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review

GT Attack Rear Light

7
£19.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Bright, versatile and long-burning; other remarkably similar lights may be available for less
Weight: 
29g
Contact: 
www.gtbicycles.com/gbr_en/

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The GT Attack rear light looks rather similar to the one in the Fwe USB Rechargeable set. If you're looking for a pair of lights, the Fwe set would probably be the one to go for, as buying the GT Attack front and rear will cost you £10 more. But if you really do only want a rear light, the Attack has some very good qualities.

First off, it's bright. There is some debate about whether a cycle light can be too bright, thereby dazzling following motorists. This light is plenty bright enough without frying the retinas of anyone behind.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy this online here

Operation is by a button recessed into the lens. This is easy to use with bare hands, but the recess makes it a little trickier in gloves. It does make it less likely to be switched on by accident, though. Each press of the button moves the light through its functions: full power, reduced power, three-light flash and rotating flash, then off.

The positioning of the button leaves it vulnerable to spray if you use it on a bike not fitted with mudguards, but so far, despite being taken on filthy mountain bike rides, it has worked perfectly and survived being (accidentally) dunked in a bucket of water. User reviews show no reports of premature failure.

Battery life has so far not quite met the times promised by GT. Nevertheless, I wrung an excellent 17 hours' continuous use out of it on the rotating flash mode, and recharge was under three hours.

The USB socket is on the bottom of the unit and covered by a rubber seal. The seal is fairly robust and is easy to push into its recess. Treat it gently though – if it breaks off it could get lost, and then it would be only a matter of time before the socket failed.

> Check out our guide to the best rear lights here

The light comes with a simple and, so far, resilient bracket that seems to hold securely. It can be mounted either way up to compensate for the angle of your seatpost. Using the light without its bracket, just sliding it over a rucksack strap or similar, revealed a firm grip from the sturdy clip. You can also mount it to a helmet with the Velcro strap that's meant to be provided, but it was missing from my box so I can't comment on its function.

I really liked the unfussy design and the small size that allows the light to sit unobtrusively on your bike without spoiling the line. It comes with some zip-ties too, and a mini-USB cable.

Verdict

Bright, versatile and long-burning; other remarkably similar lights may be available for less

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road.cc test report

Make and model: GT Attack Rear Light

Size tested: black,

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

GT doesn't make any claims for the product, other than run times.

Claimed run times are:

High Power = 2hrs

Medium = 5hrs

Strobe = 12.5hrs

Flash = 25 hrs

In practice I found a maximum run time of 17 hours.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Super bright 3 LED

220° visibility

USB rechargeable

Water resistant

no tools required

Supplied with mounting bracket and strap, velcro strap, zip ties, pad and USB cable.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

It seems well made; the positioning of the switch will reveal any weakness of the sealing here. The USB socket is at the bottom which may again be exposed to spray etc. Although the rubber cover is quite secure, if it gets lost corrosion will damage the socket.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

A good, bright light with excellent running time (17 hours on flash from a 3-hour charge) and a versatile clipping system.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

So far so good; online reviews from long-term users suggest no premature failures but see my concerns about the long-term durability of the switch and the USB seal.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
10/10

Small and light enough to stick in a pocket.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

On the expensive side of average for a single light, especially when you consider what appears to be the same light is available as a better value twin-pack under a different name.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Good – very bright and long-lasting. The bracket is flexy and easy to secure and the light clip itself is tight enough to make it possible to fasten it securely to a rucksack strap or similar. Easy to turn on and off, but not so easy you are likely to do this accidentally.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Bright, small, light and versatile with good looks too.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

USB port isn't put reliably out of harm's way.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

It's a good light, and long-term users have reported no reliability issues, but there are better places to put the USB socket. It seems expensive compared to the Fwe twin set from Wiggle.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 50  Height: 6'2  Weight: 73kg

I usually ride: Cannondale CAAD10 Dura-Ace  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking

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3 comments

Avatar
harrybav | 8 years ago
0 likes

Back lights work best inside 4 pint plastic milk bottles, big flashing box. Strap it on rear rack, don't just put it in the fridge obvs.

Avatar
luuk | 8 years ago
0 likes

Would it be a solution for the sub-socket getting sprayed, to fix the unit upside-down?

Avatar
Wrighty | 8 years ago
0 likes

Evans Cycles have had this own brand light for some time now... it's the same thing and it's cheaper

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fwe/15-lumen-usb-re-chargeable-led-r...

Decent light though

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