Problem is there really aren’t that many options, and you may have to be creative. The mounts I mentioned work well, I’ve never had a flashlight fall out they are very tight and grippy, you really have to force the flashlight in. You could add a thick rubber or silicon oring and hook it around the flashlight and under the bars for extra security, or add a lanyard and hook it to your bike, but you probably won’t bother after a while as they do the job.
I tried ordering these from manafont:
A cycling buddy has one of these, but you are right, they are hard to use. He has to remove the tail cap on his C8 to get the light out and the bar clamp never seems to tighten up enough to hold the light securely.
To the OP, the open top swivel mount that JR linked to works good with a shadow JM07 with a lot of finagling and using a thin rubber shim to keep it from moving. I finally got mine down good and tight. On bumpy terrain, the light will move a little laterally, but it still holds the light securely.
The TwoFish Cycloblock works fine for 26650 lights, but it's harder to find. Still bounces on bumpy terrain, but not as much as a regular Lockblock. If you guys use the cheap TwoFakes from China sources, be aware that the velcro straps are bonded together from two pieces and they can break. Found that out on a gravel road - lucky it didn't damage my L2P.
I'm waiting on the Fenix mount, I just hope I have room on the bars for it. Thanks for the mod ideas.
I don’t think the Fenix AF02 is going to work out. I just picked up a new (to me) bike and am finding that the mount doesn’t fit very well when upside down, and slips easily. I can probably fix the latter with a strip of inner tube though. For now I’m going to use the mount correctly, but with a slimmer Xeno e03 (14500 battery) instead. I just placed an order for a Twofish Cycloblock and Lockblock.
whokilledJR, I’ll order the mount you suggested too. Twofish came first though because there’s a state-side shipper that offers 2-3 day shipping. What can I say, I’m anxious to ride.
These are expensive from Amazon, so hopefully you have a cheaper source.
The important specs are:
Length: 1 1/2 inches (thread length)
Thread size: #10-32 (gauge-threads per inch)
It has a head diameter of 1/2 inches. You don’t want to go much wider or the head won’t fit right.
One thing to consider is that if you use a small light that allows the screws to fully thread, the screw will come out of the bottom of the mount. This will prevent the mount from rotating completely and may touch other parts on the handlebar.
I too am curious about a 26650 sized bike mount, but also one that may work with the Small Sun ZY-T08 (dual parallel 18650) light. Here's another idea for solidly mounting a 26650 light (albeit a little redneck). I don't think this will work with the ZY-T08 though.
The AF02 works with the longer thumbscrews, but it jiggles a lot. It jiggles enough to change the modes on my HD2010. It was also rotating around the handlebar, which required me to adjust it twice on my ride tonight. I have some Twofish mounts on back order with Battery Junction.
Your red neck setup looks effective. It probably works better than the AF02.
I’ll try for a little while longer, but I’m thinking about keeping the HD2010 on my helmet. Helmet mounting the HD2010 was very easy. It just took one of these, which I already had for other outdoor activities. It may be damaging my helmet, but my helmet is cheap anyway. I don’t care much if I have to replace it occasionally. http://www.amazon.com/Brooks-Range-436570-Backcountry-Strap-24in/dp/B0061N7MFG/ref=pd_ys_iyr1
I have the DX clone block and though it does not quite follows the contour of my TF A8, it does holds well enough thusfar.
!http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8177447562_accaa3fffc.jpg!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8177447562_accaa3fffc.jpg
Having the light mounted hanging down, does help in stabalizing the light. Less flickering.
@BetweenRides, thanks for the heads up on the bonding issue with the straps. Thusfar they hold well. KrisKras
O.K, I’ll put my 2c on the A8. The hot spot is good for cycling, not too small and intense like a C8, put the spill is pants. The emitter and lense are so badly recessed that out of all my flashlights the A8 has the most narrowest spill. You may not notice it at first, but when you go back to using another flashlight or bike light you suddenly realize you have a peripheral vision that has been missing with the A8. It’s especially noticeable on narrow roads or on trails. The SS bezel can be removed which improves the spill, but it’s still very narrow due to its recessed build. Nice light, but mine unfortunately has been resigned to collecting dust.
I use the universal rubber U mount for my KD C8. It is a lot better than the two strap velcro mount I was using. The 26650 lights have too large a diameter to fit, but if you can find a U mount that accepts a larger diameter light, I think a single battery 26650 light would be secure on the bars.
Sorry Garry . Maybe it’s just me and the narrow spill doesn’t bother some people. On the plus side the hotspot is good and you get superior runtime from a 26650 battery, and it does have a really nice build quality. Overall it is a decent bike light, but I prefer a typical P60 with better spill or the Shadow JM07.
You know what Garry, I just started using it again and it actually isn’t that bad without the SS bezel, in fact the spill is the same size as the Solar force hosts, although the SF hosts are a little recessed as well. Spill on the JM07, especially the new version, is still a lot wider. IMO the JM07 is just better, but I should qualify that the A8 is still pretty good once the bezel is removed.
Sorry, don’t have the M10. I may get one a little later, but again I appreciate a wide spill in a bike light. There’s a telling pic on this thread post 8:
The HD2010 looks deceptively big, that’s only because the flashlight is angled upwards. In my opinion the JM07 is tops, but everyone has their own preferences and Biggie prefers the M10 from this thread. Really don’t think you could go too wrong in getting any of the aforementioned lights.
JR probably rides his bike at night more than I do!
Garry, I always ride with two lights, so A8 would be used in a pair. It's a good bike light, but everything has to be tightened down or washer added to switch to avoid mode changes over bumps. I haven't used it alone but I can understand what JR is saying, as it is not a very floody light. I recently sold my A8 combo pack to another biker who was interested in getting into lights. I gave him the option of buying about 6 different lights and he picked the A8 with TF5000 and charger, plus a couple of mounts and a spare 18650 with sleeve. He loves it. I fixed the mode change problem, but it still does it when he used the 18650 on a recent ride. I suspect the cell is too short or the sleeve is not tight enough inside the battery tube.
I couldn't resist the new A8 BLF Edition, so I ordered another one today.
As JR mentioned, the JM07 is the perfect cycling light, has it all: bright, even flood and good throw, perfect modes, long run time with 26650. Another favorite is the Shadow BL-21 dedicated bike light, but it really needs to be used with a thrower to complement it's flood, for me at least. 4 of my cycling buddies use the BL-21 and really like it.
. Maybe it’s just me and the narrow spill doesn’t bother some people. On the plus side the hotspot is good and you get superior runtime from a 26650 battery, and it does have a really nice build quality. Overall it is a decent bike light, but I prefer a typical P60 with better spill or the Shadow JM07.