Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - TwoFish Lockblock or Bikeblock for Helmet Flashlight? Some Photos That Might Help

Seems like there is an often recurring set of questions on this forum from people who are considering the use of flashlights as bicycle helmet lights and how to attach those flashlights to their helmets if they decide to go that route. In fact, I'm one of those folks who has been asking the questions... ;)

One method is to use TwoFish Lockblocks or Bikeblocks. So, if you're considering use of a Lockblock or Bikeblock, how do you determine which one to use?

The photos on the page linked below might help if you are considering such a method of attaching a flashlight to your helmet.

TwoFish Lockblocks, Bikeblocks and Bicycle Helmets (http://www.ruscelli.com/biking_twofish.htm)

Side Notes on Safety Issues Please note that Lockblocks and Bikeblocks are normally used to attach objects to bicycle frames and handlebars, but they work pretty well as helmet flashlight mounts, too. However, they do have a rather tall profile and some riders/safety advocates believe there are dangers involved in attaching anything to a helmet because doing so potentially makes the helmet less effective as a safety device. Be warned that you should consider these things before using something like a Lockblock or Bikeblock to attach a light to your helmet. But then again, the same warning goes for attaching any kind of light to your helmet, regardless of the mount used, not just those that might require a Lockblock or Bikeblock for a mount.

My personal feeling is that it's unsafe to ride a bike at night without a helmet light of some sort (both for "seeing" and "being seen"). Helmet lights allow you to see much better/earlier into turns you are making where the handlebar lights are not yet shining (especially on sharp turns, so you don't go blindly into the turn). Helmet lights also give you much better visibility to others on the road (the movement of a helmet light tends to attract the attention of others, which is a good thing from a safety standpoint). At the same time, those who would argue that changing the shape of a helmet lessens its ability to protect you in an accident most likely have valid points. Each rider has to use his or her own discretion in the kind of safety they want to provide for themselves, but each should consider both sides of the safety debate. But that's just my take on it.

Great info. Thanks for sharing.

Yeah, great photos varuscelli and excellent information. I'm going to give a Zefal Doodad a go if I can find one. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Thanks for the comments, guys. And I think that Zefal Doodad is likely a good choice. From what I've heard from others (like socalrider), it seems they might be one of the best low-profile choices among similarly designed mounts. I haven't tried one yet, but they could be a better choice than the TwoFish options, depending on how solidly they hold and how well adjustable (for pointing direction) they are. The TwoFish bikeblocks and lockblocks are very solid for partially Velcro-based options (the Velcro combined the the rubber of the U-joints really lets the blocks "grab" what they're attached to). But what I don't particularly like about the TwoFish options -- for helmet use -- is their rather tall profile.

Here is a photo of my 5W Dinotte mounted to my helmet. I used a Lockblock to mount it as far forward and centered on the helmet as I could. It raises the profile of the helmet by a couple of centimeters but far less than the Dinotte mount would have. I stuck some generic reflective strips on the helmet as well. The 4AA battery pack is velcroed to the back of the helmet so I can just leave the light on permanently. If I'm riding a long ways during the day time I will take the batteries out of the holder to lighten the load somewhat.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k15/lurker1999/Dinottehelmet-1.jpg

Yeah, great photos varuscelli and excellent information. I'm going to give a Zefal Doodad a go if I can find one. I'll let you all know how it goes.

XXCycle in the UK is the only source that I can find using the Google search. J&B Imports has them in stock in Indiana (where I live) but cannot be purchased direct. Did you find a source? I would like to actually secure a pump that I purchased that came with a bad mount, should have been a Zefal Doodad.

XXCycle in the UK is the only source that I can find using the Google search. J&B Imports has them in stock in Indiana (where I live) but cannot be purchased direct. Did you find a source? I would like to actually secure a pump that I purchased that came with a bad mount, should have been a Zefal Doodad.

