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ISO: A tail light that doesn't bounce off its mounting.

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ISO: A tail light that doesn't bounce off its mounting.

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Old 10-03-12 | 07:59 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
Lost three of them.

Now use a rubber band cut from an old road tube to secure the light.
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Old 10-03-12 | 08:27 AM
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10-wheels - tell me about that seatpost pouch.

I got tired of taping up Superflashes to keep water out of the switch and keep the lens on the shell. Now I rock the Radbot on its mount on the dedicated rack mounting point. No more issues.
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Old 10-03-12 | 09:23 AM
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Give the Superflash away & get a Cygolite Hotshot or Portland Design Works Radbot. I have 2 Hotshots & 6 Radbots that I use on mine & my wife's bikes. Both are excellent. However, I almost never use just one. I usually have 2 to 4 on the seat stays and another on the seatpost, brake bridge or saddle bag. The Hotshot is perhaps a little more visible than the Radbot. Both are considerably more visible than the Superflash, especially during daylite hours.
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Old 10-03-12 | 11:44 AM
  #29  
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OK, PBSF goes back tonight, to exchange for a cygolite. Gotta love REI and BF.

(I couldn't see much visibility difference between the PBSF turbo and the cygolite, but both are a bit brighter than the standard PBSF)
I love the rubber band solution too - I knew I was keeping that old tube for a reason.
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Old 10-03-12 | 11:59 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by no1mad
The Cygolite Hotshot 2w is sorta the belle of the ball of late. mechBgon has posted a couple vids on youtube about it. The new Nite Rider Solas 2w is too new for youtube reviews (as of the last time I checked), the Serfas Shield costs more, and if you've got the funds, the Nite Flux Red Zone 4 is pretty rad.

ETA: here is the vid that has both the Hotshot and RZ4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f38KP1qa8E
I'm late to the thread but I happen to be sitting next to a CH2w right now.. haven't charged it and checked it out yet but I will have to now.
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Old 10-03-12 | 12:01 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by daveF
...However, I almost never use just one. I usually have 2 to 4 on the seat stays and another on the seatpost, brake bridge or saddle bag. The Hotshot is perhaps a little more visible than the Radbot. Both are considerably more visible than the Superflash, especially during daylite hours.
My first thought is that sounds a bit over the top, but then again...

I was on my way to work today on a quiet back street doing about 20mph when a car pulled out in front of me doing 15+ forcing me to the curb. I yelled something at her and she looked at me with a look of surprise on her face and said “where did you come from?” then “ I didn’t even see you.” Neon yellow bike vest and a very bright flashing LED strobe and I was still invisible.

Fact is, many car drivers can look at a bicyclist and just do not see the biker. Our brains sometimes just filter out things they are not looking for. Too many times drivers literally do not see us even when they look at us.
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Old 10-03-12 | 12:47 PM
  #32  
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Okay I was wrong, it didn't need charging and I just about blinded myself in full daylight with it.
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Old 10-03-12 | 02:01 PM
  #33  
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I've never had a problem with my Radbot coming apart. I don't, however, use the included mount very often because I usually hook it on the strap on my saddle bag or pannier. It has also never come off of those straps.
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Old 10-03-12 | 09:42 PM
  #34  
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I'm a PDW Dangerzone fan, but the sturdiest, most bullet-proof mount out there belongs to Knog. I use the Boomer, and love it.
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Old 10-04-12 | 01:31 AM
  #35  
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Hm, thanks for the suggestions, guys. For my road bike, I'm going to give the PBSFT a try, but on my commuter...well, let's see what we can do for more visibility.
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Old 10-04-12 | 06:49 AM
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Originally Posted by AK404
Hm, thanks for the suggestions, guys. For my road bike, I'm going to give the PBSFT a try, but on my commuter...well, let's see what we can do for more visibility.
Huh? The "PBSF series" is what you said you've been using in your OP, and were sick of!

I guess you could ignore the preponderance of feedback that yes, the PBSFs fall off and break up and think the PBSF Turbo may be something different, but that requires overlooking several other reccos for more durable, and brighter, units that you've received already.

You're free to do what you want, of course, but I just can't understand how you could reasonably arrive at the conclusion to buy yet another SuperFlash.
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Old 10-04-12 | 09:13 AM
  #37  
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ISO: A tail light that doesn't bounce off its mounting.

I never considered zip ties, is all. But yes, you're right: I facepalmed when I realized that I was going back to a product that had ticked me off so many times before.

That being said, I'm looking into lights with a case that needs a screw to install. Also going to price check it against the Hot Shot and the other lights listed here. Still taking notes on a Blackburn Flea, since it seems to be a singular unit.

Last edited by AK404; 10-04-12 at 09:26 AM.
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Old 10-04-12 | 10:05 AM
  #38  
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Traded in the superflash for the cygolight. That cygolight has too many buttons and features, but I'll get used to it.

