Calvert sent us this photo of a rather clever use for a
VO handlebar to bottle cage mount. The photo explains it perfectly. I might add that with a VO or Nitto rack you could screw it to the light boss and eliminate the p-clamp. LED flashlights seem to be getting better and better and also cheaper. It might be time to finally resurrect the long discontinued VO flashlight mounts.
Anyone else have clever hacks to share?
I thought I recognized that light from Harbor Freight. Their 109 LED light is much better for seeing, though the 32 LED version is good for being seen.
ReplyDeleteNeat idea... what light is that & where can I get one?
ReplyDeleteThe LED flashlight choices out there are many & varied. This one is a Bell & Howell brand and came from Cargo Largo an unclaimed freight clearance store in Independence, Missouri.
ReplyDeleteThe primary concern is diameter. It should be roughly handle bar size--about an inch. A slightly larger flashlight may work w/longer screws.
There's an entire blog of bike hacks at http://www.bikehacks.com/
ReplyDeleteI used the bottle mount similarly here (last pic):
ReplyDeletehttp://ridingwhilewriting.blogspot.com/2011/03/velo-orange-45mm-hammered-fenders-on.html
or here:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lU1DXliqAZs/TW2dKwzI6jI/AAAAAAAAC0k/TupAzzoIhBE/s1600/DSC_0078.jpg
You can use a dynamo bracket in a similar manner. A dynamo brack can also be used to mount a light onto a fork leg.
ReplyDeleteNice idea. I hope it works with this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kickstarter.com/projects/527051507/hexbright-an-open-source-light
sI use a plumbing P clamp from Home Depot on both sides of your constructeur rack, with little chrome flashlights I also purchased at home depot. Rechargeable AAA's make it cheap to run, and everything together is much cheaper than anything that looks half as nice. Compliments rain down constantly... not to ring my own brass bell...
ReplyDeleteI don't have a photo, but I did a variation on this. I clamped the handlebar mount onto a Minoura Besso mounted on the front fork leg. Then I clamped a 2AA Coleman LED flashlight to the handlebar mount using two of the clips that are used to attach water bottle cages to frames lacking braze-on mounts. I bent them a bit to get them to fit, and padded them with inner tube material wrapped around the light. If your flashlight is larger, you can use hose clamps (not as pretty, works fine). This setup is very rigid and secure, but allows adjustment of the beam direction in all axes (with tools). But do check for tightness, as a loose mount could put a flashlight in your spokes - not goood.
ReplyDeleteJon
Thanks for posting this. Been looking for a hack like this, which is much more elegant than the hardware store/ziptie melange I've been using.
ReplyDeleteWith the plethora of battery-powered LED flashlights (rising in power and battery life and coming down in price), a high-quality flashlight mount would make a great addition to the VO line. Although maybe there's really no need to change the cage mount. Most of the plastic flashlight mounts out there are pretty flimsy and not designed for rack use.
One possible improvement would be a quick-release or wingnut to remove the flashlight easily when locking up outside.
Most of these hi-power flashlights do require 18650 or CR123 batteries. They are not cheap.
ReplyDeleteSay, that is an intriguing-looking rack. I have something similar I found in a bargain bin, but it weighs like 4 lbs. Can we know what it is?
ReplyDeleteThe front rack is an aluminum Jim Blackburn.
ReplyDeleteNot terrific but it'll do till I can budget for a "Constructeur" and the matching rear.
The bike is a Trek 720 circa '85.
Batteries are 3 AAA NiMH.
Twofish makes an inexpensive flashlight holder. You can use on handlebar, light mount etc. Paul makes a nice (but $20) Gino light mount that attaches to any 5mm boss. I did not use Paul, but fashioned a similar mount using PVC. I would be interested in the VO holders if you did bring them back.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=twofish+flashlight+holder&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=4462760763888392932&sa=X&ei=oTKkTp-rBeHW0QHp0ZTcBA&ved=0CEUQ8wIwAA#ps-sellers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gzahnd/sets/72157606062692803/
nice idea. but i think that tire is mounted in the wrong rotation
ReplyDeleteThe "Low Down" light mounts that VO sells also work on racks with 5mm bosses.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it look highly probable that the flashlight will swing outwards and jam its back end in the spokes? Sure, it might catch on the fork first, but I'd be a little hesitant about posting this tip without acknowledging the likelihood of this scenario.
ReplyDeleteI say this mostly because of a miserably failed attempt at a fork mounted cable lock...
Anon 9:37: maybe visually. Manufacturers add tread to road tires because the market thinks it should be there, not because it makes any difference in ride or handling.
ReplyDeletethis looks like a great, inexpensive headlight solution. I second a flashlight specific rack and/or fork mount with a quick release. The flashlight could double for use during nighttime roadside repairs.
ReplyDeleteThe 18650 flashlights are cheap compared to a hub-generator and bike specific light. And the better ones use high-end LEDs and put out a comparable amount of light, i.e. light that truly illuminates the roadway. I'd love to have a generator, but will probably be making do with flashlights and batteries for a while. The good thing is that the technology keeps catching up. I also like that a flashlight could be removed from a bike and help with a repair, pitch the tent, or live another useful life off the bike.
ReplyDeleteI took my family camping recently and we brought along a new generic 12 LED mini flashlight. Something I noticed was that the light is more white, created even illumination and faded off at the edges nicely. Contrasted, the old maglite created a tunnel of light that contrasted sharply with the darkness, limiting our field of vision.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the LED provided a type of "moonlight" that was more useful, and easier on the eyes than a focused beam.
Nice to see the creativity with the LED lights!
Any plans to distribute the new SP dynohub?
ReplyDeletei'd love to see V-O mounts for flashlights. i think its genius to use a flashlight...... park the bike and take the flashlight with you. btw.... where did the flashlights in the picture come from and does anybody know where to get high quality, vintage style flashlights from?
ReplyDeleteYes, please bring the flashlight mount back!!
ReplyDelete@lindsey I'd also like to know where to purchase flashlights similar to those pictured. Anyone got an idea?
ReplyDeleteYes! I would buy the flashlight mount in a heartbeat!
ReplyDeleteyes, flashlight mount please! LED flashlights are better and less expensive and more affordable to most of us who cannot dish out for generator hubs... bring'm back, please.
ReplyDeleteLove the flashlight mount as well. Looks better than the do it your self p-clamp mount (that I've done on my porteur rack). Would like to see them brought back.
ReplyDeleteI vote for bring flashlight mounts back into inventory! MLA
ReplyDeleteflashlight mount...flashlight mount...flashlight mount...(chant)!!
ReplyDeleteFlashlight mount!!!
ReplyDeleteI am certain that a reintroduction of the original Herse type flash light would sell like hot cakes.
ReplyDeleteIt is the missing Item needed for your constructeur carriers
Jeffrey
Please, bring the flashlight mount back!!!! It just gives the retro look I am looking for and it is more useful than a regular permanently installed light. Got a flat at night, use your flashlight!
ReplyDeleteBring back those "long discontinued VO flashlight mounts."
ReplyDelete