Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Low profile headlight?

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Low profile headlight?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-03-17 | 07:41 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Full Member
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 332
Likes: 1
Low profile headlight?

I want to commute my road bike a few days a week. Less than 10 miles round trip. In the mornings it's still just dark enough that I need a lamp. I really hate a cluttered cockpit. Is there a lamp that clamps to the head tube or is low slung on the bars? I really don't want to place anything on top. I realise this is purely vanity but.... Maybe something exists?
stykthyn is offline  
Reply
Old 05-03-17 | 09:12 PM
  #2  
NILS14's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Quebec, Canada

Bikes: Specialized Secteur Sport 2015, Vitus Zenium VRS 2014

I have the Barfly road max mount for that exact reason.

It attaches to the handlebar and holds the light in front, lower than the tops. The top of the mount can hold a bike computer.
NILS14 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-04-17 | 02:46 AM
  #3  
canklecat's Avatar
Me duelen las nalgas
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,519
Likes: 2,832
From: Texas

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

Any light with an adjustable rubber strap or clamp strap should be able to fasten to most head tubes. I can strap both my Light & Motion Urban 500 and Serfas SL-255 to the head tube on my Univega. But they won't fit around the much larger diameter head tube on my Globe Carmel hybrid. I strap the Serfas around the suspension fork tube when I want the light at a lower angle.

But I fasten my lights to the head tube or fork because my handlebars are already so cluttered. I usually have a video camera mount, phone mount and handlebar bag or KlickFix adapter on the bars, so there's no room for the lights.

At least one of my riding buddies straps his standard headlights upside down on his handlebars. Not sure why. Maybe he prefers the slightly lower angle, or prefers to keep the top of the handlebar clear. Wouldn't work on my bikes -- the cables would interfere.

The only drawback to these methods is Light & Motion advises against mounting their Urban and similar lights upside down or sideways. The USB recharging port is sealed with a snug fitting plastic cap, but presumably water could infiltrate. Wednesday was the first time I was caught in a downpour and my L&M light was fine. So were my helmet lights by other makers -- those use less snug fitting soft rubber caps but these protected the USB ports well enough.
canklecat is offline  
Reply
Old 05-04-17 | 03:53 AM
  #4  
NILS14's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Quebec, Canada

Bikes: Specialized Secteur Sport 2015, Vitus Zenium VRS 2014

Light & Motion sells a combo urban 800FC + Barfly SLI, and when using the barfly mount, the light has to be upside down.

I sont think there's any issues there, and certainly not with the warranty.
NILS14 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-04-17 | 06:53 AM
  #5  
BobbyG's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,643
Likes: 2,369
From: Colorado Springs, CO

Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V

https://www.google.com/search?q=bike...ternate+mounts
BobbyG is offline  
Reply
Old 05-04-17 | 07:34 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Western, MA

Bikes: 2016 Felt Z85 105, 2016 GT Grade Sora

i dont remember if it was a kludge my friend did, but he has an older Raleigh Record. he straps a bontrager ion 700 to his head tube or his fork.
srestrepo is offline  
Reply
Old 05-04-17 | 03:34 PM
  #7  
enigmaT120's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 6
From: Falls City, OR

Bikes: 2012 Salsa Fargo 2, Rocky Mountain Fusion, circa '93

You can sort of see mine. I can't remember the name of the part of the bike it's attached to!


Bicycle and bridges by Ed Miller, on Flickr
enigmaT120 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-04-17 | 03:44 PM
  #8  
Thread Starter
Full Member
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 332
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by NILS14
I have the Barfly road max mount for that exact reason.

It attaches to the handlebar and holds the light in front, lower than the tops. The top of the mount can hold a bike computer.
THIS! exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
stykthyn is offline  
Reply
Old 05-04-17 | 04:07 PM
  #9  
blue192's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 511
Likes: 75
From: Ottawa

Bikes: Norco Scene 1, Khs Westwood, Jamis Allegro 3x

Product Description | Origin8 You can get something like that for your fork and attach a light to it. Out of the way of the cockpit.
blue192 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-05-17 | 05:18 AM
  #10  
1nterceptor's Avatar
LET'S ROLL
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,789
Likes: 59
From: NEW YORK, NY - USA

Bikes: 2014 BMC Gran Fondo, 2013 Brompton S6L-X

Generic Magicshine clone; a few possibilities with the supplied o rings.
In this video I mounted the head by the fork, my helmet & top tube:
1nterceptor is offline  
Reply
Old 05-05-17 | 06:25 AM
  #11  
wphamilton's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,278
Likes: 342
From: Alpharetta, GA

Bikes: Nashbar Road

I run mine either upside down under the handlebar, or on the stem underneath.
wphamilton is offline  
Reply
Old 01-01-18 | 04:45 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 431
Likes: 7
From: Europe
Minoura Spacer Light/Gadget Mount and Di Light Fender-Hole-Mount

Originally Posted by stykthyn
I really hate a cluttered cockpit.
Is there a lamp that clamps to the head tube or is low slung on the bars?
I really don't want to place anything on top.
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1126857-minoura-spacer-light-gadget-mount-di-light-fender-hole-mount.html
angerdan is offline  
Reply
Old 01-01-18 | 06:34 PM
  #13  
RunForTheHills's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 343
Likes: 2
From: California
Attachment 594098Attachment 594098I have a dynamo powered light permanently mounted on the fork crown.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
Surly_Light.jpg (153.4 KB, 151 views)
RunForTheHills is offline  
Reply
Old 01-02-18 | 12:04 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 431
Likes: 7
From: Europe
Originally Posted by RunForTheHills
I have a dynamo powered light permanently mounted on the fork crown.
B&M IQ-X with 150lx, a good choice.
angerdan is offline  
Reply
Old 01-02-18 | 12:59 PM
  #15  
nayr497's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Nilbog

Bikes: How'd I get this many?

