Choosing the right bike tail light is crucial for safety, especially in low-light conditions. This review pits two popular contenders against each other: the Bontrager Flare R and the Serfas Thunderbolt. Both lights offer decent illumination, but subtle differences in design, features, and performance can significantly impact your visibility and overall riding experience. We'll delve into a detailed comparison, examining each light's strengths and weaknesses, to help you determine which reigns supreme. This head-to-head analysis considers factors such as brightness, mounting system, battery life, charging convenience, and, most importantly, overall visibility to motorists.This review is based on real-world experience, offering a firsthand account of using both the Bontrager Flare R and Serfas Thunderbolt. We'll explore the ease of use, the effectiveness of different lighting modes, and the overall impact each light has on safety during cycling. Ultimately, this comparison aims to provide you with the information needed to make an informed decision when choosing a tail light that best suits your needs and enhances your safety on the road. Let's see which light shines brightest!
Pros And Cons
- Easy to mount and remove with quick release.
- Wider viewing angle than the Surface Thunderbolt.
- Bright light with multiple modes (daytime, night, steady flash).
- Random strobe pattern to attract attention.
- Long battery life (claimed 5.75 hours in daytime mode, 7.75 hours total with low battery strobe).
- Green LED indicates full charge.
- None explicitly mentioned.
- Pretty good light
- Requires removal from seat post to charge.
- Shorter battery life (approximately 3 hours on full brightness).
Read more: Bicycle Taillight Comparison: MagicShine, NiteRider, & More
Discovery and Initial Impressions
My interest in the Bontrager Flare R began with emails and Facebook posts. The unique design caught my eye, especially as a new commuter. The sleek aesthetics and innovative features made it stand out from other bike lights I had seen.
What truly sealed the deal was witnessing a fellow cyclist using it. I was immediately impressed with its visibility even from a considerable distance. I had to find out more about this impressive tail light.
Purchase and Unboxing
After some sleuthing (and a helpful text message to a friend), I discovered the Flare R was sold at Cool Breeze Cyclery. I headed there immediately and purchased the light for around $60. The packaging was understated yet appealing, hinting at the quality of the product inside.
First impressions were positive. The build quality felt solid and the light itself was compact yet sturdy. The use of Cree LEDs, a reputable brand known for high-quality lighting, immediately added to my confidence in the product’s performance.
Mounting and Features
The mounting system is a key feature. The quick-release mechanism makes attaching and removing the Flare R from the seatpost incredibly easy. It's a huge improvement over my previous light, where I had to constantly remove it to charge.
The light itself boasts intuitive controls. A single button cycles through different modes, and a green LED indicates full charge. The micro-USB charging port is conveniently located underneath the power button, making charging hassle-free.
Comparison with Serfas Thunderbolt
I previously used the Serfas Thunderbolt, which also provided decent illumination. However, the Thunderbolt's charging port placement was inconvenient, requiring removal from the seat post each time. This was a considerable drawback compared to the Flare R.
The Flare R's wider viewing angle provides significantly improved side visibility, enhancing safety for cyclists. While the Thunderbolt offered some side visibility, it was noticeably less effective than the Flare R.
Light Modes and Performance
The Flare R offers multiple modes: a daytime flash, night mode (steady flash), day steady, and night steady. The daytime flash mode, with its distinctive pattern, is particularly effective at grabbing attention. The light’s brightness is impressive in all modes.
Both the Flare R and Thunderbolt are bright lights, but the Flare R’s unique flashing pattern makes it more noticeable to drivers at a distance, enhancing safety.
Battery Life and Conclusion
Battery life is a significant factor, and the Flare R claims an impressive runtime. The manual states 5 ¾ hours in daytime mode and a total runtime of 7 ¾ hours. It also features a low-battery indicator and a power-saving strobe mode for added assurance.
Overall, the Bontrager Flare R significantly outperforms my previous light, the Serfas Thunderbolt. Its easy mounting, convenient charging, excellent visibility, and impressive battery life make it a top choice for cyclists. While slightly more expensive, the Flare R's superior features justify the cost.
