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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE: NOVEMBER 6th
HOW DO WE DECIDE OUR OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Ravemen TR100 USB Rechargeable Rear LED Light
68g (inc mount) £34.99
The Ravemen TR100 USB Rechargeable Rear LED Light is very solidly made, has six modes, and generally favourable run times. Features catering for most contexts from pitch black lanes to congested city streets and group rides. I haven’t missed the “braking” function common to its bigger siblings - at least, on a solo (but recognise their value, especially on bikes hauling trailers and tagalongs) and there’s ample presence regardless of whether I’ve mounted it horizontally, or vertically. The two-year and limited lifetime warranties coupled with IPX6 for weatherproofing adds confidence. Being picky, I’ve missed is a more modest flash for town duties and 5-hour charge times won’t suit everyone either.
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Pros: Solid build quality, sensible choice of modes, excellent illumination, good run times.
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Cons: Lower flashing mode would be welcomed, 5+ hour charge times.
Specification
Build quality is reassuringly good and at 68g, it’s not unduly hefty, although only 14g lighter than its 200-lumen sibling. In common with its siblings, the polycarbonate lens features a convex centre strip to maximise the prowess of the four “high efficiency” red diodes.
These feed from an 800mAh 3.7V lithium-Ion battery, reckoned to hold 70-80% of capacity after 300 charge cycles, which could be several years.
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Meeting IPX6 for weatherproofing and capable of resisting drops onto a hard surface from a metre high (seat post to floor, certainly) inspire confidence for harsh, wintry conditions and daily service. The USB C charge port cover fits very flush, continuing this narrative.
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Mode wise, we have three steady (20, 10 and 5 lumens) and three flashing (daytime 100, rapid and slow- 50 lumens apiece). These are commanded by a sensibly proportioned and positive switch cum battery life indicator. A memory function avoids fumbling and very welcome but what I’d expect, especially at this end of the market.
Mount 3.75/5
This is an articulated clip, which can be aligned to taste, common across the Ravemen TR family. The only minor mention is to keep an eye on the screw and check its snug from time to time. The rubberised strap is also very solid, offering good tenure to both round and aero posts. No issues on, or indeed, off road.
I’ve also had limpet like tenure with mono stays and even pencil thin seat stays. It’s even played nicely with some rack tubing.
In common with its siblings, the integrated clothing clip engages with a reassuring click and is similarly secure on luggage straps and jersey pockets.
Switch 4/5
This is a large, clear affair with integrated charge/battery life indicator which you can’t miss-full stop. It emits a blue light when fully charged and in use, green denotes fully charged, steady blue 20% and flashing blue when reserves have hit 5% or less. There’s also an auto kickdown, which should prevent you being plunged into darkness, should you be out longer than intended, or been a bit slack on the charging front. That said, try and swerve this where possible to prevent undue strain on the battery.
Accidental power ups, say when the lights been bouncing around in bike luggage have been a moot point and though positive, it is also responsive-even in full finger, winter weight gloves. A sustained half second press will bring the light to life and defaults to the last mode selected. Single presses will cycle through, should you fancy something different.
Output 4/5
Impressive across the board and in all contexts. There have been a few occasions where I’ve missed a 10, or 15 lumen flash for town work but by and large all six modes have their place. The 100-lumen flash certainly cuts it as a daylight running mode and though arguably overpowered, I’ve deployed it on dark night, or early morning blasts to favourable effect.
When asked, a trucker reckoned they could pick it out at 200 metres on a clear night. Aside from daytimes where intensity and pace are very captivating-even in strong September sun, I’ve found it particularly effective around dusk, or just before dawn.
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Again, the odd approaching rider reckoned 100 -125 metres, which should be adequate for most needs. Again, while I’m particularly fond of its bigger siblings with and on trailers, there’s enough punch from the 100 to keep my low-slung Yack homage on people’s radars-especially appearing from junctions, side roads, or roundabouts, thanks in part to the 270-degree lens.
