Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Back to REVIEWS
review
Lights - rear
Fibre Flare Shorty LED rear lightFibreFlare LED fibre optic rear light

Fibre Flare Shorty LED rear light

8
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Dec 9, 2009

5
£29.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Super-bright light that adds a new dimension to all-round visibility
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.extrauk.co.uk
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

Visible from up to 1200 feet, the Fibre Flare is a unique, ultra powerful LED further enhanced by its 360-degree beam. Attaching to a wide choice of surfaces courtesy of clever silicone mounting brackets, that lend themselves particularly well to illuminating trailer/bikes. Sure, 30 quid’s not cheap but with impressive run times, solid build quality and versatility there’s little that comes close.

Fibre flare is defined as a portable safety device comprising a flexible, solid core with a fibre optic element and a single high intensity LED at either end. The fibre optic components distribute this light along the entire length thus resulting in a retina assaulting discharge.

Available in two lengths (292 and 250mm) and in singular or twin packs, it either clips to bags and clothing or pretty much to any flat surface between 10 and 60mm diameters courtesy of two silicone “ladder” straps which can either be cut to size, or left should you intend swapping between bikes/accessories. However, while surprisingly tolerant of bending, proceed cautiously and don’t exceed 45 degree angles. Our smaller, 250mm test model was perfect for most areas-especially positioning on the seat posts of compact frames.

Enthusiastic riding through waterlogged roads has proven worry free thanks to superior weather sealing, albeit at the expense of speedy battery replacement- easier than some thanks to two AAA batteries but not the most enviable of tasks by the roadside. However with quoted 70 hour run-times in flashing mode (67 actual) means changes will be fairly irregular for all but the most habitual night owls. Of the two modes, flashing is most effective at grabbing driver attention especially emerging from side roads.

My one small criticism concerns the on/off switch which could be more positive, especially in gloved hands and living in these litigious times, I would run in addition to, rather than in place of traditional LEDs otherwise, a bad driver could escape prosecution on a technicality.

Verdict

Super-bright, and visible flexible lights with fantastic output and runtimes. Could use a better switch though.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Fibre Flare Shorty LED rear light

Size tested: N/A

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Described as a portable safety device, Fibre Flare is a unique, flexible tubular light that attaches to clothing and flat surfaces so ideal for frames and trailers/tag alongs.

Such is the design's versatility, it can also be contorted to a maximum of 45 degrees without internal damage. However, while visible from up to 1200 feet, it is a tertiary lighting system so bikes are said to need a more traditional Led (Although this is really the manufacturer's legal disclaimer).

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

The Fibre Flare comprises of a flexible, solid core with a fibre optic element and a single high intensity LED at either end. The fibre optic components distribute light along the entire length, ultimately resulting in a retina assaulting discharge.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Mounting to clothing, luggage, frames and accessories, it's phenomenal output and equally impressive burn times leads me to think this will be the greatest technological advancement in cycling lighting since the introduction of LEDs some 17 years ago. Best in flashing mode-especially for trailer tugging, the strobing is visible from a mile away along dark rural roads when attached to a prominant point e.g messenger bag, trailer, expedition rack/pannier. Weather resistance is equally impressive thanks to good sealings but battery replacementis more involved and our test sample's switch felt remote wearing winter gloves.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Output, economy and excellent weather sealing.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Silicone "ladders" could be improved.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, definitely

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

LED
Fibre Flare Shorty LED rear light
cycle lights
Commuter light
Shaun Audane

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

Add new comment

5 comments

Avatar
bfslxo | 12 years ago
0 likes

Yep, one on commuter backpack and exposure flare on seat post and anyone who knows me and sees me on my commute tell me I look like close encounters from well over half a mile away 1

Avatar
stuke | 13 years ago
0 likes

I used one I my rucksack all of last winter and it'll be on there come monday when the dark nights begin, I've also got the mini version on the back of my helmet plus a blue one under the top tube for side visibility. All have worked brilliantly with no issues in the wet

Avatar
alotronic | 13 years ago
0 likes

Echo comments in review. I have just bought one of these for commuting use and it's a cracker. I use it with an old version of the 5led cateye light (almost ten years and going strong). As suggested I leave the cat eye on steady and let the fibre flare strobe like crazy. As I ride a shortish bike it doesn't really fit anywhere visible with the cateye in the way so I clip it to the bottom of my bag where it sits high and has excellent side visibility - always a worry with the side swipers. Certainly if you already have one backlight this is a great topup. If using this by itself it would be more than adequate, but make sure it will fit on your seat pillar or frame in a good position.

Minor quibbles - a second slightly slower flash rate would be good and the switch is a bit weenie, otherwise a no brainer. Thoroughly recommended.

Avatar
timbola | 13 years ago
0 likes

OK, you've convinced me ! Off to Evans to buy one today. My Blackburn Mars 4.0 just disappeared on the way to work as the plastic "gripper" holding it onto my backpack snapped yesterday, sending it flying across the cobbles near Queen Elizabeth Hall. My temporary elastic-band repair failed on my commute. Lifetime guarantee is not worth much without the light or a receipt, I reckon 20

Avatar
TRs Blurb n Blog | 14 years ago
0 likes

I think this is the best rear light available.

Latest Comments