More options for mounting lighting systems

by Monte L. May, PCI #262T/EMSCI #009T
IPMBA Industry Liaison
Kansas City PD (MO)

Niterider has introduced a new headlight mount for their already popular lighting systems. This new product, called the Universal Mount, provides the Public Safety Cyclist with many more mounting options. I have to admit, when they first came out, I was a big fan of their "Cam-Lock" mount, which did away with the nut and bolt fastener. For the Public Safety Cyclist, or the cyclist who has more than one bike, the Cam-Lock mount was very practical, as it was easy to pull the light off of the bike and take it with you. However, I experienced continued problems with this design as the metal cam arms on several of these styled mounts bent and ultimately had to be taped to the bike with electrical tape.

The new universal mount seems to fix this type of problem while providing for a greater flexibility of mounting options. Lights can be mounted on the handlebar stem, on riser bars, or on oversized handlebars, and still have the light pointed straight. This is done by placing the light mount on a hinge that is separate from the part which mounts to the bike. This hinge can later be tightened to more permanently fix the headlight's position.

In addition to being practical, it is also sturdy. It looks to be very well-made and capable of standing up to all those times when we have to drop the bike to attend to business.

Likes:

I like the new bolt type fastener. The nut and bolt tightens into a U-shaped piece that won't strip out or bend like the cam-lock style. I also like the way the mount for the light is connected by a hinge that allows the user to adjust the light on riser bars or over other items on the handlebar.

Dislikes:

None

Purchase Information:

The Niterider Universal mount can be purchased at your local bike shop for about $29.00 or on Niterider's website: www.niterider.com.

Monte May has been involved with police cycling in Kansas City for seven years. He is currently serving as IPMBA's Industry Liaison. He can be reached at montemay@earthlink.net.

© 2004 IPMBA. This review first appeared in the Winter 2004 issue of IPMBA News.