the a GoPro Hero 3 directly on top of the light.

I also picked up one of these phone mounts which I am less than impressed with so far. The mount is decent but the grip is not good.

I'm looking to simplify and improve the setup. I'm also looking for a good way to carry my DSLR with me as there's some great photo stops along the route.

edit:

Current setup:
Imgur
Imgur

To light the way at night.

https://www.amazon.com/Ponnky-Creative-Taillights-Waterproof-Cycling-Testicles/dp/B074M6334B/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1536682537&sr=8-3&keywords=bike+nuts

I just got a blitzu for the front and meilan for the back.
They look great, very bright, and both have many
settings, mounting options, removable and rechargeable.

amazon - blitzu
amazon - meilan

Still $200. The best.
Garmin Varia RTL510, Bike/Cycling Radar Tail Light, Alerts for Rear-Approaching Vehicles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C9PKSCK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_d5ysDbDT25P8A

Serfas USB taillight has served me well. Really bright with blinky mode or solid red light mode. I wrap mine around the end of the rack and have another on my seat post to get both blinky and solid lights.

Interesting that no one knows about the new-ish Niterider Solas 2 Watt tail light. I've been using it for over a year and it's seriously good. Same brightness as the hotshot (2 watts. The Superflash is 0.5 watts, I believe. Maybe another version is 1 Watt.), but the lens is diffused to spread the light horizontally.

I personally ride at night on busy and non-busy roads frequently and get by just fine with a simple reflective vest, the Solas on the rear of my bike rack (my seat-post is usually blocked by my basket), a HotShot on my helmet, and this thing, although looking at the page now, the item seems to be sold by a slightly different person or something, but the light itself, if it is the same, is friggin' great for 20-40 dollars or whatever I got it for a year ago.

Nothing fancy, Just a PDW Red Planet. It's not quite as bright IRL as it appears in the picture, but it gets the job done.

I just got this tail light, 200 lumens, so bright I can't even look at it from the side, highly recommend

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J2XBCG4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I really like this set. The headlight is just bright enough to use to see the road surface (wouldn't be bright enough for mountain biking or really rough roads), which comes in handy occasionally. Much cheaper than headlights made to see with, a bit more expensive than the really cheap lights, but also much more visible.

New road cyclist here. Have previously only mountain biked, but have used my MB on several roads. I've owned my road bike for about 3 weeks. Loving riding on roads, but am really thinking that I need a tail light. Looking between the Cygolite Hotshot 100 and Cygolite Hotshot 150 Pro. My concern is that when I ride with someone else, or with a group that I will inadvertently blind other cyclists. Does anyone have any experience? Would I just simply not use the light when riding with others? I'm thinking that I'll either attach this to my saddle bag or use the seat stay mount.

https://smile.amazon.com/Nkomax-Rechargeable-Waterproof-Intensity-Accessories/dp/B07DF8RTM4/

https://smile.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Sensing-Waterproof-Intensity-Aluminium/dp/B07FKKWLMB/

https://smile.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Sensing-Waterproof-Commuter-Install/dp/B079G8M97X/

https://smile.amazon.com/TuffGear-Sensing-Waterproof-Rechargeable-Flashlight/dp/B07H7CWF51/

https://smile.amazon.com/Eycocci-Rechargeable-TailLight-Waterproof-Commuter/dp/B07BQ2LTVR

https://smile.amazon.com/YELIN-Taillight-Rechargeable-Waterproof-Seatpost/dp/B07H7HKHGG/

all the same light, though with different mounts (there are seat rail mounted versions and seatpost mounted)

For a rear light look at this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0197X16BC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_e-JWDbS1Y9N5E

I’ve used that for the past year and it’s been flawless

Got this Blackburn rear light free when I bought a Blackburn bottle holder. Might as well. It's like getting the cage for free, and I love the cage. I've owned a lot of lights. This one is blinding.

I use a 3800 Lumen headlight and a Topeak tail light:

headlight

taillight

The headlight is obnoxiously bright. Its like a single car headlight and I can actually see where I'm going with it. Mounting is a challenge since it has a large (4xAA) battery pack that is separate from the light itself so I had to use lots of zipties. Its dedicated to the bike its on because swapping to another bike would be a hassle. It comes with a charger so thats nice, but the weather proof plug is pretty tight and can be hard to disconnect sometimes. The light is also fairly large so it might increase your aero drag by a little bit.


