GPS bike mounts can encounter a variety of problems, including vibrations, bump-resistance and shutting off or breaking as a result of road or trail obstacles or even just bumpy surface. While the GPS manufacturer's bike mounts do work, there is a home-made version that is cheaper, easy to make and effective in guarding against vibration and other issues.
Instructions
1. Decide on the length of inner tube, depending on the size of the GPS unit you are trying to secure. Use half of a MTB inner tube, or road tube, cut lengthwise for a larger GPS unit (like the Garmin 76-series) and use a quarter of the inner tube for a smaller unit.
2. Tie one end of the inner tube on to the left side of the handle bars an inch from the middle handlebar pole. A simple knot will do. Inner tubes have great grip to them, so just make sure you pull it tight. Wrap the tube a couple of times down the stem of the handlebars, then place a 2-inch car wash sponge on the stem of the handlebars.
3. Place the GPS unit on the sponge and continue wrapping the inner tube. The pattern you use to wrap the GPS unit to the sponge, stem and handlebars will depend on where the buttons and features are located on the GPS. Make sure it is secure, then tie the tube onto the other side of the handlebars.
4. Wrap tightly every step of the way. This will keep the inner tube from slipping and keep the GPS unit solid against the sponge and handlebars. This is especially important if you ride off-road often and encounter many bumps along the way.
Tags: inner tube, stem handlebars, bike mounts, sponge stem, sponge stem handlebars, unit sponge