Bontrager Flare RT: A Three Year Owner Review

Distracted driving has become a major problem on the roads, and it is a scary thought to consider that you may not be visible to other drivers.

Having a wife and daughter, I’m a rider who places a high value on my own safety, I always take precautions to ensure that I am visible while riding. This is why I have always relied on daytime running lights at both the front and rear of my bike.

For over three years, I have used the original Bontrager Flare RT rear light, and today I would like to provide a detailed review of this small yet impressive light.

Bontrager Flare RT: Honest Owners Review

The Bontrager Flare RT is a compact yet powerful rear light that boasts an impressive 90 lumens of brightness. It has five different modes of operation, including a daytime running mode that is specifically designed to make you more visible during the day.

The light is also equipped with a built-in light sensor, which automatically adjusts the brightness of the light based on the ambient light conditions. This feature ensures that the light is always visible, whether you are riding during the day or at night.

One of the things that I love about the Bontrager Flare RT is its ease of use. The light is easy to install and can be mounted virtually on any bike. It is also straightforward to operate, with a single button that allows you to cycle through (pun intended) the different modes of operation.

The light is also USB rechargeable and has a battery life of up to 15 hours, depending on the mode of operation.

Bontrager Flare RT Specs

• The focus, flash, and range of this product are specifically designed to provide ultimate daytime visibility.
• The interruptive flash pattern can produce up to 90 Lumens, making it highly visible during the day.
• The integrated light sensor adjusts the brightness automatically according to your environment.
• You can connect it with Garmin® and Bontrager ANT+ devices for battery status and control.
• It has 5 different flash modes, such as 90LM-6hrs, 45LM-12hrs, 5LM-15hrs, and steady modes like 25LM-4.5hrs, 5LM-13.5hrs.
• With an updated USB port and IPX7 waterproof rating, you can confidently ride through wet conditions.
• The battery save mode offers 30 minutes of additional runtime when the battery life reaches 5%.
• The package includes Flare RT, rear Quick Connect bracket, and Micro USB charging cable.

Modes of Operation

If you’re looking for a dependable bike light, the Flare RT rear light is an excellent option. It features various modes that cater to your needs, whether you’re cycling during the day or at night.

The daytime modes are brighter, and you can choose from several levels of brightness which last for an extended period. The nighttime mode is less intense but sufficient to make you visible to other road users.

Additionally, the light has an exceptional feature that makes it last longer when the battery is low, ensuring you get home safely.

The device offers a variety of flash modes to suit different needs. These include:

• 90LM-6hrs, 45LM-12hrs, and 5LM-15hrs modes.
• Additionally, there are steady modes such as 25LM-4.5hrs and 5LM-13.5hrs.

With these options, you can choose the mode that best suits your requirements and conserve the battery life accordingly. Overall, the Flare RT is a reliable and long-lasting bike light that you can trust.

Connectivity

The Flare RT is a great bike light that can help you stay safe and visible while cycling. It has many features that can be used with other devices like the Bontrager Transmitr remote and Garmin Edge bike computers.

This can let you choose the light mode that best suits your needs and check how much battery is left. Even though I’ve never needed to connect my Flare RT to my Garmin Edge 530, you’ll have more control over your lighting setup if you do connect them.

What Does The Research Say?

The Bontrager’s ABCs of awareness emphasizes the three crucial aspects of cycling safety, which are:

• Always on
• BioMotion, and
• Contrast

Always on pertains to the use of lights both day and night. As a safety measure, I’ve used the Flare RT for over three years now. Using daytime lights has undeniably saved me from several accidents, as it enhances visibility for drivers, and they can notice me sooner.

Remarkably, research has shown that 80% of cycling accidents happen during the day (which took me by complete surprise), indicating the need for cyclists to be visible to drivers.

The addition of daytime running lights in cars has reduced accidents by a substantial 25%, and the same goes for motorcycles, with a 13% decrease in accidents.

Trek, in partnership with Clemson University, conducted research that concluded that using a flashing light is the best way to improve a rider’s visibility on the road. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated a 270% increase in driver recognition of cyclists with a flashing rear light compared to those without.

Moreover, another study reported a 33% drop in accidents for cyclists who used daytime running lights.

Who Is The Bontrager Flare RT For?

What I love about the Flare RT is that it enhances my visibility to drivers, allowing me to ride with greater confidence and safety. The light is smaller, more powerful, and lighter in weight than the previous model, making it even more convenient to use.

The battery? Well, it seems to last forever, and it’s easily rechargeable, too. Granted, I generally do a lot of my riding in the mountains of Japan, and there aren’t many cars around, so I typically only use the Flare RT in the tunnel, which, surprisingly, though, there are tons of them here.

The Bontrager Flare RT is an excellent choice for road riders who want to enhance their visibility and safety while cycling. It can be seen from a distance of up to 2km, even during the day, making it an excellent option for any time.

Overall, I highly recommend the Bontrager Flare RT to anyone who wants to improve their safety on the road.

Brenton Barker

Brenton is an Australian with 20 years of experience working with professional athletes. These athletes have combined to win more than 15 international events. He holds a Degree in Sports Coaching and was the Head Advisor to the Japanese Government Sports Institute and was the former Manager & Head Coach to Australia’s Governing Sporting Body. Brenton currently consults with several professional athletes and clients from varying backgrounds and sports. Check out Brenton’s ride on STRAVA.