Author: Ken Steinhoff

Right after I read a review of the Flashbak on the Bike Commuter blog, I wrote the folks who make them and asked if I could have one for review.

Within a couple of days, one arrived in the mail.

Is this a garter belt for my Camelbak?

My first thought was, this looks like some kind of kinky garter belt for my CamelBak M.U.L.E.. The square nylon strappy thing has 10 BRIGHT LEDs embedded in it. The four alligator clips are to attach the device to your hydration pack, jersey, panniers or whatever.

The solid square box in the middle is where the three AA batteries live. It has a power switch on it. I leave mine on all of the time because the other wire on the right is a remote switch. The neat thing about it is that it blinks in time with the LEDs on the back to confirm that it’s turned on.

How well does it work?

As a photographer, I hate to admit that sometimes 1,000 words ARE better than a picture.

It works MUCH better than the video indicates. For some reason, the FlashBak is much more visible to the eye than you would think from looking at the video. Inventor Brad Beneski said that he had the same problem when he tried to shoot his videos.

FlashBak video

I can see the light reflecting off stuff on the sides and behind me when I’m going down the road. Cars seem to give me more room. One night I wore it under my orange Campmor Rain Cape and I looked like a big orange pumpkin. That doesn’t come through clearly on the video.

What was the setup?

If you look at the video or my lighting reviews, you’ll see that I love lights and reflective devices. Some of the videos were taken of me on my bike, which has a Planet Bike Blinky Super Flash strobing away and a generator-powered B&M 4DToplight Senso Multi burning steady. On the back of my Camelbak is a highly-reflective Slow Moving Vehicle triangle. Other sequences were shot when my riding partner, Osa, was on her bike, where she has a blinky and pedal reflectors. (She was wearing my Camelbak.)

I have a SON generator-powered Busch & Muller Lumotec IQ Cyo R N Plus on the front of my bike. It puts out a great beam of well-aimed light. It also tended to cause the SMV triangle to light up so much that it overpowered the FlashBak.

Would I ride with one all of the time?

If I was a touring rider who didn’t plan to ride in dark, foggy or rainy conditions often, I’d probably pass on the FlashBak, particularly if I didn’t wear a hydration pack. On the pack, it’s pretty much put it on and forget about it. It would be a hassle to put it on a jersey.

If I was a commuter riding under those conditions, I’d definitely consider it. It puts out a lot of light that’s highly visible from both the back and sides. It also has a great, “Hey, Maude, What’s That?!” factor.

Where can I get one?

If you live in Texas or Louisiana, you might find a bike shop that carries them. Otherwise, go to the FlashBak web site and tell ’em that I sent you.

What do other reviewers say about the FlashBak?

• Austin on Two Wheels Flashbak review
• Austin on Two Wheels profile of inventor Brad Beneski
• Path Less Pedaled review
• Bike Commuters FlashBak review

Any other FlashBak videos out there?

• FlashBak in the middle of group night ride
• Closeup of FlashBak

Disclaimer

I was given a FlashBak for review. You may read my policy about reviews and advertising here.

14 Days Eczema Curen-bottom: 10px;” title=”Flashlight used as bike headlight” src=”http://www.palmbeachbiketours.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/2010-04-16-Flashlight-for-bike-headlight-500×373.jpg” alt=”” width=”500″ height=”373″ />Kid Matt shot this picture in front of a local supermarket the other night with his cell phone. He was questioning whether or not this was better than no light.

I’m going to have to vote for low-tech over no-tech any day. What I DIDN’T see in this or any of his other photos was a taillight.

Quick-and-Dirty bike lights

Here’s what I keep in my Surly LHT’s Arkel Tailrider Trunk Bag for backup and loaner lighting.

I like riding at night and I particularly enjoy introducing newbies to the experience. You can read about my lighting choices here. My failsafe lighting equipment consists of a generic flashing taillight, a Maglite, and a spiffy Velcro strap device to hold the flashlight onto the handlebar.

Here’s what it looks like with the Maglite attached

The mount is simple to set up, holds the light securely and has never failed on me. My LBS used to have a jar of them next to the cash register. I’ve bought half a dozen over the years for less than $5 each. I guess a significant number of my friends have liked them better than I did, because I’m down to my last one.

I’d love to tell you where to find one, but my LBS said they haven’t been able to buy new ones for quite a while.

Don’t underestimate the tiny Maglite

I used to keep one attached to the side of my helmet to read my computer in the dark, shine at cars who looked like they weren’t going to stop and to act as a handfree flashlight. The pinpoint of light is an effective be-seen light. It also does a pretty good job of lighting up the road right in front of you if you don’t have anything better.

Review of Flashbak coming

I’ve been putting off writing a review of the FlashBak since the Fall because I could never shoot a video that does the product justice. I promise I’ll have it up in the next few days. This may be one of those cases where a picture ISN’T worth 1,000 words. The darned thing works much better than my pictures show.