eTrex bike mount vs Thomson stem

[frejwilk]

I'm curious if anyone else has run into the problem I'm having.

I'm trying to attach a Garmin bike mount (eTrex/Colorado/Oregon slip-in style) to a 90mm x 0deg Thomson stem. The 'release' tab on the lower side of the mount pushes hard against the stem. It would be very hard to release the GPS from the mount as it sits. My first idea is to just grind the tab down. That might leave too small a tab to make release easy. I could build up the stem body with tape or a shim of some kind, but then I'd worry about the whole thing slipping.

Is there a popular remedy for this out there? It seems like a pretty common combo.

Thanks for any ideas,

FW

[ltlquail]

I had the exact same problem. Same stem same mount. It took me a little while to figure out but when removing the gps from the mount you need to pull up on it a little while you are sliding it out and pushing the tab down. This flexes the mount slightly enough to get the gps over the tab. Before I worked this out it drove me crazy trying to get it off the bike. Now I am happy as I know it is secure and shouldn't bounce out. I also attached a piece of string to the gps as a lanyard which I loop around the stem before attatching to mount for extra security.

[frejwilk]

Thank you for the response. It's nice to know I'm not the only one to experience this.

I think I will take a little off the bottom of the 'release' tab. If I still have to 'work' the GPS off the mount, I'll take comfort that it's extra secure while I'm riding. I'll definitely use a lanyard as you suggested.

Thanks again,

FW

[bmike-vt]

I don't think it's the stem, but the length. I run a 90 as well and the mount is just too long to tuck into the space available. I'll likely be going accessory bar mount or adding some sliced hose to lift the mount off the stem. You can see the type of hose I use in this photo, where I used some under my harness straps.


IMG_2245 by mbeganyi, on Flickr