Rear light to mount on a rack
 

I am getting a new rack for a new bike - A Tubus Logo Evo, and am looking for a light to mount to the rack. It has 50mm spaced holes on the rack.

While I have heard B&M lights for the rack, apparently the B&M 4D Toplight does not fit on the Logo Evo, so that isn't an option. I guess B&M has other options, however I am not sure if I want to go with B&M as they do not give a blinking/flashing option.

I have started doing some research, but I am curious if anyone has experience mounting a tail light on a rack like this or has recommendations for a rear light that can be mounted on this rack with these 50mm holes, either with a standard mount or optional mount.

I would generally prefer USB rechargeable, but wonder if battery makes more sense if I need to use bolts to add and remove it for charging. Bright is good, but a good viewing angle/side visibility is also important.

I had a planet bike rack blinky on the back of my Fargo for about 4 whole days. The rear tire picked up a stick that came up into the rear light breaking the mount off and sending the light through the chainstays and then run over by the rear tire. I dont know if was a freak accident, clearance issue(only about a 1/4 inch) or weak attachment on the rack (delta I think) but have not tried it since.

That said, I also have a light (dyno powered) on the rack of my commuter that has survived a two thousand miles and has more than an inch of clearance. Same rack, but i also run fenders on the commuter.

It is very easy to find rear lights that come with a mount that wraps around a seat tube but (1) finding a rack with a tube of that diameter and (2) finding a rear light that will attach to the rear mount common to most rear racks are both difficult. The Filzer PR-4 rear rack does have tube that can be used by any rear light that is designed to mount to a seat tube.

It would be nice for someone to design a means to attach a short section of tube to the flat rear mount so that they can use one of the many readily available lights designed to mount on a seat tube.

I recently got a Toplight Flat S Busch & Müller: TOPLIGHT Flat S and have been very impressed with it. It's fitted to a Tubus Cargo, and it has the option of 50mm or 80mm mounting, you just push out the plastic from the back with a screwdriver to make the relevant hole for fitting.

The 4D is a fender mounted light, so not applicable if rack mounting.

For power, neither of these lights are USB, I haven't seen a B&M rear USB, for power I use Energizer Lithium AA's which last far longer than regular (Alkaline) AA batteries, and are very light weight as well, not that it matters.

For blinking vs steady, would prefer steady if only one light is fitted, if I am going out after dark, I fit an additional Smart (Planet Bike) light as well which can be used in flashing mode.

Quote:

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apparently the B&M 4D Toplight does not fit on the Logo Evo,

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How did you arrive at this conclusion?
I have a tubus Logo with 1st a 4D toplight senso , battery powered,
and then a 4D toplight senso Plus to run off the hub dynamo .
It is also running off 2AA batteries , they power the stand light in senso mode
By law, Germany has verboten their bike lights flashing..

Planet Bike has a plastic bracket Rack Blinky 5
which will with its 2 outer holes let you clip on a blinky light on that rack.

since you feel a need to have a blinking light .
the light pops off so you put it in your pocket or someone else may pocket it for you.

and keep a separate battery charger at home and at work if that is a concern.

this is their USB charged one Superflash USB

will it fit the above bracket? they have their own people that will answer that question , themselves..

A 4D-LITE Plus (B&M don't list a model called 4D toplight senso as a current model) is a fender mounted light. All Toplight models are rack mounted, so think there is some confusion over model names here, the only model with 4D in the name is a fender mounted light

Busch & Müller: Home

code :4D indicates they used 4 Diodes in the light. .. topmount is saying it's rack mounted .

yes Manufacturers eliminate older products all the time

this is the battery powered lineup . Busch & Müller: Batterie-Rücklicht

the 4D toplight is listed Here http://www.bumm.de/produkte/akku-rue...-toplight.html

I picked up a CatEye TL-LD 570 Reflex Auto Rear Bike Light at REI because it had a rack mount and because it has a large surface area and strong brightness. The motion sensor that turns it on automatically is a great feature.
I've had many inquiries and positive comments on it.

Just because the manufacturer doesn't list a model doesn't mean that it can't be found. PW seems to have the 4D, 4D Senso, and 4D Senso Multi (all Toplight, rack mounted) in stock and it looks like Wayne at the Touring Store has some as well.

However, the OP is correct in his assertion that it won't fit on his rack. While the 4D can mount on racks with either 50 or 80mm spacing, the light's housing/body itself is too wide for the space.