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The 50 lumens flashing modes are similarly distinctive and arguably more than adequate for solos on the blackest nights.
Ok, I’ll accept foggy mornings are where 80, maybe 100 will have an edge but though I’m always vigilant, I’ve never felt under illuminated. I’ve sometimes wondered whether one of the 50 lumens might’ve been better substituted for a 10, or 15 lumens, which would’ve been more appropriate in town, while extending run times a bit. Not something I’d want to be trundling behind at close quarters either.
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Anecdotally, I’m not alone in defaulting to flashing and pulsing modes. However, the three steady are all quite captivating. 20 lumens I’m told is visible to around the 60-metre mark and the 270degree housing certainly helps, the 10 lumens also bridge the gap between town and country quite effectively captivating, without being unduly harsh on the retinas at close quarters. Qualities lending it to winter group rides and darker roads.
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The 5 lumens, thanks in part to optics is brighter than the numbers suggest but, shared paths and well-lit sections aside, very much a bail out, get you home option. On balance, welcome, nonetheless.
Run & Charge Times 3.5/5
Though not surprised, I’m pleased to report run times are in close alignment with those cited. I’ve returned 12hours 54 (13hours) from the 100-lumen flash, 12 hours 25 (12hrs 30) from the 50-lumen rapid flash and 9hrs 53 from the 50-lumen slow flash (10 hours). The 20-lumen steady returned 7hrs 22 (7hrs 30), 10 lumen steady 15hrs 54 (16 hours) and the low, 5 lumen steady returned an impressive 25 hrs 58 (26hours). It has also kicked down to this reliably when reserves tumbled.
Care/Durability 4/5
Build quality is very solid across the board and no reason to think it won’t serve faithfully for a good while, with sensible basic care. Mounted mid height on a rack, or rack mounted luggage, ours has laughed at the odd, direct hit from rogue stones thrown up by the rear wheel. Same story off road on the gravel bike, bigger stuff at this point, some caked in wet, claggy mud. Not surprising, given the polycarbonate lens and solid composites. Reassuring though.
Ours passed my garden house torture test with flying colours. The USB charge port fits very snugly, so no trace of water/ingress at this point. Charging regularly will not only avoid long charging periods but will do the lithium-ion cell a big favour, too. The articulated mount and rubberised strap also seem sturdy. Keeping the latter clean and periodically nourished with a shot of silicone spray will also help.
Value 4/5
£34.99 is competitive, given the specification but there are a few that might give it a run for your hard-earned. Magicshine See Mee 200V2 is a little dearer at £38.99. It features a 200-lumen day flash, a 60 lumen “tracer” light (projects a 360-degree arc of light at the floor and around the rider). There’s a 60-lumen flash, 200 lumen “braking” function and a smart night flash, which leaves the light to adjust between 10 and 60 lumens. It also meets IPX6 for weatherproofing. Lelumia The Beast Rear Light remains a firm favourite of mine. It's powerful, with generally practical run times, although the lack of an auto kick down and aero post mount may be deal-breakers. The Topeak Tailux 100 USB Rear Light has four modes and pups out 100 lumens. Very bright, thanks to the diodes and lens.
However, its dearer at £41.99 I’ve found the switch can engage too readily and output is less tuneable than the Ravemen TR100. Infini Sword Rear Light is £39.99 has been around a few years and only meets IPX4 for weatherproofing but is brighter than numbers would suggest and has a laughably frugal (200hour) flashing mode.
Summary
I’d prefer to see one of the two 50 lumen flashing modes substituted for something lower for town and improved run times, especially since charge times are 5 hours plus. However, the Ravemen TR100 has enough punch for very dark nights and is an excellent choice for solo bikes. Sure, it’ll do a decent job of keeping a tagalong, or low-slung trailer conspicuous, but on balance I’d go for its bigger 200 lumen sibling (which also features a braking function) if these, or a recumbent were your primary hosts.
Verdict: 4/5 Solidly made, powerful light yet very useable for most contexts.
Michael Stenning
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2024
