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Review: Raceware Direct 3D Printed Garmin Mount – Plus New Colors, Models

Written by Tyler Benedict
23 Comments
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Raceware Direct 3D printed Garmin GPS cycling computer mount

Raceware Direct is a small UK importer/distributor that recently started making their own out-front mounts for Garmin’s GPS cycling computers.

What sets theirs apart from the myriad entries into that market is they’re 3D printed with nylon, and they come in colors. They’re available in black, blue, red, green and two new shades: pink and purple. Each one is sold direct and sells for £24.99. This puts them just a bit more expensive than SRAM’s new offering, but you have your choice of colors. And really, can you put a price on fashion?

Functionally, the mount works very well. The computer twists in firmly but allows you to get just the right angle since there are no indents or limits within the slot. It ships with a small rubber strip to go between the bar and mount, but I mounted mine without it and it held in place on all but the roughest roads. I like being able to adjust the tilt mid-ride as the sun changes angles or relative direction and occasionally hits the screen just right to reflect into my face. For those that want it rock solid, use the rubber.

Overall, it’s a good entry to the mix. Click through for detail shots and a few new models meant for TT/Triathlon bikes…

Raceware Direct 3D printed Garmin GPS cycling computer mount

This mount fits the Garmin Edge 200 and 500, but not the 800.

Raceware Direct 3D printed Garmin GPS cycling computer mount

The layering from the 3D printer is evident, but nothing a little sandpaper couldn’t remedy if you wanted to smooth it over. I suppose then you could have it primed and painted to match your frame if you were going full custom.

Raceware Direct 3D printed Garmin GPS cycling computer mount

Bolt hardware is securely mounted on the bottom of the mount. System weight is just 12g, making it among the lighter mounts we’ve seen. I haven’t put it through thousands of on/off cycles pulling the computer in and out, but the tabs seem to be pretty stiff.

NEW PRODUCTS

Raceware Direct TT Triathlon aero bar extensions garmin bicycle computer mount

Above, the Garmin TT mount works with all three of their Edge computers. They also have a version that works with the 310 and 910 XT computers. It mounts to aero bar extensions to place the computer between them or off to one side. £24.99.

This one holds any of the Edge models and mounts to the screws on the bottom of TT stems with integrated aero extension mounts. £29.99

All are available direct on Raceware’s website.
Tyler Benedict
11,281 articles

Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com, where he’s been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for almost two decades. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel and ride in new places.

Based in North Carolina, Tyler also loves the Vanlife & family adventure travel and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part and off-grid adventure.

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23 Comments
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CW
CW
11 years ago

“and sells for £24.99. This puts them just a bit more expensive than SRAM’s new offering,”

You guys realize 25 GBP is $40 USD and not $25 USD? Plus shipping from the UK. . .

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Shawn Moore
Shawn Moore
11 years ago

Or better yet, stop trying to make money off of an innocuous plastic widget, release the 3D printer files as open source and see what improvements the world can come up with…

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WV Cycling
WV Cycling
11 years ago

I’ve reviewed one of these, and I also have one for sale for $25USD + shipping.

Find out how to contact me on my site~

http://www.wvcycling.net/2012/06/18/product-review-week-part-1/

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WV Cycling
WV Cycling
11 years ago

Oh, I have one of the stubby looking TT mounts for sale also~

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uglyyeti
uglyyeti
11 years ago

And maybe Specialized will give you its ply kit patterns, layup schedule and tooling geometry so you can make your own frames based on its intellectual property? It kills me that there’s an entitled community out there that puts absolutely no value on engineering and innovation. Let the folks recoup their development costs and maybe earn a living if they’ve truly created something people want and wish to pay for.

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rt
rt
11 years ago

3d scanner for a digitized model of garmin mounting plate – 10 USD (payed once for all)
15 minute cad or even skeckup work – free
10 cubic inch of 3d printed nylon – 5-6 USD
1 bolt – 0,000000X USD

oau!!! 40 USD!!! this is THE BUSINESS!

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Will
Will
11 years ago

^uglyyeti gets it.

The reason these folks are making this thing is that they thought they could do better than the other products that are on the market. Love it or hate it, that’s how capitalism works.

