Headlamp solution
#1
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Headlamp solution
Hey all,
Does anyone have any novel ideas for the problem that is a bloody ugly headlight on a beautiful roadbike?
I know that it is an absolute safety necessity, but I am in the grip of an aesthetic madness which has led me to wanting to remove all clutter from my bike.
The pumps in the seat tube, tools in a cyckit aeroclam, rear light I have down to something an inch in diameter, no drink cages, no plastic crap on either wheel.
The only horrid thing left on my bike is the damned headlight which I obviously cannot do without.
So I'm looking for ideas that rotate around a headlamp fitting in with the bike's shape. An elegant solution if you will.
Any ideas? Thanks all.
Does anyone have any novel ideas for the problem that is a bloody ugly headlight on a beautiful roadbike?
I know that it is an absolute safety necessity, but I am in the grip of an aesthetic madness which has led me to wanting to remove all clutter from my bike.
The pumps in the seat tube, tools in a cyckit aeroclam, rear light I have down to something an inch in diameter, no drink cages, no plastic crap on either wheel.
The only horrid thing left on my bike is the damned headlight which I obviously cannot do without.
So I'm looking for ideas that rotate around a headlamp fitting in with the bike's shape. An elegant solution if you will.
Any ideas? Thanks all.
#2
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For daytime only or are you needing a headlamp for nighttime too?
My little bitty 1" square Bontrager ION doesn't bother me on the bars. It's good for a daytime blinkie. Somewhat okay for the times I get caught riding late. Though not the best for regular nighttime rides.
My little bitty 1" square Bontrager ION doesn't bother me on the bars. It's good for a daytime blinkie. Somewhat okay for the times I get caught riding late. Though not the best for regular nighttime rides.
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#3
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Cheers for your reply.
I'm a commuter who works shifts, so I cycle at all times of the day and year.
I'm quite happy with 2-300 lumins, I could probably do with a little less.
I shall check out the light you mention.
I have seen a nice stem integrated one and one that was centred on the handlebars but both are kickstarter things.
I'm a commuter who works shifts, so I cycle at all times of the day and year.
I'm quite happy with 2-300 lumins, I could probably do with a little less.
I shall check out the light you mention.
I have seen a nice stem integrated one and one that was centred on the handlebars but both are kickstarter things.
#4
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Hey all,
Does anyone have any novel ideas for the problem that is a bloody ugly headlight on a beautiful roadbike?
I know that it is an absolute safety necessity, but I am in the grip of an aesthetic madness which has led me to wanting to remove all clutter from my bike.
Any ideas? Thanks all.
Does anyone have any novel ideas for the problem that is a bloody ugly headlight on a beautiful roadbike?
I know that it is an absolute safety necessity, but I am in the grip of an aesthetic madness which has led me to wanting to remove all clutter from my bike.
Any ideas? Thanks all.
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#5
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That didn't take long did it.
At no point did I suggest NOT using a light.
Don't worry though Coyote, I have been on this forum before and am aware that a few of you like to revel in dick moves.
#6
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eg https://www.bumm.de/en/products/dyna...86ctsndi.html?
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Maybe you need one of those lights that attaches to the handlebar with an elastic so you can remove it when you do not want it.
The suggestion from Znomit for a dyno powered light is a good one. Photo below is from my road bike, an B&M IQ-XS light.
But then you could complain about the looks of the wiring.
#8
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Now that is very beautiful.
I have considered the dynamo solution, the retro lamps do look very cool and totally blend in with the bike.
In fact, this option is still very much on the table.
I do not mind cables so long as they are organised and any ferrules, fittings, etc neatly attended too.
I have also come across a lot of stem clamps that allow a given lamp to be centred which goes a long way to eliminating the untidy mounting of many modern headlamps. One thing in particular that bothers me is the use of rubber bands!
Addressing two more of your points:
It is a dick move if someone quotes you but actually edits the quote to validate their own point.