From one of our other threads related to this subject (courtesy of socalrider) -- although these are, I think, both the Doodad Plus version (which should be right for securing the pump):


another mount that works well for mounting a light to a helmet is the zefal doodad plus.. It comes with velcro and parallel rubber mount.. They can be found here..

http://www.xxcycle.com/doodad-plus-109,,en.php

genuine innovations, the co2 people also sell the same mount under a different name..

http://www.genuineinnovations.com/bikeprods.aspx?prodid=1044

XXCycle in the UK is the only source that I can find using the Google search. J&B Imports has them in stock in Indiana (where I live) but cannot be purchased direct. Did you find a source? I would like to actually secure a pump that I purchased that came with a bad mount, should have been a Zefal Doodad.

Yeah XXCycle is the one I was looking at getting from. Haven't got around to it yet as I'm going to check my local bike store first see if they can get it in.

Thanks for the other link vaurscelli.

Does anybody know the difference between the Doodad and the Doodad plus? Looking at the Zefal website the Doodad doesn't seem to have the rubber block, can anyone confirm this?

I would like to actually secure a pump that I purchased that came with a bad mount, should have been a Zefal Doodad.

Out of curiosity, is there any reason you might not want to try either one or two of the TwoFish Bikeblocks to mount the pump? I think they'd work very well and they're readily available.

Also (and I don't know if this would help in terms of ideas)....

Here's something that I think came with a Topeak Mountain Morph frame pump. I wonder if it could be purchased separately via Topeak parts/accessories? And it might have been a separate item to begin with, I dunno (?). The reason I'm not sure if it came with the pump is that it looks bigger than the mounts I usually see pictured with the Topeak frame pumps.

http://www.ruscelli.com/images/Biking/071001-113a.jpg

http://www.ruscelli.com/images/Biking/071001-110a.jpg

I have not seen either one around here. I thought the Zefal's lower profile would work best for a helmet mount and okay for a pump mount. Since I can't find a convenient source for the Zefal I am going to order a flashlight and two bikeblocks from Fenix-store.

I ordered the Zefal Doodad Plus 109 from xxcycle.com (http://www.xxcycle.com/doodad-plus-109,,en.php) based on socalrider's recommendation. I use it to mount my Fenix L1D to my helmet. It is low-profile, and the rubber mount holds the light very securely to the helmet. I like it!

I ordered the Zefal Doodad Plus 109 from xxcycle.com (http://www.xxcycle.com/doodad-plus-109,,en.php) based on socalrider's recommendation. I use it to mount my Fenix L1d to my helmet. It is low-profile, and the rubber mount holds the light very securely to the helmet. I like it!

Excalibur, quick question. Did it come with 1 or 2 rubber mounts in the package? I would assume one but on the Zefal website it says "Special ATB pump-ties consisting of 2 black rubber pads".

Excalibur, quick question. Did it come with 1 or 2 rubber mounts in the package? I would assume one but on the Zefal website it says "Special ATB pump-ties consisting of 2 black rubber pads".You get two complete Zefal Doodad Plus units with your order. That's two rubber mounts and two velcro straps.

You get two complete Zefal Doodad Plus units with your order. That's two rubber mounts and two velcro straps.

Just to be clear, for $8.98 I get two complete mounts that I could use one to mount a flashlight to my helmet and the other to mount a mini-pump to my frame. How long did it take to receive the order?

Is there enough offset to keep the pump from rattling against the frame on these or would a bikeblock be better for a pump?

Is there enough offset to keep the pump from rattling against the frame on these or would a bikeblock be better for a pump?

Maybe that's why they give you two -- possibly because it takes two to mount some pumps securely. I mean, just at a guess (and depending on how long the pump being mounted is).

Amazing how unclear the Zefal site is about what's included with this particular product. How much trouble would it be to add the words "and Velcro straps" to the current description of "Special ATB pump-ties consisting of 2 black rubber pads" . . . ? (Pretty goofy seeming.) ;)

In any case, I might need to try The Zefal Doodads myself. I had bought bikeblocks before I knew about the Doodads, but the bikeblocks really seem much bulkier than necessary for a helmet mount. Very secure, but very tall/bulky.

Just to be clear, for $8.98 I get two complete mounts that I could use one to mount a flashlight to my helmet and the other to mount a mini-pump to my frame. How long did it take to receive the order?

