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Helmet Lights and Night Riding Irritation

1375 Views 3 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Low_Rider, Aug 17, 2004

nathasm

Discussion Starter · Aug 16, 2004

This past weekend I finished up a 24-hour race on a team. My night laps were quick thanks to a helmet mounted light (as opposed to a handlebar version).

During the night laps the helmet mounted light became a big burden. I'm not sure if it was the weight, placement, or just plain irritation. Anyone have any suggestions on what you do with your helmet-mounted light and/or your helmet to make it comfy or at least bareable?

Do you use two helmets or a skull cap?
.nathan.

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bubbrubb

· #2 · Aug 16, 2004

nathasm said:
This past weekend I finished up a 24-hour race on a team. My night laps were quick thanks to a helmet mounted light (as opposed to a handlebar version).

During the night laps the helmet mounted light became a big burden. I'm not sure if it was the weight, placement, or just plain irritation. Anyone have any suggestions on what you do with your helmet-mounted light and/or your helmet to make it comfy or at least bareable?

Do you use two helmets or a skull cap?
.nathan.

the higher you can mount the light the better, to offset the tendency of the light to pull the helmet forward. other than that, make your straps tighter.
If your helmet is a little big, even w/ the foam fitting pads the helmet will move around a lot w/ a light on top. fit yourself to the smallest size helmet you can fit in, eliminating some of ths slop and play that you can get w/ a larger helmet.

I wear a Giro E2 and route the wires through, and out the back vents of the helmet so that the power cord is not in the way.

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jimmy

· #3 · Aug 17, 2004

I got a bar mount for that reason

I just got a Blowtorch. I have a Head Trip also & have that problem. I guess you need to mount it really high on your helmet, over the top of your head, not near the front.

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Low_Rider

· #4 · Aug 17, 2004 (Edited)

Although it sounds like more of a mounting problem, you really have to be careful about beam placement. If the light isn't shining where your brain thinks it should be, you can often come home with a headache withought knowing why.

The best thing to do is get your kit on, and go for a quick ride, stopping on a flat surface. Close your eyes, and imaging where you think the beam should be pointing. Open your eyes, and you'll often find that the beam is shinning at a completely different spot. Adjust, and repeat the processs as many times as needed until the beam is pointing where you imagine it to be.

Sounds silly, but it can make a big difference, and will probably make your night rides more comfortable.

bubbrubb's post about routing the wires through the rear vents is a great idea, this stops the cable coming around the side of you face which is a real pain.

Also, even though it's sometimes tricky with different helmets, try and mount the light in the middle of your head while your on the bike, often your riding postition has your head tilted forward a lot more then standing upright, and the extra wheight towards the front can be a real pain.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Dave.

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