It is also a dick move to brush away an innocent attempt to enjoy bikes and cycling, under the guise of crusading for the lofty ideal of safety, when no threat to safety was ever mentioned.
Coming at my quiet enjoyment of cycling with "get over it" is never going to come across well. I doubt if that individual would do that to someone in person.
I also stated that I obviously could not do without a headlight, and therefore was pursuing a more elegant solution.
Having witnessed dick moves all over this forum I thought I'd squash it quickly before the more helpful members of the forum felt compelled to stand back.
I have considered the dynamo solution, the retro lamps do look very cool and totally blend in with the bike.
In fact, this option is still very much on the table.
I do not mind cables so long as they are organised and any ferrules, fittings, etc neatly attended too.
I have also come across a lot of stem clamps that allow a given lamp to be centred which goes a long way to eliminating the untidy mounting of many modern headlamps. One thing in particular that bothers me is the use of rubber bands!
Addressing two more of your points:
It is a dick move if someone quotes you but actually edits the quote to validate their own point.
It is also a dick move to brush away an innocent attempt to enjoy bikes and cycling, under the guise of crusading for the lofty ideal of safety, when no threat to safety was ever mentioned.
Coming at my quiet enjoyment of cycling with "get over it" is never going to come across well. I doubt if that individual would do that to someone in person.
I also stated that I obviously could not do without a headlight, and therefore was pursuing a more elegant solution.
Having witnessed dick moves all over this forum I thought I'd squash it quickly before the more helpful members of the forum felt compelled to stand back.
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#9
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do you have a picture of your bicycle to provide? It might spur some better targeted suggestions.
I'm a fan of very small/compact mounted accessories. Seems to be very hard to find commonly wanted items in such an affordable/available solution.
I'm a fan of very small/compact mounted accessories. Seems to be very hard to find commonly wanted items in such an affordable/available solution.
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#10
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Here's a shop pic:
Last edited by Tawraste666; 06-13-23 at 07:31 AM.
#11
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Whilst this example is rather hideously modern, it does utilise a centre mount and the designers have paid careful attention to the lenses so as not to dazzle other road users:
https://road.cc/content/review/outbo...e-light-298573
https://road.cc/content/review/outbo...e-light-298573
#12
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Oh, and claiming that there is "no threat to safety" involved in choosing a headlight is a hoot. If not for the safety factor, you could just skip the headlight and ride blindly into the night.
Love--
--Dickie
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#13
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You're lucky to get any responses, given the almost complete lack of info in your original post. You didn't tell us what you find aesthetically objectionable in some headlights, what you desire (shape, mounting system, mounting location), or even a simple photo of your bike.
Oh, and claiming that there is "no threat to safety" involved in choosing a headlight is a hoot. If not for the safety factor, you could just skip the headlight and ride blindly into the night.
Love--
--Dickie
Oh, and claiming that there is "no threat to safety" involved in choosing a headlight is a hoot. If not for the safety factor, you could just skip the headlight and ride blindly into the night.
Love--
--Dickie
Life's full of lessons.
I suppose the next lesson I get to learn is how quickly you can use your "senior" status to permaban me.
Fill your boots
#14
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Whilst this example is rather hideously modern, it does utilise a centre mount and the designers have paid careful attention to the lenses so as not to dazzle other road users:
https://road.cc/content/review/outbo...e-light-298573
https://road.cc/content/review/outbo...e-light-298573
Unfortunately, I have yet to find something that checks the boxes...
Exposed parts being very sleek & compact (Light part) , durable, reliable (high IP rating)
Well thought out battery & cable design ~ battery capable of feeding the light, while charging other devices [bicycle computer, rear tail light, phone] , capacity exceeding expectations for providing power & leveraging latest robust cable material.
Switch capability, wireless & wired.
Computer integration with the common brands.
Not being priced out of the market, yet still enough to ensure great customer support will always be reliable if needed.
