rear lighting

[TeresaC]

On my rear rack, I'll have tent and sleep pad.  That does not leave visibility for a seat post light.  I'd like a red blinker on the back of my helmet and maybe one on my back rack too.  Can anyone recommend?  Thank you

[dkoloko]

Get tent and sleep bag into panniers. That's what I do. Find items that will fit. I did this with 4 bags, and have gotten it down to 2 bags. Nothing on rack. Everything in panniers, except for medium seat pack. Mount rear light under rack. Mount on seatpost. Mount on seat stays, both sides. Mount on fenders. (You do use fenders touring, don't you?) I've never used a helmet rear light; prefer if you wish.

[John Nettles]

I like the Cygolite Hypershot 350.  I use the rack adapter mount to mount it to my Tubus rack.  However, if you have the standard 50mm spacing light mount on your rack, the adapter should fit it.  I keep a Arkel rack pack on top of my rear rack.

The light is bright, has a variety of modes, and has pretty good battery life.  The only drawback (to me) is that it uses a built-in rechargeable battery (I prefer AA or AAA rechargeable batteries).  As a result, I always carry two while touring because 1 lasts about 1.5 days of touring and I don't always have an opportunity to recharge.

I do not like a helmet light as it can be annoying after a long day as the extra weight started to really wear on me.

Tailwinds, John

[John Nelson]

I also have a tent on top of my rear rack, and I also mount my rear light to the back of my rack. I had to fashion the mounting bracket myself.

[ray b]

What the Johns recommend - as always.

My tent also sits on the rear rack.

I run dual (made in the US) Cygolite Hypershot 350s from rear of the panniers. If no panniers, the Cygolite Hypershot 350s ride the rack or high on the (tall) seat post, and Cygolite Hotrod 120s on the rear stays pointing out 45 degrees. Occasionally, I'll clip an extra light to the left rear pocket of my jersey - pointing back toward passing vehicles.

(I also run flashers up front and to the sides - old Blackburn yellow flashers or new Cygolite Hotrods - in additon to a programmable Light and Motion 1000 lumen headlight. (Check out their Taz 2000 Lumen....)

As an old guy, who kept heavy, lead battery-powered Nightsun halogen headlights and tail lights running for a couple of decades, I love this new era of lightweight, high capacity batteries and LED lamps. Even in the daytime, one can now easily enjoy the extra security of extra lighting.

(And to really date my touring, I still have a 9-volt flashing yellow belt beacon from the early '70s. Feels like it weighs a ton. Not recommended.)

[Pat Lamb]

I've been able to clip a rear flasher to either the tent bag or the bungee net I use to strap the tent to the rack.

[hondo77]

I have two NiteRider Solas 250 lights attached to a NiteRider Double Taillight Rack Mount. I also have stuff on top of my rear rack but cars can see the lights very clearly.