Thanks, Serfas!
 

Just received a free replacement mount for my Serfas bike headlight. Serfas doesn't get much love among bicyclists but they should -- check out the newer Serfas E-Lume dual-LED lights if you're considering a new bike headlight.

I was in too big a hurry a couple of weeks ago and tore through the original rubber strap -- I should have taken a moment to loosen the adjustable strap. My fault but Serfas replaced the entire mount free. Replacement uni-brackets usually cost $5-$10.

I've seen a couple other complaints about these Serfas mounts tearing and now that I've done it myself I'm pretty sure it's user error. These aren't those stretchy rubber band mounts included with most lights. The Serfas mount uses a very stiff, low stretch band and a cam lever that exerts tremendous locking leverage. The mount needs to be pre-adjusted like a watchband. The metal pin through one end of the strap hooks into notches in the bracket -- that setting should ensure the band is snug but not excessively tight when the lever is cammed shut. And it includes a rubber shim to lend more adjustability. But it takes a moment longer than the simple stretch bands.

Once set correctly for the handlebar, stem, head tube, fork, etc., the mount can be left on the bike. There's a quick release shoe with safety latch, so the light can be removed while leaving the mount on the bike.

The Serfas SL-255 was my first proper bike light back in 2015. Just $25, runs off a pair of AA batteries, puts out just enough light to be usable -- 255 lumens. I normally run my Light & Motion Urban 500 at medium for longer battery life per charge, which is about the same as the Serfas SL-255 at maximum output. The SL-255 is mostly my errand bike light and sometimes a backup light for the L&M Urban 500, which runs only 90 minutes on full power. And the AA batteries can be found anywhere.

It's more of a spot than flood light, very little overspill, so I use it on the Trinity Trails to avoid blinding oncoming cyclists and joggers. And I've made a homebrewed lens shade for my L&M Urban 500, after seeing more than one jogger cover his eyes with annoyance. Works great -- I checked with neighbors I encounter walking at night, they say it's much better now.

About the only other manufacturer of good AA battery headlights for bikes is Busch & Muller in Germany. They still make some Ixon lights that use 4 AA batteries that can be recharged inside the light. Planet Bike sells headlights that use AA and AAA batteries but they're very low power, barely useful.