Commuting - Flashlight mounting techniques?

I got my cheapo Hong Kong knockoff LED torch in the mail today and it's pretty sweet, but the $2 bike mounting clip I ordered with it is a complete piece of junk. What's a good way to mount a flashlight securely to a flatbar? I'm looking for some solution that I can buy and/or put together without waiting for something to ship from an online store, if possible.

Do you have a link or a picture for the size of the flashlight?

Using an O-ring, Livestrong wristband, or similar device, and a rubber spacer between the bar and the light, should be a secure way to mount your light to a flat bar. You can experiment with different sizes of O-rings for a good fit.

Here's a picture of my cheap 9-LED 3xAAA battery dealextreme flashlight (the red one) mounted to my handlebar using a Dinotte taillight spare O-ring and an extra rubber spacer from a bike mount.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/jeffb502/LightMounts.jpg

I use this and it works well. http://batteryjunction.com/twofish-lockblocks.html

I use this and it works well http://batteryjunction.com/twofish-lockblocks.html

Using an O-ring, Livestrong wristband, or similar device, and a rubber spacer between the bar and the light, should be a secure way to mount your light to a flat bar. You can experiment with different sizes of O-rings for a good fit.


+1--this works well!

The LED torch in this picture is using a wrist bracelet like the Livestrong one:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/1212072101.jpg

I use this and it works well.
http://batteryjunction.com/twofish-lockblocks.html

A couple of elastic bands, but I put the flashlight under the bar.

I used a welder and some scrap 1/8" strap iron to make this flashlight mount. The flashlight attached to the flat bar with hose clamps. A strip of thin rubber went between the flashlight and the flat bar. The curved bar was bent to fit the contour of the handlebar. a piece of thin rubber went between it and the handlebar. Another hose clamp held it on the handlebar. It is quite sturdy and the flashlight can be removed very quickly for use elsewhere.

I use a pipe clamp 5 for $2.95 and an old reflector mount $free. They have them big enough for a mag light if you wanted to.
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/pkhakes/Bikes/Commie010.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/pkhakes/Bikes/Commie011.jpg

You could use a TwoFish Lockblock to mount a flashlight to virtually any bike. They use Velcro straps to secure the light to your handlebars, seatpost, helmet or whatever. Cost about $7 at the Fenix store, but probably available at other outlets as well.

https://www.fenix-store.com/index.php?cPath=25_66

I use a pipe clamp 5 for $2.95 and an old reflector mount $free. They have them big enough for a mag light if you wanted to.


Using two pieces of conduit hanger similar to your pipe clamp. The clamp parts have a piece of inner tube to protect the bars and light. The handlebar clamp uses an allen head machine screw and nylock nut while the flashlight clamp has a knurled allen head machine screw which can be adjusted by hand for tool less removal. The 2 flat surfaces are mated with an allen head screw and nylock nut. Less than $1.50 for the whole thing.
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Had a friend who used to use these for his front and rear lights:
http://www.niteize.com/productdetail.php?category_id=28&product_id=79

http://www.niteize.com/info/images/large_lite_ride.jpg

I went to two hardware stores and somehow couldn't find a suitable O-ring at either one, so I caved and bought a 3-pack of LockBlocks from the Fenix store. It's probably better than way anyway, because it will be simpler to remove the lights when I lock up. I did a test run with a wad of rubber bands in place of a proper O-ring and it was a bit of a hassle.

TwoFish Lock Blocks

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/LK407F00-Twofish+Lock+Blocks.aspx

TwoFish blocks work well. Here is a better deal on them http://batteryjunction.com/twofish-lockblocks.html

EMT conduit hangers work great and there cheap. They overlap to provide sizing to anything round from about 5/8 inch up to just over 2 inches in diameter. You can bolt them back-to-back with a short 1/4-20 bolt, nut, and washer. Here is a photo of one clamped to my DIY dynamo headlight with Luxeon optics and LED mounted in a 1 inch PVC pipe coupler. I used an old plastic blinkie clamp to attach the conduit hanger to the handlebar.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/Hpim0312.jpg

I made the equivalent of a lockblock with a tiny scrap of wood and a drill bit (forstner bit), and use that and a couple of stout rubber bands (they come free on my mail delivery) to mount a flashlight when needed. Total cost was 5 minutes of time.

