TESTED: Trek CarBack is like eyes in the back of your head

While it seems like fewer people ride to the trails than they used to, more often than not I'd rather get to the trails under pedal power. I get to link back roads and multi-use trails to get to my local mountain bike trails network, and I think the best rides often start from my front gate. 

As a long-time bike rider of all types, and almost all uses, I'm acutely aware of the risks of riding on roads. The increasing size of vehicles and increased distractions in them creates a need to be highly vigilant of what is coming up behind you, and have they seen you – no matter if you're in a marked bike lane.

There's a range of bike cameras with lights embedded in them and lights with car sensors that feed to your phone or bike computer. Trek's new CarBack has a light with visibility for upto 2km away, along with a radar that can sense a vehicle upto 240m behind you. The unit has a rubber mount to suit a variety of seat posts, with a USB-C charging port and easy Bluetooth pairing for your phone, GPS unit or smartwatch. Our test sample weighs right on 100g for the mount and device.

The light has a 7hr run time and can be either steady or flashing.

Trek have designed visual and audible alerts to use with their Trek Accessory App for riders who use a phone mount on their handlebars. The added bonus here is seeing the exact location of the vehicle coming up behind you. Selling for $299 the unit is on par with others in the market, but a slightly longer radar range.

In use

Ready to head out for an afternoon ride, I put the Trek CarBack on my dropper post and fired up my Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt. After selecting to scan for new sensors my Wahoo quickly detected the CarBack. The unit is also compatible with Garmin, Hammerhead and other brands.

The screen now has a bar on the left hand side, which stays green when there is no vehicle approaching. It turns orange when a car is in range and a little car is in the column to represent how close it is. As it's closer, the LEDs at the top of the Wahoo screen flash orange until the car has passed. This all sounds pretty busy, and like something that looking over your shoulder will alert you too. And it does.

But twice on my ride to the trails and once on the way home again, the CarBack alerted me to a car I had not noticed. Either as a when I glanced over mt shoulder I only noticed one car, not the other behind it, or I was lost in thought while on a fairly quite back road.

And this has been the case on subsequent rides. My situational awareness is pretty good on a bike, but I feel like the CarBack has added another level of safety. In different conditions it is also useful to know that something is coming, without turning your head while negotiating a disappearing bike lane on a high speed descent. Of course, you always need to look before you merge or turn – but an extra element acting like eyes in the back of your head is welcome. The light helps others see you, and the radar helps you see them as well. It just makes sense.

My only gripe would be on the mount. The rubber feels thin but you need to pull it fairly tight for a snug fit. If it's not snug, it'll wiggle around and not point backwards. The radar does have dual axis detection but I do wonder about the longevity of the mount with day to day use and weathering.

Verdict

I've thought about using a device like this when riding for a few years, and I think they're an excellent piece of safety equipment. The Trek CarBack doesn't record a close pass, and the light does the same job alerting drivers as any other high quality light does. But the integration with bike computers, smartphones and smartwatches means just about anyone will be able to use the features.

If you drive to the trails and only ride on trails – this isn't for you. But if like me, you ride to the trails and just like being out on bikes, the Trek CarBack is a great piece of equipment. It won't account for distracted drivers, but it can help make sure you're aware of what is behind you, to take a look to make sure they're not distracted.

RRP: $299
From: Trek Australia