Kiley and Blue Lug Koma Retro Tail Lights

Kiley tail light on a 1964 Schwinn Traveler

Finding a quality, retro-styled light for a bike is not always an easy task. In the past, I have made LED lights from vintage lights, I've bought generic and cheap lights, I've bought more modern styled lights, and I've bought retro but mid-market lights. My go-to brands for the past few years have been Soma and Kiley branded retro lights.

I recently have started using two newer offerings: the Kiley "coin edge" style tail light and the Blue Lug Koma tail light. Both of these lights are reasonably priced, and both rely on modern LED technology in a vintage-style housing. Both lights use the latest USB recharging connection.

Blue Lug Koma and Kiley Tail Lights with Boxes

The Kiley light is a small or medium sized round light with a metal housing. The lens is plastic. The center of the lens doubles as the button for turning the light on or off. The settings are basic: solid light, flashing light, and off. 

 

The Kiley Light Has a Knurled "Coin" Edge

The light has the "Kiley" name on the top and a knurled edge. It comes with mounting hardware that allows it to be a direct thread-in, or side screw/clamp-on. Battery life is generally quite good. Recharge time is a couple of hours if totally discharged. 

 

Kiley Tail Light on the 1964 Schwinn

The Blue Lug Koma is quite similar in construction to the Kiley. Unlike the Kiley, it has a plain, smooth housing without any logo or knurling on it. Both lights are very much "retro" in their appearance, but the Blue Lug is even a bit more retro and plainer than the Kiley. Function is very much the same as the Kiley: solid/flash/off modes, push-button center of the lens to operate, recharge using the newer USB connection. Mounting hardware is virtually the same as the Kiley - direct thread-in or side-mount clamp on/side screw. The Kiley typically comes with a charging cord, but the Koma does not come with a cord. Using the standard "new" type USB cord, it should not be hard to find your own cord.

The Koma is a Simple, Smooth, Attractive Tail Light

Both of these lights are generally in the "affordable" range. They are not truly "cheap", but they are certainly less expensive than custom or high-end lights. The quality of both the Kiley and the Blue Lug is decent. They appear to be made in either the same or very similar factories.  Both lights have a simple rubber flap to make them water resistant. The flap is a little on the thin side on both lights, but it should function OK in most conditions.

Sample of the Mounting Hardware in Both

My final verdict on these lights is "thumbs up" - recommended. Both lights are attractive in an old style way, but offer newer LED technology. They both are fairly bright and they both have a hazard "flasher" mode for day time use. Either one would look at home on a mid-20th century bike.  

1964 Schwinn Traveler Three Speed Bike