peterw_diy

One of my favorite, and very Fred, accessories is the rear brake light I bought from Nashbar about 3 years ago. The LEDs aren't the best, and it uses oddball "N" batteries, but it's a relatively attractive light (looks much like this one) with a simple cable-compression switch that can be installed without undoing the brake cable. For years I've lazily relied on this light and kept both hands on the brake levers instead of trying to use hand signals.

Now I have a new bike, and Nashbar no longer sells the cute little brake light. All I've found lately online are two different sorts of brake lights
1) "wireless" lights that use something like accelerometers to detect braking. Reviews commonly complain that these units don't handle slopes or bumps well
2) super-cheap brake light + turn signal units from eBay, meritline, etc. Some even include electronic "horns"-- ick. I don't want turn signals, and I sure don't want some control unit wired all the way up to my handlebars.

I just want a simple taillight with a compression switch that will alter its mode from dark (daytime) or flashing (nighttime) to solid (when I hit the brakes). Ideally it'd use AA or AAA batteries, but at this point I'd love to find more of those old Nashbar lights.

Any suggestions (other than taking a drill to a flashlight, wiring a compression switch in series, and affixing a cheap bike tail lamp lens to better disperse the light off-axis)?

Thanks.

JeffSG

My .02: Go with the Dinotte 140L and forget about the cheapies. At the end of the day it's all about getting from point A to B safely. Install it on your helmet to give you maximum visibility to the cars behind the cars. Keep the rear light in constant flash to get (and keep) the drivers attention.

Also, you can do a search on the site for other info on rear lights.

All the best and ride safe,

Jeff

Unreasonable

Well... he's not looking for a normal rear light. He's looking for one which will illuminate (or illuminate brighter than it had before) when he hits the brakes, by means of a compression switch.

Sadly, all I know of are the silly ones with turn signals. I remember using one of those... when I was 10.

10 Wheels

No need for brake lights with a Dinnotte.

I-Like-To-Bike

What do you "rely on" this light or hand brake signal to accomplish? Especially given that the majority of other people on the road will not have a clue as to what you are trying to communicate with a bicycle brake light or hand signal of an intent to brake.

GeorgePaul

In California, signalling when you stop is required by the Vehicle Code if there are other vehicles behind you.

robyr

Generally I won't feed the troll, but are you stupid? People won't get that "oops, light got brighter, he's probably stopping like any other goddamn vehicle on the road does when this signal is performed"?

Jesus Christ, I swear you say things to hear yourself talk.