Where to mount a tail light??
04-08-10, 08:43 AM
#1
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Where to mount a tail light??
I just installed a dynamo lighting system (NOS) on my '74 Raleigh Sport. It all works fine, but on my night-time test ride, my wife, who was following me, said that she couldn't see the light from the tail light very well as it was blocked by the fender mounts and rear rack mounts. The tail light is rather small, 2" x 1", and I mounted it on the left chain stay. Is there a better option like the seat stay, fender mount, or rear rack mount? Does it even matter since the tail light is so small?
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04-08-10, 09:23 AM
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I mount mine on the rear rack strut, just under the rack.
04-08-10, 09:41 AM
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i have a similarly sized battery unit that i mount on my seat post. I don't ride much in the dark.... if i did i'd probably supplement the current light with two frogs on the stays or something. I have no faith in the drivers around here.
04-08-10, 11:14 AM
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I have racks on most of my bikes. The racks all have some kind of taillight mounting tab or plate at the rear below the top platform. I use that for tail light mounting.
On my two bikes with dynamo lights I have made a mounting plate for the rear lights that is bolted to the rack taillight mount and I have both the dynamo rear light and a PB Superflash mounted to it. I want to be visible from the rear.
My dynamo lights are relatively new LED lights that put out much more light than the older incandescent bulb headlights and taillights. Dynamos used are a Alfine hub dynamo and a B&M bottle dynamo.
On my bikes w/o racks installed the PB Superflash is mounted either on the seatpost or on the seat stay. It depends on the bike frame design and how much seatpost is available as I have tool packs below the saddle on the bikes too.
Generally speaking choose a position where the light is relatively high and completely unobscured when viewed from the rear.
On my two bikes with dynamo lights I have made a mounting plate for the rear lights that is bolted to the rack taillight mount and I have both the dynamo rear light and a PB Superflash mounted to it. I want to be visible from the rear.
My dynamo lights are relatively new LED lights that put out much more light than the older incandescent bulb headlights and taillights. Dynamos used are a Alfine hub dynamo and a B&M bottle dynamo.
On my bikes w/o racks installed the PB Superflash is mounted either on the seatpost or on the seat stay. It depends on the bike frame design and how much seatpost is available as I have tool packs below the saddle on the bikes too.
Generally speaking choose a position where the light is relatively high and completely unobscured when viewed from the rear.
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Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
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04-08-10, 11:52 AM
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High on the left or around/under the saddle area, unobstructed by anything else. The chainstay, for me, is to low and the angle becomes critical then for a driver to see it. You are trying to get it towards their eye level when driving.
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04-08-10, 01:03 PM
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your rear light has to be a powerful strobe. those dinky little blinkies just don't cut it.
for mounting - mine go on the back of my rack. I also have one on my left drop bar. I have to upgrade that one. I am contemplating adding one to the back of my helmet.
for mounting - mine go on the back of my rack. I also have one on my left drop bar. I have to upgrade that one. I am contemplating adding one to the back of my helmet.
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