Exposure TraceR DayBright rear light review

The Exposure TraceR DayBright is an excellent rear light that combines wide-ranging visibility with top-notch build quality.

While the seatpost mount can be prone to knocks, this is one of the best rear bike lights available.

Exposure TraceR DayBright in use

The Exposure TraceR DayBright is unlike most of the other best bike lights out there. Resembling some kind of emergency flare, its machined aluminium exterior, single LED and prominent lens all stand out in a market full of plastic.

The aluminium casing means the TraceR is extremely tough-feeling despite its diminutive size, and the plastic bracket it snaps into is also nigh on unbreakable.

It's produced by Sussex-based Ultimate Sports Engineering, a medium-sized firm that has built a reputation for making quality lights. Past Exposure products I’ve used are now well into their second decade and the TraceR feels as though it should continue in this vein.

Based around a single LED, its lens does a great job of maximising the claimed 75 lumens. While that top-end output is at the lower end of what most people would consider for a daytime flash, I nevertheless found the TraceR adequate for use in brighter conditions.

Certainly, the light’s output is plenty when cycling at night, and I was happy to toggle down to the more moderate medium setting once the sun had set.

Battery life is three hours in high-output mode, six in medium and 12 in low. Opt for flashing rather than steady output, and these times double.

Switching between each output level is achieved by pressing and holding the light’s single rubberised button. Once selected, operation is simplified, with a double click turning the light on and any further clicks swapping between constant and flashing modes.

This binary choice means you can make adjustments while riding and be confident of the mode selected.

Exposure TraceR DayBright visibility

Once switched on, Exposure claims the light produces a 180-degree beam, with an even wider 240 degrees of more general visibility. In use, we found it provided intense but never dazzling rearward illumination, plus an above-average amount of side-on visibility.

While the light itself is extremely small, the bracket is more agricultural. However, its simple construction is extremely sturdy, with no reason to fear either accidental breakage or it letting go of the light.

I did have a few minor gripes, though. For one, the mount’s rubber backing is rather hard, so while it avoids scratching your seatpost, it won’t prevent the light from getting knocked askew. That said, the wrap-around rubber strap is grippy enough that there’s no chance of it sliding down once in place.

The TraceR DayBright is a premium option, but still good value considering its brightness and build quality. Spending an extra £20 will get you the same light, but with the addition of Exposure’s ReAKT technology. This enables it to indicate when you’re slowing down, while also automatically adjusting its output relative to ambient light levels.

Exposure TraceR DayBright bottom line

The Exposure TraceR DayBright is one of the best bike lights on the market: it’s easy to use and extremely well built, with good run times and a sensible output, even if it’s not the very brightest rear lamp on the market.