Facebook Twitter Instagram
    FeedTheHabit.com
    • Home
    • Gear Reviews
      • Mountain Biking
      • Road Biking
      • Bike Commuting
      • Trail Running
      • Skiing
      • Outdoors
      • Water Sports
      • Vehicles
    • News
    • Trip Reports
    • Videos
    FeedTheHabit.com
    Gear Reviews

    Bontrager Ion 200 RT and Flare RT Light Review

    Jason MitchellBy Jason MitchellOctober 22, 20183 Comments4 Mins Read

    Bontrager has set the bar high with their array of bike lights. Since the first Flare R until today, they have been regarded as the brightest, most versatile bike lights on the market. With the latest Ion 200 RT and Flare RT lights, we must wonder if Bontrager has achieved “peak bike light” at this point?

    Bontrager Ion 200 RT and Flare RT Lights Features:

    • Specifically designed for ultimate daytime visibility
    • Flare RT provides ultimate rear visibility anywhere
    • High-power CREE LED bulb delivers 200 lumens 
    • Light sensor auto-adjusts brightness
    • Connect with Garmin® and Bontrager ANT+ devices for always on, battery status, and wireless control
    • Easily attaches to your handlebars, helmet, or bike mount
    • Includes Ion 200 RT, Flare RT, Quick Connect Mounts, instruction manual and Micro USB charging cable
    • MSRP: $114.99
    Bontrager Ion 200 RT Review
    The Ion 200 RT mounts easily and packs a punch.

    Be seen with Ion 200 RT and Flare RT lights

    While I do believe that many cities (looking at you, Los Angeles) are less bike-friendly than others, I’m hopeful that it will change. As cyclists, riding defensively, obeying traffic laws, choosing roads wisely and being visible are all tactics we should use on every second of every ride. Since Bontrager introduced their Flare rear light a few years ago, I’ve been a proponent of their use. With them, I’ve noticed more respect and have actually been stopped by motorists asking what kind of light it was.

    It’s not often that a driver thanks you for being visible, but I had just that on an open road near Madison, SD. With 2km rear visibility and 200 lumens of forward lighting, the all-new Bontrager Ion 200 RT and Flare RT will ensure you’re seen from either direction.

    Bontrager Flare RT Review
    Hard to see, but this thing blinks with gusto during the day, and mounts easily to aero seatposts.

    While the Ion 100 R and Flare R City are even smaller, the size of the new Ion 200 RT and Flare RT remain among the smallest and certainly the best size-to-brightness ratio I’ve seen. In addition, the new design not only offers fore/aft brightness but also side/side glass that further increases visibility — something that’s particularly helpful in urban areas.

    Not only are these new lights extra bright, but Bontrager has packed additional features in there, including ANT+ and ambient light sensors. The light sensors will auto-adjust the brightness based on outside lighting, which is good during pitch-black conditions, but not as good at dawn when I’d rather force the super-blink always. Luckily, all it takes to override the light sensor is to hold down the power button for 8 seconds to toggle it on/off.

    On the ANT+ side, these lights will connect to either Garmin or other Bontrager ANT+ units to show battery status, change light setting or enable/disable the lights.

    Bontrager Ion 200 RT Bike Light Review
    The Ion 200 RT mounts easily and packs a punch.

    But, if you don’t have an ANT+ compatible device, don’t fret, they work great in an unconnected environment. Battery status is easily-obtained with the light indicator, which goes from green to red red and ultimately flashing red as the battery loses charge.

    The nice thing about the new Ion 200 RT is that it can be a legitimate headlight during dark riding conditions. Certainly, you can overrun the light at high speeds, but again, the size-to-brightness factor is on display with  up to 1.5 hours of 200-lumen brightness.

    I haven’t gone into much detail on the flexible strap mount system, but it’s bonkers-simple and easily-mounted. I can even mount it on aero tops, like the Black Inc Integrated Barstem, with ease. And, they also stay put using the magnet mounts on the new Bontrager Circuit MIPS helmet.

    The Good

    • Wicked-bright, day or night
    • Super-blink mode with variable blink is obnoxiously-visible
    • Mount them all over the place
    • Added side visibility
    • Promise of ANT+ (not tested)
    • Simple charge indictor LED

    The Bad

    • Heard frustration over battery drain while idle in ANT+ mode (I didn’t notice this, other than the occasional blue LED blink that’s stated to have minimal battery drain)
    • Limited to Garmin head units, for now

    The Bottom Line: Ion 200 RT / Flare RT

    Being seen on the road is one of my top priorities. I don’t ever ride without a rear light and the new Ion 200 RT and Flare RT combination is hands-down the best-looking and best-performing day/night lights on the market. Their small size packs the punch of a lighthouse, yet easily mounts anywhere.

