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review
Lights - rear
PDW Fenderbot rear light PDW Fenderbot rear light PDW Fenderbot rear light
PDW Fenderbot Rear Light

PDW Fenderbot rear light

8
by Steve Worland
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Apr 3, 2014

2
£16.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Well made, reasonably priced and very effective light for a full length rear mudguard
Weight: 
51g
Contact: 
www.paligap.cc
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If you use mudguards, the PDW Fenderbot is a simple but well made and very effective rear light.

There are loads of lights like this on the market, some much cheaper, but this one is better than most. It's shaped to fit on a rear mudguard.

PDW stands for Portland Design Works. They're a small company in Portland, Oregon, USA that makes practical high quality bicycle parts, including great mudguards, or fenders to give them their US tag. I've been using their Full Metal Fenders for over a year now and I was happy to bolt on this supplementary rear light.

You'll need to drill two 5mm holes in your mudguards to attach it, but once in place it just looks like a standard mudguard reflector, so it's less likely to get nicked than other rear lights. The built in reflector is very good and an almost hidden button switches functions between off, constant light and flashing.

So far it has remained well sealed from the elements and the emitted light is as impressive as most other lights around this price. The two AAA batteries are still going strong after about 45 hours constant shine use: claimed life is 200 hours on flashing mode.

PDW also make similar, and more powerful, lights for seatpost use as well as front and rear combinations.

Verdict

Well made, reasonably priced and very effective light for a full length rear mudguard.

road.cc test report

Make and model: PDW Fenderbot - Rear Light

Size tested: Black - Rear Light

Tell us what the light 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?

The manufacturers say "The fenderbot taillight is a rock steady safety signal designed to make you more visible. It''s equipped with a precision reflector and super bright red LED. The fenderbot bolts directly to your fender to prevent theft, so you will need to summon your DIY skills and drill two 5mm holes 20mm apart on your fender."

No outlandish claims. It simply does the job.

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

It's 78mm tall, it weighs 50g and it runs for ages on two AAA batteries. Claimed life is 200 hours on flash mode, presumably less on constant but it's still going strong after 45 hours.

Rate the light for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Very nicely made.

Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
 
9/10

Ideal for mudguard use, but you could bolt it onto a rack too. A single, almost hidden button switches on/off/between flash and constant.

Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
 
8/10

A simple bolt and nut. It's designed to be left in place.

Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
 
7/10

So far so good.

Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
 
8/10

Claimed 200 hours on two AAA batteries, so very cheap to run.

Rate the light for performance:
 
8/10

Not the brightest of rear lights, but good for the price and the reflector is excellent too.

Rate the light for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the light for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Very light.

Rate the light for value:
 
8/10

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

Perfectly.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the light

It looks like a simple reflector on the mudguard, but adds extra safety.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light

Nothing.

Did you enjoy using the light? Yes.

Would you consider buying the light? Yes.

Would you recommend the light to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the light in conclusion?

As a PDW mudguard user, I've been impressed with the quality of their products. This lights is a welcome add-on, but I'd still use a brighter seat post mounted light too.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 58  Height: 181  Weight: 78kg

I usually ride: Merlin Ti  My best bike is: Ibis Silk SL

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

PDW Fenderbot Rear Light
PDW

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2 comments

Avatar
workhard | 10 years ago
0 likes

Had one on one of mine for a few weeks. Just bought another one to add to another one of mine.

Who rides with only one back light anyway?

Avatar
Darkerside | 10 years ago
0 likes

The LED used is remarkably weedy, relying on the focus of the lens to make it bright enough to traffic directly behind. From the sides it's pretty pants.

It's not something I'd want to use by itself, but it is a very good addition to a more powerful light. Echo comments on solid construction, massive battery life, etc.

Which is actually just what you said in the review...

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