NiteRider Sabre 50 rear light

As the name suggests, the NiteRider Sabre 50 is a 50-lumen six-mode design that offers a sensible range of settings to suit most riding contexts and is pretty competitive price-wise. However, peripheral presence is comparatively poor, so it wouldn't be my first choice as a standalone unit for town riding; while the cloak of light is actually better than the profile would imply, flashing modes were an absolute must in traffic, and I felt the amber diodes served little practical purpose.

COB (chips on board) technology, where diodes are mounted directly atop the circuit board, means smaller and much brighter lights than ever before. I counted 28 in total. Like others designed this way, an aluminium heat sink regulates temperature, ensuring there's no trade-off in terms of diode longevity. NiteRider's lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects adds further confidence.

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There are two mounting options: to clothing or luggage via an integral clip, which also engages with a watch strap type post bracket. This vertical-only bracket achieves a really clean aesthetic – perfect for best bikes or riders who can't bear clutter. The rubberised strap is certainly dependable on standard 27.2mm and 31.8mm seatpost diameters, although it benefited from a little pre-stretch and can obscure the light's side window. Trim to size if your bikes run the same diameter posts, or tuck behind if you prefer some leeway.

Complying with the IP64 standard for weather proofing, it never missed a beat when blasted with a high pressure garden hose for three minutes from a few feet away. However, the chunky rubberised USB plug port required a more definite push before it was fully seated. I wouldn't bother applying silicone grease unless using bikes without guards but I always double checked it was fully home after each charge.

Speaking of which, charge and run times are unusually accurate, dare I say literal. From the mains, the charge indicator turned blue on the stroke of 90 minutes; add another 10 minutes when refuelling from tablets or laptops.

Depressing the rubbery front mounted switch for two seconds brings the unit alive in standard mode (to date, I've not experienced any unwanted power-ups in pockets or luggage). Flashing modes are triggered by depressing the switch for three seconds.

NiteRider doesn't quote a lumens figure for standard mode, but it's certainly comparable with several others reckoned around the 35-lumen mark. In many respects it's powerful enough for most contexts – I could be spotted along the twisting back lane doubles at 230m on an overcast night. It's not harsh at close quarters either, so good for group rides. Ours sample's lithium polymer cell has consistently made it all the way to 2hrs 29mins – a minute shorter than quoted.

> Read more road.cc reviews of rear lights here

Need more oomph? The 50-lumen has assertion in abundance, visible to around the 350m mark in comparable conditions; run times aside, it certainly cuts it as a daylight mode too, but 1:30 is literally it, though no worse than the competition.

Low mode is adequate – not what I'd want on pitch black winter roads but it strikes the right balance between presence, economy and good group manners. And I got 7:29 from it too.

As for flashing modes, the DVF (daylight visible flash) certainly cuts through bland grey afternoons and for 4:30. Same goes for the second flash, with decent pace and presence – visible to 350m on clear nights and unlit roads. The third flash mode, very welcome on long world-in-perspective night rides, is visible at around 150m, maybe a bit more when skies are crystal clear.

> Check out our guide to the best reflective clothing and accessories

Ultimately, were I looking to run a single compact rear light and the majority of my riding was along unlit roads, the Sabre is worth a closer look. However, something like the Moon Comet-X Pro is a more versatile all-rounder.

Verdict

Powerful light but poor peripheral presence means it's not ideal for town riding