Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Quick Release Bike Lights

I'm currently trying to find some decent lights (one front, one rear) that don't require a permanent mount on the bike and are quick and easy to put on and take off. After looking around a few shops there seem to be a few options for front lights with a quick release clamp/mount, but not much for rear lights.

I'm very tempted to get some of the Knog 5 LED lights (Knog Toad and/or Bullfrog) as the design seems great, and the ease of mounting/removing is perfect for what I want, but they don't really seem like the most effective lights out there.

I'm looking to spend a maximum of around $80USD and just want some compact and effective "to be seen" lights rather than lighting up the whole street. Any suggestions much appreciated.

I've got a knog bullfrog.

The switch isn't very well designed and doesn't work reliably.

Light output isn't very high either.

Not one I'd recommend, however other people may have had better luck with them.

It might be worth you looking at cycle lights on DX, a couple of blinkies front and back would probably suit you.

:)

I'm currently trying to find some decent lights (one front, one rear) that don't require a permanent mount on the bike and are quick and easy to put on and take off. After looking around a few shops there seem to be a few options for front lights with a quick release clamp/mount, but not much for rear lights.

For the rear light, get a Planet Bike SuperFlash:

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-eXtreme-Bicycle/dp/B000KBEH1W/ref=tag_dpp_lp_edpp_img_in

Not one I'd recommend, however other people may have had better luck with them.

It might be worth you looking at cycle lights on DX, a couple of blinkies front and back would probably suit you.

:)

Yeah, I really love the mounting system of the Knogs but would like something more effective if I can find it. I've looked on DX and didn't see anything much decent which will quick mount/detatch apart from a quick release mount which could be paired with a torch I suppose.

I just want something simple and compact that will be as quick and easy as possible to mount and remove.

For the rear light, get a Planet Bike SuperFlash:


Yeah I know about the superflash, but I want lights that "don't require a permanent mount on the bike."

Yeah, I really love the mounting system of the Knogs but would like something more effective if I can find it. I've looked on DX and didn't see anything much decent which will quick mount/detatch apart from a quick release mount which could be paired with a torch I suppose.

I just want something simple and compact that will be as quick and easy as possible to mount and remove.

Get a set of TwoFish LockBlocks and a decent AA LCD flashlight:
http://www.amazon.com/Lock-Blocks-Set-of-Three/dp/B001P9EWKE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1243994830&sr=1-1

The LockBlock attaches with a velcro strap, so it can be removed in about 2 seconds and installed in about 3 seconds.


Yeah I know about the superflash, but I want lights that "don't require a permanent mount on the bike."

Ah. One on of my bikes, I just clip it to the strap on my saddle bag. On the other, I use the provided mount. Try the Blackburn Mars: http://www.amazon.com/Blackburn-Mars-4-0-Bicycle-Taillight/dp/B001GAOR2U/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1

I haven't tried this one personally, but I've used one of its predecessors. It has a mount that attaches easily with a thumbscrew.

Blackburn flea lights (http://www.blackburndesign.com/lights.html) probably fit your needs.
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/01/28/fashion/26349485.JPG

Cateye do a quick release front that is self contained:
EL-450 (http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/559)
http://www.cateye.com/sites/cateye/upload/products/559-og.jpg

Why not just fit cheap blinkies and leave them attached ?

Get a set of TwoFish LockBlocks and a decent AA LCD flashlight:
http://www.amazon.com/Lock-Blocks-Set-of-Three/dp/B001P9EWKE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1243994830&sr=1-1

The LockBlock attaches with a velcro strap, so it can be removed in about 2 seconds and installed in about 3 seconds.


That does look like a really good option, thanks. The Mars 4 looks decent too. I'd prefer something quicker and less fiddly than a thumbscrew mount, but the extra hassle would probably be worth it for the extra visibility it would give over a 5 LED Knog.

I forgot to mention that I very nearly did buy a set of Fleas, znomit, but after some thought it seemed like the recharge system would end up being really annoying. They seem like very nifty lights though and I reckon I would've bought some if they had an AC recharger instead of the seemingly tedious system that they have.

Why not just fit cheap blinkies and leave them attached ?

I want to be able to swap the lights between bikes and also don't really want lights and/or mounts hanging off my bikes when they aren't being used.

Yeah I know about the superflash, but I want lights that "don't require a permanent mount on the bike."

Do you mean that you don't want a light mounted permanently ?

Or do you mean that even a quick release light - where the bracket stays on the seatpost or frame - is unacceptable ?

Or do you mean that even a quick release light - where the bracket stays on the seatpost or frame - is unacceptable ?

Yep, that. When I said 'mount' I meant 'bracket' as the same thing.

