Handlebar map

[David30721]

I'm hoping Paul Taylor will see this question and respond? Paul, I've read your blog with great interest, Can you tell me what kind of handlebar mount you use?  From the picture, it doesn't appear to be very bulky or cumbersome.  I've just bought a 76c off of E Bay but I'm having some difficulty finding the best way to mount it on the bike.  The Garmin website says their mount will accomodate handlebars up to 1" diameter, but mine are 1 1/4" inch.  Any suggestions?

[ptaylor]

Hi David. Glad you found my blog helpful.

What a downer that the Garmin mount will not fit your handlebars! Take a look at the Minoura Swing Grip.

I initially mounted my unit directly to my handlebar, but didn't like the amount of space it was taking. So I got the Swing Grip for both my bikes, and it works well. I now have plenty of room for the GPS, cyclometer, and lights. My only complaint is that the Swing Grip is a bit flimsy; but I couldn't find anything better.

This should solve your 1 1/4" inch problem nicely.

Paul

[David30721]

Thank you very much.

[ptaylor]

As I said back in January, the Minoura Swing Grip is a bit flimsy. Well, last week it broke, almost without warning...metal fatigue of the light aluminum bracket. Luckily, I was able to catch the unit before my GPS and headlight fell to the pavement.

I will not buy another Minoura Swing Grip...not sure what I'll do. I finished my tour by removing the remnants of the Swing Grip, attaching the GPS to the handlebar, and putting my headlight in a pannier.

Paul

[RussellSeaton]

http://www.minoura.co.jp/acc-e.html

Minoura Space Grip.  Not Swing but Space.  More solid.  No flimsy aluminum extension.  Maybe not as adjustable, but more solid.  If the above link does not work, go to Google and type in Minoura Space Grip and the Minoura website will show it.  Finding it I don't know.  But you will know what you are looking for.  Performance also sells a copy of the Space Grip.  Called Spacebar.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22874&subcategory_ID=4323

[ptaylor]

Hey Russell. Thanks!

In searching around for the Space Grip, I stumbled across the NITTO Lamp Holder.

This looks really strong, and I think I will order one. NITTO is not a brand often found, but I have seen their racks. Rivendell sells their racks, and they are a thing of beauty.

Paul

[JayH]

I've used a very very lowtech map holder... a clothes pin.

What I did was photocopy and shrink all the map cue sheets I was using and then use clear packing tape to waterproof it, then I simply put a clothes pin on one of my brake or der. lines of my MTB and that was my map holder, works, it's basically free, which means, it's for me!

Jay

[ptaylor]

Hi Jay.

Interesting reply, and good advice, but I think this thread is about GPS mounts, not paper map mounts.

Paul

This message was edited by ptaylor on 7-6-07 @ 2:02 PM

[JayH]

Ohh, oops! I guess I must of read the post too fast.

I used a Garmin Etrex Vista for one bike tour and I used the Garmin bike handlebar adaptor... I don't know what my diameter of my handlebar is, but I think it's 1" or less. I can check and I can probably measure the diameter of the adaptor for you to see if it'll clear 1 1/4" Sometimes they have a little rubber shim in it that might be able to be macguyvered out to clear 1 1/4"....

Jay

[geegee]

I used a Minoura Space Grip to mount my GPS on my bikeFriday which
has absolutely no room to put anything after my handlebar bag mount
is on.



I placed the Space Grip on the stem which has quite a large diameter.
I had this Space Grip on another bike and lost the larger metal band so
I modified a metal pipe clamp instead.



Nice thing about the set up is that it positions the GPS closer towards
your eyes, making it easier to read. Also it is simple to loop the lanyard
around the base of the Space Grip, just in case the mount lets go.
I have ridden this bike off road and the set up seems rock solid.

[edmilkman]

have you considered an aerobar to give your hands and wrists a break as well as to have extra room for gadgets. Mine is a Profile Design mounted on a road handlebar; they should work fine on a straight bar too shouldn't they?  I'll send a pic if you ask.

[JimF]

David:
May be a little late, but have you looked at the RAM mounts? I've used one on my MTB for years; plenty of rough handling and held on with no problem. Also, lots of flexibility in mounting location. See
http://www.ram-mount.com
if still looking.