Trek_geek

I just bought a new helmet that has the size adjustment knob in back. My old one was the type you lifted the latch up and slide apart which gave me room to clip my Planet Bike (PB) Blinky 7. Is there a screw or glue on mount for helmets that I can clip the light on?? I keep a PB Superflash mounted and flashing on my rear rack even during the day time. I add the helmet light when it's still dark out.

ks1g

I use zip ties through the clip on the back of the light.

cyccommute 

Feed a velcro strap through the rear vents and hook the light to it.

cehowardGS

Same here.. Works like a charm..

telebianchi

I zip-tied a rack bracket to the back of my helmet. That way the light can go on and off as needed.

cehowardGS

Good method.. You can do the same with the zip tie method too. Just take the light off when you want to..

cyccommute 

The velcro strap method is easier to put on and take off.





I use the same strap as you use for your headlight mount, cehowardGS

cehowardGS

I am jumping on this..

Trek_geek

I was looking through my bike tool box last night and found the Blinky 7 box. Inside was both the hard mount for the seat post and the Velcro bungee. I took the helmet and hardware to my basement shop and started trying different options. I didn't really like any of the temporary attachments as it didn't place the light in an optimal position to be seen. I tried to figure how I might hard mount (screw) the mount and decided on drilling a hole through the mount and then countersinking the hole so a Phillips head screw would sit flush inside the mount. I next whittled off a small knob on the back of the helmet to give me a flat surface to screw into. Using the SWAG (Scientific Wild Ass Guess) method I screwed the mount into the back of the helmet. It rapidly became apparent that if I screwed the mount in all the way the light would be angled up too far. So I fired up the hot glue gun and proceeded to glue the light mount to the helmet, using the screw as a temporary alignment post. I built up the glue a little at a time so it wouldn't run and also realize I needed to remove the screw because it would make it hard to get the light into and out of the mount.
I will post a photo of my not so handy work tonight, but the mount survived its first use this morning, in the rain.

ModeratedUser150120149

Just curious.

Has anyone thought about what adding the light to the helmet does to its' crashworthiness? Does adding the light mess with the helmet's ability to handle impact in that area?

cehowardGS

Nice work, looks great and very functionalbe.

cehowardGS

Well if that is the case, I am in the doghouse big time!!

This morning, I left the house at 5:25 am, pitch dark and raining. I had no less then THREE lights attached to my helmet!!!

Yup, 3 of them. I have a nice large head 18650 torch facing forward, a small 3x aaa torch facing rearward, and a SF blinky copy in the rear. All 3 on the helmet. That is 5 AAA batteries, along with a 18650 battery on the top of my head!! . Didn't noticed any weight, and I didn't crash to find out where or what would be going on with the lights in a crash either. However, I could see nicely. As I had two 18650 torches on high facing forward on the front of my bike. Also another SF copy blinky on the seatpost. I could feel cars coming up in back of me, as I was taking the full lane. When I hear that deaceleration of the cars, I smile. The is no doubt in my mind that these cars see me, and respect my space on the road, and don't infringe.

fietsbob

Busch & Müller Topfire is 4 LED's and a battery , Quite a bit less bulky.
Part # B&MT
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/b&m.asp
scroll to the last item..

Tucks right into the vent holes..

twoblacklabs

I've mounted one to my helmet also using zip ties and superglue. While it's about as Fred as you can get, it really makes it EASY to see me on the road. When commuting in low light or dark, I tilt head from side to side and up and down when I know there's a car coming up behind me. That way it draws even more attention.

ModeratedUser150120149

Lots of lights, bright clothing and reflective material are all good things as far as I'm concerned. Except for the guy last winter who was riding on the shoulder opposing traffic with red blinkies on the front of his helmet and white lights on his handlebar.

I wonder how much, if any, helmet protection a person gives up by putting things on the helmet. What kind of trade off we are making?

ItsJustMe

Heck, it's more ablative material, it might ADD protection! Seriously though, I doubt it makes any significant difference. The helmet is already designed to hit concrete, possibly curb lips, car parts and possibly other protrusions. Hitting a plastic blinkie that's going to just crunch probably won't affect crashworthiness at all.

Also remember that helmets like the Bell Metro came with an actual blinkie attachment point, I assume that they got their certification with the blinkie in place, so apparently strapping blinkies on the outside doesn't affect it that much.

cehowardGS

I was banging this bike yesterday, in the rain, and riding it this morning too.

Big 18650 torch on my helmet facing forward. Small torch facing rearward on blinky, and blinky copy on rear of helmet and one on the seatpost. Also, two 18650 torches facing foward on high. Merging into traffic doing 50mph and have to take the full lane, the rear torch is doing its work.

Once I make my move into the traffic, the cars have to see me, because I cannot get up to 50mph no way under the sun. The cars have to slow down, period. How do I get them to slow down? The rear torch, two rear lights, hand signals and a little zig zag!! No, I am not brave, this route is the only way out of my development..

Trek_geek

Looking at your helmet rear blinking light, I would be concerned that these lights are designed to be viewed straight on or from the side (the way the LEDs are facing). I tried real hard to guess the position of my helmet and make sure the light is close to the position it would be, say mounted on my rack. I know I am off a few degrees on the right/left axis.

cehowardGS

IMO, riding in opposing traffic, is a no-no. With flashing/blinky lights, a super-no-no.

Don't think we are giving anything away in adding to the helmet. In fact, if you did crash, the things on your helmet will take some of the blow, at least I think that is the way it would be. However, extra lighting on the helmet goes a long way on helping a rider's safety. Corners are one, just like you say you wiggle your helmet, when I do the same and that bright torch facing forward puts a big bright print on the ground that is very noticable from all directions. I also do a little zig-zag too.

cehowardGS

You are right about that. That particular helmet I have not made holes in the back for a mount. I just connected it with velcro, and it is pointing upward. That is just temporary..I want it aiming straight backwards with the beam, not skyward like it is now. Temporary for sure.. ...

10 Wheels

My night helmet:

https://s256.photobucket.com/albums/h...view=slideshow

cehowardGS

I like, I like!!

I like how low you got the torch on top too.. Going to work on cutting down the mount on mine to the torch closer. But, nothing like have a nice torch going where you look..

cehowardGS

10 Wheels, I am moving up the light chain!

I just got the JM05 Clone, cut down a two fish type mount, and slapped it on one of my helmets, and oh boy.
The JM05 clone is a 26650 light. Form factor is nice and short like I like it..

K'Tesh

I like the self-leveling of the PB Blinky 3H, but it's so damn dim compared to the PB Superflash. Anybody figured out a way of adapting a 3H's self-leveling mount to work with the Superflash?

PB Blinky 3H w/mount

smasha

unless you're using a red-zone-4, i'd be suspicious about mounting lights on a helmet. most lights are VERY directional, and outside of the tiny hot-spot they quickly become invisible. that's assuming that it's not obstructed by backpacks, etc.