Busch & Muller Handlebar Bracket - Review & Setup - Intro
Nearly all dynamo lamps come with a bracket to mount the headlamp to your fork crown, and for many this is the ideal place to put the headlamp, as it is out of the way of the cables that run down from the handle bars, and leaves more space for control and cockpit gizmos, such as phone holders etc.
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| The bracket allows for you to mount the lamp above or below the level of the handle bar. |
Busch & Muller Handlebar Bracket - Review & Setup - Why?
So why if you have a nice stainless steel fork crown mounting bracket do you need a handlebar mount bracket? I suppose there are three reasons, which I can think of.
1 - Front Rack - If you are touring and have a full sized front rack, this may occupy the crown mount point. So you may have to attached you dynamo lamp elsewhere.
2 - Suspension Forks - Many of the better suspension forks on the market do not have a crown mounting point. Although you can buy specific mounting brackets for suspension fork crowns.
3 - Mud - This is my reason. Even with mudguards when travelling at speed mud will flick (blow) back on to the lens of the lamp, on country roads this can mean stopping to clean the lense every 2 or 3 miles. Eventually you will end up scratching the lense.
Busch & Muller Handlebar Bracket - Review & Setup - Review
This is the most money I have ever paid for a small piece of plastic. But I have been thinking about getting one of these for years on and off. The bracket itself is of high quality and is easy to attach to the bike.
In use the light is coming from a high angle . . I am not sure if this changes anything in terms of lighting quality, but it may help visibility, as a be-seen light source it may catch drivers attention better. . .not sure on that one.
When riding off road I have often had near misses from low branches etc. as the Busch and mUller light are so good at keeping all of the light on the road / trail / track. With the light positioned higher on the bikes, this may help spot those low branches, before it is too late.
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As a potential negative point you may loose (as demonstrated in the hopelessly inaccurate diagram above) some near field lighting. The more moreful the light you are fitting the less noticeable the effect will be, as a power light pointing far in to the distance will have to changed in angle less as it is raised upwards. . . I think.
Busch & Muller Handlebar Bracket - Review & Setup - Fitting
My bike has a very long stem so I have to extend the wires so it would reach. The bracket is well thought out, and even on a very wide stem it enable you to line of the lamp, in a good central position. The bracket has a advantage over the standard crown mount, as you can adjust the angle of the light in virtually every dimension. This is largely due to the washers provided which are the same as the ones that you find on v brake pad to allow for angle adjustment.
As with most lights you will need to go for ride in the dark to get them dialled in properly, venture forth in to the night taking with you the correct size allen key. . .
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| If you have a Tall Stem / Headtube, you may need to Lengthen you wires. |
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| Even with a very wide stem, it is possible to get the light bang in the center. |
Busch & Muller Handlebar Bracket - Review & Setup - Conclusion
Expensive for what it is.Is very well worth it (and you're only choice) to fix some of the above mentioned problems.
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