Old 10-05-12 | 01:50 PM
  #15  
Don in Austin
Don from Austin Texas
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 1
From: Austin, Texas

Bikes: Schwinn S25 "department store crap" FS MTB, home-made CF 26" hybrid, CF road bike with straight bar, various wierd frankenbikes

Originally Posted by dougmc
So, I'm setting up a road bike, and want to set up room for two computers, at least two lights (flashlights or something like a Magicshine) and a camera.

I'd rather leave the bars mostly empty -- currently, I've got my GPS on the stem, and the computer on the bar near the middle, and the lights are currently mounted to a Topeak BarXtender that's connected to the stem and puts the lights beneath and in front of the bars. It works, mostly.

However, the lights are interfering with the cables (this bike has 105 brifters, so the cables all go inside the bar tape and then come out near the middle of the bars) -- I can adjust things and it mostly works, but the cables do put pressure on the lights to one side so it causes them to shift to one side over time, which is kind of annoying.

Really, what I need to do is put the lights even further forward, and I'm wondering anybody has any ideas. I can mount the BarXtender to the bar instead of the stem and have it go forward, but in that configuration it wobbles more than I'd prefer and gravity tends to pull it down. (Perhaps I should try something like this which might wobble a little less, but I think it would still have the same problem with gravity.)

I'd really like to do something like this, but I don't have that much extra space in my steering tube to add another complete stem. Does anybody make a stem that is extra long (like six inches?) but the part that wraps around the steering tube is like 1/3rd the usual height? (Since it won't be supporting your weight, it doesn't need to be super strong.)

Another idea would be something similar to this, a stem that goes to a short bar that you can mount lights to -- but it mounts to the face of your existing stem (probably replacing it) rather than to the steering tube itself.

This is pretty close to that latter idea, though I'd prefer it stick out a bit more and be a bit wider. (And actually be available for purchase rather than being on kickstarter.)

I imagine I might be able to make these things myself if I get the assistance of some friends that work in a machine shop and/or can do welding, but I'd rather buy something if they're available. I just haven't found what I'm looking for.
Hey Doug... Why don't you mount one of your headlights on your helmet? Advantage A: Available whatever bike you are riding. Advantage B: You pull up to an intersection and get that uneasy feeling the car that pulled up to your right or left does not know you are there. That driver probably WILL know you are there when you look at him aiming the NiteRider 600 that's flashing on top of your helmet right at him for a second.

What will you be doing with two computers?

Don, also in Austin
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