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

I need some help, guys. I usually commute on my road bike, and usually use the PB Superflash series, but I've found that for some reason or another, they have a nasty tendency to bounce out of their mounting (actually, the half that holds the batteries shakes free of the part that does not). After going through three lights that way, I decided to try a Bontrager Flash 3, but that one just shook free of its mounting tonight.

Now I just don't want to experiment anymore. Does anyone have any suggestions on what tail lights to use, and more importantly, how to make sure they stay in their damned mounts over bumpy roads?

(1) Acquire duct tape. The gorilla brand is great.

(2) Apply until problem is solved.

I run one PDW Danger Zone (on my seat post) and one PDW Radbot 1000 (on the back of my rack). In 700 miles this year, they have never come out of their mounts or rattled at all. I ride pavements from smooth asphalt to jointed concrete to rough potholed crap.

The Radbot came with mounts for both the rack and the posts. The Danger Zone came only with post mounts, if I remember correctly.

The Radbot has one really really bright light (1 watt). The Danger Zone has two lights, each of half the power of the Radbot's one (.5 watt each). Both have steady mode and a couple of different flash modes. The Radbot also has a square reflector (the DZ does not).

Both use AAA batteries. I use rechargeables and switch/recharge every couple of commutes. Interestingly, the Radbot drains batteries differently on flash mode (ie. one battery will be 30% discharged when the other is 70% discharged). They may both do this, but I always run the Radbot on flash and DZ on steady (personal preference). I like both and would replace in kind if anything happened to them.

I would pick the Radbot if I only ran one of the two for two reasons: (1) I like the phillips-head screw design better than the DZ's snap case for removing batteries, and (2) the square reflector is always there, even if the batteries die.

I'm sure there are others out there that other BF members may like; these I know from running them for a while.

I have to admit, the snap cases on the PB lights might have gotten a bit ragged, I'm not sure. However, I really don't want to cover my rear lights in duct tape: that kind of defeats the purpose of having a light in the first place.

A cable tie does wonders

I ziptied the light to its mount. Can't remove it anymore, but I don't need to remove lights.

A zip tie or rubber band will work to both keep the light together and prevent it from jumping off the mount.

Of course, if you upgraded to one that was chargeable via USB, you wouldn't have to worry about the casing coming apart...

This is true. However, I've often found that the more I pop off a light to change the batteries, the more likely the plastic is going to get weaker and eventually come apart. I can see a USB-rechargeable light being better because it should be lighter with less fiddling around to recharge it, but I'm not exactly sure which ones would be comparable to the BP Super Flash series.

The Cygolite Hotshot 2W is my jam. USB rechargeable. Super bright. Nice varity of settings. Long battery life. I ride over some rough pavement. Never had an issue with it falling off.

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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f38KP1qa8E

Busch and Muller 2 bolt rack taillights, 50mm horizontal
Cat Eye has [had?] an oval one, TL500,
which bolts to regular reflector brackets.. 20mm vertical

CatEye. Problem solved.

www.cateye.com

PB Superflash uses the same exact mount as the PDW Radbot. However, the Radbot is also sealed with a screw, so much more unlikely to fall apart. I'm kinda surprised that OP has had the Superflash fall apart, were they dropped at some point?

I've been using PB Superflashes for years and have never had one come apart or fall off. Perhaps your roads are bumpier than mine. However, I would second those who recommend the Radbot. I have one of those as well, and there is no way the cover could come off because it is screwed on. That makes it more difficult to change batteries, but it should be more secure. I would rate the Radbot as slightly brighter than the Superflash as well.

After having my PB super flash and PDW Dangerzone BOTH rattle apart, I decided to try something new. I got the Cygolite Hotshot (also because I wanted a rechargeable), two of them actually. After 2500 miles, neither one has had any problems. I have one on my helmet and one on my fender. The one on my fender certainly gets its share of rattles and has never come off.

knog blinder. period. one of the best lights i've used. uses a very elasticy strap to hold in place, and the whole body is soft rubber. this thing isnt going anywhere, no way, no how. usb rechargeable. forget throwing away batteries. this is the light you seek.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6VIZSmr1yc...0/IMG_0162.JPG

+ 1 on the cygolite hot shot. Ordered 2 of the rear rack mounts, nice to be able to switch the light on the diff bikes.

An old piece of innertube keeps my PBSF on my rack.

cygolite seems like the way to go, and the 2w cygolite is not priced much more than the 1w Superflash.

Here is a linky:
http://www.rei.com/product/826583/cy...ear-bike-light

I keep a knog strapped on under my seat, and that one is fairly bright for night riding (25 lumens), and is worry proof. The bigger superflash is used more in spring/fall when I do more dusk/dawn riding and need the extra brightness/size.

Knog link:
http://www.rei.com/product/814761/kn...ear-bike-light

+1. My LD1100 (now an "archived product", sad) is super-bright, easy on batteries, and has never come loose from its mounting. Worth every penny. :thumb:

I would have to agree. I have this one: http://www.knog.com.au/gear-blinder-...gt-stripe.phps and it hasn't even pretended to jump off. Easy to recharger, and really is very bright.

Lost three of them.

Now use a rubber band cut from an old road tube to secure the light.

+1

This is what I use. Given how cheap the ties are, if you have to cut it to change batteries (I carry something like a small Leatherman in my seatbag) then it is cheap and easy to replace (I also carry a couple of ties too).

I made a rubber band by cutting a slice out of a used inner tube from a 23c tire. It's just the right size to fit around the lower half of a Superflash, between the two small LEDs. And it doesn't interfere with taking the light off it's mounting bracket.

EDIT--I didn't read 10Wheels' post--the same idea! :beer:

My PBSF has spilled its guts on the road on two occasions. 1st time, bounced off the mount. 2nd time, U-lock knocked off the front of the light in mid-ride, base remained attached to the mount. On both occasions, I managed to collect the parts and the light still works, but the mount is not as reliable as I'd like it to be. Thanks for the links, it must have been a couple of years since I last checked out rear light options.

--J

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.

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.

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.

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.