headlight question
 

this seems like a decent forum to ask this question, so here goes:

is there a headlight like this, or similar that mounts to the front fork of a bike that is battery powered alone, not generator powered?

i just started commuting with a folding bike, and i'd like a front light that mounts down there, not on the handlebars. its easier to fold without anything on the bars, and down low would probably be better for light on the road anyway. i need to use the train in the middle of the commute, so the bike gets folded often. this is totally making my life easier than it was with a full sized bike, love the folder.

anyway, ideas??

light i want:

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/light...afiken/171.jpg

bike in question:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T_DIaybvoK...0/IMG_0189.JPG

Check out peterwhitecycles.com. Product->Lights->Battery. He also has beam shots of most (if not all) of the lights that he sells. There are a couple of B&M lights that can be mounted to a fork crown mount that uses batteries and I think that the Hella/Spanniga Lusceo has and can only mount to the fork crown.

Another option would be helmet-mounted (if you wear one). Puts the light where you are looking.

Why not just put the light in your pocket when you fold up the bike? I like the light on the bars so it can be aimed higher or lower, depending on whether there is oncoming traffic.

I ordered a Busch & Müller Ixon Speed fork crown mount from Peter White for about six bucks. It's perfect for mounting any battery-powered light that would normally fit on your handlebars.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=228600

Pictured is a Cateye EL-530 headlight. It's not very powerful so I can't recommend it. Search the countless threads here for suggestions on headlights.

What about one of those pegs that mounts to one fork leg or the other? I used to do that, w/ the battery mounted to the top of the downtube in the inner triangle (before I got a dyno light to mount at the fork crown). My son's 3rd grade teacher had a cool brompton folder with a fork-crown-mounted supernova and dyno wheel.

I use the dynamo version of the fork-mounted Spanninga light. It also comes as a battery-operated light. It is not especially bright, but it seems sufficient for a "be seen" light.

Crown-mounted is nice because it doesn't come off without tools, so it's less likely to wander off when you're not looking. It can also be a pain for exactly the same reason. Also it's not as versatile. I got a front, platform rack, and want to relocate the light elsewhere, but it's tricky to use a crown-mounted light anywhere else. Those adapters which let you use a handlebar mounted light will leave you with more mounting options. Also a light that slides out of the bracket, as most handlebar lights can, can easily be removed for folding.

But if you're sure you want a crown-mounted light, go for it. I liked mine up until I got my front rack. Here's another option:
http://www.amazon.com/Nirve-Vintage-...dp/B000QFRSOK/
Again, not great for light, but meets the battery and crown-mounted criteria.

A fork crown usually has a hole,
Seen: there is a low cost battery 5 LED light, that screws to it,
via a bolt thru the hole.

You have a hole there? usually handy for mudguards too...

its like a regular headlight, mounts like one..
I saw it in one of the catalogs at the LBS
I'm sure they could order and re ship it..
there is a red one too..
I can look it up, during my next visit.

I have my dynamo powered head light mounted lower,
so I don't drape my cycle rain cape over it.

I use the CatEye OptiCube HL-EL010 Uno's on the fork of my non-folding bike. They run off of one AA-battery.