rear light for pannier rack recommendations?
#1
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rear light for pannier rack recommendations?
Just got a Axiom Streamliner pannier
it has a nifty two hole mount for a rear tail light. My cateye taillight is a clipon affair that rattles. I'm hoping to get something that attaches via screws like this:

Any recommendations?
Thanks

Any recommendations?
Thanks
#2
aka Timi
These rear USB lights from Busch & Müller are great:
https://www.bike24.com/p2246776.html
I prefer AA/AAA batteries for touring and USB for commuting. If you have a power bank on tour it might not be such an issue.
OTOH, I don‘t ride much after dark on tour.
My tent and pad are on my rear rack and would obscure both rack mounted and seatpost lights, so I just clip a AAA light on somewhere visible.
https://www.bike24.com/p2246776.html
I prefer AA/AAA batteries for touring and USB for commuting. If you have a power bank on tour it might not be such an issue.
OTOH, I don‘t ride much after dark on tour.
My tent and pad are on my rear rack and would obscure both rack mounted and seatpost lights, so I just clip a AAA light on somewhere visible.
Last edited by imi; 02-25-22 at 01:52 AM.
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If you are new to the world of bike taillights, the 50mm and 80mm spacing are a European standard. And if you have not learned this already, lights made for use in Germany do not flash. Thus, a lot of the lights that are designed for those mounting points do not flash.
The flashing lights that I use do not use those mounts, but some of the common taillight brands sold in USA that flash can be fitted to those mounting points with an optional bracket.
The flashing lights that I use do not use those mounts, but some of the common taillight brands sold in USA that flash can be fitted to those mounting points with an optional bracket.
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I want my light to be as bright as possible. I use this light: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07W62CC...p&sprefix=cygo . Unfortunately, it is a rechargeable instead of a AA but if given a choice between AA/AAA and brightness, brightness will win. This has quite a few flashing modes/patterns, some of which can be sped up or slowed down. The one I use while touring lasts all day on a steady flash about every 1/2 second.
I use this bracket to mount it to my Tubus racks which also have the same 50mm bolt pattern. Very secure.: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...2JCT3XTI&psc=1
Tailwinds (and tail lights), John
I use this bracket to mount it to my Tubus racks which also have the same 50mm bolt pattern. Very secure.: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...2JCT3XTI&psc=1
Tailwinds (and tail lights), John
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The cygolite hotshot is very bright with good selection of modes and an adapter for racks can be purchased which holds it firmly. I use it on a tubus rear rack.
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Outer holes are 50 mm spacing. My Nitto Big rack has a single hole. As noted, used with several different light models of theirs.
Rear rack tail light bracket - Planet Bike
Funny, because I need to replace mine after many years. Bike got blown over by the wind and the mount broke.
Rear rack tail light bracket - Planet Bike
Funny, because I need to replace mine after many years. Bike got blown over by the wind and the mount broke.
#7
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While I'm sure it's not for everyone, for what it's worth, I took a somewhat novel approach to lighting on my bike. I bought a rechargeable 12vdc, 6000mAh Lithium Ion battery that is small enough that it fits nicely in one of the side pockets of my cellphone holder. I then bought lightweight motorcycle LED lights and pulsating directionals, front and rear. I have a total of 2 front and 2 rear day/running lights that the battery will run for about 50 hours straight. I also have brighter "night lights", 1 front & 1 rear that the battery will run (along with the day lights) for about 6 hours. One battery, easily recharged or replaced, for everything. It also has a USB port for cell phone charging. I also installed small, LED lit switches on the handle bars so that all the lights can all be controlled with my thumbs while the rest of my hand remains firmly on my handlebars and without compromising swift access to my brakes as is the case when using hand signals.
Last edited by hfbill; 02-27-22 at 09:25 AM.
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Planet Bike Superflash has worked well for my familiy's touring bikes. Superflash
As Indyfabz's post said, Planet Bike makes a nice mount fitting most racks and light combinations.
We have also used the Busch & Müller lights. They are good lights, but I think the Supershot's flashing mode is more visible in daylight.
Busch &Muller light. Ours were older models, about 10 years ago, and the newer models might be better.
As Indyfabz's post said, Planet Bike makes a nice mount fitting most racks and light combinations.
We have also used the Busch & Müller lights. They are good lights, but I think the Supershot's flashing mode is more visible in daylight.
Busch &Muller light. Ours were older models, about 10 years ago, and the newer models might be better.

Last edited by Doug64; 02-25-22 at 11:58 AM.
#9
Jedi Master
Toplight Line is my preference
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Don't know where you're located or where you might tour in the future. Some places legally require both a rear lamp and a reflector, as does the Vienna International Convention on Road Traffic (1968).
I use a CatEye Reflex Auto combined rear lamp and reflector. I power it with rechargeable AAA Panasonic Eneloops locally and can snag AAAs easily enough on longer tours. You would additionally need CatEye's 5445620 rack bracket.
I use a CatEye Reflex Auto combined rear lamp and reflector. I power it with rechargeable AAA Panasonic Eneloops locally and can snag AAAs easily enough on longer tours. You would additionally need CatEye's 5445620 rack bracket.

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If you are new to the world of bike taillights, the 50mm and 80mm spacing are a European standard. And if you have not learned this already, lights made for use in Germany do not flash. Thus, a lot of the lights that are designed for those mounting points do not flash.
The flashing lights that I use do not use those mounts, but some of the common taillight brands sold in USA that flash can be fitted to those mounting points with an optional bracket.
The flashing lights that I use do not use those mounts, but some of the common taillight brands sold in USA that flash can be fitted to those mounting points with an optional bracket.
#12
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I can get better pictures/details later, but these are what I came across real quick.
I have Tubus racks. On the rear I used a piece of 1" or so PVC tube and zip tied it to the light mount plate. I've been using this for a few years now and it has worked quite well. It lets me use any seat tube mount light.

This is the light I use. I forget what it is, but it is bright. It has the lane mark laser beams on the sides also if you are in to that kind of thing. I will sometimes use them if riding at night. Though, with the light down low on the rack the lane beams are fairly narrow (close). Up on the seat the spread is wider.

Having the light up high is a very nice safety consideration. I ride a lot on country roads. When cresting hills the higher the light is the further back vehicles coming up over said hill can see me. The more advanced warning the better.
The picture above is from the light pole on my bike trailer.
I have Tubus racks. On the rear I used a piece of 1" or so PVC tube and zip tied it to the light mount plate. I've been using this for a few years now and it has worked quite well. It lets me use any seat tube mount light.

This is the light I use. I forget what it is, but it is bright. It has the lane mark laser beams on the sides also if you are in to that kind of thing. I will sometimes use them if riding at night. Though, with the light down low on the rack the lane beams are fairly narrow (close). Up on the seat the spread is wider.

Having the light up high is a very nice safety consideration. I ride a lot on country roads. When cresting hills the higher the light is the further back vehicles coming up over said hill can see me. The more advanced warning the better.
The picture above is from the light pole on my bike trailer.

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Loads of great dynamo lights, that is what I would go with, always have lights and no need to charge, replace batteries or deal with a corroded battery holder. Plus you can add USB charging to your set up as well if you are someone who uses devices that need to be charged.
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I wrap some innertube rubber around the rack tubing to make it a bit thicker and then use the seatstay mount that comes with Planet Bike Superflash lights to attach those lights to my rack, two, one on each side. Typically only use one but in fog or overcast might have both flashing.

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