REAR BIKE LIGHTS
£30 – £60 Be safe and be seen, night or day
01 Lezyne Stick Drive £30
WEIGHT (INC BRACKET) 23g RUN TIME (MAX LUMENS, CONSTANT) 90 minutes MODES 7 IPX (waterproof rating) 7
The lightest weight rear light on test, the Stick Drive is one that you might dismiss when set against the chunkier competition. But while it may not have a huge footprint, the light is bright with good side visibility, plus it is incredibly well thought through in terms of ease of use. It is mounted using a standard rubber band fixing; removing the light reveals the charging stick that plugs directly into a USB port. Mode memory switches onto the last used beam. A good light at a great price.
02 Magicshine SeeMee 200 £33.99
WEIGHT (INC BRACKET) 53g RUN TIME (MAX LUMENS, CONSTANT) 180 minutes MODES 8 IPX (waterproof rating) 6
The SeeMee doesn’t just shine bright, it comes with a host of features including a second ‘tracing’ light on the underside of the light body that shines onto the road and works in conjunction with the main beam. An in-built accelerometer detects braking and automatically flashes three times on the brightest setting. Battery-preserving tech switches the light off automatically and adjusts the setting to ambient. Easy to fit with a mount that can be left on the bike. This is a winning product.
03 Topeak Taillux 100 £37
WEIGHT (INC BRACKET) 41g RUN TIME
(MAX LUMENS, CONSTANT) 180 minutes MODES 4 IPX (waterproof rating) 6
With its curved rubber back and sturdy silicone strap mount, the Taillux is designed to be compatible with round or aero seatposts, helmets and Topeak’s range of bike bags via the included mounting clip. Visibility is good to both rear and side thanks to the case design and nine bright LEDs. The light has an extra-bright flood mode and features mode memory. The charging port is a USB type C, and its cover seals well, contributing to its IPX 6 waterproof rating. A good all-round option.
04 Cateye Rapid X2 Kinetic £40
WEIGHT (INC BRACKET) 33g RUN TIME
(MAX LUMENS, CONSTANT) 300 minutes MODES 3 IPX (waterproof rating) N/A
A sleek model that gives off a bright strip light, the Rapid X2 has excellent run times for its weight and size. A curve to the front of the lens gives additional side visibility. Fixing is via a single rubber O-ring that sits so deeply into the curved side slots it’s impossible to dislodge, even when carrying the light in a pack off the bike. ‘Kinetic’ refers to the in-built accelerometer that senses when you brake and turns on High mode as the bike slows. The on/off button on the side is well positioned.
05 Ravemen TR300 £50
WEIGHT (INC BRACKET) 84g RUN TIME (MAX LUMENS, CONSTANT) 570 minutes MODES 6 IPX (waterproof rating) 4
The chunkiest light on test but what you get for that heft is a supergenerous 570 minutes of run time on the brightest setting. There’s a 300-lumen flash mode for daytime use, and side visibility is good too. The Ravemen’s build quality is excellent. The anodised aluminium body is solid and well made, and there are user-friendly features, such as the gripper tab on the band mount making it so much easier to fit, plus pads to adapt it for aero posts. A high-quality light that will settle run-time anxieties.
06 Knog Cobber Mid £60
WEIGHT (INC BRACKET) 44g RUN TIME (MAX LUMENS, CONSTANT) 120 minutes MODES 8 IPX (waterproof rating) 7
The Cobber wraps a series of LEDs around a curve giving a 330-degree beam with a dazzling array of modes that include a rolling flash and steady central beam with flashing side sections. Although it looks like the mount is integral, the light slides off the bracket to reveal a direct USB plug, so it needs no charging cable. The band that secures the bracket is attached at one side so there’s no danger of losing it. A cleverly designed light that’s easy to charge, easy to use and has innovative mode options.