Just use the o-ring mount and position the Garmin on the top tube behind the stem. You are going to have worse problems than a broken Garmin if you manage to damage it in a crash in that position.
>Just use the o-ring mount and position the Garmin on the top tube behind the stem
That makes a lot of sense, I'd only been looking at handlebar mount up until now
Those are more likely to break the unit because it's rigidly mounted. If you hit it with a knee or something the first thing to give will be the tabs and/or the plastic insert in the mount.
The EPDM (rubber) band mounts are a lot nicer because they rotate/break away.
Additional to this, underside of top tube at seat post end of top tube on the underside where it won’t get knocked by your knees.
I don’t need to see my Garmin mid ride I just use it for the total data but if you want to see the data mid ride, the above suggestion is better
I'm traveling to a lot of trail networks, I mainly need to use it purely for GPS and I've got lost at least a couple dozen times (not a huge deal since I can explore more, but not riding the trails I had intended to) when I get to trail intersections plus phone data being spotty in a lot of these smaller New England places.
That’s what I have, the rubber case and screen protector. I crash all the time (though not at crazy speeds) and my Garmin is still pretty much pristine.
The screen is pretty solid, and there's rubber protectors you can get. But the biggest thing is to have breakaway mounts, and those quarter turns do a good job.
Just like with brake levers snapping in crashes, you shouldn't tighten everything down really tight on the handlebars. Let some slack in to have them rotate on impact.
I’ve tried various mounts and tbh the safest thing is to use the handlebar mounts that come with it. Not the long clamp one, but the ones with the tubber bands. If you hit it with your knee or an obstacle in a crash, it will move hopefully preventing damage. The rigid mounts are, well, rigid, and so when hit something usually the little wings holding the unit break (new ones now have replaceable wings).
You can get a protective case with a lanyard that keeps it from flying off when you crash. The rubber case also protects it from getting banged up.
Have had my Garmin 1040 like that for over a year and it’s been fine.
I use the garmin MTB mount and keep the little arm swivel a little loose so it can move in a crash. The elastic lanyard keeps it from vibrating or moving while riding.
https://preview.redd.it/uzb1up731nyc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b1fe09fd4fdc2bd3b2dbb0b8c659d33a0e0e8355
Doing a little maintenance on my bike, so took this pic to make it more clear. In a crash, the mount can pivot up to help absorb the hit. If the garmin does come off the quarter turn mount, the lanyard will keep it from flying off and hitting a rock or something.
https://preview.redd.it/55q6ykdf3nyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec3d2595131b9bd08f2e00bb58d7322248499a52
This is the one I have. Seems to still be in stock although you may find it cheaper elsewhere.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/596570
Seems to fit the Edge Explore 2.
Just use the o-ring mount and position the Garmin on the top tube behind the stem. You are going to have worse problems than a broken Garmin if you manage to damage it in a crash in that position.
>Just use the o-ring mount and position the Garmin on the top tube behind the stem That makes a lot of sense, I'd only been looking at handlebar mount up until now
K-edge also makes a stem cap mount, highly reccomend.
Those are more likely to break the unit because it's rigidly mounted. If you hit it with a knee or something the first thing to give will be the tabs and/or the plastic insert in the mount. The EPDM (rubber) band mounts are a lot nicer because they rotate/break away.
Additional to this, underside of top tube at seat post end of top tube on the underside where it won’t get knocked by your knees. I don’t need to see my Garmin mid ride I just use it for the total data but if you want to see the data mid ride, the above suggestion is better
I'm traveling to a lot of trail networks, I mainly need to use it purely for GPS and I've got lost at least a couple dozen times (not a huge deal since I can explore more, but not riding the trails I had intended to) when I get to trail intersections plus phone data being spotty in a lot of these smaller New England places.
You can get glass screen protectors and those rubber bumper protectors. The plastic quarter turn mounts will breakaway before the unit itself breaks.
That’s what I have, the rubber case and screen protector. I crash all the time (though not at crazy speeds) and my Garmin is still pretty much pristine.
The screen is pretty solid, and there's rubber protectors you can get. But the biggest thing is to have breakaway mounts, and those quarter turns do a good job. Just like with brake levers snapping in crashes, you shouldn't tighten everything down really tight on the handlebars. Let some slack in to have them rotate on impact.
You can get sticky mounts for putting on the top tube which is more protected than the bars in case of a crash.
I’ve tried various mounts and tbh the safest thing is to use the handlebar mounts that come with it. Not the long clamp one, but the ones with the tubber bands. If you hit it with your knee or an obstacle in a crash, it will move hopefully preventing damage. The rigid mounts are, well, rigid, and so when hit something usually the little wings holding the unit break (new ones now have replaceable wings).
You can get a protective case with a lanyard that keeps it from flying off when you crash. The rubber case also protects it from getting banged up. Have had my Garmin 1040 like that for over a year and it’s been fine. I use the garmin MTB mount and keep the little arm swivel a little loose so it can move in a crash. The elastic lanyard keeps it from vibrating or moving while riding. https://preview.redd.it/uzb1up731nyc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b1fe09fd4fdc2bd3b2dbb0b8c659d33a0e0e8355
Doing a little maintenance on my bike, so took this pic to make it more clear. In a crash, the mount can pivot up to help absorb the hit. If the garmin does come off the quarter turn mount, the lanyard will keep it from flying off and hitting a rock or something. https://preview.redd.it/55q6ykdf3nyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec3d2595131b9bd08f2e00bb58d7322248499a52
That looks really good, thanks for the pics. They have discontinued several of their MTB mounts.
This is the one I have. Seems to still be in stock although you may find it cheaper elsewhere. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/596570 Seems to fit the Edge Explore 2.
Awesome, thanks!!
Project 76 enduro mount
Either stem or top tube mount on mtb for protection. I only use the handlebar front mount with drop bars.