Finally upgraded my MTB to something from this decade, and trying to decide how to mount my computer (Wahoo Bolt).
The old bike ran a mount on the stem - easy to do with 110mm
Keeping it in roughly the same position would be my preference, but I can’t quite make it work with the current 70mm/35mm clamp stem. I’ve got a 31.8 stem ordered, maybe it will fit on there, but if not:
Probably can’t run mount that uses a steerer spacer, only have a ~2.5mm underneath the stem and nothing above…
I don’t love the look/idea of the top cap (or top tube) mounts.
Similarly concerned about the vulnerability of the stock out-front mount with flat bars.
Currently zip-tied on the bars next to the stem, but after 15 years of having a head unit centered I don’t know that I can tolerate having it on the side for long - are there options out there I don’t know about?
I agree that the top cap mounts look a little odd but I’ve been using one for a while and have gotten used to it. I think it’s the K-Edge Gravity Top Cap.
I tried the Race Stem Mount linked above but it hit the faceplate mount and forced the Garmin to be at a really poor angle. I then tried an out front mount from my road bike but, like you, felt it was just waiting to be knocked around during a crash. I even attempted to just use my Apple watch for awhile but it’s really awkward to see when compared to quickly looking down at my Garmin.
This clamps onto 31.8 and 35mm handlebars, and places the computer right above the stem/handlebar intersection. I’ve used this on my road bike to deal with handlebar bag interference; only recently moved it to my hardtail.
I run steerer spacer mounts on most of my bikes, and I can confirm that it’s totally fine for it to sit atop the stem and not have any contact with the steerer. So long as the top cap can by tightened enough to hold it in place and stop it rotating, then it’ll be fine.
Alternatively, there are mounts that attach to the bars and protrude rearwards or sideways over the stem, putting the computer into a similar over the stem position as the steerer spacer mounts. Don’t look quite as neat, but a little more secure.
Or, look out for top cap mounts that replicate the steerer space mount design. The link is for a fixed angle one, but I’ve seen adjustable angle alternatives.
sorry for the AliExpress links, but it’s just easy to find examples on there. There are western brand equivalents but you’ll have to hunt about to see what’s available in your locale.
Look up Rec-Mounts. There is probably a solution that can be reversed to get the position you want. I’m looking at mine and pretty sure it would flip around to accomplish this. ETA they look a lot like the Cestbon ones above.
Using a spacer-type (without any of the steerer running through it - downsides of shopping at “The Pro’s Dad”) is an interesting idea. The 31.8 stem turns out to be svelte enough to fit the original Wahoo mount so I’m sticking with that for now, although the angle seems a bit weird and a little closer than I’d like - which I expect would be the same with any of the spacer-type.
The Cestbon/AliExpress-equivalent definitely looks interesting, I actually just noticed the same style mount on one of my athlete’s bikes at practice last night (and got ‘aliexpress’ as the answer). Keeping that in the shopping list, seems like that might be the answer!
