Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Touring
Reload this Page >

Mounting Headlights to Surly Nice Rack

Search
Notices
Touring Have a dream to ride a bike across your state, across the country, or around the world? Self-contained or fully supported? Trade ideas, adventures, and more in our bicycle touring forum.

Mounting Headlights to Surly Nice Rack

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-04-12 | 05:18 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Boulder, CO

Bikes: Giant OCR C-1 road bike, Surly LHT dressed, Scott Sub 50 single speed, Novara Transfer internal hub 7 speed cruise around

Mounting Headlights to Surly Nice Rack

I have an LHT with Surly Nice Racks on the front and rear. I am considering mounting two Mag Lights on the underside of the front rack, so they will not interfere with front panniers, nor with anything place on top of the front rack. Headlights on the handlebars don't work well, because I often use a handlebar bag as well.

My thought is to stuff the Mag Lights into cut pieces of intertubing to avoid any metal-to-metal contact and also for rattle control. Maybe attach them with black zip ties?

Has anyone done anything like this, or have any better ideas for mounting light (any type) to the underside of a Nice Rack?

Thanks!
shehasclass is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-12 | 05:45 PM
  #2  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

I got one of the bolt on tubular adapters, Pauls Gino in my case,
it goes on a 5mm bolt, and lets you mount one of handlebar lights
That have better reflector design and beam pattern.. than a flashlight.
particularly if not aimed.
If no braze on screw mount, a there are clamp on pieces
such as for computers on aero bars.

another mount type replaces the nut on the QR wheel skewer.
axle height.

Last edited by fietsbob; 04-04-12 at 05:48 PM.
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-12 | 05:48 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
That would be a more cost effective route but ive got this little adapter called the knob,I know lol anyway I have it attached to my fork just above my pannier and it holds my planet bike headlite handlebar mount perfectly.My lbs ordered it for me it was only like 10 bucks.If you get the same setup get the larger knob.LOL
Rifleman is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-12 | 05:50 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,727
Likes: 2,105
From: Madison, WI

Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.

I described how I mounted a regular handlebar type light on a Surly front rack here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post12713360

There are other ideas at that thread too.
Tourist in MSN is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-12 | 05:53 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Sorry its spelled Nob
Rifleman is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-12 | 07:31 PM
  #6  
Bekologist's Avatar
totally louche
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,023
Likes: 12
From: A land that time forgot

Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes

Mag lights are so very 80's for bike lighting. I used to use them when thats' about as good as it got for battery powered lights for the bike.

the new LED bike lights are much brighter, the bulbs won't burn out, and will flash for daytime visibility.

try a new 1W light from Pbike or Niterider or any other manufacturers. Princeton Tec makes a bike light that converts to a headlamp.

to mount trad hbar mount bike lights to front rack, zip tie a round tube to the rack across the front of the rack. attach bike light mounts to tube.
Bekologist is offline  
Reply
Old 04-05-12 | 07:51 AM
  #7  
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Here's how I mounted mine: https://skitch.com/jeraimee/8x6ds/imag0016
Jeraimee is offline  
Reply
Old 04-06-12 | 11:06 AM
  #8  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Boulder, CO

Bikes: Giant OCR C-1 road bike, Surly LHT dressed, Scott Sub 50 single speed, Novara Transfer internal hub 7 speed cruise around

Thanks, everyone, for the great ideas and links. I guess I'll get out of the 80's and forget the mag light idea. :-)

Tourist in MSN, I like the simple way you've shown your front light mounted and I may go with that idea. In the link you provided to another forum, I saw another good idea by jwbnyc, using a Paul Gino and Topeak Bar Extender. Still thinking about that one since I can't get my mind around the way the bar extender would mount. i.e., the Paul Gino connected to the Nice Rack braze with a M5 bolt would have the Gino facing the wrong direction for mounting the bar extender - unless the bar extender pivots this-way-and-that-way. I've never seen a bar extender in person.

For tail lights, I have two Superflash lights mounted on either side of the rear Nice Rack, on the vertical bars. I built up the bars with inter tubing (similar to Tourist in MSN's idea for the front) and attached the light brackets. I'm plenty visible in low light and I don't ride in pitch darkness.

Actually, I'm not planning a big tour ... just enjoying the gadgets. I must say, however, that Ireland has been calling my name for quite a while ...
shehasclass is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Fullcount
Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling
3
12-28-14 08:47 PM
jyl
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
13
05-23-14 02:54 AM
Chop61
Touring
15
05-03-11 04:06 PM
jetbike
Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling
2
10-25-10 01:09 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.