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Psi Squared
Psi Squared
11 years ago

Why would they release the appropriate files so people kit create the pieces on their own? You do know, don’t you, that companies like to make a profit, right?

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rt
rt
11 years ago

of course, capitalism means free market.
but this is the beauty of online commerce. now we havw a free and huge market. 15 years ago it was impossible tu sell something like this, i mean with this price into a classic store.
why? because there is a limited number of stupid guys in the store neighborhood.

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Ryan
Ryan
11 years ago

Shawn – I could draw this up in CATIA in 15 minutes. Send me $200, I’ll buy one, reverse engineer it, then send you the files so you can the “world” can improve it.

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Steve
Steve
11 years ago

Instead of spending nearly $46 for one of these widgets, I’ll continue to be perfectly happy with the supplied stem mount.

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MaLóL
MaLóL
11 years ago

The included little piece of rubber is key. I also installed mine without it. But then I used it and it stays in place much stronger, and reduces the torque of the bolt.

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Andrio
Andrio
11 years ago

I’d love to see a mount specifically for mountain bikes. I think it looks awkward using a mount that extends outward without the bend of road bars. Something that attaches onto the bar, but hangs over the top of the stem rather than outward would be nice. I like the simplicity of the stock mounts, but don’t like the aesthetics of rubber bands wrapping around. Does anybody make this?

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RUSTYDOGG
RUSTYDOGG
11 years ago

@ Steve. Same here. Not sure why someone would want their garmin sticking way out there.

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Eric
Eric
11 years ago

The guy who makes these puts a lot of effort into it. If he’s making money he’s not making much per hour.

The design works very well. The computer is mounted low and in line with the bars (like an SRM) and it’s held solidly. Having the computer out front makes it much easier to see while standing.

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Psi Squared
Psi Squared
11 years ago

For those whinging about the files not being available to everyone, buy a CAD program, design your own, and then send your STL files to someone that can produce your piece. When you do that, report back about how much more than $40 all that cost you.

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mtbfreak
mtbfreak
11 years ago

can these people make something for my SPO tracker? I need something to mount it to my mtb handlebars but there’s nothing out there, the SPOT guys don’t even make anything

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ChrisW
ChrisW
11 years ago

I bought two of these – one for my Garmin 800 and one for my wife’s 500. As mentioned, they work OK without the rubber strip, but do move a little on rough roads; with the rubber strip, they’re rock solid. Engagement feels pretty similar to the Garmin mount. The sleek look is ideal IMO.

I can understand why you wouldn’t want one on a MTB, but on a road bike due to the geometry and riding position, putting the computer in front of the bars makes it so much easier to read and it’s fully protected by the levers.

If you want to put the computer in any other place, then use a short bar extension designed for lights/computers and put the stock Garmin mount on that. I have one of these on my touring bike that has a handlebar bag, the extension lifts the computer up a couple inches above the stem and makes it that little easier to read when in the more upright position on that bike. This would probably also work well on a MTB.

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El Xombo
El Xombo
11 years ago

I’m waiting to the Rapha version of this too.

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Ajax
Ajax
11 years ago

1) the plastic bits look rough, not smooth at all. I can buy a better finished computer mount for the same price, so they need to lower the price.
2) I agree. They should just release the CAD files and make it open source. Or if they wanted to make a couple bucks, they could sell the CAD files in the Apple, Android, or Windows App Store for $1 per app.

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Tommy Nickels
Tommy Nickels
11 years ago

Is there a benefit to 3d printing it over making it with mold injection?

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Psi Squared
Psi Squared
11 years ago

3D printing can allow the production of more complicated shapes, and over time (now for some things and int the future for others) it can be less expensive than mold injection. In this case Raceware Direct can produce the three mounts shown with the same apparatus. Moreover they can prototype stuff (and this is where 3d printing had it’s origins, in rapid prototyping) with the same apparatus. There’s no need for separate molds for each piece and for prototypes.

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tzed250
tzed250
11 years ago

This isn’t original intellectual property, they knocked off the Barfly.

https://bikerumor.com/2012/03/13/bar-fly-puts-your-garmin-on-the-big-boy-seat/

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