Is there enough offset to keep the pump from rattling against the frame on these or would a bikeblock be better for a pump?Roger that. For $8.98, you get two (2) complete Zefal Doodad Plus units. One (1) can be used to mount a flashlight to your helmet and the other one (1) can be used to mount a mini-pump to your frame (if your mini-pump can be secured with just one (1) unit. The whole idea of the rubber mount is to give you enough offset to keep your mini-pump securely fastened to your frame. Believe it or not, when you order from xxcycle.com (http://xxcycle.com/), your order will be shipped from France. It arrived faster than when I order something from the USA.

Roger that. For $8.98, you get two (2) complete Zefal Doodad Plus units. One (1) can be used to mount a flashlight to your helmet and the other one (1) can be used to mount a mini-pump to your frame (if your mini-pump can be secured with just one (1) unit. The whole idea of the rubber mount is to give you enough offset to keep your mini-pump securely fastened to your frame. Believe it or not, when you order from xxcycle.com (http://xxcycle.com/), your order will be shipped from France. It arrived faster than when I order something from the USA.

Thanks for the clarification.

Vasculli, I agree with you. I am not saying that I write crystal clear descriptions the first time. But I have the good sense to realize that I need to review what I write and verify it is accurate and complete. It appears that someone wrote the product description in a hurry and never looked at it again! I had not thought about securing a longer pump since my full size ones have always been the correct size for the frame and my frames have either had pump pegs or the pump came with a velcro strap for added security.

Thanks for the clarification.

Vasculli, I agree with you. I am not saying that I write crystal clear descriptions the first time. But I have the good sense to realize that I need to review what I write and verify it is accurate and complete. It appears that someone wrote the product description in a hurry and never looked at it again!

Of course, in defense of Zefal, it's very likely that on the English version of the pages there could be tech writing/translation errors which seem like they're right to whomever is doing the review, but are actually not accurate once the reader (in the other language) sees what's written. (For example, almost every instruction manual or users guide that gets translated from language to another . . . ;) )

I was glancing over the Zefal site just to see what they were about, and in looking at the text on some of the pages there are lots of small errors in the English translation version (mostly grammatical/sentence structure). So, I'm guessing they don't use a lot of budget for strictly accurate translation services (professional services, that is). I guess the result is the occasional inaccuracy (or at least, partially confusing description) in some of the product listings. Oh, well...just an observation.

I used a BikeBlock with my Rexlight and a Bell Sweep helmet. The light pointed down too far, so I took a synthetic wine cork and cut a wedge that I put between the BikeBlock and the helmet to get it pointed at the right height. So far, so good. Cost $0.00.

great post buddy

I have not had a chance to use the flashlight riding at night yet, but here is my observation on the mounts. I tried mounting the new Fenix L2D CE Premium Q5 with both the Zefal Doodad and the Bikeblock on my Bell Sweep R. The Bikeblock works much better. The Doodad is low profile but the rubber is much less flexible. It would sit on top of the helmet and not comform to it. The Bikeblock on the other hand compresses down and forms around the contour of my helmet thus taking care of the higher profile discrepancy. I can slid the Doodad underneath the flashlight, but the clearance is very small. I also like the Bikeblock because it is smooth on both sides. I do not find that the indentation in the one side of the Doodad serves any purpose for mounting a flashlight since it does not really conform to any of the sections. The Doodad works find for attaching my Quickex Quicker Pro mini-pump. I attach it to the seat post and jam the end of the pump up between the saddle rails. The indentation does serve a purpose there since it fits nicely to support the pump in the middle where there the two different diameter sections meet. I am glad that I have both except I don't know what to do with the extra Doodad!

Just received my Zefal Doodad from XXcycles (took about 11 days to Australia). I don't have a bikeblock to compare too but it sure beats my rubber band a Velcro method for attaching the light to my helmet :)

Now for some pictures, sorry they aren't as pretty as varuscelli's.

http://users.tpg.com.au/kwonglew/bike/doodad3.jpg
Lockblock and Doodad. You can see the two "levels" and the dimples that the Doodad has on the top surface. Depending on where you mount the Fenix L2D you can sort of take advantage of the the 2 levels but the higher level is still large enough to provide a good mounting surface.

http://users.tpg.com.au/kwonglew/bike/doodad4.jpg
Bottom surface

http://users.tpg.com.au/kwonglew/bike/doodad5.jpg
You can see the Doodad is a bit more flat in the curve and doesn't extend around the side as much.