The Topeak taillight has been great, it screws directly to the Topeak rack I have so it will not fall off. I've lost too many taillights to count just from them literally falling apart as I ride or getting jiggled off and run over by cars. I even had one fall down a sewer grate.


I also have a Cateye headlight that has a little strap clamp so its easy to swap between bikes. Its not very bright but it been reliable for a few years.

I got a bunch of these so I'd have a tail light for each bike and they have actually been pretty good.

• Planet Bike Blaze 1-Watt Headlight and Superflash Taillight Combination Bicycle Light Set
  
• Pump
  
• Tube
  
• Patch Kits (includes glue patches and sticker patches and tire irons)
  
• Adjustable crescent wrench
  
• Box wrench with 14 mm on one end and 15 mm on the other. (The sizes of nuts holding my wheels on)
  
• 3-way Allen key
  
• Leatherman wave
  
• Rag
  
• Nitrile gloves
  
• On Guard Mini DT U-Lock with 4-Inch Cinch Loop Cable
  
• Clean clothes stuffed into a cheap sinch sack.
  
• lunch
  
• All packed into a Timbuk2 Messenger Small
  
  EDIT:
  
  
• Small Altoids tin first aid kit

So, probably not a light set for yourself (but I have recommendations for kids setups). However, I run a Cygolite Metro 400($20.....which a few years ago they was $45) on all my bikes paired with a Portland design works Red Planet 5($15) and they work great.

Edit I did mean for yourself (I'm an idiot), but not like a set for your younger kids wanting to ride with you.

I go with two lights on the bike and one on the helmet (so you can see where your head is turned, not just straight in front of you.) That may be more for "mtb trail at night" than road riding, though. Plan on at least one front white blinky at all times unless fully illuminated.

For the rear, at least two bright red blinkys that also have side blinkys. This is the one I like best. A couple AAA batteries in each will last you months. I usually do one at the base of the seatpost and one on the underseat bag.

Neon reflective vest is about 6 bucks at Harbor Freight. Same thing for safety glasses, a few bucks at HF. Both definitely help.

I really like the USB rechargable NiteRider Lumina Series. The build quality of the lights as well as the mounts are just amazing. They currently have three models...

350 Lumen

500 Lumen

650 Lumen

Each version has three main brightness levels, plus a fourth dim level as well as a flash mode. If you are riding through city streets with streetlights, the 350 model is more than enough, and can be had for right around $60. I have the 650 version which can completely illuminate pitch black trails, even on moonless nights. On it's highest level, cars will sometimes honk/scream at you, it's so bright. On city streets, I use the lowest level.

For the tail light, I use another NiteRider product called the Solas. This is a VERY BRIGHT 2-Watt USB rechargable tailight. This run can be had for about $35.

I use this:

​

https://www.amazon.com/Topeak-RedLite-Aura-Tail-Light/dp/B00B13A1Y0

I just got a Topeak RedLite Aura Tail Light.

So far, pretty nice. Unless you look close it looks like a regular reflector so I don't mind leaving it on my bike locked up at work (Queens). Mounts ace on my Topeak rack, as expected. Also comes with hardware and a clamp to mount it on a seatpost in place of a regular reflector. Runs on (2) CR2032 coin batteries.

I have a Cygolite Metro 550 up front (on "steady flash" most times, but I'll bump it up to "steady high" when I need raw lumen power, or on strobe in daylight), a petzl headlight zip-tied to my helmet (on flash), some cheap blinky light on the back of my helmet (random twinkly flash), and a Blitzu USB taillight on my seatpost (also in one of its eye catching blinky modes).

I also wear a flexy USB strap light on each elbow, and a couple of similar lights that clip on at my ankles.

On my backpack, I've strapped a yellow reflective ankle strap attached to the loop they provided for a blinky light (I keep losing actual blinky lights attached here), which augments the reflective patches the manufacturer provided (it's an Ospray Radial 34 cycling backpack).

