Irishred

On the older style helmets there was a plastic strap that ran across the back of the helmet which was part of the head harness (from lack of a better term) on which you could clip on a blinkie light. Now days, most of the newer helmets have the size adjustment wheel thingie on the back on the helmet on which a blinkie cannot be clipped. Do any of you have ways that you have come up with to attach a blinkie to the rear of your helmet? OR are you aware of any brand(s) of the newer helmets that still have the old-style straps? A blinkie on the helmet was a great way to be more visible from the rear and a good backup for the blinkie on the seat post. Helmets with built-in lights are way too expensive.

rlmalisz

I got one of the new Bontrager Wavecel helmets that has magnetic attach points on top and on the back. And it comes with a GoPro-srtyle mount for the top, I bought a Bontrager taillight that snaps into the rear point. Works fine, but I have dislodged the rear guy taking off my Camelbak to get something in one of the pouches. Someone will undoubtedly make a rear-facing light that isn't quite as birght that has a lower profile as some point. I've not seen anything new with a back strap.

Rolla

I've seen folks create a strap by stringing a zip-tie through the helmet vent holes that they clip a light to. Personally, I'm not a fan of riding behind someone with their taillight at eye-level -- especially if it's in blinking mode.

jon c. 

I've always been able the thread the straps in the light mount through the vents on the helmet.

Koyote

A good helmet is designed to allow your head to roll or slide along the pavement rather than to get hung up. Think about it: if you come off the bike and your body is tumbling along the pavement, but your helmet catches and prevents your head from rolling of sliding, you're more likely to get a neck injury. In other words, clipping something to your helmet is a bad idea.

rsbob 

In newer helmets this is called MIPS.

Camilo

My old Guarneau helmet has a little round blinky velcro'd to the round adjustment knob. OTOH, it was so weak with poor visibility, that it was worthless, IMHO.

Ironfish653

Without pushing this thread into A&S territory, as helmet threads are wont to do; there’s very little risk of a added-on blinky light being the silver bullet that causes the failure of a helmet and the catastrophic injury to the user.
In all likelihood, in a crash, the little plastic light will get smashed to bits, the strap will break, or it will unclip itself and get flung away, rather than precisely and forcefully piercing through a helmet.

Having lost a fair handful of clip-on blinkies over the years, just riding along, I have no reason to believe that one would stay attached during a crash event.
I also realize that everyone has their own personal acceptable risk matrix, so take it as you will

Dino_Sore

I've managed to use zip ties through the air vents to successfully attach a taillight to my helmets. Some helmets work better than others, but I've always managed to fudge around and get something to work. The other part of the equation is to get a light that has a long enough clip to support two zip ties. I use Princeton Tec Swerve lights. They are still a bit old-fashioned and use batteries, but they have a very long clip to work with.

I don't ride much at night anymore, so my helmet light is merely a backup in case one of my two bike taillights fail, or if I get caught in bad weather/low visibility conditions. Otherwise, I prefer lights attached to the seat post or seat stays that can be aimed accurately. Anything on your helmet, backpack, or saddle bag is going to be bouncing around and not optimally aimed.

Koyote

Not really.

MIPS is intended to reduce the transfer of rotational impact to the brain… it is designed to reduce movement of the brain within the skull. I am talking about reducing rotation of the entire head, which can damage the neck. MIPS is a helmet liner system; a smooth and well-rounded outer shell helps reduce head rotation.

Irishred

Thank you to everyone for the input of great information.

Milton Keynes

I have one like this (with red LED) strapped onto the back of my helmet:

I just fed the silicone rubber strap through one of the rear holes on my helmet and latched it. All I have to do is press on top of the light and it switches on.

JohnDThompson 

That's what I do, as well. The strap goes through the vent holes.

mrv 

Little Velcro strap works.



I turn it on when I’m traffic with cars when it’s getting dark.

Leisesturm

My helmet company (Giro) thinks mounting blinkie lights behind helmets is such a bad idea that they actually make a blinkie that mounts in the large vent hole just above the wheel adjuster on the model I have (Register). It is a very specific to model design and they have three or four different casings to fit a dozen or so different helmet shells with that feature. A Giro Register MIPS helmet can be obtained for $55 and up. Expensive? YMMV. I spent that on a helmet in 2005 and thought I was getting a deal. Spending the same amount in 2022 for a certified MIPS lid from an international brand (Giro) ... I'll leave it there.

Polaris OBark

As a driver, I sometimes find helmet-mounted front and rear lights confusing, especially when it is very dark. Unlike many drivers, I am pre-disposed to giving cyclists a break whenever possible, so I hope you won't mind me humbly suggesting more than one front and rear light, with one of each in the canonical/expected positions.

BlazingPedals

Yes. This is what I do. The rubber-band/o-ring that comes with the blinky light wasn't long enough so I added a loop of zip-tie. Make sure the tab end doesn't poke into your scalp!

msu2001la

Specialized Centro LED is on-sale for $45 right now.
Centro LED | Specialized.com

Milton Keynes

My helmet mounted light is used in addition to the taillights I have on my bike.