Revolutionary new bike light available soon
by Larry
Lagarde
2026 update: This article was originally published in March 2009, before FibreFlare had established distribution. The product did reach the market and the Australian company remains active. Its current Fibre Flare UP is a rechargeable version that continues to emphasize broad side visibility. The original article below is preserved as a record of the product's introduction; its availability, battery system, pricing, and promotional offer describe the 2009 version.
One of the reasons why many road cyclists wear bright and obnoxious clothing is to keep from getting run over by
inattentive
motor vehicle drivers. If you're not into wearing neon orange jerseys when bicycle riding, fear not. A new option this Spring will make you highly visible even in street clothes - the Fibre Flare.
The
FibreFlare
is a flexible, super bright, fiber optic light.
Visible
from over 1000' away, this
omni
-directional light emitting tube offers up to 20 times more illuminated surface area than regular rear LED
blinkie
lights.
With the included silicone attachment slings, the
FibreFlare
can be mounted on
seat posts
, frame tubes, carry rack supports,
chain stays
... even on your backpack or messenger bag. In blinking mode, the 2 x AAA batteries will power the
FibreFlare
for up to 75 hours with a shorter burn time in steady-on mode.
When I spoke with the
FibreFlare
rep last year at
InterBike
'08, the product was so new that they didn't even have distributors but that's changed. The light will be available in the USA by the end of May '09 and I plan on offering them. The manufacturer's suggested retail price for individual
FibreFlares
is $39.99; however, I will be including them free with the purchase of certain bikes (like the
SwissBike
XO
folding bike
).
What happened to FibreFlare?
FibreFlare reached the market, won international recognition, and remains available, but it never became a mainstream bicycle light in the United States. Its principal innovation was a flexible illuminated tube that made a rider more visible from the side as well as from behind. The current Fibre Flare UP retains that emphasis while adding a rechargeable battery and updated lighting modes.Bicycle lighting has also evolved. Modern products can combine rear visibility with braking information, turn indications, audible warnings, and theft deterrence.
RideTHISbike experience with the Ravemen NT101
The Ravemen NT101 combines several functions in one reasonably priced product:- Rechargeable rear tail light
- Automatic brake-light activation
- Turn signals operated by a wireless handlebar remote
- Electronic horn
- Anti-theft vibration alarm
RideTHISbike's experience also identified two limitations buyers should understand. Early NT101 units could separate from their mounts. In addition, if the coin battery in the wireless remote loses power or is replaced, the remote must be paired with the light again. A remote that has lost its pairing may appear to have failed even when it has not.
An alternative we have not yet tested
BiKASE now offers the similarly priced Sentry Brake Light, Turn Signal & Alarm. Its published features include a rear light, automatic brake light, turn signals, electronic horn, anti-theft alarm, and mounting options for racks, seatposts, and baskets. RideTHISbike has not yet tested the Sentry, so we are not prepared to recommend it over the NT101 until we have evaluated its mounting security, visibility, controls, battery performance, and durability.Labels: bike-light , Fibreflare