I had a Blackburn flea (but I haven't seen it in about a year - hmmm), and it wasn't nearly as bright and noticable as the superflash turbo or cygolight. The front light needed to be recharged after being used an hour on flash, but the rear lasted much longer (5-10 hours?).
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Old 10-04-12 | 10:52 AM
  #39  
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Blackburn lights have been a disappointment. I have an old X4 headlight. Mounting hardware and everything else are made of excellent design and construction. But the light it casts is weak. The newer stuff is even weaker. Too bad.
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Old 10-04-12 | 11:53 AM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by truman
10-wheels - tell me about that seatpost pouch.
It is a Dinotte light and its battery pack. I have one with the battery pack looking just like that. Extremely bright, but I don't use it on my commuter bikes since they stay outside during the day, I don't take the rear blinkies off my bike except to change batteries, and I think the Dinotte setup says "steal me" more than other blinkies. Also, my Dinotte is an older one that uses 4 AA batteries (rechargeables for me) and where the cord attaches to the battery pack is finicky and cuts out sometimes.
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Old 10-04-12 | 11:59 AM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by AK404
I never considered zip ties, is all. But yes, you're right: I facepalmed when I realized that I was going back to a product that had ticked me off so many times before.

That being said, I'm looking into lights with a case that needs a screw to install. Also going to price check it against the Hot Shot and the other lights listed here. Still taking notes on a Blackburn Flea, since it seems to be a singular unit.
Count me in the group that has had PBSFs fall apart. The back part has never come out of the clip mount, but the LED part has separated before and gone bouncing down the road. I too like the PDW Radbot with its screw. I got a couple Radbots when they first came out and they didn't come with mounts for the rear of the rack, so I use them in PBSF rack mounts with no problem.
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Old 10-04-12 | 12:44 PM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by hubcap
Count me in the group that has had PBSFs fall apart. The back part has never come out of the clip mount, but the LED part has separated before and gone bouncing down the road. I too like the PDW Radbot with its screw. I got a couple Radbots when they first came out and they didn't come with mounts for the rear of the rack, so I use them in PBSF rack mounts with no problem.
My PB rear tail rattled itself off the other day, I realized it but I have had to go back for it so many times the past few weeks that I left it to be some other cyclists "score", they're better off without the mount.
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Old 10-04-12 | 12:52 PM
  #43  
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I saw a Cateye Reflex Auto in use and was pretty impressed https://www.cateye.com/en/products/detail/TL-LD570-R/ Costs around $30, uses AAA cells
Supposed to be good on batteries too.
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Old 10-04-12 | 02:22 PM
  #44  
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I would look at them in person if you can. When I did the PBSF-turbo (1 watt) and cygolight (2 watt) were the only ones bright enough for me. I don't remember the cateye being that bright, just that the previous two stood out. I definitely wanted something brighter than blackburn or the weaker LEDs that were available 3 years ago.

I see some people riding around with blinking tail lights where you wouldn't know they were there unless you were looking for them. With a 1 watt or higher rear bulb - well those are pretty hard to miss. I can't say there was much difference in brightness between the PBSF-turbo and the cygolight, but many of the other tail lights were pretty wimpy.
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Old 10-04-12 | 06:02 PM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by unterhausen
I saw a Cateye Reflex Auto in use and was pretty impressed https://www.cateye.com/en/products/detail/TL-LD570-R/ Costs around $30, uses AAA cells
Supposed to be good on batteries too.
I'm getting ready to put the rack back on (the one I swore that I would never use again), but the 4D back on it, and seriously thinking about putting one of those Reflexes on the seat post. I like how it has a big surface area and multiple blink modes.

Is there a support group for light junkies?
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Old 10-05-12 | 04:32 PM
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Cateye Reflex has a set screw that holds the light on the mount.
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Old 10-07-12 | 03:23 PM
  #47  
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These will not fall off.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bell-Head-...White/21674305
https://www.target.com/p/bell-bike-ra...d/-/A-13290336
https://www.target.com/p/bell-sports-...t/-/A-13833132

Takes a hex tool to install and remove.
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Old 10-11-12 | 02:34 AM
  #48  
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Bikes: 1998 Cannondale r200, 2011 Bianchi Via Nirone 7; 2007 Redline Conquest Pro

OK, Hot Shot 2s ordered - one for both bikes.

Any suggestions on reflective tape? My winter bike is bare aluminum, so it's going to have to stick to a fairly rough surface.

Also ordered a Fizik light: I have a Fizik saddle, so it'll clip in nicely.
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Old 10-11-12 | 03:37 AM
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Originally Posted by AK404
OK, Hot Shot 2s ordered - one for both bikes.

Any suggestions on reflective tape? My winter bike is bare aluminum, so it's going to have to stick to a fairly rough surface.

Also ordered a Fizik light: I have a Fizik saddle, so it'll clip in nicely.
For reflective tape, go here: https://chefonabicycle.com/2012/10/03...rough-the-fog/

Go to the reflective tape point and click on both links. Its an AMAZING product.
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Old 10-11-12 | 10:24 AM
  #50  
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3M .. Any Auto parts store has reflective tape, other brands since MMM patent lapsed.
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