Commuting - Help with tail light

all the good bright tail lights that i have researched are instilled on the seat post. carrying a pack on a rack you are not going to see a taillight on the seat post. will some please tell me where i can purchase a good bright blinking tail light that i can install on the end of my rack

Some answers in this thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=451333 (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=451333)

Bottom line; use the reflector mount on the rack if you have it (for certain lights, like Blackburn Mars 2.0), or head to the hardware store.

I use a trunk rack bag almost every ride and if I need a light, I will either attach it to the back of my helmet or the piece of fabric on the back of the bag.

PB Superflash with this bracket:

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3108.html

Get the Planet Bike Superflash and then order the tail rack bracket from Planet Bike to go with it. For details and pictures see this thread http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=447701

PB Superflash with this bracket:

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3108.html

Or without buying anything extra, I put mine either on the left seatstay on my road bike, or left rear rack vertical stay on my commuter bike.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/wewilsonjr/SJ8BxiqS3oI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Q3bd0v16ALw/s400/IMG_0340.JPG

i added a strap to the backpack i'm using for either my PB blinky, and will be changing out for a superflash soon. i'm happy with it, and you could certainly put such a strap on a bag. dimensions of the strap are: 1.5in long x 3/4in wide. elastic backed w/ a backpack-esque strap over that for stability.

This Busch & Muller 4D Toplight is permanent light (non blinking) and easily mounts to a rack. I got it at: http://www.biketrailershop.com/catalog/trailer-lights-c-47.html
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/wlhutch/IMG_0161.jpg

I have 2 lights - one seat mounted because I wear a backpack. The other one is a PB SuperFlash mounted on the back on my helmet. My sife wanted to see how visible I was and waited on a long stretch of road for me to go by. She said it was clearly visible a 1/2 mile away - and it was raining.

I like the fact that the light is up higher and therefore more likely to be seen than the lower lights.

I use a trunk rack bag almost every ride and if I need a light, I will either attach it to the back of my helmet or the piece of fabric on the back of the bag.

Better than nothing, but not very good. You want to be able to aim taillights, they're fairly directional and effectiveness drops way off if you don't point them right. You wouldn't attach a headlight by just hanging it on a fabric loop.

I believe for commuting size, and brightness are both important, My tail light is 4"X6" and bright as heck. I also wera a blinki on my helmet, but have been complemented several times by cars for my tail light. Its a roadside emergency light for cars that I removed the magnets, I used an L bracket, and plumbers tape. You can't see the L- bracket in these photos as it wasn't there yet. Basical it's to keep the light from hitting the fender. Screwed to the top of the rack it just wraps over to keep the light square to the rack. I removed the magnets, and used the screws with a small washer to attach it to the plumbers tape.
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/pkhakes/Bikes/commie/Commie012.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/pkhakes/Bikes/commie/rearlight003.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/pkhakes/Bikes/commie/rearlight004.jpg

I went the cheap and easy route: duct tape, a couple 3/4" conduit hangers http://www.reliablemetalstamping.com/images/threaded_conduit_hangers_tn.jpg, and a 6" long piece of 1" wooden doweling. (For extra security, add a nylon lock nut to the conduit hangers. ;))

http://lh6.ggpht.com/eric.speas/SJieu_CWilI/AAAAAAAAAO4/-yXr3ADwPQo/100_2850.jpg?imgmax=800

The light bracket on my rack broke off due to metal fatigue, so i duct taped the dowel to the back of the rack, put the conduit hangers over the rear rack and dowels, then added my light. Nice part is, if I need a longer bar, I can just cut one from the remaining dowel stock.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk45/Zaktrafton/IMG_7999.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk45/Zaktrafton/IMG_7998.jpg
RavX Rack Light (http://www.ravx.com/2008_product/pages_products_08/lights_08/rear_lights/racklight_08.html)

I have thought of using pvc or a wood dowel and the post mounts the lights come with, then using a velcro strap to attach the dowel. This way the unit would be removable in case you want to pop it on and off. But I will probably use the Planet Bike blinkie adapter for a Superflash (t-adapter from peterwhite if your rack doesn't have a mount), then use a Mars 3 on my seat bag or trunk bag, and a mars 3 on my helmet. If that doesn't do it, then I will come up with some sort of mount for an array of blinkies and maybe a Dinotte.

If your rack doesn't have a taillight mount, see this thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=451333

Hot Potato: I was going to go with PVC, but when the folks at Home Depot said I had to buy the whole 10' piece, I improvised. ;)

That's funny, I favored PVC because I wouldn't have to go out and buy it. there is an assortment in my garage. but that 10 foot piece would last you a lifetime!

Or without buying anything extra, I put mine either on the left seatstay on my road bike, or left rear rack vertical stay on my commuter bike.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/wewilsonjr/SJ8BxiqS3oI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Q3bd0v16ALw/s400/IMG_0340.JPG


Is that a wad of electrical tape to make the smaller post mount the superflash comes with fit on the rack? Some other material?

Hot Potato:Normally, I would agree, but when you live in an apartment, well, storage becomes an issue. :lol:

The Blackburn Mars 2.0 comes with a L shaped metal bracket that mounts it to the end of a rack. Its a nice bright light. My wife has one on each bike.
http://www.blackburndesign.com/images/pop_mars_2.jpg

I use the Mars 3.0 clipped to the loop on my seat bag.
http://www.blackburndesign.com/images/pop_mars_3.jpg

The light bracket on my rack broke off due to metal fatigue, so i duct taped the dowel to the back of the rack, put the conduit hangers over the rear rack and dowels, then added my light. Nice part is, if I need a longer bar, I can just cut one from the remaining dowel stock.

One downside to mounting like that is that you're mounting the light 90* from how it was designed to hang. A light like that is designed to spread the beam from left to right so that it's visible by more road users. When you hang it vertically like that, it's mostly visible only to people it's aimed right at, though I suppose it doesn't matter if they're worms or 18 feet high, the spread will hit them in the eye.

One downside to mounting like that is that you're mounting the light 90* from how it was designed to hang. A light like that is designed to spread the beam from left to right so that it's visible by more road users. When you hang it vertically like that, it's mostly visible only to people it's aimed right at, though I suppose it doesn't matter if they're worms or 18 feet high, the spread will hit them in the eye.

True, but then again, the backs of my panniers are now reflectors with about 200 sq. inches. If they can't see me, then they shouldn't be driving. :lol:

78513

78514

Made this out of aluminum at my work. It pays to work in a machine shop.:thumb: