REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Handlebar mount suggestions for torches

12682 Views 29 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Cat-man-do, Sep 23, 2010

Dictatorsaurus

Discussion Starter · Jul 24, 2010

I am using this DX mount for my bike torches:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.31871

The mount is rubber so it shakes as I go over rough trails and the light beam is all over the place.

Any suggestions for good solid mounts for handlebar torches?

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goatman

· #2 · Jul 24, 2010 (Edited)

Modified rubber mount

I modified the rubber mount by sticking a hard plastic plate in the gap where the velcro passes through. This does help to some extent. See attached image.

I have now ordered this mount:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15342

Cat-man-do kindly gave this advice in another thread:

Quote:
Originally Posted by goatman

Cat-man-do, do you find that the torch mount (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15342) is secure, not allowing the torch to rattle around on the trail?

Yes, it is very secure. It uses a cam-type buckle for both the bar mount and the torch mount. It takes a little getting used to to find the right adjustment for the torch but once you're dialed in everything is very secure. The bar buckle is almost exactly like the bar mount for the Dinotte 600L....quick release is the best way to go. The base of the mount is designed to swivel a bit, which I don't like but other than that it is a nice mount. I just tape up the swivel so it doesn't move and I'm good. I liked it so much I bought a spare...just in case it breaks or something. I've used it more than a year now without a problem.

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goatman

· #3 · Jul 24, 2010

Fenix mount

Here is a more expensive Fenix brand mount that I have not tried yet:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13004

fightnut

· #4 · Jul 24, 2010

Dictatorsaurus said:
I am using this DX mount for my bike torches:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.31871

The mount is rubber so it shakes as I go over rough trails and the light beam is all over the place.

I use those same mounts and I don't have any problem with the lights bouncing around, but that may be because I use fairly small/short torches in mine. Which torches are you using?
I could see longer/heavier lights being a problem.

Dictatorsaurus

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 24, 2010

im using the DX MTE 22567 and 12060 torches.

fightnut

· #6 · Jul 24, 2010

Dictatorsaurus said:
im using the DX MTE 22567 and 12060 torches.

Ok, close to 1.5" longer then the 18697's that I was using.

Hmm, other then suggesting that you make sure to mount them in the middle and really cinch the straps down (which you're probably doing already), I don't know what to tell ya.

I had tried a couple other mounts including this one. I liked it and it worked well, but I wanted something more versatile that I could mount on bars and helmets.
It's cheap enough that it might be worth you trying. Be sure to use a strip of rubber (old tube) around your bar to keep that bolt from scratching.

BUGY

· #7 · Jul 24, 2010 (Edited)

2

the best.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274

simple, doesn't move, wont break.:thumbsup:

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goatman

· #8 · Jul 24, 2010 (Edited)

Thanks Bugy, great pics.
I actually have some of those mounts but haven't used them due to the inefficient bolt design they come with. Using a zip tie like you did seems much more secure.

I think I will use an extra O-ring/rubber band to secure it over the top of the mount.

Will try this modification on my next night ride.

The mounts are cheap too!

goatman

· #9 · Jul 25, 2010

Velcro strap

I just looped a small Velcro strap I had in my Camelbak under the torch mount and fastened it over the torch itself.
Now I need to figure out a way to tighten the mount to my OS bars without using a zip tie.(The bolt it comes with won't fit OS bars like mine)
I want to run 2 torches on my bars in the future and need to figure out some fastening mechanism that I can loosen to take off the mount/s.
Any ideas apart from the good ol' zip tie?

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fightnut

· #10 · Jul 25, 2010

goatman said:
need to figure out some fastening mechanism that I can loosen to take off the mount/s.
Any ideas apart from the good ol' zip tie?

There are zip ties that are re-usable. They have a little release so you can take them off rather then cut them.

I use them whenever I can, although I've only found them in small sizes, so you might have to use 2 together to fit around OS bars.

goatman

· #11 · Jul 25, 2010 (Edited)

releasable cable ties

Thanks Fightnut, I will source some releasable cable ties.
The DX sku.8274 mounts(as illustrated in Bugy's and my pics) with modification seems very solid.
Will do a real world test this week.

BUGY

· #12 · Jul 25, 2010

fightnut said:
There are zip ties that are re-usable. They have a little release so you can take them off rather then cut them.

You have a link, whit international shipping? LOL

goatman

· #13 · Jul 25, 2010

DX don't do

Bring on that link LOL +1
DX don't do releasable cable ties
I will go hunting for them deep in electrical supply stores/warehouses...then try to convince the salesperson that I don't want to buy a pack of 1000......

