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  Topic Name: Headlight and Bar Bag on: July 20, 2015, 08:17:33 PM
Lentamentalisk


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« on: July 20, 2015, 08:17:33 PM »

These two things really don't seem to play together. I just got a new B&M headlight and am absolutely loving it. But then I realized it gets completely squished by my Revelate bar bag.

If I put the headlight on the handlebars, then it can't shine on the ground. If I put it on the crown like I have it now, then the bar bag pushes it down. Right now I have a large velcro strap around the bag squeezing it in the middle like a corset to try to keep it off the light, but I doubt it will hold as things settle in the bag and I go over bumps.

I have seen suggestions to attach it to the fork next to the wheel, but I fear that then it will throw huge shadows off to one side where the wheel blocks it.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks!


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  Topic Name: Headlight and Bar Bag Reply #1 on: July 20, 2015, 09:33:27 PM
bpeschka


Location: Chandler, AZ
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« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2015, 09:33:27 PM »

These two things really don't seem to play together. I just got a new B&M headlight and am absolutely loving it. But then I realized it gets completely squished by my Revelate bar bag.

If I put the headlight on the handlebars, then it can't shine on the ground. If I put it on the crown like I have it now, then the bar bag pushes it down. Right now I have a large velcro strap around the bag squeezing it in the middle like a corset to try to keep it off the light, but I doubt it will hold as things settle in the bag and I go over bumps.

I have seen suggestions to attach it to the fork next to the wheel, but I fear that then it will throw huge shadows off to one side where the wheel blocks it.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks!

I had the same problem on Tour Divide this year and ended up using two straps, dividing the bag into maybe thirds.  It worked well.  I had my sleeping kit and rain gear in the bag.  Just had to loosen the straps when packing or unpacking.  The straps really helped to stabilize the bag.
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  Topic Name: Headlight and Bar Bag Reply #2 on: July 21, 2015, 04:20:22 AM
Lentamentalisk


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« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2015, 04:20:22 AM »

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with this problem. Do you have any photos of your solution?

Currently I have just one strap wrapped around the middle, dividing it in half. I was thinking I might put my pot, out something rigid in the middle to help provide some structure.

I also considered switching from a large to a small bar bag, but since I'm already constrained by the drop bars, that would really limit hope much I could hold up front.
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  Topic Name: Headlight and Bar Bag Reply #3 on: July 21, 2015, 06:53:57 AM
bmike-vt


Location: Horgen, Switzerland
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« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2015, 06:53:57 AM »

cockpit on the fargo by Mike, on Flickr

I bought a little bar extender. Problem Solvers I think? There are others. Let's me mount the light higher up to shine over my bag.

On the pugsley I used a terra cycle mount to get the light on the side of the fork, but up high and out front a bit, tucked under the harness.
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  Topic Name: Headlight and Bar Bag Reply #4 on: July 22, 2015, 11:52:57 AM
dh024


Location: Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2015, 11:52:57 AM »

If you aren't running front panniers, you could mount it to your mid-fork eyelet. I actually prefer the beam pattern down lower.
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--David

  Topic Name: Headlight and Bar Bag Reply #5 on: July 22, 2015, 12:59:40 PM
Lentamentalisk


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« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2015, 12:59:40 PM »

Does that not send a huge swath of darkness off behind your tire? I haven't tried that yet because I feared it would leave a large section of the road unlit, but perhaps I'm wrong.
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  Topic Name: Headlight and Bar Bag Reply #6 on: July 22, 2015, 01:26:03 PM
bpeschka


Location: Chandler, AZ
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« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2015, 01:26:03 PM »

Does that not send a huge swath of darkness off behind your tire? I haven't tried that yet because I feared it would leave a large section of the road unlit, but perhaps I'm wrong.

I have mine on the mid fork eyelet.  It casts a shadow from the tire, but not more than a couple of feet out.  Doesn't interfere with the distance visibility you need.
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  Topic Name: Headlight and Bar Bag Reply #7 on: July 22, 2015, 01:27:31 PM
Lentamentalisk


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« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2015, 01:27:31 PM »

Sweet. I'll give that a try and see what hardware it takes.
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  Topic Name: Headlight and Bar Bag Reply #8 on: July 25, 2015, 08:05:31 PM
Lentamentalisk


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« Reply #8 on: July 25, 2015, 08:05:31 PM »

I did it, and so far it seems great! I have yet to actually ride at night with it, but my preliminary testing seems to show that the shadows aren't too terrible. I'm not the biggest fan of intentionally blocking my headlight, but if that's what it takes, that is what it takes. I'll see how this holds up on a longer ride, and certainly see how I like the light pattern next time I ride at night.


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