tekhna

For many years I was using a Lezyne Macro Drive that snapped in and out of a mounting bracket quickly and easily with no fuss.


My Macro Drive died and I ordered a Lezyne LiteDrive 700XL without looking too closely at what I was buying.

Turns out the LiteDrive is incredibly fussy and to remove or mount it you have to undo the strap. I can't do that when it's -10F and I need to keep my hands in gloves. So I'm returning the 700XL and looking for a replacement for my Macro Drive with a similar mounting system. Any suggestions? Lezyne doesn't really seem to make a light like this anymore.

acidfast7

You need better gloves.

I commuted in Germany and Sweden in XC ski gloves.

Legend Thermo ? 0402 ? LillSport

I could take my lights off my bike and use the XC skis with them easily.

tekhna

Hey thanks for not answering my question! I appreciate it. It gets cold here in Minnesota so I like my gloves. All six pairs for every condition. I also like my bar mitts, for when you need that layer of neoprene. Because it gets cold here.

But this isn't about gloves. It's about lights. I have gloves. I don't have a functional light.

noglider 

My Cygolite Streak uses a knob that is big enough to grasp with a gloved hand. It's a very nice mount. Come to think of it, the mount can be left on, and there is a tab that separates the light from the mount. You can probably operate that tab with your gloved hand, but if not, it's no big deal to unscrew the mount.

ptempel

The DiNotte XML-3 has an interesting strap:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...Bjw_cfUUk/edit

Scroll down to page 2. Only drawback is that its $240. Oh well...

acidfast7

Sure, square peg, circle hole. Poor quality light is the real issue.

ptempel

Maybe one of the Light and Motion Urban models?

Urban Bike Lights - Light & Motion

Though am not sure how the strap would fare in a thick glove. But the prices are definately more affordable.

tekhna

A light I use every day that dies after three years of heavy use is poor quality?

Interesting, I'll take a look! Right now an Exposure Sirius looks like my best bet.

FBinNY 

Two fish makes mounting blocks that use velcro straps to attach. They can be used for a cylindrical light, and the strap can probably be managed with gloves if you arrange it so the last inch or so doesn't secure.

Search Two fish enterprises for pics and decide if you think they have a possible solution for you.

BTW I use one of their blocks to mount a generic LED light, but I bring the bike in, so I never had to try removing it with gloves.

acidfast7

No beam focusing and can't operate with gloves, albeit incorrect ones, yeah, those are two huge minuses. Three years is nothing.

Anyways, this isn't a crapfest on a bad quality light.

I think you should get better quality gloves for the environment and your solution would present itself. You rejected that thesis, so I'm out.

srestrepo

I've only ever used cygolite metro headlights. That being said, I've never had trouble taking them off or putting them back on the mount, gloves or otherwise. I'm currently running the cygolite metro 1100 and was previously running a cygolite metro 360. Same everything other than output I guess. Pretty easy.

BikeLite

Would this light fit in the same bracket?
Lezyne - Engineered Design - Products - LED Lights - Macro Duo

BobbyG

what about a helmet mounted light? then it would just stay with you until you were inside. The only drawback is blinding oncoming drivers.

alan s 

Niterider Lumina slides on and off easily. Has a helmet mount as well. I use two lights (helmet and bars) in all seasons without any issues. Batteries don’t seem to last as long on a full charge as when new, but about 3 years and still working well enough for an hour+ on high.

chas58

one of the things I love about the cygolite dart pro is that it mounts like the light in your picture above. That and it has a very low profile - almost looks integrated with the handle bars. But, is 350 lumens enough for you?
https://cygolite.com/product/dart-pro-350-usb/



Other options I use: Helmet mounted light (800 lumen cygolite or night rider)

What I ended up with: liner gloves with wind proof outer gloves. That way I can take the outer shell off to do things like remove a light, and still have my fingers protected.

NewATBikeComute

+1. Was logging in to mention that recently I purchased a Lumina 750, and the tab, although hidden from view, on the back of the light, should be accessible. I have thin full-finger gloves, and was able to get it. Might be difficult if gloves are too thick, or loose around the fingertips.

DiabloScott

Lumina.

Easy on and off.
Easy to change angle.
Hardly any rattle noise.

srestrepo

i dont have a nightrider to compare to, but these lights look and seem to function similarly to the cygolite. i just pulled up an image of the mounting bracket - even it looks similar to the cygolite. sure the dimensions may be different but that's fine. i think the OP has plenty of good, well priced options out there.

RubeRad

Hey I also have an answer to not your question! Why do you want to take the lights off? Be like me, buy a cheap zoomable-head single-18630-battery cree LED flashlight (about $8-20 from amazon, depending on charger etc) and attach it to your handlebars with hose clamps.

RunForTheHills

You could install a permanently mounted dyno light on the fork crown.

jon c. 

I have a Cygolite 800 and I think the release tab would be easy enough to get to with most gloves. But perhaps not with gloves as thick as you might be wearing in those temperatures. And I'd worry about whether or not the plastic mechanism would survive. It's been decades since I lived up there, but my recollection is that pressing on anything plastic often met with bad results in extreme cold.

a1penguin

I think I could get my Cygolite Metro 550 off while wearing gloves. Some of the Cygolites have straps.

acidfast7

This is the best overall long-term solution

noglider 

It is. You might think a thief would steal a light that can be detached with a wrench, but in a city where bike theft and bike vandalism are high, the thieves seem not to do that, for whatever reason.

acidfast7

I agree. There's no used market for them and any store-bought bike with a dynamo and headlamp will also usually have a ring lock, which will just piss off thieves in general.