Safelite vs Shingleback Off Road Light Board
Safelite vs Shingleback Off Road Light Board: Two Locally Made Options Compared
When it comes to bike rack light boards in the Australia and New Zealand region, two products stand out as locally made, premium-quality alternatives to imported brands: the Safelite Light Bar (New Zealand) and the Shingleback Off Road Light Board (Australia). Both are aluminium-constructed, both are purpose-built for bike rack use, and both are sold direct to consumer.
This comparison is particularly relevant for Australian cyclists considering the Shingleback, and for New Zealand cyclists who may have come across the Shingleback brand online.
At a Glance
|
Feature |
Safelite Light Bar (NZ) |
Shingleback Light Board (AU) |
|
Price |
NZD $160 |
AUD $248 (NZD $275) |
|
Material |
UVP Waterproof Aluminium Composite |
Lightweight aluminium |
|
Attachment |
Bungee cords with proprietary Safe Clips (included) |
Bungee cords, fittings and fixtures |
|
Cable |
1.4 metres |
Extra-long (unspecified) |
|
Number plate light |
Not specified separately |
Yes (included) |
|
Number plate holder |
Pre-positioned holes with bolts included |
Included |
|
Supplementary plate service |
Yes (bundle available) |
No |
|
Warranty |
2 years |
Not stated |
|
Made in |
New Zealand |
Australia |
|
Primary market |
New Zealand |
Australia |
Two Premium, Locally Made Products
Both Safelite and Shingleback are premium products made in their respective countries. Both use aluminium construction, both use bungee cord attachment, and both are sold direct to consumer with free shipping in their home markets. The similarities are striking, and they reflect the fact that both brands identified the same market gap: cyclists who want a quality, locally made light board rather than a generic imported product.
Price: A Significant Difference
The Shingleback Light Board retails at AUD $248 (approximately NZD $275 at current exchange rates). The Safelite Light Bar retails at NZD $160. That is a $115 NZD price difference for products with similar materials and attachment systems. The Shingleback's extra-long cable is a genuine advantage for vehicles where the trailer plug is further from the rear, but this alone does not justify a $115 premium for most buyers.
Compatibility: Universal vs Vertical Rack Focused
The Shingleback Light Board is designed primarily as an accessory for the Shingleback vertical bike rack range. While it can be used with other racks, the brand's marketing and product design are focused on their own ecosystem. The Safelite Light Bar is designed from the ground up to be universal, fitting all major bike racks sold in New Zealand.
The Supplementary Plate Difference
Shingleback does not offer a supplementary plate service. Safelite's Panel with Supplementary Plate bundle ($210) handles the entire NZTA ordering process for New Zealand customers. For Australian customers, Safelite is currently a NZ-only brand.
The Verdict
For New Zealand cyclists, the Safelite Light Bar is the clear choice. It is locally made, costs significantly less than the Shingleback, and offers the unique supplementary plate bundle service.
For Australian cyclists, the Shingleback Off Road Light Board is a strong option, particularly for those who own a Shingleback vertical rack. The extra-long cable and the brand's strong community presence in the Australian mountain biking scene are genuine advantages.
Shop the Safelite Light Bar →
Shingleback Off Road product specifications and pricing based on publicly available information as at April 2026. Shingleback Off Road is a registered trademark of its respective owner. Safelite is not affiliated with Shingleback Off Road.