Bike mounts for Garmin 60 series

I'm happy to say that my wife and I are both getting a new mountain bikes. Decommissioning of the old ones is nearly a decade overdue! The problem is, these days, most nice bikes come with 31.8 mm diameter handlebars, and I'm having a hard time finding a mount for my Garmin 60CSx that will fit.

In the past, I've used RAM mounts, and have been very happy with them, but that's not a good option unless I switch out handlebars. So I emailed RAM, and they suggested this monster mount. Um, thanks guys, but I don't really like the plumbing clamps.

It turns out that Garmin has a large diameter rail mount adapter (seen at left) for their mount. Unfortunately, Garmin mounts (for the 60 series) have a reputation for disengaging in rough terrain, sending that very expensive GPS flying. I don't like that idea either.

The best solution I've seen was posted in this thread about Garmin 60CS bike mounts on Groundspeak:

"What I finally did, which doesn't obscure the screen, is to take a wire tie, like the ones used for vegetables and string it through the lanyard strap hole on the 60CS and then to the space on the 60CS holder where the holder clips onto the mount on the bicycle handlebar. Tighten up the wire and twist it around itself to hold it in place. Tuck the ends under the 60CS and then click on the 60CS to the bike."

I'm not sure that would hold it in place if the mount broke, but that may be the solution I go with. I'll try and remember to update this post once I've made a final decision and tested it out.

Technorati tags: GPS

Comments

[Michael]

So, did your juryrigged mount work? I've got a Kona Hoss Deluxe and a Garmin 60CSx and am looking for a good bike mount solution.

Thanks.

[Rich Owings]

Michael,

The reference to the jury-rigged mount is actually a quote from a thread on Groundspeak at http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=122246. I suggest you ask there.

[Larry West]

I use this Garmin mount on my mountain bike. My Vista and now my 60 CSx rarely come off, even in extensive very rough biking with lots of rocks and drops. It only comes off in a major crash, perhaps one a year or two.

For safety I tie the lanyard to the GPS and loop it around the bar when I clip in the GPS. Then in those rare occasions of a big crash, and my GPS goes off (usually because my leg or knee hit it and it nicely released), the GPS will just do a bungee jump and be right there on the cord.

Also, I'd never use the RAM mount. There was a big accident in NorCal where a guy put his face through the bar. He had bad brain injury and we haven't heard much from him since. Read more on the MTBR.com Norcal forum.

I'd rather have the soft release of the Garmin mount, that also doesn't protrude. I've never had damage to my GPS while it's on the bars in years of riding. In contrast, I've broken quite a few bikes, wheels, axles, derailleurs, and other more expensive things while the GPS stayed fine on the bars.

When it was first new, I put my 60CSx in my camelback to "protect it". On the second ride I had a major endo, landed on my pack and broke off a couple buttons. Garmin fixed it free even though I mentioned what happened. :-) Since then, I've kept it 'safer' on the handlebars.

-BigLarry

[Rich Owings]

Good to hear from you Larry. Thanks for sharing this. I miss those western trails!