Bontrager · Updated July 2026
Bontrager Flare RT: price & specs
The Bontrager Flare RT costs $59.99, the cheapest bike lights (median $85). It earns a Bronze Deskmark — 19/100 pay-blind standing, #9 of 10 in class.
Verified Jul 13, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
- Best for Compact, lightweight, tiny form factor (about the size of a strawberry); Smart ANT+/Garmin auto on-off connectivity works well.
- Skip if Mode settings can be confusing / easy to get lost in the array of modes is a dealbreaker.
Bontrager Flare RT. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: trekbikes.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
Is the Bontrager Flare RT a good buy?
At $60, the Bontrager Flare RT is the cheapest of the 10 bike lights we track, where the median is $85. On the spec sheet, its max lumens of 90 is below the median of the 10, its runtime high hrs of 4.5 is above the median of the 8, and its runtime low hrs of 13.5 is above the median of the 8.
Evidence of Record
Our data- Independent labsmeasured it
- 1
- Physical metricsrecorded
- 1
- Outlets on record1 tested · 1 mention-only
- 2
One independent lab measured this product across 1 physical metric — weight. These numbers rest on a single hands-on source so far; 1 other outlet has it on record by mention only.
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the Bontrager Flare RT
Two whitelisted cycling outlets tested this exact rear light hands-on and both rate it highly: DC Rainmaker (in-depth review, weighed on his own scale, ran a battery-depletion test) and Cycling Weekly (Editor's Choice, ridden through a wet winter). Praised for its tiny strawberry-sized form factor, weatherproofing and Garmin/ANT+ auto on-off; dinged for confusing modes, Bontrager's reused naming, and a Garmin control-panel quirk. DCR weighed the unit at 23g sans-mount versus the 32g/33g official figure. Neither outlet ran lab lumen or runtime numbers on the rear unit.
Tested by DC Rainmaker, Cycling Weekly
Consistently praised
- Compact, lightweight, tiny form factor (about the size of a strawberry) · 2 sources
- Smart ANT+/Garmin auto on-off connectivity works well · 2 sources
- Weatherproof and reliable through wet, winter riding
- Rear light held strong battery life, outlasting the front in DCR's solid-on depletion test
Commonly flagged
- Mode settings can be confusing / easy to get lost in the array of modes
- Bontrager reuses the 'Flare RT' name across generations, making the model hard to identify
- Garmin default control panel can't hold a full light formation solid-on; needs the Connect IQ app or per-light control
Where reviewers disagree No head-to-head conflict; both hands-on testers are positive. The notable data split is weight: DC Rainmaker's scale read 23g sans-mount while Cycling Weekly cites 33g strap-and-all (matching Bontrager's 32g/33g spec), i.e. they measured different configurations rather than disagreeing. Neither outlet performed lab lumen or runtime testing on the rear Flare RT unit itself.
The sources (2)
weight, light unit sans mount (DCR's scale): 23 g
They show 32g/33g, whereas I show 23g, sans-mounts.
The rear-light meanwhile stayed on and appeared to have more battery
Sometimes the Flare RT isn’t this Flare RT. Sometimes it’s an older Flare RT.
A seriously advanced light in a seriously small package.
riding through sopping wet roads and pouring rain has done nothing to dampen its spirits
It is possible to get a little lost in the array of modes
Specifications
| Price (US) | $59.99 US MSRP $59.99. Stated verbatim as "$59.99" on the City Bikes retailer listing and "Cost: $59.99" in the RoadBikeRider review, both for the Bontrager Flare RT Rear Bike Light. |
|---|---|
| Brand | Bontrager |
| Released | — |
| Light type | rear |
| Max lumens | 90 |
| Runtime high hrs | 4.5 |
| Runtime low hrs | 13.5 |
| Battery capacity (mAh) | — |
| Charge port | — |
| Charge time hrs | — |
| Weight grams | — |
| Water resistance rating | IPX7 |
| Mount type | seatpost |
| Mode count | 5 |
Source: trekbikes.com (verified 2026-07-13) · corroborated by roadbikerider.com. The official Trek product page (p/23999) confirms the exact model identity as the "Bontrager Flare RT Rear Bike Light" but is JS-rendered and did not expose a spec table. The City Bikes retailer listing (MPN 553852) and the dated RoadBikeRider review both describe the identical 90-lumen Flare RT and confirm the US price of $59.99, up to 90 lumens peak flash output, steady modes of 25LM-4.5hrs and 5LM-13.5hrs, an IPX7 rating, and 5 visibility modes (3 flash + 2 steady). The review additionally confirms seat-post mounting via the included rear Quick Connect bracket; charge port is left null because both pages call the connector "mini USB," which is not one of the allowed usb-c/micro-usb/proprietary values, and battery capacity, charge time, and weight are undisclosed.
Is the Bontrager Flare RT worth it vs cheaper bike lights?
Bontrager Flare RT against its closest cheaper and pricier bike lights on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 10 ranked →
| Product | Price | Light type | Max lumens | Runtime high hrs | Runtime low hrs | Water resistance rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bontrager Flare RT this | $59.99 | rear | 90 | 4.5 | 13.5 | IPX7 |
| Magicshine SEEMEE 400 | $64.99 | rear | 400 | 8.5 | 19 | IPX6 |
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the Bontrager Flare RT?
Two whitelisted cycling outlets tested this exact rear light hands-on and both rate it highly: DC Rainmaker (in-depth review, weighed on his own scale, ran a battery-depletion test) and Cycling Weekly (Editor's Choice, ridden through a wet winter). Praised for its tiny strawberry-sized form factor, weatherproofing and Garmin/ANT+ auto on-off; dinged for confusing modes, Bontrager's reused naming, and a Garmin control-panel quirk. DCR weighed the unit at 23g sans-mount versus the 32g/33g official figure. Neither outlet ran lab lumen or runtime numbers on the rear unit. Praised: Compact, lightweight, tiny form factor (about the size of a strawberry); Smart ANT+/Garmin auto on-off connectivity works well; Weatherproof and reliable through wet, winter riding; Rear light held strong battery life, outlasting the front in DCR's solid-on depletion test. Flagged: Mode settings can be confusing / easy to get lost in the array of modes; Bontrager reuses the 'Flare RT' name across generations, making the model hard to identify; Garmin default control panel can't hold a full light formation solid-on; needs the Connect IQ app or per-light control. (From 2 tester reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
How much does the Bontrager Flare RT cost?
The Bontrager Flare RT has a US price of $59.99 (US MSRP $59.99. Stated verbatim as "$59.99" on the City Bikes retailer listing and "Cost: $59.99" in the RoadBikeRider review, both for the Bontrager Flare RT Rear Bike Light.), as of 2026-07-13.
How does the Bontrager Flare RT compare on price?
At $60, the Bontrager Flare RT is the cheapest of the 10 bike lights we track, where the median is $85.
What are the Bontrager Flare RT's key specs?
Bontrager Flare RT (Bontrager): lightType rear, maxLumens 90, runtimeHighHrs 4.5, runtimeLowHrs 13.5, waterResistanceRating IPX7. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-07-13.
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Head-to-head
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Step up
- Magicshine SEEMEE 400 $64.99
- Cygolite Metro Plus 800 $65.95
- CatEye AMPP 1100 $79.95
- NiteRider Lumina Micro 900 $79.99
- Light & Motion Urban 1000 $89.99
- Lezyne Macro Drive 1400+ $99.99