Reelight SL120 Bike Lights
In bicycle-friendly Denmark, the law says you need to have front and rear lights on your bike. So it’s no surprise that Reelight’s battery-free bike lights are a Danish invention. And what a great idea… Self-powered bike lights that are always on. Reelight even conducted a study that shows daytime running lights significantly reduce bicycle accidents.
The lights are fueled by electrodynamic induction. In layman’s terms, a pair of spoke-mounted magnets pass over a copper coil (contained within the light unit) as the bicycle wheels rotate. The SL120 models feature an energy storing capacitor that allows the lights to continue flashing for several minutes once the wheels have stopped.
Aside from the convenience and inherent safety benefits of bike lights that never run out of power, battery-free bike lights are also environmentally friendly. And Reelight is proud to be promoting such a “green” product.
Reelight bike lights attach to the bike’s axles, which unfortunately means the lights are mounted too low to provide optimum visibility. So while they are a great backup or addition to conventional handlebar, seatpost, backpack or helmet-mounted bike lights, we at Urban Velo do not suggest using the Reelight system as your primary lighting system.
The Reelight mounting system isn’t quite perfect, either. Because the light units attach to the axle, you probably shouldn’t use them with quick release hubs. Since most modern bikes don’t use bolt on hubs, it might be nice if there were fork-leg and seatstay mounting alternatives. And even though there are compact, extended and left-side models available, certain bikes and accessories may hinder installation.
At $40 to $65, Reelight’s bike light sets do not come cheap. Unfortunately that’s par for the course with most environmentally sound products. The SL120 Compact model (tested) retails for $55. Visit www.reelight.com for more info or to order direct.
March 31st, 2008 at 6:16 am
Agree that reelights are great backups especially because they are mounted too low however you can easily improve that for the front by fixing them on the vbrake. I had no other choice on my motorized bicycle where there is no space for the magnets and it works great.
March 31st, 2008 at 6:19 am
here is the picture from the reelight installed on the vbrake
March 31st, 2008 at 9:27 am
Running the SL120 model on my fixed CC commuter. I’ve mounted it using a quick release skewer and haven’t had any problems; not sure why you recommend against this, other than the hassle if you have to fix a flat or remove the wheel. Or maybe the potential for easy theft, though the light body does no good without the magnets.
Agree that the placement of the lights is not optimal for visibility. I think Reelight could keep the mounting set-up and simply raise the light body up on a shaft off the axle about 3 or 4 inches. That would certainly improve placement.
Overall, I really like the lights, and would recommend them, especially for their reliability and the “green” factor.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:57 am
Before I got a generator hub on my commuter I used these, and when my touring bike is built I’ll be adding them to it. Once they’re adjusted they work great.
March 31st, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Very clever design. I wonder if or how often they come out of adjustment if you ride every day.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:38 am
Bicycle Tutor, I’ve been using mine to commute 21 miles a day, every weekday, for 3 months now (quick release on front) and haven’t had to adjust them once. I’d say the biggest “difficulty” is setting up the twin magnest on the spokes where you want them. But once set (and it isn’t really a difficulty), you’re good to go.
April 1st, 2008 at 9:36 pm
They might be a problem with some quick-releases, but mine fit fine. I had to get some pliers, and bend the brackets a little bit, to get the light close enough for the magnets.
I have to adjust them a bit, if I remove the wheels, but it’s really not a big deal at all.
I wouldn’t use them exclusively, but if my battery runs out, they are a decent backup. I don’t worry about carrying extra batteries anymore.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:22 am
One user in the USA reckoned that the reelights should be placed inside the fork so that you don’t have to bend them and you get the proper clearance for the magnets to work. I haven’t got mine yet but I hope to have them very soon.