Representative photo. Product photos and current options are on the Amazon listing.
Lighting (Accessory) · Cygolite
The Hotrod 50 is a thin strip of bright red LEDs that mounts to a seatpost or seat stay with a rubber strap and charges by USB. Fifty lumens is plenty for a taillight, and the wide strip is visible from the side as well as behind. Several modes include a daytime flash that gets attention even in Texas sun. Runtime in flash mode is long. The strap fits round posts; for e-bikes with a rack that blocks the seatpost, mount it to a seat stay or buy a rack-mount light instead. It is a cheap, reliable improvement over most stock taillights.
Current price and availability are shown on Amazon.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you purchase through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Details
We link to Amazon search results for this model so you always see the current listing and variants. Amazon is the seller; we are not.
Pros
Considerations
| Max output | 50 lumens |
|---|
Specifications are manufacturer-published figures or our own notes; confirm on the current listing before purchase.
Compare
Many e-bikes ship with a dim, battery-powered headlight that is fine for being seen and useless for seeing. The Metro Plus 800 is the upgrade most shops sell: 800 lumens on high, a useful daytime flash mode, a wide beam, and a tool-free bar mount. It charges by USB and lasts a couple of hours on high or many hours in flash. Made in the US, and Cygolite's support is good. It is not a shaped beam like European StVZO lights, so tilt it down to avoid blinding oncoming riders on the trail. For night commuting this is a sensible, durable choice.
Best for: Commuters riding before dawn or after dark · Replacing weak stock lights · Daytime visibility flashing
Sold on Amazon
The RTL515 is a taillight with rear radar that tells a paired Garmin head unit or phone app how many cars are approaching and how fast. On the frontage roads and two-lane stretches around Frisco it is hard to overstate how much calmer that makes riding. The light itself is bright and visible a long way off, and the runtime is good. It mounts to the seatpost with a quarter-turn mount. Without a compatible display the radar is useless, so budget for the app or a head unit. Riders who want video should look at the RCT715.
Best for: Road-heavy commutes · Riders with a Garmin or smartphone on the bars · Rural and suburban roads
Sold on Amazon
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you purchase through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Details