Where's the best place to mount lights?
Discussion
Afternoon all!
Having decided I fancy a go at badger spotting, I've just ordered myself a Hope Vision HID following advice in various threads on here.
This leads me on to another question....
I was initially expecting these to be sold with a clamping plate to fix them to the front of a Hope stem, which wouldn't have been an issue, but the only ones I could find online came not with this, but with both a universal bar clamp and also a helmet mount for the light so the question is, given that I have both fittings, which would people recommend I use, bar or helmet?
If it helps to know what I'll be doing with them, I'll be 90%+ offroad, but not probably anything hugely challenging. For those who know the Surrey Hills, I'm thinking Telegraph Road or Summer Lighting yes, Barry Knows Best (or whatever the steep drop into Peaslake is called these days) not after dark!
Having decided I fancy a go at badger spotting, I've just ordered myself a Hope Vision HID following advice in various threads on here.
This leads me on to another question....
I was initially expecting these to be sold with a clamping plate to fix them to the front of a Hope stem, which wouldn't have been an issue, but the only ones I could find online came not with this, but with both a universal bar clamp and also a helmet mount for the light so the question is, given that I have both fittings, which would people recommend I use, bar or helmet?
If it helps to know what I'll be doing with them, I'll be 90%+ offroad, but not probably anything hugely challenging. For those who know the Surrey Hills, I'm thinking Telegraph Road or Summer Lighting yes, Barry Knows Best (or whatever the steep drop into Peaslake is called these days) not after dark!
I prefer helmet mounting for lights, in case I have to fix a flat tire, etc; you can light up around corners better; less vibration to scatter the light and most importantly you can shine it at drivers at crossroads so hopefully they won't pull out on you. I also prefer the battery on me, in a fanny pack so I can go mobile from the bike.
I'd go with on the bars if you've only got one light. If you have the light mounted below your eye level, it'll light up the dips and bumps better as they cast shadows. On your head the light's above your eye level so you loose that information. Try both, and see which you prefer is probably the best advise 
Ah. In that case, I'll let my legs recover first!
I celebrated my birthday today doing a 23 mile offroad loop, the longest I've yet managed, with a couple of fellow PHers.... I am inclined to think I may need to beg the security guard to carry me up the stairs into the office tomorrow!
I celebrated my birthday today doing a 23 mile offroad loop, the longest I've yet managed, with a couple of fellow PHers.... I am inclined to think I may need to beg the security guard to carry me up the stairs into the office tomorrow!
Defo bars. I did a night race back in April. Had never used lights before, so first time I got to use them was in the practice lap before the event started, I had a twin setup, but found that one was sufficient even on trails that I had ridden once. I was amazed at how good they were, and when it's totally dark and you just have the light picking up the trail, you can go just as quick, you don't get distracted but other stuff that would normally be in your peripheral vision. As for head lights, I tie wrapped a tiny led onto my lid, that was perfect for any mechanicals (proved particulalrly useful when the generator ran out of fuel.....). Good luck and enjoy.
Well they've arrived!
And they sit perfectly, right over the stem, with the battery strapping underneath it, and weigh next to nothing!
Why did I have to go and stab myself in the hand on Tuesday evening.
It's going to be at least another 10 days before I reckon I can try them out in earnest.
Oh well! I reckon they're going to be stunning when I do get to use them!
And they sit perfectly, right over the stem, with the battery strapping underneath it, and weigh next to nothing!
Why did I have to go and stab myself in the hand on Tuesday evening.
It's going to be at least another 10 days before I reckon I can try them out in earnest.
Oh well! I reckon they're going to be stunning when I do get to use them!
Just got back in from a 16 mile off road ride. Both of us with our Light n Motion HID Li-Ion lights. It is so much fun! My best ride all year. Really attacked the ups and downs. Lots of stingy nettle rashes but no cuts or bruises tonight. Was flying down hill and made it up some up technical hill bits that I have struggled on this summer - feel a bit slimmer , fitter and confident. Shame I move away this weekend. Bring on the Dark and White Peaks!