Chromagftw

· #14 · Jul 25, 2010

BUGY said:
You have a link, whit international shipping? LOL

http://www.cabletiesplus.com/departments/cable-ties/releasable-cable-ties.aspx

In my experience with reusables, they tend not to cinch as well with repeated zipping and unzipping. The notch claspings eventually lose their 'bite'. Still, however, they might provide some use for those who aren't as frequent with their on/off applications. Good luck!

Cat-man-do

· #15 · Jul 25, 2010 (Edited)

goatman said:
I
I have now ordered this mount: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15342

Goatman, I think you'll be happy with the 15342 when you get it ( as long as it fits your bars ).
Just be sure to put some electrical or duct tape around the swivel base and you should be good. When I use mine I have to use the included ( thick )rubber shim on the bar mount. It also includes a thin shim. You can also tighten the swivel by tightening the screw inside where the torch sits but this only helps so much. It might be a good idea to check that screw every once in a while to make sure it is snug. Another tip....when clamping both the bar clamp and the torch clamp, make sure the Dove tails on the clamps point down and out ( rather than pointing in ). I only mention this because the clamp will work ( point ) either way when you are adjusting them but is designed to follow the curvature of the mount when clamped in place. This will be very obvious with the bar clamp but not so obvious with the torch clamp. Like I said before, once you get everything dialed in that first time and understands how it best works your torches should be rock solid. Lastly, best to get the torch into the torch clamp when you still have some light. Very hard to see the little dove tail on the torch clamp.

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goatman

· #16 · Jul 27, 2010

Real world test of mount

Test rode the mount (sku.8274) as in my pic above (the one with the Velcro strap over the torch)
Rock solid on the trail. No "strobe" effect due to vibration of the mount at all.
Cinched it down real tight to my OS bars with a zip tie.

goatman

· #17 · Aug 3, 2010 (Edited)

Cat-man-do said:
Goatman, I think you'll be happy with the 15342 when you get it ( as long as it fits your bars ).
Just be sure to put some electrical or duct tape around the swivel base and you should be good. When I use mine I have to use the included ( thick )rubber shim on the bar mount. It also includes a thin shim. You can also tighten the swivel by tightening the screw inside where the torch sits but this only helps so much. It might be a good idea to check that screw every once in a while to make sure it is snug. Another tip....when clamping both the bar clamp and the torch clamp, make sure the Dove tails on the clamps point down and out ( rather than pointing in ). I only mention this because the clamp will work ( point ) either way when you are adjusting them but is designed to follow the curvature of the mount when clamped in place. This will be very obvious with the bar clamp but not so obvious with the torch clamp. Like I said before, once you get everything dialed in that first time and understands how it best works your torches should be rock solid. Lastly, best to get the torch into the torch clamp when you still have some light. Very hard to see the little dove tail on the torch clamp.

Cat-man-do,

Thanks for the good advice :thumbsup: , I received my mounts and MTE SF-15 flashlight from DX a few days ago.
Followed your advice, tightened up the Phillips head bolt that holds the bar and torch clamps together, set the angle, then superglued it all together, wrapped some tape around it too.
Did a real world test this morning on the trails and the mounts worked fine.
I really like the MTE SF-15 flashlight as it is nice and compact but puts out a good flood and spot for a bar mounted light. I ran it together with my (larger) MTE SF 23, mounted either side of my stem. For me one P7 flashlight on the bars and one MagicShine 900 on my helmet seems good enough.

Dictatorsaurus

Discussion Starter · #18 · Aug 16, 2010

goatman said:
Cat-man-do,

Thanks for the good advice :thumbsup: , I received my mounts and MTE SF-15 flashlight from DX a few days ago.
Followed your advice, tightened up the Phillips head bolt that holds the bar and torch clamps together, set the angle, then superglued it all together, wrapped some tape around it too.
Did a real world test this morning on the trails and the mounts worked fine.
I really like the MTE SF-15 flashlight as it is nice and compact but puts out a good flood and spot for a bar mounted light. I ran it together with my (larger) MTE SF 23, mounted either side of my stem. For me one P7 flashlight on the bars and one MagicShine 900 on my helmet seems good enough.

How do you like your mount so far? Do you have any pictures? Are you using oversized bars?

goatman

· #19 · Aug 16, 2010

Dictatorsaurus said:
How do you like your mount so far? Do you have any pictures? Are you using oversized bars?

The mount is working well so far.
Haven't taken any photos but can do that when I get back home Wednesday.
Yes, I am using OS bars. I just wrapped some electrical insulation tape around the bars next to the stem clamp instead of the supplied rubber shims which were a bit too thick for my OS bar.

goatman

· #20 · Aug 20, 2010

4

Bar mount 15342 pictures

Here are some pics of bar mount 15342, with MTE SF 15 flashlight.
Note the tape around the base of the mount. I also superglued the base fittings together after setting the correct angle for the flashlight beam.

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