Rear lights for aero seat posts?

[Longers]

Hi all

Last winter (my first cycling) I got myself some front & rear Lezyne micro drives. Happy with them apart from the fact the rear one eventually twists to one side regardless of how much care I seem to take to get the tension of the rubber band even - problem is down to the light holder being more suited to round seat posts, which I wish I'd known before buying

Can anyone recommend an aero post friendly rear light that offers good visibility and can be recharged conveniently (the Lezynes charge via USB)?

Cheers,
L'rs

[anonymous-user]

Not rechargeable, but these would fit an aero seatpost nicely. They take 2 x AAA batteries (so I guess you could buy rechargeable batteries?).

http://www.knog.com.au/gear-lights/skink.phps

They have a constant, and several strobe patterns, and are pretty bright. Thumbs up from me.

[anonymous-user]

I saw a good rear light that fitted directly to the saddle in the same way as a saddle bag recently, think it was a recent copy of "cyclist". Obviously means you couldnt run a saddle bag too however. I think the company were called four something...

[Watchman]

Mac. said:

Not rechargeable, but these would fit an aero seatpost nicely. They take 2 x AAA batteries (so I guess you could buy rechargeable batteries?).

http://www.knog.com.au/gear-lights/skink.phps

They have a constant, and several strobe patterns, and are pretty bright. Thumbs up from me.

I have a couple of these so I can set them to different flashing frequencies. Quite eye-catching but they're not very waterproof. I have full mudguards on my bike and my Skinks are 100% still, but my friend has killed his with less than a year's worth of spray from his back wheel.

[donfisher]

pablo said:

I saw a good rear light that fitted directly to the saddle in the same way as a saddle bag recently, think it was a recent copy of "cyclist". Obviously means you couldnt run a saddle bag too however. I think the company were called four something...

Fizik do one that slots into the bit at the back, You can then just use a normal saddle rail mounted bag if you use one. Only really helpful if the OP has a Fizik though.

How about a fibreflare? It's not rechargable but the AAAs last ages and the rubber straps that you fit it to would stretch tight round the post and you could just position the light tube at the back of the post.

[upsidedownmark]

Cut a widget out of hard(ish) foam / plastic that slots over the back of the seatpost, and has a rounded back edge for the light. Sorta like a pacman if you see what I mean?

[Mr Will]

Cateye make a bracket that fits to the saddle rails: http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cat-Eye-RM-1-Rear-Saddle-M...

Compatible with any Cateye rear light of your choice.

[Pesders]

I would be tempted to modify the back of the mount to fit exactly using some Sugru. I have used it for various projects and it really is brilliant stuff, although a bit expensive for the amount that you get. Cover the seat post with cling film so that the Sugru doesn't stick, put some Sugru on the back of the mount and mould so that you are happy with the fit. let dry. Take off, remove cling film, re-fit. Job done - custom light mount that won't move around. http://sugru.com/ No affiliate to the company, just a happy customer.

[nike 5]

• * edited to type *** did not see PESDERS post above when I started typing

Very interested in answers, for my new bike.

Previous owner's solution.
Get a rear light that hooks onto clothing - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bicycle-bike-Smart-Lunar...

He then bought some oven bake modeling clay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sculpey-Clay-ERASER-Acti...

Created a spacer from clay
- following (outer) curve of the rear light clip (90 degrees to the curve the bracket is flat)
- angled the rear light so pointed in right trajectory.
- following the shape of the aero seat post ( V shape - this also stops bracket/light twisting )
then bake.

Then used two cable ties, to wrap around - aero seat post - clay bracket - inner curve of light bracket (hook, which normally hooks onto clothing pocket).

His intention was to then paint it black, but never got round to it.

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I have clay bracket, but before I buy a light to fit it, interested in other peoples solutions.

Edited by nike 5 on Friday 4th October 11:33

[Pesders]

That is essentially what I was suggesting. You end up with something that fits perfectly rather than something that is generic.

The reason why I suggested Sugru is that it is a rubber compound, meaning that it has good vibration absorbing properties and won't break during use like a clay, self cures (i.e. doesn't need to be baked), and will last as long as the rest of the bracket will do. It also has the advantage that the end texture is very similar to a lot of mounting brackets and it comes in black, meaning that you can easily blend it in.

Modelling clay may work but I would be worried about the long term life of it with all the vibrations, being knocked etc.

[Pesders]

Oh, and being a silicone based rubber type substance it won't scratch the frame / seatpost.

[S10GTA]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Ah yes, looking good is more important than being seen

[anonymous-user]

after some googling, I found it. Ok, its quite expensive but then its a nice looking piece of kit which should be fairly durable.

http://four4th.co.uk/products/lights/scorpion/

[.Adam.]

As mentioned above, try a Fibre Flare. If it doesn't fit on the seat post you can always strap it to a seat stay. I've just got one and it's really good.

Edited by .Adam. on Friday 4th October 17:18

[Jayfish]

upsidedownmark said:

Cut a widget out of hard(ish) foam / plastic that slots over the back of the seatpost, and has a rounded back edge for the light. Sorta like a pacman if you see what I mean?

wine cork works wonders

[weedram]

My son has one of these on his TT bike. The holder attaches to the underside of the saddle. The light can then be attached to the holder either horizontaly as in the picture or vertically for a more aero effect.

http://www.tomwallacecycles.com.au/images/detailed...

It is rechargeable via USB

[Longers]

Brilliant, thanks for all the suggestions

Plenty of options to think about and investigate over the weekend from moulding something myself to getting that lovely looking light pablo suggested (which is unfortunately currently out of stock )...

Cheers,
L'rs

[Rocksteadyeddie]

.Adam. said:

As mentioned above, try a Fibre Flare. If it doesn't fit on the seat post you can always strap it to a seat stay. I've just got one and it's really good.

Edited by .Adam. on Friday 4th October 17:18

This but put it on the back of your helmet. Will make you way more visible than a low mounted light on the bike. I use both though.

[chorus]

I use a big Cateye light, lashed onto a saddle pack using one of those rubber bands originally intended for attaching raceblades/crudcatchers or a computer mount. And an extra zip tie connecting the saddle pack to the saddle, because it all gets a bit heavy and wobbly.

I'm not claiming it's the best solution and I wouldn't specify that particular combination to optimise looks and performance at night.

My starting point was different. I got a new bike with an integrated seat post and just wanted a solution for commuting and winter training at night. I had a load of bits and the overriding concern was not to have anything rubbing against any part of the frame. When I don't need the lights I can take the whole thing off.

My practical tip is to use a short section of old inner tube as a protective sleeve for the local area of frame or seatpost. It's a fiddle getting it on, but it protects the frame and adds a little grip. I'd also advise this when fitting race blades or crudcatchers.

[Benmac]

On my TT bike the post is too big for the likes of the stretchy knog lights or anything with a more normal fitting. The solution I discovered as seen at a TT was to cut a short length of plastic pipe such that it wedges neatly between the seat rails. A couple of holes to allow zip timing in place then you can mount a light to the pipe, nicely tucked up under the saddle. Precludes saddle bag use obviously.

I do like that moon one though!