So, 2 lights on the bike, 6 on the human + reflective patches. All of this lighting serves to highlight my body outline, and provide some backup if any should fail. The lights on the ankles serve reveal "biological motion" which is particularly attention-grabbing for the human visual system.

It's not metal, but I use the Serfas Thunderbolt for my tail light. I was never very happy with the plastic clip mounts either, and this thing mounts really secure and has held up great so far. The little mounting 'bands' don't look particularly robust, but they really are. It has two, so if one fails, your light shouldn't fall off. Plus, if you break or lose one, you can always order more.

I use a Topeak MTX rack and an MTX bag. I have the largest bag, the DXP, and its top area can fit a 6pack, a 1/2 gal of milk and some oil or something. The two fold out sides can hold a ton of groceries. The rain guards you can get for it are pretty good as well. This rack is the best because it and the bag use a locking rail system that prevents your stuff from shifting, wiggling, or being otherwise unsecured. It isn't heavy and has study carrying straps.

I don't normally ride at night, so my lights are mostly to be seen & not see. I'm pretty happy with my Thunderbolt lights. They're wide, bright, and detach/attach easily so I don't have to leave them on my bike when it is locked up.

Get a double kickstand!!! When you're loaded down with stuff in your bags, keeping your bike upright and not tipped in one direction is incredibly nice.

I keep a small saddle bag with a basic patch kit inside. Patches, a spare tube, etc... My favorite is a small gas canister which is about 1-2 tires worth of air. Instead of pumping from empty to full I just use this thing and it takes a few seconds. I do keep a pump strapped on the bike frame to keep my pressure where I want. Practice using your kit - the first time I needed to use it was my first and I was much less competent than I thought I'd be. If you have room for it - a portable tuneup stand is a godsend for those moments you need it.

>Graag ben ik goed zichtbaar

Ik ook... daarom koop ik altijd 1 uit een duurder segment.

Achterlicht & Koplamp

Ik ben trouwens benieuwd wat jullie Hiervan vinden. T lijkt mij een beetje een lichtkermis, maar ook wel weer duidelijk.

BTW: Een sterke koplamp is ook fijn met tegemoet komende auto's die groot licht voeren ;-)

I got one of these, very happy with it. LASER BEAMS AND BLINKING LIGHTS! And super-cheap.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00GJW2B3W

I wonder if something like this but for trucks mounted on the front would work.

you are inside my safe braking distance.

https://www.amazon.com/Etopstech-Laser-Bicycle-Light-Virtual/dp/B00M8ELJS8

This?

Fenders: these or these

Rack: Axiom Transit

Lights: Front and tail. If you want a rack-mounted tail light: light and bracket.

Helmet: go to your LBS and try on a few. One-size-fits-all helmets are not as comfortable.

Other: I'd also recommend a puncture kit for when the inevitable happens. Tube, tire levers, CO2 inflator and cartridge.

I made my first taillight out of a 12 volt trailer light I purchased from a autoparts store. It worked very well. It went well with a 12 volt LED flood light that I purchased from a electronics store and made a custom housing out of. Both ran off the same battery.

I also have the older version of this:

https://www.amazon.com/CygoLite-Hotshot-50-Rechargeable-Bicycle/dp/B013FIWBCS/sr=1-9&keywords=tail+light

Which is nice.

Tail lights are less important then headlights because typically you are going with traffic and thus are lit up by the headlights of the car behind you. The really dangerous cars are the cars coming towards you (they may turn left into a side road or drive way and hit you) and cars at a angle to you at intersections (driver may not see you and pull out in front of you).

As long as they are reasonably bright and can be seen for a ways away then you are gold. Bonus points if they can be seen from the side.

May also consider getting a helmet light.

A bright headlight on the handle bars and then a reasonably bright light on the helmet is a nice combo. This way you can turn to see things without turning your handle bars. Also by quickly looking at cars and pedestrians, how you tend to do naturally, you will also flash them making yourself more likely to be noticed. (which is also why you don't want a super bright light, don't want to blind them or ruin their night vision).

Adding a tail light to the helmet is really good idea as well which is good in case your main tail light is obscured by a rear rack, a long jacket, or something else.