Used an old tube cut and tied end-to-end with fishermans knot to make a giant rubber band. With a little creative wrapping (sort of like the rubber mini-maglite holder shown above) you can hold a flashlight really tight and also ensure rubber between the handlebar and the flashlight.

I love the rubber band idea. I am going to have to try that.

looking around on Amazon for stuff and found this (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WYAFT0/ref=s9_asin_title_1?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1ECNQQIJ2DE17&colid=206R1BKMAFL26&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=0FEBK1QA8V7FSBVHMZF2&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=279439001&pf_rd_i=507846) for $3.50
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31FCDBC0SSL._AA250_.jpg

These are nice, but spendy: Scroll down to bottom of page

http://www.velo-orange.com/batterylights.html

Old thread, but here's what I did last night with an old tube and a new Task Force light. The light
never moved on my test ride. Re-cycle, Re-use, go ride. :thumb:

-put flashlight through hole in tube
-wrap around bar and light
-put the other end of tube [with hole] over light


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/surly321/Light/TF_mount1.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/surly321/Light/TF_mount2.jpg

^^^ much simpler. The first inner tube mount I tried came out OK. I just tried it with a wider tube and was having trouble getting everything symmetrical.

I love the concuit ceiling clamps. Cheap, and works great. Easy to remove, and very sturdy. Available for any size bars, and any sized flashlight. Cover 'em with shrink wrap to make them scratch proof.

I like the tube action, mangosalsa. Maybe slightly more difficult mounting/removal than o-rings, but cheaper and more solid looking.

If anyone's looking for a light similar to the OP's with built-in rubber coating, check out your Home Depot for the Husky 9-LED. The coating also glows in the dark, which is more handy than I would've imagined.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/3105551880_b21f13a983.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/lesterofpuppets/3105551880/)

I use this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrfZhEzjWwg

Twofish lock blocks.. once I found these I was satisfied.

I use this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrfZhEzjWwg

I think that's a winner.

I haven't yet picked up a flashlight/headlight, but when I do, this is how I'll mount it. And unlike the other pictured homemade tube mount, this one will stay on the bars even without the light mounted. I'll do some BF searches because I'm pretty sure I've seen links before on here....but is there an established best light for your money? I'm remembering dealextreme links I think, but there were multiple ones posted. Are they all pretty much comparable?

-Jeremy

this works well. It is two broom hangers and a bolt.
http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr179/MrDanw/IMG_0338.jpg

2 hose clamps

looking around on Amazon for stuff and found this (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WYAFT0/ref=s9_asin_title_1?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1ECNQQIJ2DE17&colid=206R1BKMAFL26&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=0FEBK1QA8V7FSBVHMZF2&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=279439001&pf_rd_i=507846) for $3.50
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31FCDBC0SSL._AA250_.jpg

OMG does Wald still make those things? I used to use them years ago...they are more for your standard size C or D cell sized lights.

I ride with a Protec skateboard helmet (because I think most bike helmets look dorky and because it was inexpensive--30 bucks). I put velcro on the top of it (the rough side) and then wrapped my LED flashlight in the soft part of the velcro. Then, I simply stick it up there when I ride.

I also have a cheap Wal-Mart bike light that's mounted to the flatbar.

Both systems are good for me because that way can see what the bike sees, so-to-speak, and then when I turn my head to look at other things I can see those things too. It works great and I can't even feel it up there.

Plus, it works better than a blowtorch.

I use this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrfZhEzjWwg

That is freaking awesome..........Inner tube origami!!!!

Though generally loathe to trust someone with a nail bed bruise (you have one on your thumb I believe), this idea is great........actually kidding about the finger nail wound...........

Thanks:thumb:

this works well. It is two broom hangers and a bolt.
I saw that somewhere but I couldn't find any of those. But I ended up with something similar--the ceiling-mount conduit hangars.

Came across this yesterday, it's brilliant:
http://www.instructables.com/id/LiveStrong-Bicycle-Flashlight/