I have a solid rack that has holes at the rear, so I took a 90 degree angle and attached it, then bolted an old bathtub wrench to that and then attached the lights. When I mount my trunk bag and panniers the lights are still behind the baggage.

http://markstone.org/This1.jpg

http://markstone.org/This2.jpg

My lights are a PB Superflash, and on the bottom is a generic flasher from Kmart or somewhere that for some reason is very bright also. Also, there is a MiNewt 200 that I put in flash mode occasionally, during times when driver visibility is in question. The most frequent use of the MiNewt is when I am riding directly into a sunset and I know the drivers behind me may be blinded by the sun - the MiNewt is very, very bright even under those circumstances. At night I move the MiNewt to the front handlebar. :thumb:

Edit: I never use the MiNewt at night on the rear

I suspect that some LEO out there would claim that the white to the rear is illegal (even in daylight)... Perhaps a red "filter" would prevent an unnecessary stop by one.

Back in #18 I posted a link to the rack http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

I checked that out and discovered that during daylight hours there are no requirements or restrictions on bicycle lighting. Other cities/counties/states may differ, but here it is fine. At night, we are required to have red in the rear and I could be pulled over if I tried to use the white flasher, but I wouldn't do that anyway. 1., the light is extremely bright in flash mode and although not blinding it is distracting enough to be dangerous; and 2., I imagine that under some circumstances it could be construed as a headlight and may confuse a driver.

The point was that I wanted to mount more light(s) back there, but I didn't have a clue as to how. The solution has been pointed out to just use a length of old inner tube to increase the diameter of the rack leg to such an extent that a bracket will clamp securely.

You could bolt a piece of dowel to the underside of the rack plate, then mount the blinkie on the dowel. I bet you could get two on there if you offset them.

But you have panniers?! Not trying to be a wise guy but your lights simply need to be back behind most everything else.

Nashbar Townies for grocery runs. Otherwise, it is backpack all the way.

I refuse to have a rack that doesn't have a light mount in the center in back.

I also don't want a crapload of lights back there.

Yep.

Here's a photo of my Racktime TourIt rack, Planet Bike Blinky 7, and Planet Bike Rear Light bracket.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=228332

I mounted the bracket to the rear piece of the rack with a mix of hardware that came with the rack and the bracket. The shape of the rack protects the light from being accidentally hit, yet allows for good visibility. The only thing I'm not sure of is how this setup will work when I add fenders in the spring.

This is an honest to goodness question that might sound negative: How do you decide when you have enough rear lights?

Full disclosure: My viewpoint has always been that there is a point where adding light/reflectors/whatever isn't going to do a thing. I see similar patterns with motorcycles lately. They get those flashing brake lights (maybe it's an Illinois thing?). I believe that if the driver didn't already see you, those flashing lights aren't going to change a thing. And that's also how I feel about adding multiple rear facing lights on a bike.

Help convert me, what am I missing?

Redundancy. If you rely on only one light, if it fails, then what?

Kind of the reason why I started this thread- no matter how I used my rack, at least one of my two active lights are blocked to some degree or another.

If I wanted two lights and I couldn't mount them to the single mount point on the back center of the rack, I would do whatever it took to fashion a new mounting plate which my two lights can attach to, and mount the plate to the rack. Most people have drills and drill bits around, so if you can source a strip of metal somehow you can come up with an answer quickly. You may need to hit the hardware store for some nuts/bolts/washers so may as well check the hardware store for metal.

Seatpost lights make little sense if you have a trunk bag. Lights mounted near the bottom of the rack legs or on the seat/chain stays create the need for one on each side simply because one can be blocked by the tire/rack/bags/fenders. Put the lights where they are best seen.

Here's a pic of my set up (except for the Ortlieb Office bag which is in the house).
Thanks again.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...G/IMG_0367.jpg

I have our MUP all to myself for my entire commute. I seldom ride the street. I use one light in the back most of the time. I have two. I use one headlamp and a handlebar lamp.

My rack had a mounting point in the middle until some punk who couldn't figure out how to steal just the light broke off the entire metal mount.:mad: Turns out the rail mounted position works better.

One of the accessories Planet Bike has on their website is a mount for their Superflash type lights which is designed to attach to the reflector mounts in the back of the rack. It's mildly annoying to lock to poor racks with but seems to work OK.

