Source
r/xbiking•
dock_boy

Specialty clamp for light mount

I've got a front rack built from 11.5mm aluminum tubing. I want to bolt a headlight mount to it, but don't think drilling into it is a good idea. What I really want is some sort of clamp to grasp the tube that I can fix a mount to. The current light is a Cateye Volt, but I want to keep my options open. Is there some sort of clamshell clamp that would grasp this small tube and allow me to bolt something to it? I suspect stamped steel p-clamps like what are sometimes used to fix racks on a bike are not going to be ideal, I'd rather a hunk of aluminum for the job, or something similar.

Posted Dec 15, 2022, 6:35 PM UTC

37
edibleben•

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-piece-rubber-insulated-clamp-assortment-67657.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17924654128&campaignid=17924654128&utm_content=141087178982&adsetid=141087178982&product=67657&store=876

2
step1makeart•

Universal line clamps or Billet P clamps might do the trick. You could shim a 1/2" clamp, or try drilling/filing out a 7/16" clamp.

https://phenixindustries.com/product/billet-p-clamp-7-16-id/

2
dock_boyOP•

Thanks, that is pretty much exactly what I need! A little time with a file will be just fine.

1
Unlikely_Eggplant69•

What kind of front rack are you running exactly?

1
dock_boyOP•

An old Minoura. Never seen another exactly like it from them, I got it in a thrift store years ago and it's probably from the 80s or 90s.

My bike was featured on The Radavist - https://theradavist.com/surly-cross-check-review-2/ - so you can see the rack there. I want to bolt a light to the forward upright.

2
Unlikely_Eggplant69•

Oh man, I remember that one! It’s been one of my favorites for a bit.

Well if it were me I’d add a braze on to mount this: https://www.paulcomp.com/shop/components/mounting-solutions/light-mounts/gino-light-mount/

The p-clamps should work just fine though, but if you’re ever interested in brazing, here’s a good resource and adding rack mounts is pretty easy if you have the tools https://framebuildersupply.com/collections/bosses

2
dock_boyOP•

Thanks! I love the bike and really enjoyed the response to it.

Unfortunately the rack is aluminum, and I'm not connected to anyone who can do that work. If it were steel I'd be pumped to just braze on a fitting, but I'm not so convinced it'll be a good move with an old aluminum rack.

I think I'm going to try to find a stout p-clamp to use/modify.

1