Slight thread hijack - sorry.
With the dark nights drawing in I'm after a recommendation for a budget light so I can see where I'm going - nothing too crazy offroad, but a bit of field, dark woods, and other places with no street lighting. Don't really want to spend more than about 20 quid - any recommendations?
CH
With the dark nights drawing in I'm after a recommendation for a budget light so I can see where I'm going - nothing too crazy offroad, but a bit of field, dark woods, and other places with no street lighting. Don't really want to spend more than about 20 quid - any recommendations?
CH
I tried a budget light (£60). Total rubbish. If you want to see then you need good lights. I think mine are £400 plus but on ebay can be had for £200.
A Snap On headlight for mechanics is cheap and straps to your helmet. Cheaper than a bike lite and actually better (but still rubbish).
A Snap On headlight for mechanics is cheap and straps to your helmet. Cheaper than a bike lite and actually better (but still rubbish).
Kermit power said:
Well they've arrived!
And they sit perfectly, right over the stem, with the battery strapping underneath it, and weigh next to nothing!
Nice, aren't they? I picked one up a couple of weeks ago and have used it a couple of times now.And they sit perfectly, right over the stem, with the battery strapping underneath it, and weigh next to nothing!
The light + battery combo is a bit heavier than my old L&M luxeon LED setup but the increase in power and burn time is well worth it.
The other night I stopped to assist a group of guys who'd picked up a puncture and then broken the only pump they had between them and the first question they asked (other than "have you got a pump we can borrow?"
was "What light is that? It's 
ing bright!"The only downsides I can see to having a HID light is you can't vary the power to increase burn time and when the battery runs out the light shuts off dead with no warning!
I usually strap an led lamp onto my helmet for the winter but think I'll have to look into getting a better one than I currently have because it's completely drowned out by the main light and therefore practically useless. I was threading along some seriously twisty singletrack the other night (without a head-mounted light) and because the main lamp was bar-mounted I couldn't see where the trail went after each bend...
Gazzab said:
I tried a budget light (£60). Total rubbish. If you want to see then you need good lights.
OK, point taken, but as I can only afford to be able to see 30 quids worth of stuff (budget upped after a quick wiggle!), does anyone have any experience of any of these?Cat Eye
Micro Front Light
Metro Torch
I picked the 3 wiggle recommended ones, but the info on the site doesn't really allow much of a comparison of them... as long as I can tell if the path is still there, and that a dog hasn't run out in front of me I'll be fairly happy!
Ta,
CH
ETA:
chain reaction also seem to have some cracking deals at the moment:
Smart twin lights
Smart Owl
Edited by Dr Bob on Friday 31st August 13:36
Dr Bob - if your handy with a soldering iron and some tape, have a go at making your own.
Look on www.bikemagic.com, you can build up some dual lamp, Halogen, Nimh lights for not a lot of moeny if your crafty.
It involves some a trip to B&Q for some 12v bulbs, some plumbing connectors, a water bottle, maplins for some switches, and a model shop for some cells. Seen it done very effectively, am planning on doing my own soon.
Look on www.bikemagic.com, you can build up some dual lamp, Halogen, Nimh lights for not a lot of moeny if your crafty.
It involves some a trip to B&Q for some 12v bulbs, some plumbing connectors, a water bottle, maplins for some switches, and a model shop for some cells. Seen it done very effectively, am planning on doing my own soon.
Dr Bob said:
Cheers, I eventually plumped for CatEye HL-EL320 (just under 24 quid on eBay including postage), hopefully it'll turn up in time for tonight's ride...
...I figured that at £25 I'm not expecting too much, so I shouldn't be too disppointed!
CH
I think i have sone of those. Sure you will find they do the trick....I figured that at £25 I'm not expecting too much, so I shouldn't be too disppointed!
CH
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