Where to stick the blinking thing
Thu, August 26, 2010 
It gets increasingly dark in the early morning when I set out on a ride, so I recently bought myself a set of “Blinkie” lights, and where to put the rear light was a dilemma.
Because I ride tubulars and I always have a spare tire tightly wrapped in a piece of plastic and held beneath my saddle with a single toe strap. Also in the bundle is a co2 pump and a couple of spare cartridges.
The suggested mounting by a seat post clamp that came with the rear lamp, wouldn’t work because the spare tire would obscure the lamp.
I solved the problem by including a small screwdriver in my bundle and clamping the lamp to the handle.
Actually, a screwdriver is a pretty useful tool to have. When I glue my tires on, I always leave the space between two spokes that is directly opposite the valve, without glue.
The reason, it gives me an easy place to start when I need to remove the tire, and a flat screwdriver slipped between the tire and rim at that spot makes it even easier to lever the tire off the rim and break the glue bond.
The reason I thought of this was because back in the 1950s rear lamps always came with a seatstay clamp.
It was an easy matter to tighten the clamp (Off the bike.) and thread the strap holding the spare tire through the clamp, so the lamp was neatly mounted on the outside edge of the tire package.
It made it easy to remove the lamp when racing. And why do I choose the spot opposite the valve to leave without glue? Just so I know where it is. It is usually the spot where the makers label is on the rim.
Reader Comments (9)
I gather that riding with tubulars favors using CO2 pumps to get higher pressure levels. When you get an unlucky flat, do you fill it with a CO2 liquid latex sealant? Patch it later?
Looks like you're using a Brooks Pro, favor those too. Like to know what are your favorite cycling shorts? Thanks...
It looks as though you've 2 bottle cages on your frame. I often put my spare tub in a cut-down old bidon, and place this in the downtube cage. Presto, space under the saddle.
neat trick, but don't many if not most taillights come with an additional smaller clamp for mounting to the seat stay? also, many of the smaller saddlebags designed to fit under the saddle have a little loop designed to hold a light.
Ha, I bet that would have been illegal "over 'ome" back in the day. I remember the bobbies would pull us over for strapping taillights to our saddle bags instead of the seat stay to avoid scratching the paint. The taillight had to be solidly mounted to the frame.
Over 20 years ago, when I rode the Toronto-Niagara Falls Hairshirt Double Century, I didn't think I'd make it back before dark. I had this strobe light from Radio Shack I stuck in my jersey back pocket coming back on the Lakeshore.
I would try using your seatstay if its possible to clamp it on there; I know my taillight came with two mounting brackets of different sizes. If you want to be really seen (and drive anyone riding behind you crazy) clamp it on the rear hub, makes it a bit harder to be taken by a thief as well.
Very clever solution with the screwdriver though.
nan I like the bike story so nice.
Dave. Very neat way to solve a problem, I also has some flashing red lights that have a velcro backing and can be stuck any where. Have to laff at John B comments, The 1953 Rotrax that I have, has DENTS in the bloody seat stays from attching lights,possibly a dynamo yet! something I NEVER used, allways battery type. NoDRAG! John C.
Dave, get a seatbag or something ... that tire wrapped in plastic, strapped on ... with a srewdriver hanging out ... makes you look like a South Carolina native!
Ditto for the glue only I use a plastic tire "iron" and one of those round ones to. Once the tire is loose enough I slip the round one between the tire and rim and twist it. The base tape never comes off that way and it is fairly fast.
I have mounted my blinkie on the seat tube with the mount just under where your tube label is. It is visable between the stays and above the brake bridge. My favorite is from Bike Planet. Very bright.