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Rack lights - going continental

(16 posts)
  • Started 13 years ago by LaidBack
  • Latest reply from ruggtomcat

  1. LaidBack
    Member

    You'll all know that continental brands like Batavus and Gazelle have rear rack lights.

    Now you can fit one too at a reasonable cost.

    http://www.thebikechain.co.uk/store/product/27954/RSP-CityBright-1-2-Watt-Rack-Light/

    There are other brands of course. The fact it's a refelctor and light in one go is nice idea. Not unique but affordable upgrade.

    Some makes of rack (like Blackburn EX-1 OR EX-2 don't have a fitting plate so bike bodging skills may be required.

    Anyone got any other favourites? Factors should also be how easy it is to change re-chargeable batteries. Dynamo/dynahub ones are good but not common here.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Cateye do a rack adapter mount for some of their lights. I have(had?) one for my LD600. But they seem as guilty for putting in a new and not retrospectively compatible mounting with each product as Shimano are for designing components that can only be installed with unique Shimano tools. I must try dig out the mounting if I can find my old rack. I think it's silently gathering dust in my parent's garage.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. LaidBack
    Member

    Cateye do a rack adapter mount for some of their lights. I have(had?) one for my LD600.

    I have seen the adapter sold for £4.99 making it one of the most expensive Cateye plastic bits ever made.

    Their new grenade style light is good though and I think can be bolted directly. But it looks like a light and not a reflector.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. druidh
    Member

    I should just add that if punching through the other (pre-marked) holes, it's a good idea to tape over the pre-punched ones or water could get in (and likely not get out again).

    We do a lot of Blackburn Racks, so I'm on the lookout for a suitable adapter kit- something like this.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. Arellcat
    Moderator

    I bought one of the Infini Apollo rear rack lights when CRC was selling them. Runs on two AAs, does flashing and constant, has a movement sensor and a light sensor, and a socking great reflector, and for about £3.99. More hungry than the good old Vistalite VL300 but otherwise they were a bargain.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. Dave
    Member

    The rack on SWMBO's new bike has interesting curved sections within the 'tailboard' that are a bit like simulated seatposts (same diameter, open 'c' shape). I got her a make-do light in the EBC sale and because that had a four way mount (horizontal or vertical) it was easy to put the whole stock assembly on the back of the rack, flipped through 90 degrees.

    Proper rack lights are the way forwards - no need to worry about it getting bashed off, good area, and for the ultimate you can dynamo power them...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. ruggtomcat
    Member

    can you get lights that glow as you brake? like car lights?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. Dave
    Member

    I think there might be one or two - but like indicators for bikes, it's not clear what the benefit would be. Brake lights exist because generally the car in front is going as fast as you, so you don't have to pay it any attention (unless it drops the anchors!). Drivers already expect to be going faster than a bike.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. thebikechain
    Member

    i had brake lights when i was little. There was a wire you put nr the pads and when contact was made on the rim it would light up the bulb.

    I remember it being super cool but in reality we spent a lot of time fiddling with it so it was probably mince.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. ruggtomcat
    Member

    I ask because I tend to move at traffic speeds or a bit faster and often find myself in cues. when the car ahead slows I know about it and can respond but there's nothing telling the car behind me that I'm slowing, except their own judgment of speed and distance. Going by previous experience car divers are incapable of judging the speed of a bike, so i thought it might be a good idea.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  11. wee folding bike
    Member

    I didn't know rack lights were continental. Both Brompton and Pashley supply bikes with them.

    Of course it could be that the UK is part of the continent.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  12. Min
    Member

    Just installed my rack light from the Bike Chain. When I put the batteries in, it shot a beam of red light across the living room that almost killed my poor unsuspecting husband. So I am pretty impressed so far, not at the almost killing part but at the brightness.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  13. LaidBack
    Member

    wee folding bike Both Brompton and Pashley supply bikes with them.

    These are the exceptions though maybe?

    We're on the islands off the continent of Europe I suppose.

    Min     So I am pretty impressed so far,
     Just supplied said light to a new trike owner. Spoilt his ICE trike's invisibility totally.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  14. wee folding bike
    Member

    These are the exceptions though maybe?

    They could be but they are also the only two volume bike manufacturers in the UK.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  15. Smudge
    Member

    "can you get lights that glow as you brake? like car lights?"

    Apparently;
    http://lucidbrake.com/

    Though to be honest it shouldn't be too big a job to fit a switch to a brake lever and switch a conventional led light with it surely?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  16. ruggtomcat
    Member

    true dat, i was just wondering if there was some nice little accelerometer controlled type solution like the link above, they look great, but not international export quality yet...

    Posted 13 years ago #

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