Fitting attachments to flat handlebars

[Rebel Ian]

It's taken a while but I've found something I don't like about my bike. The Bianchi has flat bars which supposedly are much more comfortable to rest on. Personally I always ride on the hoods anyway so it makes little difference.

Problem is the oval/flat profile of the bars makes it impossible to fit brackets to them for mounting stuff other than ones that are a flexible strap type of affair. Having finally got round to working out how to use my GPS and I can't mount it on the bike as it has a solid bracket which clamps around the bars and screws tight. It's not even close to fitting.

Has anyone encountered this issue or, even better, worked out a solution?

Frustrated of Slough

 

[HLaB]

I fit a Cateye front light, I think its the EL410 its strap will fit anything including the flat profile bars of the bianchi. The GPS is stem mounted. I used to have another computer that was bar mounted with loops (elastic bands) I just had to use an extra band.

Yip its the 410.

 

[chillyuk]

I reckon a Minoura Space Grip would do what you want. The metal band that goes round the handlebars is flexible enough to conform to the contours and the bar on the minoura is round.

 

[Rebel Ian]

The problem is that the mounting for the GPS is an integral part of the actual bracket, not an attacment to the bracket.

 

[Rebel Ian]

I reckon a Minoura Space Grip would do what you want. The metal band that goes round the handlebars is flexible enough to conform to the contours and the bar on the minoura is round.

Just looked athe Space Grip and it looks like the metal bar is quite round. I'm not convinced it'll go round the Bianchi bars which are huge diameter (can it still be a diameter if they're not round?!!).

 

[amaferanga]

But the bars must be round near the stem - you could mount the spacegrip there. Having said that, I don't think a spacegrip would be rigid enough for a GPS. Which GPS do you have? If its an Etrex then I have seen people bodge the mount so that it can be mounted on the stem.

 

[mickle]

That would annoy the hell out of me, I'd change the bars!

 

[Norm]

Worry not, Rebel Ian, I have the solution and I'm just a few miles south of you.

Not only do I have a Space Grip that I don't want (it has been fitted for about 12 months but I've never mounted anything on it) but I can also confirm that the Space Grip can mount on the stem.

They are £11 to £13 online, yours for a fiver and a Flat White from the Costa in Eton and I'll even meet you over there and help you fit it.

 

[Norm]

Actually, mine is the Swing Grip, which lets you adjust the angle. They are £17 online so throw in a chocolate muffin too.

 

[HLaB]

A bit different but when I had a camera mount that was for normal size bars but by Kinesis had oversized bars, I used the Topeak Bar xtender (or whatever its called). I think it can be stem mounted too. I pretty certain it'd fit the bars of the bianchi close to the stem, I'll maybe give it a go tomorrow if I remember.

 

[Rebel Ian]

Actually, mine is the Swing Grip, which lets you adjust the angle. They are £17 online so throw in a chocolate muffin too.

Norm, you're a hero!! It's a deal. Name the time when it's convenient and hopefully I can get down there.

 

[Norm]

I've just come back from Slough (the ice rink, specifically)

I'll pm you my number, we can text / chat.

 

[Norm]

Norm, you're a hero!! It's a deal. Name the time when it's convenient and hopefully I can get down there.

A pleasure to meet such a true gent. I hope that it works when you get the etrex set up on it and thanks for the coffee and cake.

BTW, Ian, don't read this but the reason I refer to him as a gent is that he actually gave me more than I asked for, which made me feel guilty as hell and I hope recognition of his generosity here goes some way to repaying that.

Ride safe, sir, I hope to see you again in a few weeks and good luck with the LEJoG.

 

[Rebel Ian]

A pleasure to meet such a true gent. I hope that it works when you get the etrex set up on it and thanks for the coffee and cake.

BTW, Ian, don't read this but the reason I refer to him as a gent is that he actually gave me more than I asked for, which made me feel guilty as hell and I hope recognition of his generosity here goes some way to repaying that.

Ride safe, sir, I hope to see you again in a few weeks and good luck with the LEJoG.

On the contrary, it is Norm who is the gent. Not only did he ride 10 miles to meet me he then spent ages fitting said bracket then spent ages more adjusting it correctly as he wasn't happy with it. Certainly don't feel guilty - it was a nice excuse to go for a cycle, drink coffee and eat cake!!

See you Sunday 5th .