Serfas' TL-1000 LED Taillight boasts 3 ultra-bright LEDs for maximum visibility. It has steady and fast-flash modes with more than 140 hours of run time from the three included AAA batteries. It's also waterproof for all-conditions riding.
Submitted by
Roberto
a Cross Country Rider
from Gainesville Fl Date Reviewed: July 9, 2009
Favorite Trail:
GHT
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Bike Route
Strengths:
Brightest light seen, I think Dinotte might be brighter according to reports, but they are much more expensive.
Weaknesses:
Light tends to turn off, or go in to non blink mode when it hits a bump in the road. Mount is a bit frail, my wifes release button broke off after six months.
Bike Setup:
Taillight
Bottom Line:
The issue of the light changing modes can be resolved by putting a small piece of tape on the lens insert to tighten this component. It should be placed near the microswitch side. This prevents the bouncing that causes the switch to change function by taking the slack out of the fit.
The issue of declining intensity over battery use is resolved by putting freshly recharged AAs in it at each use. I got mine from Thomas Distributing for about $2 each. The ones I got worked in steady use for over 36 hours. However for max intensity I recharge them after each ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
barnesto
a Weekend Warrior
from Yuma AZ USA Date Reviewed: February 3, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$29.00
Purchased At:
Mr. B's Bicycles
Strengths:
This light is BRIGHT, and easily removable if you are worried about theft. Did I mention it's bright?
Weaknesses:
The brackets (it comes with two different diameters) aren't so hot. I broke them both trying to mount it, but I was being "creative." If you're gonna just put it on your seatpost like most normal people do, they are fine. I ended up drilling a hole in the black mount that holds the light, and mounting it above my rear axle bolt.
Bike Setup:
Electra Rat Fink Lowrider....low and slow, baby!
Bottom Line:
If you want to be seen from the rear, get one of these. Not only does it send out a bright red beam of light, it bathes the whole backend of my bike in red light. It's a little spendy, but I have no doubt cars can see me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jackrbike
a Cross Country Rider
from Saratoga Springs, NY Date Reviewed: September 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
all, incl road riding
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At:
Blue Sky Cycles
Strengths:
This Serfas TL-1000 is the BRIGHTEST TAILLIGHT ON MARKET, highly visible even in bright sunlight. I and friends love it, and use it during all daylight road riding! Well worth it and functional for daytime road safety; easily removed for off-road use when no light is needed. This light guarantees daytime visibility (to the rear) even in sunlight! Comes with two mounts, seatpost and thinner diameter for stays mounting. Easy light removal for racing.
Narrow beam, so full intensity not visible to those following behind in pace line on roads or within 40 feet or so. Therefore, not an annoyance to them. Riders 100 feet back will marvel at the light and ask where you got it! That's what always happens to me when with a group. My life is worth maximum lighting.
Tighten firmly the nut and bolt that holds the light (not the bolt that attaches to the tubing) , so bumps will not cause light to change aim downward and throw off l aiming. If aiming cannot be set precisely on the horizontal because of the set positions, loop a rubber band or two under the light itself and hook it to a higher point on the seatpost, seat, or whatever to pull it up a fraction. TAKE THE TIME TO AIM THE LIGHT PRECISELY, and it will be care-free from that point on, doing its job of calling attention to your presence. There is sufficient visibility from the sides for night use.
Intensity is a function of battery strength, so it will fall off over time. Though one set may indeed last the avertised 140 hours for night use, it won't be at safest high-intensity levels for day use. Personally, I replace batteries after 20-30 hrs daytime use and use batteries elsewhere (tv remotes, etc.). Batteries are cheap in quantity. You probably could get longer on-bike use from the batteries if you wanted.
Weaknesses:
Mount is subject to breakage when installing; should be made lots stronger. Tighten firmly the nut and bolt that holds the light (not the bolt that attaches to the tubing) , so bumps will not cause light to change aim downward and throw off l aiming. If aiming cannot be set precisely on the horizontal because of the set positions, loop a rubber band or two under the light itself and hook it to a higher point on the seatpost, seat, or whatever to pull it up a fraction. Rubber band pulling up also minimizes shock on mount when hitting a large bump or road pothole. TAKE THE TIME TO AIM THE LIGHT PRECISELY, and it will be care-free from that point on, doing its job of calling attention to your presence. There is sufficient visibility from the sides for night use.
TRIATHLETES/RACERS: Cannot mount on aero shaped tubing as purchased, but can be mounted on external-mounted behind-seat CO2 cylinders (triathletes know what I mean). Mount cylinder tightly or with threadlock or anti-seize compound so it doesn't unscrew from bump forces under the weight of the taillight and mount .
Similar Products Used:
Several
Bike Setup:
Multiple. Road all carbon, all Ultegra. Off road, Diamondback aluminum hard tail, shock front. Deore.
Bottom Line:
BUY IT; use it daytimes for staying alive on roads. Nothing is better. It's not widely available but it should be, especially if manufacturer beefs up mount. Just be careful at time of mounting to not overtighten when attaching to seapost.
$ 30.00
Overall Rating:
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