Daily Archives: September 16, 2009

Modified Light Mount 7

accesories/equipment, cycles, cycling • Tags: ,

DiNotte Headlight Mounting

Notice the headlight is mounted off-center in this photo. Actually, the same is true in most on DiNotte’s pictures of their headlight mounts. I prefer my light be centered. How to do that?

I used a DiNotte B4 [28.6-31.8 mm] Handlebar Mount to go on the handlebar stem. To it I attached a modified Terracycle Accessory Mount to hold the light. In reality, this places a "short" handlebar in front of the handlebar and allows for center placement of the light.

 

Modified headlight mounting bracketAs done, it will nicely integrates the light, bars, and Topeak TourGuide Bag and yields a professional, finished look. Well, i like it anyway. Now, given this is to be a multi-use light, the question is how will I mount it on my other cycles that I’ll ride at night. I will use a similar setup for my Trek Project One [until it becomes a donor bike for a Silvio Cruzbike]. I’ll have to design a bracket for my Catrike 700 that places the light forward of my [awaiting modification Mueller Windwrap XT Fairing—now at the Catrike Factory]. I will also find a placement location for mounting when the fairing is not installed. For now, here’s what I have done for my RANS Citi [Faye] Crank Forward.

Post Canada & Florida Changes
Post Canada & Florida Changes
Post Canada & Florida Changes Post Canada & Florida Changes

BTW, a DiNotte 1200L Headlight is on order.

Have I ever said how much I enjoy riding my Citi single-speed bike?

Other Citi Mods since the Florida Ride Reply

cycling

My Faye graphics [both Faye and jalexartis] were damaged on the trip to Canada. I ordered larger Faye graphics [I'm still waiting] that I’ll place on the bottom tube. Not sure yet where the jalexartis [same size] will go. May be the same location. That spot seems to get touched too much. I was holding on pictures waiting for my graphic. I’ll post them later.

Of course, I added DiNotte 400L lights since Canada. I moved the taillight to just beneath the seat. I like the mount I created here. I used a short seat post insert to hold a DiNotte B4 [28.6-31.8 mm] Handlebar Mount to which a attached a shortened arm to mount the light. The mounting is very clean. Also used larger split-loom tubing to cover the non-black seat post. RANS Crank Forward Message Board Thread. Thanks Randy Schlitter for commenting.

before  after

more pics & mods

How much light is too much light? Reply

accesories/equipment, cycles, cycling, cyclist • Tags:

One of my readers asked:

James,

How bright is bright enough?

We ride on some pretty dark trails at night here in Florida, that are covered by a canopy of trees and have no problems seeing, using our DiNotte 600L Headlights. People sometimes tell us that our lights are too bright.

Fair question [to which I responded]:

For me it depends on the cost. If the cost is $250 for 300L and I can get 400L for $25-$50 more, I think the better investment is the 400L. In this case, my cost is about $50 more of 400L more light.

Just because I have it does not mean I’ll use it. I normally run with my light on low. Please also remember that I tour and do lots on night riding in rural areas. Fayetteville to Richmond, VA & back for example. I’m not riding with other cyclist on trails. My light have to be multifunctional. I have not seen the specs on battery life, I’d hope for 3-4 hrs on low–2-3 batteries would allow me to ride in 9-12 hrs of darkness. That will work for summer touring.

Again, I’m looking at value for the dollar. A 200L today does not have the resale potential of a 400L because technology moves on. Yesterday some would have limited themselves to a 200L. Works for me…

Jim

I welcome other reader comments.

Thanks!

Jim