Touring - minoura swing grip

lots of people seem to complain about this on here.

so I'm wondering are there any good alternatives to it?

I have one that works just fine. I have it mounted so the cross bar is straight below the mounting point on the stem rather than above. That way it is already in a downward position and can't really go further down. I have 2 lights mounted on it so there is a fair amount of weight and it doesn't move or loosen up at all.

I use one with 2 lights. I did change the 2 screws that hold the arm in place and use loc-tite.
For 2 years no problems

lots of people seem to complain about this on here.

so I'm wondering are there any good alternatives to it?

The nonSwingGrip, aka SpaceBar, variety can be adjusted to just about any angle you want.

I've never owned any Minoura [bar mounts]. Some like them, some don't. I did though buy the Topeak Bar X' tender and it works great. When I buy more headlights, I plan on mounting all 4 on the mount. The outer 2 upright and inner 2 upside down. I have a picture of my old setup here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9320902@N04/1376443656/).

I used mine for 4 years and really liked it. I took it off this past summer because I don't really need it anymore ... I'm using a different lighting setup now ... but otherwise it would still be on my bicycle.

I did discover, early on, that the bolts on the sides, about midway down the arm, tend to work themselves loose, but I just put a bit of black electrical tape around the middle, covering the bolts, and I had no problem at all after that.

so I got one of these, and MAN.

I don't know what it was, maybe the cheap crappy metal band that you're supposed to attach it to combined with the strangely worded directions but I ended up not being able to install it and having a bent to hell metal attachment band. Seriously, I kind of have crappy motor skills but this was the hardest thing I think I ever tried to attach to a bicycle.

So I ended up kludging this thing by taking the square nut and wrapping it on to the stem with electrical tape from all angles then screwing in the mount that way and attaching everything. It's holding together alright in the garage, we'll see how it takes commuting but I'm thinking it should be fine as long as I don't karate kick it or anything.

As to alternatives, +1 to Space Bar. I've had it for years, it gives enough reach to mount lights and use a handlebar bag simultaneously. No complaints.

--J

I forgot to say I got the spacebar, not the swing grip

I recently repositioned my Topeak Bar X'tender. I ordered a Jandd Xtreme Front Rack and will be mounting my Jandd Rack Pack II on it. I replaced the electrical tape on the stem, positioned the mount upright, tightened it down and tested the strength. I can literally pick up my 35 lb. bike from this mount. This mount is practically bombproof! Have a look here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9320902@N04/2385960870/).