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review
Lights - rear
One23 Extra Bright rear LEDOne23 Extra bright rear LED mounted

One23 Extra Bright rear LED

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

First Published Oct 26, 2010

0
£9.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Exceptionally bright rear light with a bargain price tag
Weight: 
64g
Contact: 
www.todayscyclist.co.uk
How we test

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Kirk to Bridge… Err, perhaps I’ve been watching too many episodes of Star Trek but One23’s rear led is strangely reminiscent of the US Enterprise with a quaint profile and adjustable bracket but performance outstrips many twice the price. Simple, weatherproof and remarkably solid construction and with batteries available on pretty much every street corner it’s an absolute bargain but care is required when tensioning the universal mounting bracket to prevent it exploring strange new worlds…

The simple hard plastic casing feels slightly brittle compared with the latest generation of soft-shell designs but seems remarkably hardy while a Philips head screwdriver allows precise focus of the ratcheted bracket. The lens is a comparatively large affair with good peripheral illumination, making best use of the single Led. Top trumps style performance figures were strangely absent, but watts, lumens and candlepower aren’t always the best indicators of real world performance the one performance claim that is made is that One23 that visible at up 1,000 metres.

Positioned vertically along the seatposts makes best use of the large surface area without compromising a lightweight’s aesthetic grace, although while it presents a beautifully rich trail of red-light, visibility’s closer to 750 metres in flashing and 600 steady along rural roads-maybe 800 and 650 respectively on a crystal clear night with some inter-planetary help. Nonetheless, this is plenty even on the darkest night and isn’t easily drowned out by neon shop fronts and similar illumination.

Access to the batteries is through a simple twist and snap closure coin-slot etched into the side. Stout weather seals sandwiched between the two parts of the light provide excellent defence against water, silt and general ingress through town and trail alike but the mudguard averse would be well served by a slither of silicone grease on the contacts through the wetter months. A positive, colour coordinated switch is easily operated in winter gloves and while lacking the refinement of some, doesn’t readily engage in the bottom of bags, panniers or pockets.

Verdict

Exceptionally bright rear light with a bargain price tag.

road.cc test report

Make and model: One23 Extra Bright rear LED

Size tested: One style

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?

"EXTRA BRIGHT

High Bright Red LED

Visible Up To 1000m

2 Modes Steady And Flashing

2 AAA Batteries Included"

All true but sells this exceptionally bright light very short.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

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,

Rear LED
One23 Extra Bright Rear LED
One23
LED cycle light
LED commuter light
LED
cycle 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)

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