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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE: JANUARY 21st
HOW DO WE DECIDE OUR OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Ravemen NT101 Smart Tail Light
140g (unit only) £59.99
The Ravemen NT101 will not turn the pedals for you or clean your chain, but it seems to do almost everything else. Light, security, audible warning, indicators; all there, often mimicking features more familiar on motorised vehicles. With a mix of other tech and a couple of mounting options this little package has a lot to offer the cyclist who commutes in urban areas. It may well appeal to others, too, but the concrete jungle seems like its natural habitat. Is this really the all-in-one answer to all your urban cycling woes or just a gimmicky gadget, or something in between?
Pros: mounting options, multi-function, auto on/off function, loud alarm, remote control easy to use.
Cons: only IPX4, the stub which attaches the unit to the rack mount would merit improvement.
Specification
The NT101 is specifically aimed at the urban cyclist – although others may like it, too. Ravemen say it enhances safety and offers “peace of mind.” There’s a lot to it, so let’s start with some basics. In the box we have the unit, a wireless remote control, a charging cable and gear for the two mounting options.
Now for the functions. The bike turning signals – forthwith indicators – flash and click “to make your turning intentions clearly visible.” This has been a moot point, but we’ll leave that for now. There’s an accompanying sound that can be muted. In addition to this, virtual lanes are projected onto the ground to mark your space. There’s a “brake detection” sensor which sets off a brighter brake light for three sections, and, of course, it offers a six-mode rear light with a max off 160 lumens courtesy of 32 LEDs.
So much for the light element. There is more, much more; a horn, an anti-theft alarm, a large capacity battery, auto on-off function, and a wireless switch to control the whole caboodle.
Ravemen have a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOn3iaPYcVU , although the brief written instructions in the box are quite clear and brief.
Mounts 3.75/5
There are two mounting systems; one for the seat-post and one for the rack. Of course, for the latter you need a suitable rear plate on the rack. My gut feeling was that the rack was the best place for it. With that in mind, I set it up on the seat-post.
Both mounting systems are intuitive. I used both of the strips to get a firm grip that held solid when bouncing over setts and increasingly tree-root-broken cycle track. Visibility in this position was very good, provided you do not use a rack pack – obviously – or have an old-school deep drop-back on your jacket.
My main reason for preferring the rack mount was that I like to have the seat post free for an auxiliary or substitute light. Given the limited exposure of seat post on both my Surly and my Swallow machines, one light is company, two is a crowd – or even an impossibility.
Mounting on the rear rack was easy enough. I added a dab on Loctite to the bolts just for peace of mind. Visibility was also very good, although I did move my panniers forward a little to avoid obscuring side on-presence. I take size 9.5 (UK) shoes (42 or 43 European), and bringing the panniers forward caused no problem. Folk with bigger feet may find that a more problematic adjustment. However, it was a precaution rather than a necessity and the NT101 would have been fine without it.
Care and durability 3/5
The unit should survive a drop from one metre, but I have not tested this. Apart from being careful not to drop it from a great height, the big drawback is the IPX4 waterproofing. This suggests that heavy rain or even prolonged moderate rain may cause a problem. I have not spotted any damage after riding home in persistent heavy rain. With mudguard, the unit is pretty well protected by spray; seat-post mounted it is protected from precipitation from above. The charging point is protected by a snug-fitting rubber flap.
One might be a bit surprised that greater care has not been given to waterproofing. After all, there is a load of tech in there. However, in real world testing in a midland English winter, there have been no ill-effects from the weather. So, I have given it the hose test, and …. well, it survived and still functions. A touch of silicone grease over the charging port will give added protection.
Although solidly made, the unit feels relatively basic in construction. It should not come into contact with too many hazards, but I’d be willing to pay more for a hardier shell and a higher IPX.
Charge and run times 3.75/5
Run times are good, rather than magnificent. Bear in mind that these are really nominal in that using any of the other features will reduce run times for the main lighting function. This makes the audible warning of very low charge really helpful.
Run times go from low steady at 24 hours to 7 hours for high steady. These compare well when put up against the Ravemen TR100, for example – although it does not have the same power at the top end. The pattern is repeated with other rear lights, such as the Moon Sports Helix 150. However, I’d say that both of these offer a more intense light and have superior visibility from distance, but not by much.
A zero to full charge took a creditable two hours and fifteen minutes on the mains and still very decent two hours and thirty minutes via the laptop.
Tail light and modes 4/5
From my perspective, regardless of alarm, horn, indicators, and ground warning lanes, this needs to work well as a tail-light in the first place. True, auxiliary lighting is an option, but may not always be desirable or possible.
There are six light modes; three steady and three flashing. Steady starts with a high of 50 lumens, mid 25 lumens, 15 lumens. Flashing comprises, warning flash 160 lumens; slow flash 100 lumens, hazard lights 100 lumens in orange. These cover pretty much all situations, which I’d expect, having used a variety of Ravemen rear lights.
There’s no doubt that this does the fundamental job of getting you seen, both in city traffic and on dark country roads. True, Ravemen offer more powerful rear lights in their TR range – up to 500 lumens – but that can be overkill. Ravemen state that the light can be seen from 150 feet away, but I’d suggest that this is a little on the stingy side, especially for darker roads. However, even in well-lit areas with significant traffic, you should be spotted at that distance.
Middle mode at 25 lumens is a good general option, but I have dropped things down to low (15 lumens) mode for the sections of canal towpath and suburban street, often opting for the top steady mode (50 lumens) for dark country lanes and the city centre rush hour. I found the slow flash effective in rain and mist or in combination with an auxiliary light, such as the Kranx Solis, in steady mode.