    Buy Now: Available from TrekBikes.com (or your local dealer)

    ShareTweet
    bike lights Bontrager
    Previous ArticleOsprey Porter 46 Travel Pack Review
    Next Article Fjallraven Keb Eco-Shell Jacket Review
    Jason Mitchell
    • Website
    • Twitter

    A native of the Pacific Northwest, Jason quickly developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continues as he founded this site in 1999 -- sharing his love of road biking, mountain biking, trail running and skiing. That passion is channeled into every article or gear review he writes. Utah's Wasatch Mountains are his playground.

    You Might Also Like

    Arc’teryx Rush SK 16 Backpack Review

    March 20, 2023

    Giro Montaro MIPS II Helmet Review

    March 15, 2023

    Outdoor Vitals Vario Jacket Review

    March 13, 2023

    3 Comments

    1. Igor on September 17, 2019 3:03 am

      It’s very strange thing – both: “Flare RT” and “Ion 200 RT” are same in price and size. BUT Ion 200 RT has 200lm brightness vs Flare RT has only 90lm !!!
      Also: Ion 200 RT has more battery capacity!!! Ion 200 RT running up to 14,5 hours (solid-on mode), but Flare RT just up to 4,5 hours in solid-on mode!!!
      So you can buy two pieces of EQUAL price but one of this several times more powerful then another!!!! WHY must I pay equal price for such pieces??? I prefer to buy “Ion 200 RT” then glue to it an red-glass cover and use it as rear light for longer time (in minimal-mode settings). Why I need Flare RT?

      Reply
    2. Jason Mitchell on September 17, 2019 8:21 pm

      I get what you’re saying, but that’s life sometimes. If you want to put a red sticker atop the Ion 200 RT, more power to you and longer run time. It is already optimized as a rear light so you don’t have to worry about losing the makeshift red lens you would apply.

      Also, 200 lumen flash in every driver’s eyes might be a little much. I think the 90-lumen brightness was chosen to be bright and obnoxious enough without causing drivers to become distracted and cause even more problems.

      Reply
    3. Igor on September 18, 2019 3:29 am

      You not must use all 200 lumens in case of using “Ion 200 RT” as rear light. It can be switched to one of low-brightness modes (5 lumens or 100 lumens) and it gives you even more lasting of light.

      Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Most Popular

    Montec Fawk Ski Jacket and Bib Review

    February 28, 2022

    Wahoo ELEMNT Rival Multisport GPS Watch Review

    March 9, 2022
    8.9

    Zipp 303 S Carbon Wheelset Review

    November 4, 2021
    8.5

    Canyon Lux Trail CF 7 Review

    November 28, 2022
    9.2

    SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS Groupset Review

    August 12, 2022

    SRAM Rival/GX AXS Mullet Gravel Kit Review

    September 17, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 TLR Wheelset Review

    June 18, 2020
    9.4

    Roval CL 50 Disc Wheelset Review

    September 13, 2019
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 TLR Wheelset Review

    September 9, 2021

    Santini Gravel Bib Tights Review

    March 8, 2023
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Advertisement
    Our Latest Posts
    • Arc’teryx Rush SK 16 Backpack Review
    • Giro Montaro MIPS II Helmet Review
    • Outdoor Vitals Vario Jacket Review
    • Santini Gravel Bib Tights Review
    • Sportneer K1 Massage Gun Review
    • Review: Giro Latch Mountain Bike Shoes
    • Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Gore-Tex Infinium Jersey Review
    • Rab Xenair Alpine Light Insulated Jacket Review
    • Fresh Wheels: ENVE Releases MOG Gravel Bike
    • Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra G Review
    About Us
    About Us

    Since 1999, we have delivered in-depth gear reviews, articles and content. We feature a small staff of savvy, experienced writers who love to review outdoor gear.

    External links to Amazon, REI, Backcountry and other retailers include affiliate codes that give us a small commission on each sale.

    To contact us or learn more, go to our About Us page.

    © FeedTheHabit.com 1999 - 2023. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.