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Review: F3 Cycling Computer Mount puts your GPS out front or up top

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F3 Cycling isn’t a household name, but was founded by a trio of avid cyclists who like many of us, spent a lot of time training and racing together. Consequently, a friendship formed that resulted in a collaboration to create solutions to problems, in the form of innovative products to benefit cyclists.

Circa 2019, most cyclists, no matter the type of bike they ride, tote around a GPS navigation device or smartphone. The market has seen a ton of third-party mounts developed to carry these gadgets on one’s bike, but F3 Cycling believes what’s currently available, falls short of the mark. Thus, the crew at F3 Cycling attempts to solve this problem with a number of mount solutions.

Above, the F3 Cycling product range

The FormMount

F3 consider this offering to be the “most adaptable cycling component ever created”… “a mount like no other”.

In a nutshell, the FormMount is a modular mounting system for GPS computers, cameras and lights. “The marvel of FormMount’s direct stem integration is adjustable arms that give the ability to fit virtually any 4 bolt stem in 5 different mounting positions.” The patented design is licensed to Lezyne for their Direct X-Lock Mount System, but meant for different GPS units (pointed out by a reader – thank you).

I ride a lot of dirt and gravel roads and shoot videos of my experiences. My handlebar at events such as Dirty Kanza 200 often resembles a jungle gym, so any chance to reduce some of the handlebar clutter and spread is always a good thing.

Pictured above is the Light / Camera mount, more on that further down. Image provided by F3 Cycling.

FormMount removed from the packaging

To deem a relatively simple cycling gadget as user-friendly, I typically eschew RTFM… aka read the f’n manual, because I hope that common sense and intuitive design will help during installation.

But first, the obligatory gram scale photo:

58 grams with all of the fittings for Wahoo and Garmin (only one pair of bolts is required for the installation, more info below). Configured for Garmin or Wahoo, you’re looking at about 44 grams added to your bike. To save further weight, you can purchase titanium bolts from F3 Cycling.

Pictured above are the steel fixing bolts in two lengths and required spacers. Only one pair is required for the installation and you’ll need to choose the right length for your stem. In my case, I required the longer of the two bolt sizes.

Above, the PRO Discover stem bolts have been removed. Observant types will note I’ve chosen to install the FormMount at the highest point of the stem, mostly because I’ll be using a Garmin 1030 for this review. Garmin 1030’s are lengthy and not a svelte device but they are good for those of us with less than perfect eyesight. Bonus observation points for spotting the Shimano GRX parts and Garmin mount lashed to the stem.

Supplied spacers are installed to provide clearance for the FormMount to affix to the stem.

Fixing bolts are in place with the FormMount, all that remains is to tighten the bolts down appropriately. Note the fixing bolt at the centre of the Garmin mount. The mount can be swapped for a Wahoo compatible mount, whilst the bottom piece can be swapped for the Light / Camera mount (more about that further down).

Another view before everything is tightened down.

Installed and ready to go.

To resist twisting of the FormMount’s outrigger arms during installation, F3 recommends installing the Bridge Tool. It also doubles as a stiffener for optional, heavier objects that may be slung beneath the FormMount with an appropriate adapter.

The Bridge Tool adds 15 – 16 grams to the unit weight, but I managed to install the FormMount sans Bridge Tool… until it came time to install a GoPro camera later on.

The Garmin 1030 doesn’t win any contests for aerodynamic svelte, but it sits at a perfect angle for easy viewing.

Additionally, Garmin’s touch screen is easy to reach in this more upright position. It should be noted Garmin’s extended battery designed for the 1030 and 830 are not compatible with FormMount.

Above, how the Garmin 830 looks on the FormMount.

Another angle of the Garmin 830.

Above, how a Garmin computer looks mounted in the lower position. Photo provided by F3 Cycling.

Above, the bottom half of the FormMount interface can be swapped for the Light / Camera component.

Above is the Light / Camera component that adds 12 to 13 grams. Unfortunately, my go-to light for now, the Ravemen PR1600 didn’t ship with the matching interface, so I was unable to test a light slung beneath the FormMount.

But, I did sling a GoPro Hero 7 beneath the FormMount. Not pictured in the photo above is the Bridge Tool. For a shake-free video, the Bridge Tool was needed.

So, how does the FormMount perform? I took it along on my Pivot Vault review bike, for several gravelly road rides. With the heft of a Garmin 1030 jutting out, the mount was stable, and the stem bolts stayed in place. I’ll admit to being nervous about substituting stem bolts and carried the original bolts in the event I had to ditch the FormMount, but that never happened.

The GoPro Hero 7 camera was stable once the Bridge Tool was installed. Considering how much real estate is taken up on the Vault’s 40cm PRO Discover handlebars with GRX Di2 and sub-brake levers, the FormMount is a winner. It kills the need for yet another handlebar mount to sling the camera and if I had a suitable interface for my light, it would be even better.

The fun doesn’t end there, F3 Cycling has two more mounting options.

