Blackburn 2'Fer light

The Blackburn 2'Fer is a neat idea: a light that can act as either a front or a rear ('2'fer' the price of one, geddit?). As a stand-by, to keep in your pocket or pack in the event of one of your everyday lights failing (front or rear), it would be ideal – if you could attach it securely. Unfortunately, that's where the 2'Fer falls down.

I'm sorry to say that the light was let down by an insubstantial bracket. The plastic mount is held secure by a silicone band which hooks over it. This allows it to be attached either to the handlebar or seatpost, in the usual way, and is quick and easy to remove and transfer according to your needs. Unfortunately, the hook for the band broke off the first time I moved the light from front to rear.

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> Buy this online here

This wouldn't be such a problem if the light's clip allowed it to be attached securely in other ways. The photographs on the Blackburn website suggest as much, with the light clipped to rucksack straps, carrier racks and so forth.

I tried a few of these combinations. Some worked – rucksack straps were most successful. Some didn't – using my belt and a tightening strap on the seatpack of my tourer both resulted in the light bouncing onto the road. I am pleased to say that at least the light survived the impacts.

But if you aren't riding with a rucksack, you might be stuck for somewhere to mount the light, especially at the front. In any case, I couldn't ride with any confidence that the light would still be with me at the end of the day.

Let's assume that I've been unlucky and that your bracket will give you many years of reliable service. In that case, you have a light which is bright, compact and generally easy to use, even with gloved hands. Depending on how often you press the button, you can have two solid or flashing white LEDs or two solid or flashing red LEDs. Although if you want two lights you'd have to buy two because you can't use it as a front and back light at the same time...

> Check out our guide to the best front lights here

> Check out our guide to the best rear lights here

The button takes a decent push to operate, which limits the danger of it being turned on by accident. When you turn it off (by holding the button in), the light 'remembers' which setting it was on, so it comes on again in the same setting next time you press the button. This is useful, especially at the rear where you can't always see what's going on.

The on/off button, right in the middle of the lens, is exposed to spray and mud from your rear wheel and only time will tell whether the seal is sufficient to prevent failure due to water ingress – a common cause of trouble with the current generation of lights, I have found.

The same doubts surround the USB plug cover, which is small and very fiddly to push securely into the plug. It might not happen, but bitter experience with a GPS unit with a USB cover of this type suggests the silicone bit securing it to the light will break eventually. Then the cover will get lost and the USB tabs will corrode and disaster follows. At least the socket is at the back of the unit, which keeps it a bit more out of harm's way.

Running times were consistent with what Blackburn claims: up to 5 hours on flashing mode, which isn't all that fantastic but should see you through a few commutes. And you get another USB cable for your collection.

Verdict

Bright light and a good two-for-one idea, but unfortunately the mounting lets it down