Closest brand that is flirting with the above is Magicshine. So far, my experience with there products & customer service is not doing them any favors.
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#15
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Hmm, good observations there. I looked at magicshine's store. The offerings there are fairly generic.
Ideally, I'd like a flat, round light in front of the stem plate with the battery in the stem or steerer tube (like the di2 batteries). Possibly a usb port somewhere to charge up in my garage.
If I could find a light like that, I would do the necessary work to get the battery squirreled away, or even run the cable down past my disc brake cable to a dynamo on the front.
Lots of the smaller round lamps seem quite long to me though.
Ideally, I'd like a flat, round light in front of the stem plate with the battery in the stem or steerer tube (like the di2 batteries). Possibly a usb port somewhere to charge up in my garage.
If I could find a light like that, I would do the necessary work to get the battery squirreled away, or even run the cable down past my disc brake cable to a dynamo on the front.
Lots of the smaller round lamps seem quite long to me though.
#16
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Hmm, good observations there. I looked at magicshine's store. The offerings there are fairly generic.
Ideally, I'd like a flat, round light in front of the stem plate with the battery in the stem or steerer tube (like the di2 batteries). Possibly a usb port somewhere to charge up in my garage.
If I could find a light like that, I would do the necessary work to get the battery squirreled away, or even run the cable down past my disc brake cable to a dynamo on the front.
Lots of the smaller round lamps seem quite long to me though.
Ideally, I'd like a flat, round light in front of the stem plate with the battery in the stem or steerer tube (like the di2 batteries). Possibly a usb port somewhere to charge up in my garage.
If I could find a light like that, I would do the necessary work to get the battery squirreled away, or even run the cable down past my disc brake cable to a dynamo on the front.
Lots of the smaller round lamps seem quite long to me though.
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#17
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I use a Victagen VTG10 bought on Amazon. They run about forty bucks.
It uses a USB-C charging port for the integrated battery. Weighs about six ounces.
Flashing mode lasts about two hours or so. On longer rides, I sometimes carry a second unit.
Like you, I detest clutter and this unit provides a fairly clean look, with the ability to mount in many spots.
It latches securely, but pretty much requires removal to charge.
High beam mode drains the battery in under one hour, so longevity makes a strike against it.
I get what you're saying about some members here jumping all over people. I never understand why it's allowed.
Good luck with your project!
It uses a USB-C charging port for the integrated battery. Weighs about six ounces.
Flashing mode lasts about two hours or so. On longer rides, I sometimes carry a second unit.
Like you, I detest clutter and this unit provides a fairly clean look, with the ability to mount in many spots.
It latches securely, but pretty much requires removal to charge.
High beam mode drains the battery in under one hour, so longevity makes a strike against it.
I get what you're saying about some members here jumping all over people. I never understand why it's allowed.
Good luck with your project!
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#18
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The rechargeable Specialized Flux 850, while overkill for your lumen requirements, does have a sleek, trim, offset mount that allows the lamp to be placed centerline on the bike, above, below, or out front of the stem as you prefer.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/fl...ext=49121-1710
Similarly mounting tight and inline with the stem, Outbound Lighting’s Detour is even more overkill lumen-wise at 1200, and it’s bigger than Flux 850, but who knows, maybe the styling and power is intoxicating…
https://www.outboundlighting.com/col...roducts/detour
Personally, I have two different headlight solutions for the type of lighting I need, either daytime flashing or a solid-on beam to illuminate the road if I’m going to be out past sunset.
