There are plenty of biking accessories that get our attention in a good way making us wonder how they can impact the overall performance of a ride. From exploring different bicycle helmet mirror that come for a pretty budget-friendly price to shorts or saddle that makes a long-distance ride comfortable, the world of bike accessories has a lot to offer. But one very useful gear to get if you are someone who will probably engage in many nighttime rides is a proper bike helmet with lights on it. Of course, there’s the option to mount light as well, which basically is today’s main topic.
I’ll not only tell you how mounting light on bike helmet should be done but also share some thoughts on choosing that ideal light. Also, a DIY solution for those who are on a tight budget.
What We Will Cover
Picking The Right Light to Mount on Your Bike Helmet.
One thing that is universally true no matter what sport, the need for a proper helmet that has a light on it is immense. Not just for biking but also longboarding, skateboarding, and many other sports prioritize getting a well-worthy helmet that during nighttime use has a light to help. When making a choice on which light to get for your helmet bike, there are some really crucial factors to consider.
First and foremost, go for a light that would not just allow to see what’s in front but also make you seen to other riders on the path. LED lights are great and you can have around 200 feet of vision with these. Some prefer LCD lights, and those are decent as well.
Also, make sure the light you chose actually matches with your bike helmet. You won’t like a weird combination of light and helmets stuck on head while your ride mates chuckle on it silently.
Depending on the location, surrounding light condition as well as terrain, you should decide light’s lumens. Extremely dark settings need around 1000 lumens for off-roading. While for simple rides on shady city alleyways, 200 lumens will be enough.
As you want the light to be mounted on a helmet, make sure it uses some sort of built-in mechanism for that. Usually, there are mounting brackets that help in fitting into the helmet.
The runtime should be as long as possible. Usually, the good quality ones ensure a standard 40 hours of battery life.
No flimsy construction please. Pay attention to the components of helmet light. Make sure it’s well enough to provide decent durability justifying the pricing.
Mounting Your Newly Bought Bike Helmet Light
The specifically made helmet lights are often easy to install. Here that helmet you are using should have proper vents that will hold the light’s mount. For example, commuter helmets do have such vents.
Once you discover the vents or bracket on helmet, simply slide light’s mount on it. Things will snap and fit right into place. While there can also be provided mounting option with the light model.
There are some models these days that come with Velcro straps. Or you can buy zip ties as well. After mount insertion, you have to use this zip tie or Velcro strap for securing the whole thing. So that during rides on tricky terrains, especially the bumpy ones, it won’t fall off. If there are lock buttons given for the mount to be secure, then even better.
Mounting a Regular LED Headlamp on Your Bike Helmet
Some may not love the idea of getting a new light when they have a spare option that could be fixed to their helmet and reused. And one such alternative can be a regular LED headlamp. Even if you don’t have one at your home free for the use, these are pretty inexpensive to get.
However, keep in mind, bike helmet lights that are dedicatedly made for the purpose do have certain benefits you won’t find with a regular LED headlamp. So, if you have the budget, there’s no need to look into such DIYing and simply get a specified version.
But, if money is a concern, this will help. Here’s how you can mount a LED headlamp into your bike helmet.
The Headlamp, Helmet & Adhesive to Use.
The helmet for this purpose should have a rear end that’s more on a flattish side. Pointy ones can be a bad fit for such mounts. While for the headlamp, something that comes with plenty of space for adjustments, as well as a hinged front light mount, is an ideal choice.
And for the adhesive, you can use double-sided tape that works with a robust automotive trim style. For the gap filling, epoxy putty works best, a liquid version will be better as those are super strong. Make sure it’s thick and assures quick curing. The adhesive should not work against your helmet’s material causing damage. Also, before making those joints or connections, make sure the surfaces involved are clean.
Decide The Placement.
Get rid of the strap from all associated parts. And these are the battery holder, both rear as well as front light, and wires. Then place the main light on your helmet. You should choose the placement of this main light based on these notes:
- No side tilting of the light.
- The path forward is pretty obstacle-free.
- No problem with straight-ahead shining. (Additional downward adjustment is a plus)
- Not in the helmet’s lower edge (Higher up is preferable.)
Then decide where you’d like to place the battery pack. If it has no rear light, then there’s no hard and fast rule here. But with a rear light, make sure there’s no problem with lighting up straight back.
Also opening battery door should be easier even when the holder is attached. During placement decision, make sure you keep the helmet facing forward similar to when it would be in use. This way your components’ placement, as well as the angles of illumination, will be better.
Now if you have a headlamp with distinct rear and front parts that will joint through a cable, the positioning will be slightly different. The placement should ensure some extra slack in cable.
Mounting Front & Rear Light.
Fix the front light first making sure it is facing absolutely forward. Maybe check inside a dim-lit room and make sure the direction of light is proper. The adhesive you use for fixing will take some time to cure properly and then you can move onto rear light. For the latter one, you should have a suitable surface for mounting. If there’s no such space, use a gentle curve. Simple double-sided tape will work for this.
Once you are done attaching the lights, turn both rear and front ones on. You need to decide the power and blink settings. And you should be ready to put the light mounted helmet on and make your necessary adjustments for the ride.
Keep These Points in Mind:
- Use reflective tape for decoration if possible. It adds visibility.
- Consider mounting more than just one light for all-terrain rides.
- Don’t try to cut, drill or dissolve your helmet. It will ruin the integrity.
Also Read: Best Daytime Bike Lights to Buy | Top Picks
Helmet lights Installation Guide
Wrap Up
And now you know the process of mounting a light on a bike helmet, both the store-bought specific type as well as a regular LED headlamp as a homemade version. Of course, I would recommend you to buy a specifically made bike helmet light, if possible, as those are unbeatable in terms of giving benefits that suit a typical bike ride during nighttime. But if you lack the budget, at least there’s an inexpensive DIY version to try as well. Hope It Helps!