Fly2High

Anyone have issues with their Bontrager Flare R?

I went out on a ride just after it rained and the unit shut itself off. It turned back on but again when I got home, I found the unit off. I went and turned the unit on and now I cannot turn it off. Every time I hold the button down for a long press, the lights turn off and as soon as I release the button, it turns back off.

I tried to leave it on the solid bright setting in hopes to run the battery down and maybe it would shut off. I finally got it to turn off. several minutes later, it turned back on.

The USB cover was in place the entire ride. Also, I do not see any screws or a way to open it up to look to see if water got inside. I purchased it about 6/19/15. Little quick for it to die.

RobertL

I have a Bontrager Flare R tail light, it works great, but I've yet to get it wet.

Talk to the dealer and/or Trek I'd guess that this would still be under warranty.

Phlorida

The dealer that you purchased it from should hand you a new one and process the warranty claim. I've ridden in the rain with mine many times.

Fly2High

I did fill out the online form to contact Bontrager.

In addition, since it has a LiPO battery in it, I put it into a fire safe where I store other LiPO batteries just in case the thing overheats... The odd thing is that when I opened the firesafe the next day, it still had a little juice left, indicated red and turned on. This time it also turned off. I charged it last night with no problems. Cannot repeat the issue. Definitely think water got inside and must have dried up. Used it on an hour long ride this morning and all was working correctly. Depending on what Bontrager responds, I will see if it goes back or not. They might be interested in looking at it for method of failure. Otherwise, I will contact the LBS I purchased it from and see if I can exchange it for a new one. This thing gets used daily and other than this issue, I have been happy with its functionality.

I will report when I have further news.

Fly2High

Bontrager did respond as follows:

So I will be going back to them for a swap out.

merlinextraligh

Seriously? Between cameras bicycle lights, computers, phones, iPads, etc, I must have more than a dozen lithium batteries lying around.

It has never ever occurred to me to put them in a fireproof safe.

Living with that level of risk aversion must be very tiring.

Fly2High

It is not tiring at all. You just need to know how to treat LiPOs with respect. If you do the right things, they are safe. If you ignore them, you are asking for trouble.

Have you ever seen a fire from a LiPO?

I have. I will never charge any LiPO unattended and never overnight. Do a search on youtube showing what happens when you overcharge or charge a puffed LiPO. I have no way of knowing what the gizmo is doing, if the battery can get shorted or what. A shorted battery can catch fire too. A buddy had a 240 mAh in his R/C glider, it got shorted and the front of his plane was on fire. Had this been in the house on a workbench, it could ahve been much worse. And that was with a very small battery that is about 1/3 what is in a cell phone and probably 1/2 what is in this thing.

Since I was leaving for work and could not monitor it, it was safer to keep it in the firesafe should something happen.

With signs that the electronics acting improperly, I wasn't going to take a chance.

These are the same reasons the airlines is looking to ban shipping of LiPOs. Sure, you can carry them on but none are to be in the hold.

maltess2

I got it today, I cant differenciate the modes, and How do I know the charge is finished? plus, after some time charging I get the green light, if I disconnect and charge again I get the intial red flash, like if I am starting again to charge, is this normal?

bing181

I've got a weird thing with mine.

I never noticed before, but towards the base, inside, there are two small globes (sidelight LED's). For some reason, these have come on - and remain on. Even when I turn the unit off. I've tried charging, turning on/off, holding the on/off button down etc. etc., but nothing seems to work, they stay on permanently.

What am I missing here?

Autobot

I have been looking into these for a new bike, but this does not give me any comfort

cyclozone

Have been using my Flare R for about half a year and no issues so far.

SvenMN 

Over a year on my Flare R with plenty of rain exposure, including a very wet first 50 miles of a century last September. Zero issues.

GlennR

I've had mine replaced twice, for free under warranty.

Both times, they just stopped working.

floridamtb

Contact Carl Bakker at Trek customer service, tell him what issues you're having, tell them that it's the same issues as Kevin Siner, he should know exactly what to do. I had several Flare Rs shipped back to them for them to look at, turns out they found a flaw that has since been fixed. I have a new "gen 3" Flare R with a better charging port cover as well.

Dan333SP

I have to ask... If you're so worried about this particular type of battery, why get a tail light with one in it?

I've seen some with AAA batteries that are bright enough for daytime use.

salcedo

This information is great!

Thanks

Dean V

I have had 2 fail. So not impressed with the reliability.
But can't fault the Trek warranty process. Both times just took it in to the dealer and they replaced it. No questions asked.

salcedo

May I ask when you bought them?

Dean V

Around 18 months ago.

salcedo

Thanks I'm hoping they have fixed the issue by now.

Otherwise I think I'm getting NiteRider Solas 150s instead.

TakingMyTime

How can you tell if the one you're buying a "3rd Generation" model. I was actually looking into buying one for my wife for Christmas and I'd hate to buy a NOS model that may give me problems.

salcedo

My guess is that if you order online you'll definitely get the newest model. If you order at your LBS tell talk to the guys and explain that you want a 3rd Gen Model.

city_cowboy

Flare R is overrated, overpriced and apparently unreliable.

Ask for a refund. Get a cygolite hotshot pro 150 or Niterider Solas 150 instead. Both offer twice the lumens at half the cost.

salcedo

Which one do you like better? I am trying to decide precisely between the Flare R, Hotrod 150 and Solas 150.

rower2cyclist

I've had issues with my first Flare R in January and Trek Superstore quickly replaced it.

The second one stopped working briefly a month ago. I think the reason was a little bit of rain water leaked into the unit thru charging port as floridamtb pointed out above. It's been working just fine since then. Just make sure plastic cap is properly shut when it's wet outside.

I think Flare R is the best taillight money can buy. It just breaks my heart when I see people riding with taillights without a light.

I would get the third one without thinking if the one I have breaks too.