The hazard light (115 lumens) are very eye-catching, with a nice switch of shade to orange. Drivers will generally know what that means. The highest 160 lumens warning flash will get you spotted a long way off, less on sunny days, but still giving presence.
In general, I’ve found the indicators (turn signals) (115 lumens) most effective when combined with the steady modes. Too many flashing lights can just prove distracting even though they indicators can still be seen.
The light also acts as a charge indicator. A click of the button when the light is off shows the charge; green 25-100%, blue 5-25%, blinking blue indicates that you have less than 5% left. Of course, you won’t see this. Helpfully the horn bleeps four times and the laser lanes and indicators are disabled. Green until down to 25% seems to me to be a bit crude. I’d prefer something to show me 50%. However, the audible warning is a definite plus for a rear light.
Switch and remote control 3.5/5
With a number of functions to control, the remote will take up a bit of space on your bars. Personally, I prefer a larger remote control such as this. Even with winter gloves on, I, a clumsy-fingered individual, have managed to find the right place to press with just a glance when concentrating on the road. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it is worth the effort. Maybe, it will become completely intuitive, but I’d hate to get the indicators wrong! It would be helpful if the control glowed in the dark – as some Ravemen switches do.
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​The switch on the unit is a satisfyingly clunky button which works admirably.
Indicators 3.75/5
Whilst all the other functions are pretty much tried and tested concepts, indicators are still pretty rare on bicycles, regardless of whether they are a good idea or not. A few years ago I was offered some bicycle indicators to test. Discussing these with other road users the main point of discussion was not to do with their functioning properly. The focus was whether other road-users would know what they were. It felt very much like a chicken and egg situation: until they became a more common sight on the road, some people may take time to catch on. This time, some motorists have declared that they are a jolly good idea; others remain sceptical. With regard to the concept, there is no doubt that it has merit, but, it is worth remembering that the indicators are only visible from behind; you can’t do away with hand signals completely. Although it should be noted that there are front lights that incorporate indicators available.
One thing is for sure, they are easy to see. 115 lumens, flashing, is visible even in busy traffic.
Have I given-up hand signals completely? No. A lot depends on circumstances. Turning right with on-coming traffic still requires a signal to be given. Turning right with a pushy driver behind? Well, I want to make turning obvious. Turning left, less of an issue, unless there is emerging traffic. That is my take on it; yours may differ. Maybe I’ll become more confident with longer use.
Alarm 4/5
In default setting level 5 the alarm is activated by the slightest movement of the bike. A tad oversensitive? Well, better to be safe than sorry, perhaps. However, the sensitivity can be adjusted. The default setting is 5 on a scale on 1 to 10. Hold the alarm button for five seconds until the unit bleeps and blinks, then click to the level you want – up to ten times in ten seconds. I’ve settled to stick to the default, which seems like a good compromise to me. When the alarm is set the light remains off. The alarm can be turned off either with the remote or by pressing the power button on the unit three times.
120 decibels is the point at which sound starts to become painful or dangerous. You’ll find warnings on line that this level of noise might cause panic or harm. Hopefully it will scare a thief away or attract the attention of by-standers. In reality a lot depends on how close to the source the measurement was taken. 120 decibels is equivalent to a chainsaw at one metre distance. You’ll hear the alarm from a hundred feet away, quite clearly. My bike is usually parked outside the workplace and can be heard through the walls at about forty feet from my desk.
Horn 3.25/5
The horn emits a piping sound, similar in tone t some reversing alarms on larger vans. Whilst it should be loud enough to be heard in busy traffic. Whether traffic noise an in-car entertainment will block it out is a moot point. Pedestrians and other cyclist – provided they haven’t got their head-phones on – should pay attention. Having said that, my experience with the ORP Smart Horn (also a safety front light) suggests that neither will necessarily recognise it as the sound of cycling. The traditional bike bell is very much the mindset. However, people do get used to it, although the loud blast can sound much more aggressive. Occasionally the ORP was mistaken for birdsong; no danger of that with the NT101.
Ground warning lanes 3/5
Marking out a ‘lane’ all of your own, there have been devices that have done this in the past. Although considered by some to be a bit of a gimmick, I have been told by some cyclists that these offer a decent level of protection from drivers who want to just squeeze past. I have found them an acquired taste – however, they are there and they work.
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​These aim to lay out some territory for the cyclist. Give the 1.5 metre passing gap common in much road guidance, the laser guide to motorists is quite narrow. In the image the gap between the base of the brickwork is 44 inches, about 112 centimetres. However, anecdotally, other road user have told me that the lines are visible on approach. Thus, they add presence. Whether they result in fewer close passes is something I have been unable to ascertain.
Value 4.25/5
Comparison is difficult. There are not really any direct comparators that I have come across. Value really comes down to the fact that you get a decent light plus a load of features for roughly twice the price a mid-range quality rear light. How much do you rate the horn, the alarm, the remote control, the laser lanes, the indicators? Seems like a lot of bang for your buck with this package.
Summary
Whether the NT101 gives you total peace of mind and eases all commuting woes is a matter of debate. However, it does offer decent solutions to a number of issues commuting cyclists are concerned about. I was a little dubious about it to start with, but have come to like it a lot. I’d really like IPX6 – I commute in all weathers – but one can’t have everything.
Verdict: 4/5 Decent light, loads of additional functions, all at a decent price.
Steve Dyster
https://www.bob-elliot.co.uk/search.php?search=ravemen+nt101
PUBLISHED JANUARY 2025
