Handlebar bike light vs headlamp

[hikerjer]

This is a followup on an earlier question.  I've discovered that my new Ortliebhandlebar bag will block my handlebar mounted headlight .  I know there are extensions out there that will take care of the problem but I'm wondering if it would just be more practical to use my backpacking headlamp on my helmet.  Any thoughts on this?  That is, is there any distinct advantage of a handlebar mounted bike light over a headlamp strapped on your helmet.  Right now I'm partial to my handlebar headlamp but have no real basis for this.  Your opinions are appreciated.

Thank you.

[Area54]

You have a lot more control over the light for singletrack with a helmet mounted light, but sometimes the illuminated surfaces can seem flat with no contrast or depth, with virtually no shadow to provide depth of field.

I found the pic of the fork mount:

[AZTtripper]

The best setup IMO is to have both. The bar light shines where you point the wheel, and if I am on the road this is the only light I use. The helmet light then shines where you look and this is good to have for trail riding, not so good if your shining it into oncoming traffic tho.

[joeydurango]

I like both.  I much prefer a more powerful light on the bike, so that it will actually cast shadows and give my night vision depth.  I run a less-powerful light on the helmet.

[evdog]

Ideally I have both.  But personally I prefer the helmet if I can only have one, especially on the trail.  For bikepacking I have been taking just my camp headlamp with a small cheap bar mounted light as a backup.  It saves a lot of weight not bringing the proper bike light, and at the slow speeds I ride at loaded, is pretty adequate. 

[Yoreskillz]

Another for both here, especially if your traveling in thick under brush or canopy with no moonlight. If in the open or a moonlit night a helmet mount only would certainly do the job but its nice to have one illuminating where your traveling (bar mount) and another where your looking. My first few night rides I had the same conundrum and it wasn't until I purchased another light that it all made sense.

[JRA]

I've done both as well.

[ArisaemaDracontium]

I don't generally travel at night so a modern camp headlamp ( mine is a Black Diamond Storm) is bright enough for me to ride by on the odd occasion where I end up riding after dark for some reason.

[FatCloud]

I don't generally travel at night so a modern camp headlamp ( mine is a Black Diamond Storm) is bright enough for me to ride by on the odd occasion where I end up riding after dark for some reason.

This is my vote, but I brought my wimpy city lights this last time too, just because they were on when I rolled out the front door.

[monster]

I prefer a light on the bike but I ordered a headlamp. I found a good discount price for headlamp mady by Armytek and decided that I have both lights

[AZTtripper]

Black Diamond brand headlamps, Icon on the bars Storm on the helmet, velcro straps allow easy mounting. Their not 24 hour race bright but they run on 4 AA and 4 AAA, claimed to last quite awhile. Their plenty bright enough for bikepacking, end of the day just want to keep moving, speeds.

For camp I have a tiny 1 LED, meant to be a backup, light. It came with it's own strap but the idea is that it slips onto the side of your regular light just as a backup. Its small enough that it just lives in my pack all of the time.

[dgjessee]

I know this is kind of an old thread, but curious how you put the Icon on the handlebars (more specifics). I have one that I will be doing the same with. Any pics would be awesome!

[AZTtripper]

To mount a standard headlamp to the end of the stem, for a temporary setup I have velcro straps from REI (also used for mounting the helmet one) for a longer term set up I used zip ties. First you have to ditch the elastic head band, it's possible to take it off with out hurting anything, then work out a way to use the velcro strap wrapping around the bar and back around the stem and then back on itself to stick. It usually takes me a couple of attempts make it work. There's a couple of different wraps that work. This is what I do to use them for training rides. When I loaded up for the 10 day trip I used the zip ties. Also a piece of old tube placed in between the light and the stem. Sorry I don't have any pics at this time.

hope that helps

Tim

[bogart]

Both,here too. Mounted a Baush Muller IXON IQ to a fork crown mount.
Works great with my Ortlieb 5  handle bar bag

[dgjessee]

That's great Tim! Thank you!

[murf]

I made a bridge between my aero bars and zip tied a headlamp to it.




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[dgjessee]

Now we're talking! Thanks for the photo!


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