Blinkers Blinker Set

The Blinkers Blinker Set is an integrated lighting and indicator system which operates using wireless technology. It's certainly well made, using high quality materials, and may have some potential for disabled riders, utility biased e-bikes or indeed a velomobile – instances where an additional 460g isn't going to upset the apple cart – but it is expensive.

• Pros: Good quality materials, easy to set up and use, powerful enough for town and suburban use
• Cons: Price, weight, turn signals of limited use on a traditional solo bike

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Lighting

I wasn't expecting too much from a unit boasting 100 lumens, but it seemed comparable with some 200-lumen torch type lights. This kind of firepower is fine for commuting through town and tackling shared use paths and so on, with visibility in steady to around 50-60 metres.

The lenses are made from a high-quality glass and employ collimator technology to make the very best of the LEDs. I'm told the two Cree diodes are 'car quality' and all are soldered directly to the PCB. This may explain why the output is much better than 100 lumens would suggest.

> Buyer's Guide: The best 2018 front lights for cycling

By contrast the 30-lumen rear is relatively retina tickling, especially at close quarters, thanks in part to the braking light (100 lumens). This isn't particularly progressive and only really bites when braking hard, but when engaged it packs a punch.

Flashing has the edge both in terms of extroversion and frugality. At a conservative estimate, it's visible to around 80 metres through the concrete jungle, maybe 120 at dusk and along open roads.

Blinkers says signal strength is good for 10 metres, which should permit service on touring/utility trailers, which aren't so well catered for in terms of lighting. Often I've emerged from a side road, lit up like the proverbial Christmas tree, and traffic has spotted me but been blind to my trailer despite two blinkies on the rear rails.

Friends reckoned I remained on the radar to around 40 or 50 metres with the Blinkers fitted to my trailer.

Turn signals

These were brighter than I was expecting and reminiscent of those that pulse on prestigious German cars, which probably explains why I was more conspicuous than expected.

Engaging the button sees the signals pulse for 12 seconds before cancelling. This is less than ideal when, say, tackling a major roundabout, but can be overridden by depressing the switch continuously then pressing again to cancel. And, credit where it's due, other traffic did seem to pay me more attention.

There is also a laser function, emitting a blue-green arc of light, not for zapping errant drivers but for 'announcing' your approach to other traffic and pedestrians. It's not a new concept: Blaze, now called Beryl, makes a Laserlight that projects a bicycle symbol. It lasts 10 minutes before powering off.

Specification

In terms of build quality, the composite shells and lenses feel super-sturdy, although much of the 460g weight is attributable to the magnetic couplers which connect the bracket and lights, allowing them to be whipped off when parking in the street and charging.

Compliant to IP64 in terms of weatherproofing (Blinkers says rain and snow), they genuinely seem well sealed from the elements. The charge port covers fit snugly and there's been no hint of water/ingress when I've subjected them to my garden hose torture test.

The lamps are powered by lithium-ion cells. They're easily charged via more powerful micro USB cables, such as those belonging to bigger tablets. When fully depleted, bargain on two hours from the mains. While not user-serviceable, the batteries can be replaced by the factory.

Switches

The lights are commanded from the bar by a thumb-friendly master switch, which is powered by a CR2032 cell hidden behind a very snug-fitting rubber cover. The switch fits securely to the full zodiac of handlebar diameters via the familiar 'doughnut' rubber ring.

It's sensibly proportioned, given the duties demanded of it. The rubbery top cap felt a little weird initially, but the switches don't feel remote even in full finger gloves.

Pairing

Both lights have to be paired to the switchgear before they'll work. Basically, with both lights fully charged and starting with the rear, depress top and bottom buttons simultaneously for three seconds until the left and right indicator windows glow yellow. Now bring the rear light close to the switch and wait until the lowest light turns green. Same process for the front, only the top light will glow red. Pairing is complete when all the switch's lights start blinking in unison.

Mounting hardware

The mounts are generally substantial but with relatively few parts, so come together neatly enough and without feeling 'whippy'.

Saddle rail mounting is the default for the rear, although there is a rack-compatible version available. This would be my preferred option and one I'd like to see included in the package.

Conclusion

While I can see some mileage in the rear unit when coupled to a trailer, which can often be missed by drivers who may spot a solo but aren't looking for a trailer/tagalong, I'm still not convinced that turn signals are practical on traditional solo bicycles, or that they have any significant effect on vulnerable road users being respected.

> Buyer's Guide: 15 of the best rear lights for cycling

The Blinker Set is well made, and the lighting/braking functions are more effective than I was expecting, but it's still expensive and relatively hefty. Commuters or utility riders looking for this kind of technology might be better served by something like the Winkku mirror and indicator combo.

Verdict

Some potential merit for trailers and tagalongs but expensive, heavy and of limited use