Our product management team has come up with a bunch of new solutions to help you mount your kLite Dual USB charger in your bike cockpit!
We know that many of you keep your kLite USB charger sequestered in your frame or handlebar bags, but did you know that it's waterproof and capable of living permanently on your handlebars or frameset? We've been riding with the kLite USB charger on our bars for three years and have met with tremendous success with it in this position. It's really great to have the visible red LED shining, telling you that everything is charging and working as it should. It's also easier to plug and unplug devices on the fly when you have everything within your visual frame.
Some key success factors from our experience:
- Keep the kLite Dual USB charger out of the constant stream of water and dirt coming from the wheels. It's OK if it gets wet, but wet+ dirty causes problems. Mount it in a spot that is blocked from wheel spray.
- Tip the Dual USB charger back so that water won't pool inside the charging ports. The device is sealed from weather, but significant pooling inside the charging ports can short out charging and generally cause problems. Mounting on a slight angle keeps pooling at bay--even in a thunderstorm--and keeps you charging during the rain.
- As part of your regular bike maintenance regime, put a thin coating of dielectric grease on the exterior metal components of the USB charger and the USB charger cords you use on your handlebars. This works to prevent surface rust, and is especially important if you ride near the ocean or in an area that uses salt or saline solutions to treat road conditions in the winter.
- Lastly, once you insert your power input cord, you'll want to zip tie it to the "ladder" at the top of the USB charger. This will give you a secure connection, minimizing vibration and providing a fail-safe tether should your mounting solution fail while out on the trail.
There are a ton of ways to mount your USB charger in your bikepacking cockpit. The easiest way to classify the options is to start with the mounting "how"--the way the USB charger will mount to your setup. There are three primary connection methods:
- Connect the USB charger to your bike with a three lobe / two lobe kLite / Go Pro system. The kLite self-adhesive connectors use 3M's all-condition VHB double sided tape to link the kLite Dual USB Charger to a Nylon 12 mounting plate with a kLite / Go Pro dual lobe connector. This will allow you to use a wide range of kLite / Go Pro three-lobe connectors available on the website.
- Connect the USB charger to your bike with a Garmin-style circular push and turn mount. The jefe velo self-adhesive connectors also use 3M's all-condition VHB double sided tape to link the kLite Dual USB Charger to a PVC mounting plate with a Garmin-style circular connector. This will allow you to use a wide range of Garmin circular connectors available on the website (or in your parts bin!)
- Connect the USB charger to your bike with some self-adhesive hook and loop material. While Velcro-like solutions have been a "go-tos" in the bikepacking community for years, they have a range of drawbacks, including mounting security, damage to your frameset finish, and vibration resistance. We recommend one of the previous two mounting solutions.
Option 1: kLite / Go-Pro Mounting of the Dual USB Charger:
Clean your USB charger with some mild soap and water, allow it to dry, and then mount the connector using the provided VHB double sided tape.
Once mounted, allow the VHB adhesive to set for 12 - 24 hours before using. This will assure the best long-lasting connection.
And then assess your mounting optons! This will allow you to connect the kLite Dual USB Charger to any three-lobe kLite / Go Pro connector.
Here are a few examples from the jefe.bike website:
1.1: kLite Aluminum handlebar mount
Fits 31.8mm and 35mm handlebars, or 22.2mm bar extenders with provided spacer cams.
Durable CNC Aluminum
Can project "up and out" to provide clearance from other cockpit items.
1.2: Jefe Velo low profile handlebar mount
This also comes with 3M VHB double sided tape onboard.
Mounts to 22.2 extension bar with included zip ties
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