I have this bike (sorry about the messy garage)


and this is my light/ front rack combo.


My goal is to have the light mounted so a loaded rack will not interfere with the light. The way it is mounted now, well, it is flimsy to say the least. Any ideas on how to make this better/ stronger? Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

BTW, I really DO need to clean up my workspace.

I would get me a 6-8 inch piece of thick flat strap steel and then bend an L on one end, it has to be a piece that you have to beat with a hammer to bend and not one that you can simply do with pliers. Next drill a hole on the small end of the L for the light to bolt to, next step would be to figure out how far foward I wanted my light to be, drill a hole for the existing mounting bolt and then drill another hole at the end of long L arm for a second mounting bolt. I would also bolt the new bracket under the rack instead of on top like you now have it.

That's exactly what I am looking for, thanks Dodge, I will give it a go after the new year.

Wassup Dog? (couldn't resist). I was feeling Dodge until I realized that, like me, he might be thinking that this is a rear light setup. At the rear, his suggestion rocks but up front, IMO, not so much. As I see it you have two choices. Fork blade mounting or conventional handlebar mounting, but thats me.

I would do a fork mount. Peter White sells a Nob that works pretty well:

https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/light-mounts.asp

You could try either mount from Minoura. Topeak also makes a mount that will go on your bars.

Might I ask what kind of light you are trying to use, and what kind of mount did it come with?

Looking at the picture of your light and your rack, I don't see any reason why the L shaped mount wouldn't work. I would be concerned about having the light too far forward. There is a possibility that the light could be damaged if your bike falls over. (Voice of experience here)

I like a rack mounted light, I think it gives better light distribution than one mounted on the handlebars.

Look up "space bar" - the higher you mount the light the better - in your case - if using a big bag out front - your best light should be on your head.

I disagree with all of this.

For a bike ridden on the road, the best light should be on the bike. That way it is lighting up where you are going, and what you are about to hit. I prefer it a bit lower then the handlebars, on the fork. That way bumps and potholes make shadows and are easier to see.

Get a smaller/cheaper light to put on your helmet as a second light to use to read signs, or your computer, or flash at motorists.

Mountain bikers like bright lights on their helmets because of the type of riding they do.