Computer forward bar mount. Worth it?
 

I've got a Garmin Edge 500, which I really like. I use it with the stock bar mount, so it's right on top of the handlebars next to the stem. Noticed that they make a mount that clamps to the handlebars and puts the computer out front a little more. Was curious if anybody has tried the two different locations and if they feel it is worth it to get the forward bar mount as compared to the stock on the bar mount? Biggest advantage I can see is that the stock mount uses rubber O rings to hold the mount,which could snap off, while the forward bar mount can be purchased in aluminum, so wouldn't have to worry about losing the Garmin on a ride. I can see it being out front being a little more visible and maybe easier to touch the buttons, but don't want to spend $ on something that doesn't make that much difference.

Something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/k-edge-compu...item4183418c9c

Thanks in advance.

I like the forward mount better.

Its closer the the hands and you don't have to look so far down.

I went to forward mount. During certain sun angles display was difficult to read - with o rings it was easy to tilt 500 for better viewing. Can't do that with fixed mount. Otherwise I like it.

Yes, absolutely worth it. I put it on one bike and liked it so much I put them on two more bikes. Any bike you ride a lot deserves one.

But . . . try just one at first and I'm betting you'll really like it.

Rick / OCRR

For my Garmin 800 I have a Bar-Fly forward mount on my road bike and a SRAM forward mount on my CX bike. Both hold the computer more solidly and in an easier to read position than the standard rubber band mount in either the stem or handlebar position. On my MTB, I have a Bar-Fly mount that positions the computer over the stem (more protected from being snagged by limbs etc.), but its adjustability lets me put it at an easier to read angle than resting on the stem with the standard mount. All of these are made from nylon and are very sturdy. I still use the rubber band mounts on a couple of other bikes. I have not had a band break while riding, but they do tend to move around a little, especially mounted on the handlebar.

I agree the forward bar mount is an improvement mainly because it is easier to read out there. I have the ones made from aluminum and have no complaints.

I have a barfly for my Garmin 500. I love it. You don't look down so far and remove your eyes from the road. I got mine on eBay.

Sounds like I need to look into these a little more. Sounds like it would make it easier to read. Nice having folks out there who have tried them. I do notice my 500 moves around with vibration and I have to rotate it back up, so maybe something a little more solid would be the trick.

Had a gift certificate to spend, so put it towards this. Not bad for almost half price. :)

I have an SRAM forward mount, and it looks/works great. IIRC, I shelled out about $15 on ebay.

I use the SRAM on one bike and the stock Garmin on another. I refer the SRAM. It seems to hold my Garmin tighter, locks in with a tighter snap

Mike

Don't have a Garmin, just a cheap cycle computer from Walmart, but the way I see it is, it would be 1 less thing mounted on the bar and thus room for yet another thing mounted on the bar.

My little cycle computer mount is curved to fit the bar. I have it zip-tied to the stem which puts the curve 90° to actually fitting. It is mounted crooked but I have 2 lights mounted on the bar and my bar ends made me push the grips, brakes, and shifters in towards the center which leaves no room to mount the computer with the 2 lights. I would like to get a real single bike light (mine are 2 flashlights) and a bell for riding on the trail for alerting those I am passing rather than calling out close enough for them to hear but too close that I startle them (mostly seniors either riding really slow or walking side by side.) I don't really have room right now to mount a bell because of the flashlights.

Love the bar mounts. :thumb:

I have the Sram bar mount and love it and it's cheap to.

How much do you use your Garmin? I use mine primarily to record rides, and rarely look at it during a ride. If you're using ride guidance features, sure, get the extended mount. We're all old and can't see as well as we used to.

Mine (phone, not Garmin) needs to be forward mounted or I have a hard time reading the GPS map.

Sram bar mount is nice and worthwhile. helpful hint - use some blue Loctite on the screw or it will back out over time

I'm so sorry.

If you hadn't known that such a thing existed you would have been perfectly happy with your bar mount. Now that you know, it's like the song you can't get out of your mind. The only short term cure is to buy the damm thing. The long term solution is to quit looking at bike accessory catalogues.

I know this to be true - except for that last part.

Barfly early adopter here. Big improvement over a stem mount. Before Barfly hit the market I had been using one of the accessory bar mounts; this worked fine for my 705, but didn't hold the 800 steady enough to use the touchscreen consistently. The Barfly has worked flawlessly; some have observed that the retention doesn't have a positive "click" (which is true), but I've never seen a report of someone having a Garmin eject when using a Barfly.

There is always your Pocket. Stop.. take it out, look, put it back in your pocket, and go back to riding.

I like my k-edge but I would love if it were angled a bit more

The reviews I read about the K-Edge vs. the Bar Fly is that the K-Edge is a little more Blingish and sturdy. Since I have a gift card through Amazon, I decided to go with the K-Edge as it just looks nicer and maybe a bit more stout. Now I just have to hope it fits my bars and works the way I think it will. I'll have to play with the angle and make sure it's sitting correctly.

Kind of defeats the purpose of having it if I can't look down and get the data I want when I want it. If it accidentally falls out of the pocket, I'd never know either. The K-Edge sounds like it puts it more in view, has a solid retention system, and looks good to boot, so I think that will work. I'm going to give it a shot and see. The pocket method is fine if the O-Ring breaks and I have to get it home, but I want to see mine so I can see where I'm at while pedaling (especially when looking to see my cadence or speed, etc.).

Honestly . . . it falls into the realm of carbon water bottle cages. It is not an absolute necessary to own before having an enjoyable cycling experience, but that said, I have them on all my bikes. The biggest advantage is that, as you state, it puts the GPS unit further out in front of you so that you don't have to look down so much to see it. I have a K-Edge and several Bar Fly mounts. (That's a good price on the K-Edge that you posted.) The only thing that I don't like about the K-Edge, (and is actually an advantage from different viewpoint), is that being AL, it could scratch the paint on my handlebar when I torque it down. What I do is cut up an old inner tube and wrap the bar once around before screwing down the mount. Works well enough and I don't have to worry about scratching. The Bar Fly is a plastic composite and will not scratch bars.

I'm just curious about your rubber band Garmin mount. Why do you have it on your handlebar? I would think that for sure it would not stay in place because the bars are smaller in diameter than the stem. When I used the rubber band mount, I always mounted it on the stem. Never turned in that position.

p.s. I do have carbon water bottle cages on my bikes. I'm partial to the Blackburn cages.

I use the K-Edge really like it but get the newer version with the plastic mount the older one wears out the plastic on the Garmin and it will start to get loose.

I bought the Garmin at the same shop I purchased the bike from. They mounted and set up everything. They put the stock Garmin mount on the handlebar just to the right of the stem, so totally their idea as I had no idea of how it went on or locations to put it. It's actually worked very well and only rotates when the road gets bumpy and the vibration will make it rotate just slightly. I was more worried about the O-Ring getting old and breaking and me losing the computer on a ride. The K-Edge being aluminum just seemed to make sense as it wouldn't dry out and crack like rubber or plastic might. The fact that it opens up the bars a little and puts the unit in front of the stem is just a bonus.