Mounting a flashlight to a bicycle...bike mounts ??

I think I have the same and I remember finding a Czech company with that name...

Aha, got an answer, I think!! Laughing

IMO, the real two fish is better than the clone, no question. But to what degree or how much better?

Example of clones. I have the clone of the Shadow JM05 and JM07. It is known fact that the the originals are better, but are they TWICE as much better as the price dictates?

I just ordered about 5 more two fish clones. The cost me $1.77 each. Whereas, the real two fish cost something like $7 each. The clone is 1/4th the price. Is the real two fish 4 times better?

Dam, I found myself rambling on and on.. Laughing Forgive me.. Wink

Hi, I have written something on this subject sometime ago, since I was interested in lights for MTB. It is in French, but pictures and links can be of some utility for the interested readers

http://sn.im/23eoj0l

http://sn.im/23eojwb

Tested in MTB conditions without problem.

Welcome to BLF, gt13013! Where would one buy the little blue plastic strap mount? Looks perfect for a helmet mounting application.

Edit: Nevermind, found it skiming through your review:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/convenient-tie-on-silicone-band-for-bike-light-assorted-color-24369

Thanks for that!

Welcome to BLF.. Wink

The mounts you are showing in those links, I am using the exact same mounts!!! Wink

http://www.cehoward.net/helmetj56.jpg

http://www.cehoward.net/mounthel36.jpg

@ BetweenRides : Yes, and if you can't wait for the shipping from China, you can start with an old tire tube, as described in this video. I started this way, and it works fine also. But the silicone bands look more smart!

Thank you, gt. I have seen the inner tube method on MTB Forums - a true Budget mount! I will have to give it a try. Smile

Isn't it a little bit heavy? As I am concerned, I found that my mount http://sn.im/23epgrx was a little bit too heavy for MTB. The TrustFire TR-801 http://www.dealextreme.com/p/trustfire-tr-801-cree-q5-wc-230-lumen-led-flashlight-1-18650-13095 weights 115g (with its 18650 battery), and the silicone band weights 7g.

If you care about safety, that extra weight doesn’t make ANY difference. I like light bikes and I was a weight weenie, but you can’t have a 0g light…

I checked all of my various rubber/velcro mounts and here's the scoop:

TwoFish - Lock Block stamped on one side, pat. no. D357171 5.395.018 stamped on the other. The TwoFish Cycloblock uses the same identical block, but has heavy duty velcro. This is the lightest and has the most malleable (soft) rubber.

DX TwoFake - Huntlight.CZ and Patent: 455304CZ-EU stamped on one side. This is heavier and beafier than the TwoFish and as i mentioned, the rubber is harder and slightly slippery. It actually vibrates less than the real thing and a little sandpaper to the surface cures the slick contact surface.

CQG TwoFake - SPARKTM Stamped on one side, no patent or other markings. The shape is identical to the Huntlight, but it feels a little heavier and not quite as slippery. These are the cheapest of the three.

Welcome to the club, gt13013!

The problem I have found with these mounts is they " shake " and vibrate causing the light beam to bounce and flicker around on the road as well as being annoying to oncoming drivers. So, to me, the most important factor is ROCK SOLID mounting on the handlebar and TIGHT retention of the flashlight.

I never had any good luck with these cheap mounts because they all vibrate and the only one that was more stable seemed to be the FENIX AF02.

It is still not perfect because these ADJUSTABLE units have looseness by design but this one was tighter than anything else.

I intend to modify this by permanently fixing it to the 90 degree angle by gluing, screwing, or inserting a bolt in the center pivot to TIGHTEN it together.

Fits flashlights with diameter of 18MM-28mm by adapting with two rubber mats.

Paid $15 Canadian for it locally, but it is $8.84 USD at Manafont.

I am still open to any suggestions for mounts if they are Rock Solid and don't vibrate.

Still surprised no one has a clamp mount that has a spring jaw that just grabs the light ...Seems solid and simple ..it was my original homemade clamp mount ...Again ...for me quick release is important

Aloha and welcome to BLF gt13013 and picklebp!

The Fenix is what I have on my Specialized Epic. IMO, it's the design with the best potential, but as you note, even it does not truly lock the light down tightly. I would love to see that design with some type of added set screw that locks it in place. I have had several occasions where riding on rough terrain has caused the light to shoot off sideways in my Fenix mount. Still, it's my favorite of the half-dozen or so I've tried.

Photon - can't argue with a thing you said. For a dedicated mount, particularly off road or on rough roads, something like the Fenix is ideal, if it fits on your bars. Next Manafont order I'm going to pick up one to try it out on my trail rig.

You are completely correct that the TwoFish vibrates on these surfaces and when I'm doing my Fall trail and Mtb rides, I use a more solid mount. TwoFish is more of a supplement for me on road rides when we stretch daylight into night. It also works pretty well as a helmet mount. It's a good thing to have around if needed.

The TwoFakes seem to be a little more solid vibration-wise than the real thing, but I haven't had a real chance to test them out - more of an impression.

On another forum I mentioned that when I use the BIG LIGHT (3x cree) with the two fish copy it slips on the handlebar. I got some advice to try putting a piece of innertube in between handbar and the mount. The two fish doesn't slip with regular 26650 lights, just that heavy 3x cree light. However, I am on the road, no trail.

i got today fasttech 2-pack of quick'n dirty bike bicycle flashlight mount bandage band holder holding elastic strap tie-on silicone rubber:

DX: 68460, 24369, 24084

FT: 1140013, 1140014

it's a goodie. as you can see from the DX site, hundreds of ppl buy this article. FT is cheaper because of 2-pack. it's exactly the identical product namely "Lichao LC-9105 Made In China".

works perfectly with 1xAAA lights and okay, a bit tight!, with standard 1xAA lights of max. 23.0mm diameter. highly recommended by kreisl.

it is the cheapest mount solution and not the worst. no padding between flashlight and bike bar needed because the band provides its own padding. secure grip. cleaning of bar, holder or flashlights with adhesive tape not necessary.

DIY solution:

I just got a couple of the lockblock copies in the post today. Lost my original genuine one a few weeks back and the coppies look just as good for less than £2.

To help you can also file the inside out a bit and widen the cavity area, I managed to get my J18 in there with the original thumb screw, but be careful with how tight you screw it down, the top latch is a bit flimsy, especially if you file it a little and it will break, as I discovered the hard way.