Finally some pictures on my Giro Monza.

http://users.tpg.com.au/kwonglew/bike/doodad1.jpg
http://users.tpg.com.au/kwonglew/bike/doodad2.jpg

I haven't had the need yet to ride with a light but in my quick head banging test it seems to be holding it very securely.

Hope it helps some of you decide what mount to get.

Nice job! I have been wondering how those things would look side by side. Great visual info, Jesper64... :)

No problems. Ideally it really should be a Bike Block and a Doodad side by side for the best comparison. You need to get a Doodad varuscelli so you can take pretty pictures of all 3 :)

On a side note. Make sure you get the Doodad Plus as the Doodad is just the straps with no rubber blocks.

As I said, the rubber on the bikeblock compresses easily and conforms to the curve of my helmet. The Doodad is stockier and less flexible and just sat on top of the helmet. The Doodad may have worked okay, but I did not feel the indentation served any purpose in holding the L2D and I liked the way the bikeblock fit the helmet. With the bikeblock compressing down, it is close enough to being as low profile as the Doodad to not make a difference. The Doodad pair works great for holding a full-size frame pump securely or using one by itself to hold a mini-pump.

OP: The photos are now red x's, and the link no longer works, and no where on the thread do you discuss whether the bikeblock or lockbock is most advantageous for helmets.

Ritterview: Hurricane Ike has messed with his picture hosting, so be patient ;) Note that the LockBlock and BikeBlock are 90° different, and that means there's no simple answer to which is better, it depends on your helmet's vent layout.

Another option is to use large O-rings looped over both ends of the light. I've done this to attach lights to the top-center, and also sidemount as shown below. Works well for 2AA and small 18650-based lights (Olight M20 for example).

http://www.mechbgon.com/L2DQ5_2.jpg

OP: The photos are now red x's, and the link no longer works, and no where on the thread do you discuss whether the bikeblock or lockbock is most advantageous for helmets.

Our web server is up and down right now with problems lingering from the Hurricane Ike disaster here on the Texas Gulf Coast. It will be back up soon and all photos will be visible again. We've been more or less out of commission for the last two weeks, but are slowly getting up and running again. (Everything was working last night, but today the site is down again.)

Don't Fenix flashlights usually come with belt holsters?

The one I have does. It was easy enough to attach the holster to the helmet with a velcro straps or Bongo ties or zip ties or whatever. I also attached it to the frame/bar once.

Advantages: 1) no extra cost and 2) low profile.

Anyhow, that's what I did with the flash that I happened to have before I started commuting. That said, I'm awaiting delivery of a new flash along with one of the lockblocks. Want to see if it's a better solution...

Hi,

I did this to my helmet:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e61/Unknown_Cyclist/14HelmetLight.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e61/Unknown_Cyclist/16HelmetLight.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e61/Unknown_Cyclist/11HelmetLight.jpg

Weight increase 103g, batteries are charged on the helmet as a set, low profile and the angle is easily adjusted while riding.

:thumb:

Hi,
If I use a Doodad plus or similar to attach the lock to my top tube, will I press the rear brake cable that goes under it?
Regards.

This thread is more about using these kinds of mounts for helmet lights, but I'm sure someone can try to answer your question if you can phrase it a bit more clearly. I'm just not quite sure I'm understanding what you're asking.

Is what you're asking related to using a bikeblock or something similar to attach a U-shaped bicycle lock to the top tube of your frame? Or are you asking something else?

This thread is more about using these kinds of mounts for helmet lights, but I'm sure someone can try to answer your question if you can phrase it a bit more clearly. I'm just not quite sure I'm understanding what you're asking.

Is what you're asking related to using a bikeblock or something similar to attach a U-shaped bicycle lock to the top tube of your frame? Or are you asking something else?