Radbot 1000 FTW. There are several in pictures already in this thread -- and it was the most recommended when I posted about 2 months ago asking about a bright rear light.

http://www.ridepdw.com/goods/lights/...%E2%84%A2-1000

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=228475

I have mine mounted onto the rear rack on the proper tab (axiom) and it allows some "bending" to angle the light properly. If it's angled too high I have had drivers let me know about it. Many cyclsits have commented about how bright this thing is also. It's probably the brightest damn light I've seen on the road, but the PB super is pretty good as well.

Long term -- I'm not sure. It's been rained on twice without issue...so we'll see.

+1I do. I want to be the PeeWee Herman of Southwestern Commuters! :thumb:

On my bike I have two 3-LED CatEye taillights mounted on the belt clips to the pannier bags, I have a third 5-LED CatEye taillight mounted just under my pannier rack. All three are easily visible to anyone who is behind me. I also have a PB Superflash mounted to the back of my helmet, and a CatEye Rapid 3 mounted to the left side of my bike as a running light. I need to pick up a second Rapid 3 to mount on the right side of my bike.

I also have 4 CatEye Uno headlights mounted to the front of my bike. Two on the handlebars and two on the fork, and a Light and Motion Stella 150L mounted to my helmet.

Then why not attach a light to the backpack (you said you use)?

A couple of reasons. I have 3 backpacks. The one I've been using the most doesn't have a good place to clip a light. My Dakine is all black with a busted sternum strap. And the one I use the least is a Banjo Brothers- I find it too big and lacks the organization that I crave (tempted to put this in the 'for trade' thread to go along with the Banjo mess bag that I'm no longer using).

Also, my Cherrybomb has a weak clip. I have had to backtrack to find it on a couple of occasions when I tried to clip it the the Townies.

I've actually removed the rear rack, thinking that I would order an adapter that would let me mount the 4D to the seat post using the binder bolt. Now, I'm getting ready to put the rack back on and see if I can tolerate the weight on it. I'm going to use my Dakine on my back in the mornings (ride the bike all of a block then), but shove it inside a waterproof stuff sack and tie that down to the rack for the rides home. My biggest fear is that the screw heads will chew up the fabric of the stuff sack.

The seat post light is going to stay there. The rack light will stay on the rack. I just need to get another one (or two) to mount on the rack. I figure by doing it this way, whether I have a load on the platform or hanging off of it, there should be at least two lights visible at all times. And mechBgon pointed out some lights that I can insert into my handlebars.

I have a different setup than most but figured I'd post what I do for rear light. I mount it to the top of my rack, but only because I don't have anything convenient to mount it otherwise. It sits in a bit from the end of the panniers but the field of vision is still very large. I will correct this at some point (maybe this weekend if I can remember).

It's brighter than all get out, the picture doesn't do it justice. The pattern on the ground is moderately sized, perhaps a 6 foot circle of bright color. I should probably go check out the latest light technology today. It's been a long time since I had to buy anything new. I've never felt a strong need for redundancy (shortish commute) but I should at least grab a $15 something.

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/3882/img2321a.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3002/img2325cq.jpg

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=230585http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=230584On the front I have 2 Cateye flashers on top and 2 Cateye el530's on the bottom as main lights. On the back I have 2 Cateye 150's and a Planet Bike Turbo Flash, I usually have them all flashing on the back.

This seems to work well. I'll try it.

I, unknowingly, purchased the lamest Nitto rack available. Now I wish I had the rear tab for mounting lights, but I'm SOL. No easy way to get rid of it either, and it is just too damn expensive/attractive to sit in a closet.

Go to Peter's site and check out the rack adaptors.

FYI, I received a free chainstay mount for my NR Cherrybomb in the mail the other day. I emailed Nite Rider about purchasing one after not seeing one listed on their site, and they asked for my address and sent one right out.

funny how something so common can be such a head scratcher. but then if you are a commuter you will learn to be 1/2 Marine adapting and overcoming. I'm a fan of rear trunk racks and Planet Bike Superflash, but I also like having a rear reflector too. Just 1 bike doesn't have the reflector. I've made my own custom adapters for each situation using flexible metal strapping from the hardware store. It's easy to cut with a bench vise and hack saw. easy to bend around seat stays and rack supports. It already has holes so you just need to get the right bolt; washer & nut. It's so easy and versatile I've even made adapters for my left drop bars. It's good to have a lite on the rack but it's even better to have a 2nd on your left drop cuz the passing driver has a reminder to stay clear as they pass and are less likely to cut back as soon. it makes a difference!