The OP doesn't really want to deal with additional small parts to put a light back there, but may not have a choice. I'm thinking use a PB Rack mount and then he can use either PB or PDW lights that are compatbile. The issue is whether or not the bracket itself will fit in the space allotted, because a PBSF or PDW Radbot 1000 should fit w/o a problem.

Huh?

Do a google search for "busch muller 4d toplight" and look at most of the results. There is Definitely a B&M 4D Toplight Permanent Taillight, and is definitely designed for rack mounting.

e.g.
Busch and Mueller 4D Toplight Permanent Tail Light at BikeTiresDirect
Busch & Müller 4DToplight Permanent Bike Tail Light | Bike Bag
Discount Busch & Muller 4D Toplight Taillights, TheTouringStore.com

Looks like plenty of space to me..

http://www.tubus.com/documents/13914...9120149_BM.pdf
this I know works
http://www.tubus.com/documents/13244...c_Titan_BM.pdf

My Cygolite hotshot has a rack mount for it. But you have to buy it seperate

The measurements on my Toplight Line Brake are 92mm x 45mm x 15mm with 50mm spacing. It is mounted to the Tubus Cosmo and fits like a glove.

From looking at the Logo Evo measurements specifications diagram, I don't see where there would be interference with 99mm between the two inner rails in the rear. Nomad, do you know from first hand experience where the clearance problem lies?

MStraus, Once your rack arrives, you could measure and see if you'd have enough clearance.(or do you still have the option of choosing a different rack that you know works?)

Sorry, just realized I missed the USB rechargeable/battery spec in the OP. Those measurements are for a dynamo powered light. :(

No worries - eventually I want to go dynamo but can't swing the cost for the wheel set, dynamo, light package I would want right now...maybe in the near future.

The reason I say The 4D Toplight Permenent Battery Taillight will not work on the Tubus Logo Evo is because

1) I read that here: Discount Busch & Muller 4D Toplight Taillights, TheTouringStore.com
2) I spoke with Wayne from the touring store about it specifically.

The problem is described by Wayne like this

The 4D Toplight is not a good fit for the Logo Evo. It is too wide, and interferes with Ortlieb pannier hooks when the hooks are placed in the rearmost top-rail position

He says its fine on the Logo Classic as well as almost any other Tubus rack, just not the Logo Evo.

If anyone has a Logo Evo and this light that can say otherwise, please let me know.

I know that as an option I could get the B&M LED Line Permanent Toplight Taillight or LED Line Permanent "Senso" Toplight Taillight

I am trying to learn what other options there are that can mount to this rack nicely.

The issue with this light and the Logo Evo is, according to Wayne at the touring store, It is too wide, and interferes with Ortlieb pannier hooks when the hooks are placed in the rearmost top-rail position.

I COULD choose another rack, but with the bike in question and the other requirements I had this rack seemed to be the best option. I don't feel I need this particular tail light, so would rather find a alternative taillight vs rack.

I arrived at this conclusion based on Wayne at the Touring store. See my other post on it. I haven't decide 100% if I want a blinking light. Ultimately I was thinking one flashing and one solid..I guess this could be my solid one.

Thanks. Bummer that you have to buy separate, but this is a popular light so a good option.

So are you saying the Planet Bike rack mount will allow attaching PB or BDW lights? Makes this seem like a good/flexible option if the mount is decent quality. I will have to look at the bracket, but as long as its not too much wider then the 50mm it should fit.

ALWAYS trust Wayne at the Touring Store. Always.

in the drawing I see 58 vs 65 for the drop between top tube and the lowered bag rail
the ball bearing brazed on loks like a simple addition ..

maybe some of the other B&M battery lights will do

I Could easily make it fit //
but fabricating is something only old people learn. I guess

While the rack is my first purchase from him, I have to say, Wayne was the most thorough person I have ever dealt with buying something for my bikes. He really worked with me to make sure I got the right product and seems to know the products he sells REALLY well. He even is included some alternate spacers for the front rack that may be needed to fit right. So far he has earned my trust and future business.

BTW, tsl - I owe it to you for even discovering the touring store. You replied to my first post on BF about a rack an panniers, recommending Tubus and Ortlieb and buying from thetouringstore.com, so Thanks!

FWIW, This is how I mounted a Superflash on my rack. It isn't quite the same as your setup, but you get the idea--I used an angle bracket from the hardware store through a spare hole that wasn't being used by the Toplight. I've since screwed the light permanently to the bracket and gotten rid of the dorky rubber retainer.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=371516

You can buy rack mounts for Portland Design Works lights. I got several on Ebay.
Amazon.com: Portland Design Works Rack Bracket: Sports & Outdoors