Knog Blinder Rear bike light review: Small yet mighty, and a bit of fun too

The Knog Blinder Rear Bike Light represents potentially Knog’s best budget bike light offering, at least for the back of your bike anyway. It sits below the Blinder R-150 and above the more commuter, and not daylight riding, Blinder Mini, with a competitive 100 lumens that makes it comfortably bright enough for day time visibility.

It features a broad range of flash patterns and modes that make use of the variable pattern options available from more basic block shapes to 'Peace' and 'Skull' options. Not only does this add to the charm factor of this light but it also makes it stand out to other road users and draws attention to the rider, a useful safety feature.

So as to reduce charge cable waste, the charge connector is integrated into the light, and with IP67 water and dust resistance, promises to not be compromised over time, but potential concerns still remain.

Design and specifications

The Knog Blinder rear bike light has a slightly different take on many rear lights, in that Knog has decided that it provides a great opportunity to add a bit of personality to your ride. Coming in somewhat more standard Square and Grid light structures, with an 'X' option as well, there is also the 'Peace' and 'Skull' light patterns – these are product variations rather than selectable modes.

Using various quantities of the 144 LEDs that make up the light, patterns can be created so as to add something a bit different to the light. Partially this is somewhat of a safety feature too, since our eyes are drawn to different patterns.

As for the light itself, these 144 LEDs produce a brightness of 100 lumens. To ensure this remains consistent, Knog has fitted it’s Chip On Board system (COB) which provides maximum brightness for 90% of the total charge capacity of the light, before any dimming kicks in to conserve remaining power.

There are five flash patterns in total, with varying degrees of brightness, fade, and flash, and a total of eight modes. Battery life for the High Steady mode is 2.7 hours claimed, while Eco Flash 78 hours claimed on the box, 60 hours on the website. Knog claims the light gives daylight visibility of 450m.

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Charging is on the longer scale for a light like this, at four hours from flat, with a low battery and full charge indicator LED by the single button for on/off and mode switch. Knog has come up with a novel way to reduce the amount of cable waste though, integrating a USB-A charger into the light itself. This leaves it somewhat exposed to the elements, but the light still features a waterproof rating of IP67. This means it’s dust proof and can withstand 1m of water pressure submerged for 30 minutes. At the rear of the bike this is unlikely to ever present an issue as rear wheel spray will not reach that pressure.

The light itself is rather petite at 43x43mm and 46mm deep with the USB-A. Medical grade silicone is used to shroud the light and provide the strap, of which there are three lengths. A slight gully at the rear of the light means it mounts well to both round and more aero profiled seatposts, however square tubes are not as easy to mount on. 22-32+mm is the claimed seatpost diameter that the light can be fitted to, using one of the three rubber O-rings supplied.

Performance

Straight out the box, the first thing I have to compliment Knog on is the use of entirely cardboard recyclable packaging. There is no surplus of material used, with the light and rubber loops all kept together between the two piece of card, the details on the back of the packaging, and instructions on a QR code. It’s neat, it’s simple, and there’s no waste.

As for the light itself, I was initially met with the first minor hurdle straight away. The fitting system is similar to the Wahoo Trackr Radar, where a more rugged latch attaches to the loop to make fitting and removing less of a faff. However, it took me a little while to work out you have to angle this a certain way to release it from the catch. This can be a little more tricky if the loop is at a very high stretch around a seatpost, but I take responsibility for not working this one out properly sooner. But now you’ll know for if you get one.

With the loops, three different sizes are provided. One is far too small for fitting to any seatpost frankly, but the others make it possible to fit around most round tubes and some more aero profiled ones, and less deep aero profiled posts. However with the way the rear of the light is designed, wider blunt profiled tubes are impossible to fit on, I did not have this problem with the ones I tested, but I can see it being an issue.

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The reason for this is the battery charger plug, in this case an exposed USB-A connector. This has the benefit of removing a cable from the equation, and therefore an opening that would need to be secured from the elements. It does present a couple of potential issues though. Firstly, even though it is attached to a more flexible rubber base, I am paranoid about snapping the connection off. Also, I do wonder how it deals with long term water exposure.