I

The brackets are small and unobtrusive and weigh next to nothing. I have a bracket for my Cateye TL-LD1000 on both my road bikes and I also use a rear light from Trek that clips to a loop on my seat bag.

For a front light, get a P7 or Fenix flashlight and a Two Fish Lock Block mount, which used velcro to secure the light to the mount and the mount to the bars.

You might even be able to use a two fish lock block and a light with a clip to secure a rear light to your seat post or seat stay.

Yep, that. When I said 'mount' I meant 'bracket' as the same thing.

I

I think you are being too picky....

What point is there in objecting to a small plastic bracket if it allows you genuine quick release ?

I think you are being too picky....

What point is there in objecting to a small plastic bracket if it allows you genuine quick release ?

Same here. Too Picky

For the rear light, get a Planet Bike SuperFlash:

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-eXtreme-Bicycle/dp/B000KBEH1W/ref=tag_dpp_lp_edpp_img_in

PBSF + 1W Blaze Combo = $60 = Done (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Headlight-Suplerflash-Combination/dp/B001G7Q24Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1244045630&sr=8-2) (with brackets, which really aren't noticeable)

PB Spok Set = $25 = no bracket (http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3042_1.html)

I have a Cateye Optiflex headlight. It mounts and removes very quickly and easily. The PlanetBike Blaze headlight also mounts and removes quickly and easily. The Blaze is much brighter and the blink pattern is that same as the SuperFlash taillight. When I got my Catey a couple of years ago it also came with a red lens cover so it could be used as a taillight. I don't know if that is the case now.

To the OP. If you remove the mount each time, you'll have to realign it each time you put it back on. Did you consider that? I leave my lockblocks on the bike and take the lights off when I lock up. If I unmounted them from the handlebar, a lot of the convenience is wasted because I have to re-aim and re-strap them in, and I have 3 of them. Mounts don't weigh anything and unless there's a particular thief about, nobody messes with them.

I've never seen a convenient, non-"fiddly", secure and simple mount that you'd want to reinstall every time you used it. Don't think there is one. You'd probably wear most of them out clamping and unclamping them all the time.

Take a look at mounts that swivel and are of pretty high quality (price) if you want to clamp/reclamp. The Mawri mounts are nice if you can figure out how to attach your particular light.

Also, most light mounting systems are designed to easily break into 2 parts. If you want to completely remove the whole shebang from your bike between uses, you should just glue the two parts together and in a fixed position once you have it aimed. You'll still need to re-aim vertically, though.

Still a bad idea, IMHO.

Yeah I know about the superflash, but I want lights that "don't require a permanent mount on the bike."

Sounds like BS fixed gear fashionista aesthetics to me. Don't worry, you won't ruin the 'look' of your bike with a tiny bracket, and your friends will still like you.......

To the OP. If you remove the mount each time, you'll have to realign it each time you put it back on. Did you consider that?

The OP said that he "just wants some compact and effective "to be seen" lights" so I doubt alignment will be crucial.....

knog are expensive but the bullfrogs are pretty nice and they've redesigned their switch mechanisms.

knog are expensive but the bullfrogs are pretty nice and they've redesigned their switch mechanisms.

Well...one thing's for sure...they can't have made the switch any worse.

They don't put out much light and I think they are not worth bothering with, vastly overrated.

:(

i should have qualified that with a "good to be seen by" light. you can't see anything with them, but people will see you in most situations.

for seeing by, you need a more serious light with high output.

Just to add a couple of things, one could hang / mount either of these in a number of places:

Glo-Toobs (http://www.glo-toob.com/)

Krill Lights (http://www.kriana.com/pages/howtochoose.html)

why not just get some good helmet mount lights and then you always have them with you and no brackets on your bike.

Thanks for all of the input. I've ended up ordering a Niterider Cherrybomb and a Cateye Uno, even though the Cherrybomb has a fixed mount.

I may still end up getting one of the DX torches to pair with a lockblock or DX quick release mount.

I'm currently trying to find some decent lights (one front, one rear) that don't require a permanent mount on the bike and are quick and easy to put on and take off. After looking around a few shops there seem to be a few options for front lights with a quick release clamp/mount, but not much for rear lights.

I'm very tempted to get some of the Knog 5 LED lights (Knog Toad and/or Bullfrog) as the design seems great, and the ease of mounting/removing is perfect for what I want, but they don't really seem like the most effective lights out there.

I'm looking to spend a maximum of around $80USD and just want some compact and effective "to be seen" lights rather than lighting up the whole street. Any suggestions much appreciated.

No one is going to bother stealing your plastic mounts.