Hi,
Thanks for your answer. You are right. I need to attach my lock to my bike top tube. The rear brake cable goes under the top tube, so if I use a bikeblock or similar, will I press the cable avoiding the brake to work correctly?
Regards.

Well, that's a good question. I haven't tried that myself on a bike with the brake cable beneath the top tube, so I don't know if it would interfere with the cable or not. On my bike, the cables run on top of the tube, so I could pass the velcro underneath them.

Hopefully, one of the other members can answer the question. I know bikeblocks get used that way, so I'm sure that someone here has probably run into the same thing and tested it.

Well, that's a good question. I haven't tried that myself on a bike with the brake cable beneath the top tube, so I don't know if it would interfere with the cable or not. On my bike, the cables run on top of the tube, so I could pass the velcro underneath them.

Hopefully, one of the other members can answer the question. I know bikeblocks get used that way, so I'm sure that someone here has probably run into the same thing and tested it.

Hi, Varuscelli,
Thanks for your concerns. I absolutely agree with it. Let us hope that somebody tells us if the bikeblock interferes with the cable job. We will jump for guessing from guessing to facts.

Regards.

Has anyone mounted to a Giro Pneumo? What did you use?
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41245CFAY1L._AA280_.jpg

I tried using a wine cork with V-shape cut on that middle dark grey front cross member (the lockblock I ordered is back ordered several weeks), but found I could not get light to aim upward enough. I couldn't only could get spot at most 10' in front of me and to see further out was way to much neck strain to tip head far enough backward.

I also found the high mount (just to get the light to aim upward and to have clearance for the end of the light against the helmet) created a lever arm so I could feel the side to side pull of the L2D like someone was yanking my helmet side to side.

That more rearward white middle area that looks suitable for a bike block is vertically very thick (~2.5") and the bottom touches my head so a strap under it would create a pressure point.

Al

Has anyone mounted to a Giro Pneumo? What did you use?
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41245CFAY1L._AA280_.jpg


This one would be a good candidate for a TwoFish Lockblock toward the front on the middle (gray) bridge. You'd be able to tilt the lockblock back however far you need it (before cinching it down tight) to ensure that the light hits the road in the right spot for you.

It would be pretty much the same as we did with this Giro.

http://www.ruscelli.com/images/Biking/071009-002a_small.jpg http://www.ruscelli.com/images/Biking/071009-008a_small.jpg http://www.ruscelli.com/images/Biking/071009-004a_small.jpg

This one would be a good candidate for a TwoFish Lockblock toward the front on the middle (gray) bridge. You'd be able to tilt the lockblock back however far you need it (before cinching it down tight) to ensure that the light hits the road in the right spot for you.

It would be pretty much the same as we did with this Giro.


I am very sure that that front grey cross bar is to far forward and low to make a workable mounting point - what happens is that the light gets aimed downward, instead of upward as needed so it faces straight out when riding instead of at one's front wheel.

When I used a full length wine cork (which is taller than a lockblock) on that grey cross member even it was not long enough to lift the front of the light high enough so the back of it did not interfere with the top of the helmet - as you see the blue is the flashlight, the brown the cork. I need a light mount that aims like the red line.

Al

It looks like you're probably going to need to visit one of the other threads on different styles of helmet mounts. There are several in this forum . . . and there are also threads on the same topic the the Bicycle (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=86) lighting subforum on the CandlePower Forums.

I have a Pneumo and trimmed the rear of a Twofish to increase the upward angle of the light. I also use a short (CR123) light on the helmet and rely on 2 main lights on my bars.

I am very sure that that front grey cross bar is to far forward and low to make a workable mounting point - what happens is that the light gets aimed downward, instead of upward as needed so it faces straight out when riding instead of at one's front wheel.

When I used a full length wine cork (which is taller than a lockblock) on that grey cross member even it was not long enough to lift the front of the light high enough so the back of it did not interfere with the top of the helmet - as you see the blue is the flashlight, the brown the cork. I need a light mount that aims like the red line.

Al
Maybe a Bikeblock on that white bridge further back?

i like the velcro solution the best
since that's what i'm currently using with a P7
quick, easy, simple, and does not require any modification to your helmet ;)