Headlight Recommendations for use w/ handlebar bag

[perpster]

Showing my age here, but I almost always ride with my ancient Kirtland "Tour Pack" handlebar bag (clips onto two "antlers" that mount over the stem & extend foward near the brake levers). The bag is about 3 inches above the level of the handlebars (traditional drop bars--Radonnauer??). It seems that most headlights mount on the bars just L or R of the stem. Those would be obstructed by the bag &/or mounting frame. I'm not interested in helmet mount lights.

I don't ride at night too often, but since the SNCF broke my ESGE rear fender, the Shimano generator hasn't worked for either the front or rear lights--the ESGE's have an electrical element running inside the fender. So, I'm looking for a decent headlight (already have a separate battery operated rear light).

Any suggestions anyone?

Thanks,

Perp

[DaveB]

Well, I see three possible solutions:

1. Fabricate an extension bracket that will elevate the lamp head above your bars enough to clear the handlebar pack.

2. Fabricate a bracket the will mount the lamp head on the bike's headtube below the handlebar pack.

3. Loose the antique pack and replace it with a newer more suitable design.

BTW, check out Performance's new 5-watt LED headlight.  It's supposed to be equivalent to a 10W halogen light but the batteries last much longer. Also, the "bulb" will last nearly forever and they run cool so they won't melt your h-bar pack.  I think this is the coming technology in bike lights.

[RussSeaton]

http://www.amazon.com/Minoura-Besso-Fork-Mount-Holder/dp/B0012Q0ZQ0

I have my generator driven lights monted on either side of the fork blades using the Minoura Besso.  Down by the dropouts.  For lights you can either clamp any battery powered light to the Minoura Besso, its smaller diamter than a handlebar so would need some extra padding.  Or get some generator lights since you already have a Shimano generator hub.  A couple places to check for generator lights, new LED models, is Peter White Cycles and Harris Cyclery.  Not sure what your fenders grounding wire has to do with the generator hub.  My Shimano generator hub just has one wire running to the Schmidt lights and they light up just fine.

[whittierider]

Here's a picture of what Russ brought up:



There's also the ViewPoint OS Spacebar which Performance sells, which mounts to your handlebars an can get your light up high enough to "see over" the handlebar bag:



I have a smaller Kirtland Tour Pack handlebar bag and a couple of small panniers from them, all made in the 1970's.

[geegee]

Depending on how far down your handlebar bag goes, you could also get one of these and mount your light below:

[bktourer1]

Where did u get this mount.  This is what I'm looking for

[gregg]

Paul industries  http://www.paulcomp.com/ makes a Stem Cap Light Mount that sounds exactly like what you are looking for.

[mainebiker]

I have had good service with the Minoura Besso Mount that Russ illustrated. I like the Niterider Minewt 200 light.

[crazybiker]

I just got a kit from a company called Brighter Cycling.  It's a different take on bike lighting where the lights adhere to the frame of the bike.  Very bright, and waterproof.  Check out this pic and you'll get it.
oh, the URL is www.brightercycling.com

[nthabiseng]

I use my cygolite milion on my helmet.  I actually like it there rather than on my bike; I can aim the light where I need it.  It comes with both handlebar and helmet mounting kits.

[driftlessregion]

My favorite is the simple Crono Nob found here plus several other options at Peter White Cycles http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/light-mounts.asp#nob. Here's a shot of someone who made his own nob http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u11/bicycleflyer/My%20Projects/picb.jpg.

[bogiesan]

also visit terra cycle.com and see their light mounts.
http://www.terracycle.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=T&Category_Code=Acmts

[waynemyer]

I love a good zombie thread.

The Cronometro Nob is good for small, narrow lights or offset mounts, but a heavier light will cause you no end of grief.

Lights on the helmet are good for "smacking" drivers. But a really bright helmet light will wash out relief causing a loss of depth perception. To see what I am talking about, strap a bright flashlight to your fork, saddle up, and look down your driveway. Take note of what you can see: gravel, grass, twinkly bits (silica, both glass and sand), et al. Then put the light on your helmet. No need to saddle up. All of that relief is now gone.

I have been getting into using the Paul Gino Mount lately. Much easier to install than a Besso and the larger diameter makes it easier to mount a variety of lights; no shims necessary.

[Ailish]

When I mounted my handlebar bag, I moved my headlamp to the fork crown.  I have an Ixon IQ lamp, which has an available purpose built mount for this, which also seems to fit Planet Bike lamps, as well.  The light and the mount are the first to pictured items on this page.

[peterharris]

This from wallbike.com's website:

http://www.wallbike.com/atoc/lighting/atoc-lite-beams