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Torch Apparel’s new Flux backpack has integrated LED panel for night-time visibility

Large LED light panel integrated into backpack to boost your visibility

Torch Apparel has launched the new Flux backpack which with its integrated light panel could help you stand out on the daily commute and riding at night-time. The Flux is currently on the Indiegogo crowdfunding website, where it hopes to raise $45,000.

The US company, also responsible for the Torch helmet, says part of the appeal of the Flux backpack is that it looks like a regular bag during the daytime. That’s ideal if you’re not a fan of brightly coloured bags, but recognise the importance of improving your visibility to other road users at night.

- 10 of the best cycling rucksacks

FLUX Dark.jpg

“Small, centrally mounted lights just don’t cut it,” says Torch’s founder and creative force, Nathan Wills,.  “And most people just won’t wear the silly looking safety clothing because of what they’ll look like once they reach their destination. The solution is large surfaces with active safety lights on the rider, not the bike.”

The bag is waterproof and offers 29 litres of cargo capacity and made from a durable 1000 Denier Nylon fabric with a waterproof vinyl tarpaulin liner. The back panel is made from mesh and is padded for comfort.

- Buyer's guide: the best reflective cycling clothing & accessories

Items around FLUX.jpg

The large (11in x 4in) lighting panel comprises fibre optics illuminated by LEDs to provide a high-intensity red light. It claims a 2 - 12-hour run time and the lithium polymer battery can be charged via a USB 2.0 port. The light can be switched on and off with a shoulder strap button.

The Flux is available in black or red with black colours and is expected to cost £140, and you can support the company's Indiegogo funding campaign here.

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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4 comments

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joemmo | 8 years ago
3 likes

Here you go. (With thanks to vbvb for the genius idea)

Avatar
FiendishMcButton | 8 years ago
2 likes

Some £8 battery flashing xmas lights under the bright yellow built in rain cover of my £60 ruck sack looks way more effective than this.  

 

Way over priced for what you're getting . For that kind of money I would want it to be a brake light, have some indicators, and be able accept messages via mind control on to a smart screen to give selfish road users the benefit of my internal commentary of their behaviour to other road users as I filter past them in rush hour. I may be asking too much...

Avatar
Jharrison5 | 8 years ago
3 likes

A hundred and forty notes?!

You'd be better investing in a good bag, then two good lights and still have plenty of change left over.

Avatar
harrybav | 8 years ago
2 likes

CyclingDMLondon makes a great point. Bending over backwards to facilitate drivers' driving a wee bit quicker with this £140 bag would look pretty loopy in places with better infra like Amsterdam.

And the rucksack looks dim (and dear) compared to putting a cheap rear l.e.d. inside a plastic milk bottle and strapping it to the rear rack.

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