For daytime flashing I use Specialized Stix Elite 2, which I mount in a variety of ways depending on the bike. Usually I either have it velcro’d (DuoTec’d, actually) to the headtube on the one bike, or mounted with the strap around the headset spacers on another bike. That same strap mount allows me to put it on the bars centered in front of the stem for yet other bikes. Discreet and tidy mounting any of those ways.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/st...ext=49120-1800
For nighttime road illumination, I use a Knog Blinder 400, which straps to the handlebars in a single piece. Nothing fancy like the offset mounting, but it’s “high n’ tight,” to borrow a phrase, and super easy, complete on/off, so there’s no bracket or anything to futz with when removing.
https://us.knog.com/collections/fron...ont-bike-light
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/fl...ext=49121-1710
Similarly mounting tight and inline with the stem, Outbound Lighting’s Detour is even more overkill lumen-wise at 1200, and it’s bigger than Flux 850, but who knows, maybe the styling and power is intoxicating…
https://www.outboundlighting.com/col...roducts/detour
Personally, I have two different headlight solutions for the type of lighting I need, either daytime flashing or a solid-on beam to illuminate the road if I’m going to be out past sunset.
For daytime flashing I use Specialized Stix Elite 2, which I mount in a variety of ways depending on the bike. Usually I either have it velcro’d (DuoTec’d, actually) to the headtube on the one bike, or mounted with the strap around the headset spacers on another bike. That same strap mount allows me to put it on the bars centered in front of the stem for yet other bikes. Discreet and tidy mounting any of those ways.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/st...ext=49120-1800
For nighttime road illumination, I use a Knog Blinder 400, which straps to the handlebars in a single piece. Nothing fancy like the offset mounting, but it’s “high n’ tight,” to borrow a phrase, and super easy, complete on/off, so there’s no bracket or anything to futz with when removing.
https://us.knog.com/collections/fron...ont-bike-light
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#19
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Thanks so much for all your ideas so far.
I really appreciate it.
There are some great suggestions there.
I also came across a droid orb, its only a be seen light, and it's square but it is very, very neat:
https://www.orb.bike/product/the-orb-droidset/
I really appreciate it.
There are some great suggestions there.
I also came across a droid orb, its only a be seen light, and it's square but it is very, very neat:
https://www.orb.bike/product/the-orb-droidset/
#20
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Thanks so much for all your ideas so far.
I really appreciate it.
There are some great suggestions there.
I also came across a droid orb, its only a be seen light, and it's square but it is very, very neat:
https://www.orb.bike/product/the-orb-droidset/
I really appreciate it.
There are some great suggestions there.
I also came across a droid orb, its only a be seen light, and it's square but it is very, very neat:
https://www.orb.bike/product/the-orb-droidset/
They improved the Vitagen one I recommended earlier. (Bought mine two years ago.)
Unsure about the 8,000 lumen claim, but for daylight riding, you want the brightest sucker possible.
You can find weak 120 lumen blinky lights all day long. People ain't gonna see you, man.
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#22
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#23
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Knog Blinder (400 or 600) is fairly small / self contained ... run times not the greatest though ... middle pic shows an accessory mount for under computer / GPS mount
bottom pic is a Knog Plugger ... again fairly small / self contained ... could run two - one on each side of the stem ... ( Knog Plug is similar to the Plugger - tad smaller with less lumens )
#24
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I use literally a headlamp, a strap around my head. They're cheap on Amazon. Rechargeable, bright, dim, or flashing modes, white in front red in back, and when they're bright they light up the road like car headlights.
A benefit of that is if I end up a pedestrian somehow, I will still have a light for walking.
A benefit of that is if I end up a pedestrian somehow, I will still have a light for walking.
#25
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Op is using a Thoroughbred Racehorse to fulfill purposes better accomplished with a Draft Horse. Horses for courses. But impracticality alone isn't the worst sin a person can commit. Clip on fenders exist. Pop on and Pop off front and rear lights exist. If it's dark enough to need a TO SEE light of any power ... does it matter what it looks like?? My Trek stem has a gorgeous integrated mount for Bontrager Headlights of varying power. You make the light disappear when it might spoil the sleek lines of your racing steed and pop it back on under cover of darkness. Schweet. And what about a Helmet mounted headlight? It's the not thinking at all outside the box that is the main defeat here. Solutions abound. But the right bike ... that would be the trump.