I have rigged up a mount on my fork with one of those skewer nut adapters stubs paired with a Cateye light strap. I don't have a boss on my fork, like some touring bikes. This allows me to use a few different lights I own and mount them on the fork, away from the bars. Also nice for commuting as it's lower so less blinding for oncoming commuters.

Also picked up a fork mount thing, forget the make, but it's German. Allows me to mount a light above my v-brake.
nayr497 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-02-18 | 01:30 PM
  #16  
chas58's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 415
From: Michigan

Bikes: too many of all kinds

As mentioned in another threat, I use this one:

this one would be perfect if it had a helmet mount. 350 lumens, 70 grams.
https://cygolite.com/product/dart-pro-350-usb/



It is the perfect commuter light for me as it is so, so low profile and unobtrusive on the handle bars. Easy and Light enough to be mounted on my helmet too. I use it all year, day or night when commuting.

It is so low profile and integrated, it looks like the bike was built for that in mind.

I tend to mount other commuting tools on the stem (computer) or just below the handle bars (bell).
chas58 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-02-18 | 02:40 PM
  #17  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

The physics of foot-candlepower is such that the same light seems brighter , the closer it is to the surface being lit,

So a light mount QR Skewer nut will put your light right at your hub axle height...
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 01-03-18 | 10:18 AM
  #18  
chas58's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 415
From: Michigan

Bikes: too many of all kinds

What is a QR skewer nut mount?

I do like the way lower mounted lights provide shadow and texture to the road in front. Helmet mounted lights tend to flatten everything out.
chas58 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-03-18 | 11:32 AM
  #19  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

QR skewer nut, is on the opposite side of the fork from the lever... there are substitutes made for that nut that are a 1" tube,
with integrated threads, you use that like it were a handlebar tubing, to mount your light..
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 01-03-18 | 11:53 AM
  #20  
Banned
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Originally Posted by angerdan
B&M IQ-X with 150lx, a good choice.
+1

Gut. Fertig.
acidfast7 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-06-18 | 10:28 AM
  #21  
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I can't post links yet but there is a mount that bolts to the fork of a bicycle. Do a search for "Bike Front Light Extender Mount Fork Light archmount Extension". There are also mounts that attach to the wheel quick release. Search for "M-Wave Quick Release Light Holder". And another that you can replace a spacer with is "Minoura CS-500 Headset Spacer Mount Accessory Holder". Now that I think about it, I'm kicking myself for going the expensive route for my light mount when I think that headset spacer option would have worked great for me.
Bayou Biker is offline  
Reply
Old 01-06-18 | 11:26 AM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 431
Likes: 7
From: Europe
Originally Posted by Bayou Biker
there is a mount that bolts to the fork of a bicycle.
Do a search for "Bike Front Light Extender Mount Fork Light archmount Extension".
There are also mounts that attach to the wheel quick release. Search for "
M-Wave Quick Release Light Holder".
And another that you can replace a spacer with is "Minoura CS-500 Headset Spacer Mount Accessory Holder".
Since this topic is less communting related, many of the mounting options are to find there:
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1126857-minoura-spacer-light-gadget-mount-di-light-fender-hole-mount.html
angerdan is offline  
Reply
Old 01-06-18 | 09:00 PM
  #23  
ThermionicScott's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID

Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)

Mounting at the fork crown (or at around that level) is the way to go.
ThermionicScott is offline  
Reply
Old 01-07-18 | 01:11 PM
  #24  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

I have 2 bikes like that, but the use of a removable battery light , is needing a different mount than my wired to the Hub dynamo headlights.

https://www.cyclofiend.com/working/im...-4P1010009.jpg

Because the wheel is 10" smaller the fork crown mounted light on my Brompton is even lower..






...

Last edited by fietsbob; 01-07-18 at 01:14 PM.
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 01-07-18 | 01:45 PM
  #25  
CliffordK's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 27,576
Likes: 5,455
From: Eugene, Oregon, USA
What is your primary requirement of the lamp?

To see, or to be seen? Urban vs rural riding?

There are quite a few lamps that would qualify in the "be seen" category. I found these shoe lights, nothing to attach to your bike.

Shoe Lights

Helmet light? Perhaps designate one helmet as a "commuter helmet".

All of my current headlights and taillights that I am using are detachable. So, a quick flick of the rubber band, and they're off the bike. For theft prevention, I attach them to the bike when I need them, and remove them when I don't.

Various silicone rubber lamps can be easily attached to the fork, or wherever you wish.
CliffordK is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.