The light is IP67 rated for dust and water protection, so unless you submerge it in deep water for long periods of time, it should be fine. It has also presented no issues during testing, so I can’t say this is a problem that necessarily exists, just a concern of mine long term insofar as bare metal connectors exposed to regular salty spray may not fare too well from a theoretical standpoint.

One thing that is quantifiable though is the charge time – around four hours from flat – which is a good long while. The battery life itself is strong on the lower power modes, with a claimed 78 hours max on the box and 60 hours on the website. However for day light riding my preferred option is the High Flash, with 4.4 hours of battery life. Fine for most rides many of us will do, but after a long day in the saddle that will require a long charge time. Also, that USB-A charge connector is becoming a touch obsolete with the introduction of USB-C on pretty much everything at both ends of the connectors. I have maybe one or two USB-A charge plugs at home now whereas most are USB-C.

But I’ve managed to talk about the light without actually talking about the light performance itself. For just 100 lumens, it’s actually impressively bright. The COB system means it maintains this brightness even when the battery starts to fade, and that 100 lumens makes for a light that illuminates a good area behind you. This makes it plenty bright enough for day riding and staying visible.

Knog claims a 450m range for being seen, but it’s not clear if this is at night or day, I’d be inclined to say day given how bright it is. It is not as bright as the Lezyne Strip Drive Pro 400+, but that has four times the lumens. I would not say it is four times brighter though; Knog has done a very good job with this Blinder rear light.

My favourite feature of this light though is the fun factor. Many metrics within cycling to gauge performance are objective and quantifiable, but there is a distinct lack of subjective and qualifiable performance measures. I’m a huge fan of riding your bike for fun, and making it as fun as possible. Having the Peace sign option, or the Skull option that I have on test, both bring a bit of character to your bike and attire, and do just make it a bit more fun. Add to that it makes for some standout light patterns that are sure to get the attention of other road users, so this fun elements does not come at the compromise of performance or safety.

Value

Looking at the Blinder compared to other rear lights in Knog’s range, it actually stands out as one of the best value offering looking at price per lumens. The R-150 has, as the name suggests, 150 lumens but costs £62.99, while the Blinder Mini is £26.99 and just 30 lumens. The Blinder strikes a wonderful balance between being bright enough for daytime usage, while coming in at a price that is able to be seen as less of an investment and more of a necessary purchase. It doesn’t perhaps integrate as neatly into the seatpost as the Blinder R-150, but those extra 50 lumens don’t add a massive amount to the brightness in daylight conditions in my experience and testing.

However, the likes of the Lezyne Strip Drive Pro 400+ are a different beast altogether. That’s a boost in brightness that really has a tangible impact, and while it has a longer charge time it comes at a price that is not significantly more expensive at £55, so does frankly offer a better value option. You can also splurge a bit further for the intelligent AI version of that light with integrated brake lighting.

I do admittedly enjoy the Knog Blinder's unique selling point of using different light pattern designs for the lights, with this Skull version adding something a little unique and personalised to your bike and setup. It’s fun, and fun is a subjective and non-quantifiable metric, but an important one nonetheless.

Knog is also a company that donates 10% of its proceeds to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international and independent medical humanitarian organisation, though only through sales of the Peace option for this specific light. There’s also 2 year warranties on the products and going through customer service incognito has proven easy and effective. I do think the Lezyne Strip Drive Pro 400+ is better value, and still remains my favourite rear bike light without a radar function, but the Knog Blinder is fun, and it makes me smile.

Verdict

The Knog Blinder Rear bike light does something that not many things in the cycling industry do, and puts fun factor far up on its list of priorities. It does this without any compromise to performance or safety, and if anything compliments those factors. It’s a light that is bright enough for day riding, with a great array of modes and flash patterns.

However, it takes a good while to charge, brighter modes do suffer when it comes to battery life, and the exposed USB A present some fitting compatibility issues and potential longevity concerns. Overall though, it is a neat, effective, and fun bike light for a competitive price.