Blinky Madness: The Best Taillights for Your Bike

Bontrager says the Flare R's brilliant, 65-lumen daytime flash mode (many blinkies are under 10 lumens) is visible from a staggering distance of two kilometers. The tools-free clip attaches quickly and securely to seatposts, and the Li-Ion battery charges in two and a half hours. In night flash mode, it lasts 23 hours. —Joe Lindsey

     RELATED: 5 Ways to Stay Safe in the Saddle

Bontrager Flare R, $60.00

At a Glance

• Visible from 2Km
• Tool-free attachment
• lasts 23 hours in Flash Mode

Knog's quirky design aesthetic and a wide beam set the Blinder apart from typical blinkies. Seventy lumens, a full-kilometer range, and five modes (two steady, three flashing) make you visible day or night. An easy-to-use, integrated universal mount works with round and aero seatposts. Run time is up to 20 hours on eco-flash mode, and charging is via a built-in USB plug, so you'll never be invisible just because you forgot your cable. —Mike Yozell

Knog Blinder Road R70, $60.00, $56.94 at Competitive Cyclist

At a Glance

• Visible from 1km
• Universal mount
• 20 hour battery life on eco-flash
• Built-in USB charger- no more looking for cords

SHOP

With the touch of a single button, the 2'Fer can switch from headlight to taillight—toggle between flashing or solid 60-lumen white, or the flashing or solid 20-lumen red output. The headlight modes are plenty to guide you home in the dark when apres-ride celebrations go a little longer than planned. —Gloria Liu

Blackburn 2'Fer, $25.00, $25 at R&A Cycles

At a Glance

• Can be a head or tail light with
• 20-Lumen Red output
• 60-Lumen White output
• Flashing or solid modes for each color

SHOP

There's nothing else like the Varia. A display unit on the stem (or a Garmin Edge 1000) warns you of cars approaching from the rear, with estimated closing speed and distance. The Varia also alerts drivers to your presence, with progressively brighter blinking as a car approaches. It made me feel safer than I had anticipated. —Matt Phillips

Garmin Varia Rearview Radar, $200.00, $199.99 at R&A Cycles (taillight only)

At a Glance

• Radar shows you cars approaching from the rear, including closing speed and distance
• Blinks brighter as cars approach
• Light can be used alone, or with head mount

SHOP

One of a new generation of lights designed for day and night use, the Flux boasts a 110-lumen output with three modes—flash, surge, and steady—and charges in 90 minutes via its built-in USB stick. A sensor boosts daytime light output, and visibility is a full kilometer in midday. —M.Y.

Specialized Flux Expert Taillight, $100.00