FormMount Phone

Yours truly is not a fan of attaching smartphones to bikes, but there are plenty of people who are. Consequently, I didn’t review this item but wanted to include it for interest’s sake.

“Now you, your phone and your bike can all have an unbreakable bond. FormMount Phone’s strap-free interface uses 4 neodymium magnets to create incredibly strong docking while the twist & lift design provides an effortless release.”

FormMount Phone mounts to the top of one’s steerer tube.

Whilst I didn’t review FormMount Phone, I did test the strength of the magnets… there is no effin way that bond is being broken in all but the worst of crashes. Fingers crossed nobody has to find that out.

FormMount Phone will add 113 grams to your bike, including the tether.

FormMount OTS

The final offering from F3 Cycling is the FormMount OTS, that like the FormMount Phone, utilizes the bike’s steerer tube to connect a GPS navigation device.

For now, only Garmin compatibility is offered but Wahoo is coming.

FormMount OTS lives up to its claims of possibly being the lightest third-party Garmin mount on the market. 13 grams is the claimed weight, but my sample weighed one gram lighter. Nice!

Pardon the extended steerer tube on this review bike (it’s bad form to cut steerers on these bikes short), but the FormMount OTS was a snap to install. Loosen your stem steerer bolts, remove the top cap, remove a steerer spacer (about 5mm), install FormMount OTS, re-install the top cap, tension headset with the top bolt and tighten the stem steerer bolts appropriately.

The angle of the FormMount OTS can be adjusted courtesy of the pivot bolt, and once it is set, it isn’t going to move, even with a weighty unit such as a Garmin 1030 sitting atop.

Definitely a nice little accessory and one that keeps it simple and lightweight.

F3 Cycling prices their component line as follows:

  • FormMount – $US 59.95
  • FormMount Phone – $US 49.95
  • FormMount OTS – $US 39.95
  • Visit F3 Cycling’s website for prices on their accessories and more information.

F3 Cycling


Article by Gravel Cyclist. Jayson O’Mahoney is the Gravel Cyclist: A website about the Gravel Cycling Experience.

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Ryan
Ryan
4 years ago

The first paragraph in the link you included regarding Lezyne having similar mounts states that “Lezyne has licensed FormMount’s” designs. Might help explain some of the similarities 🙂

David Jang
David Jang
4 years ago

I recently purchased the FormMount and have mixed feelings. Installation was pretty straightforward and vertical stability seemed good initially with a Garmin 830, until I mounted a Garmin 1030 with a cygolight 1100 underneath. The weight of that combo made for significant vertical shaking during bumpy pavement and gravel. I also noticed the lateral stiffness is nearly non existent. The system easily flexes side to side with a gentle push. Compared to my k-edge mount it replaced, the FormMount is much less stiff in both vertical and horizontal axes. The k-edge simply doesn’t flex much if any. Additionally, the gopro mount screw needed to be very tight and even so, did not hold the cycolight as securely as a moderately tightened k-edge mount. The light would still move even when tightened to the point I started worrying about the plastic adapter breaking or deforming. I also noticed the Garmin mount inset is a very stiff plastic, and started to deform the tabs on the Garmin computer. Finally, the last issue, pushing the light onto the gopro mount requires pushing axially towards the stem. This mild force caused the FormMount cradle to slide towards the stem, stripping the tiny mounded plastic ribs that hold the length adjustable cradle in place. After a few uses, I found the FormMount to not perform to my expectations. The concept is good, it looks very clean and nice. However the execution could be better, it just didn’t perform. Using my Garmin 830 with no light, it becomes just acceptable. If they can improve upon these issues, it would be a great product. Otherwise, I’m disappointed and went back to my trusted k-edge and feel like I wasted a good sum of money.

hobbanero1970
hobbanero1970
4 years ago

elegant….until you want to change the angle of your computer

ZeGerman
ZeGerman
4 years ago

SP Connect, far superior design.

B. Jones
4 years ago

I was an early adopter of the Form Mount from their early crowdfunding campaign. Unfortunately the mount is not really compatible with 73/-17 degree stems as it positions the computer in a position that slants downward away from the riders vision and looks unsightly. I also found the mount extremely difficult to adjust due to the design of the arms which move as soon as the bolts are tightened. To their credit, the founders had no issues taking my unit back and issuing me a full refund. The customer service was excellent.

Collin S
Collin S
4 years ago

Since my comment with the link didn’t show up, you have a crack in your stem which can be seen on the left side of body of the stem by the thread hole shown in pictures 11 and 12.

Cheeseits
Cheeseits
4 years ago

Looks like the arms on that mount are made of plastic. My Lezyne mount has aluminum arms which give me more piece of mind form my stem. I just run a light and a gopro. Probably takes care of the twisting and ratting issue too.

Scott Schwartz
Scott Schwartz
3 years ago

The overpackaging was insane. Boxes and fancy print cards all over. Beyond Ridiculous. Apparently no one even thought of that. Also, this not close to the quality or rigidity of the other name brand aluminum mount, and they are half the price of this wiggly plastic. A big waste of money.

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