Rack mount for Planet Bike Superflash?
 

Does anyone have any suggestions for mounting a planet bike superflash to a rear rack? I followed recommendations from here, put a "items wanted" ad on CL, and got a rear rack for $9 and a set of fenders for $10. But now, I have nowhere to mount my superflash. I know planet bike makes a mount specific for rear racks, but at $5 + $5 shipping, it costs as much as my fenders!

Does anyone have any cheap-o DIY solutions to this problem?

Thanks!

If you have a rack I assume you are going to put either a trunk bag or a pannier on it? I just clip the superflash to whichever bag I'm using and if not using a trunk bag or pannier I clip it to my seat wedge bag that holds my tools. I wanted to mount mine to the rack also when I got it but this works out well. just left my regular red reflector on the rack.

try getting creative with zip ties.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2143/...3e8736b747.jpg

That is very clever...

Are you at all worried about the light shifting so it's not shining directly back? The superflash seems to be very directional.

Although this is not my photo, I have mine set up the exact same way and have no troubles with the light shifting. My GF can attest to high visibility during our night rides.

Considering I have it mounted to my saddle bag with much success, I'm sure you can figure out a way to strap it to the rack. Or you could always mount it to one of the seat stays with the original harware (just make sure you wrap the stay with a couple layers of the supplied rubber pads so you can tighted in down pretty well).

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3108.html

PlanetBike doesn't charge shipping for small items. I'm pretty cheap too but for $5 I think a well fitting rack mount is worth it.

I have had problems with the Planet Bike lights coming out of the loops on my wedge packs. Have now lost two and broken a third.

I ordered one from them it was $5 total.

Yep. I just checked planetbike.com and there is a free shipping option. Free standard shipping. So, OP, I think you should just buy the part. Five bucks is cheap enough.

I mounted a 90 degree angled piece of metal (a small 90 degree bracket) to the underside of the rack, and mounted the light to that. Fits perfect, can't shift.

My rack has a tab on the back with a single hole in it. I drilled a small hole in the back casing of my Superflash (there's a small recess in the back that works perfect). Then I just screwed it to the tab and used a small o-ring to keep the water out. It's been working just fine that way for 3+ years now. Despite people telling me that I had "comprmised the integrity" of my light. :rolleyes: Total cost was a screw, a nut, and an o-ring. All of which I had lying around.

superflash on surly nice rack
 

I found a piece from one of my Topeak racks and drilled it to accept a braze-on frame bolt and here it is.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...superflash.jpg

I used the PB mount that comes with it. To make the rack tube fat enough I wrapped some inner tube in there. It works fantastic.

What the hell kind of tires have you got on that thing??? :eek:

1/2" square aluminum tubing.
Cut 2 slots (dremel) into opposing sides to accept the blinkie clip.
Drill a hole through the other 2 sides to accept a screw/washer.
Bam.

You have to cut the slots JUST the right size. It took me two attempts. The first time, I removed too much material and the blinkie wouldn't snug up tightly onto the mount.
Trial and error.
It has worked really well for the last 4 months. No rattling, yet easy to remove.


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67.../rearlight.jpg

The Planet Bike Rack Bracket is definitely the way to go. $5 shipped. I have one on the back of my bike. Ironically, it's not attached to the rack at all - I ride a folder with 16" wheels, so my rack is VERY low to the ground - too low for good visibility.. I have a Wald rack top basket attached to my rack, and the bracket is ziptied to the back of the basket. Works great. I did have a problem once where the light was caught in an elevator door and was pulled off. The light was OK but one side of the bracket sheared off. Planet Bike replaced the bracket for free, no hassle at all.

The Planet Bike rack bracket can also be used, with minor trimming, to adapt a european taillight with 50mm c to c horizontal mounting bolts to a rack equipped only with the short vertical light/reflector mounting tab. I used it to mount my dynamo taillight to the Civia Hyland rack. Been working great for several months now.

The tires are Sweetskinz Nightwing II.

those tires pretty durable?

don't know just put them yesterday.

Here's how i attached my Superflash Blinkies to my rack using the parts that they come with

I realize this is an old thread, but I just got my Superflash, and I have a question:

Ash, what did you (or others) use between the mount and the rack for spacing? Mine came with two different sized mounting brackets, but nothing like that, and there is substantial space between the smallest mounting bracket and my rack tubing.

Thanks!

Just use some old inner tube.