Save the planet, save the watts - 100% recycled, super aero and totally rad GPS mounts

UPDATE - Hello, starting this to gauge interest since the idea was mentioned in another thread, I found a UK-based company that can 3D print designs using 100% recycled Carbon PETG filament. I really like the idea of manufacturing components and such with recycled materials.

Our very own @Tijmen has come up with the following design:

The carbon PETG is a sort of dark grey/black colour as you'd probably expect. If there's enough interest would eventually do Garmin + Wahoo.

PLAN for now is to do a small run at 'cost' price for LFGSS, to check how everything looks and get feedback for a 'proper' run. The initial version will use a nut and a bolt to tighten the clamp, the 'final' version will have a threaded insert embedded into the clamp. Printed in Carbon PETG it should weigh about 20g.

Who would like one? The initial run is Garmin only, would be about £8-10.

If anyone else had any other ideas for components I'm all ears, I think bottle cages and some kind of saddle pack would be cool.

I'd be keen, but would say you'd be able to find / make a slightly less ugly mount? I can give a revised model a go, remakes are fine as long as you credit the original designer.

Not sure what this means though: 'it should be installed with a tube over the manillar to absorb vibrations.'

Manillar is handlebar, but I don't get the tube bit.

Yes please, I'd like a garmin one.

Hey @Tijmen yeah I'm kind of in agreement, I can't tell whether the one I posted looks cool or disgusting. A lot of the options seem to be quite ugly. Would definitely be cool to see alternatives!

I contacted the guy that made that design and he sent me a version without the printed text, he said that he fitted a thin strip of rubber (I'm guessing 'tube') between the mount and the bar (or manillar..) to ensure a snug fit.

Interested!

Ah yes, a strip of rubber makes sense. I'd be thinking along these lines:

https://a360.co/35lVMfa

Although it's very close to RaceWare's version (and I think their clamp is nicer although it's tricky to get the right material thickness for it to bend without breaking and then still be strong enough), not sure what they think about it.

How about stem-mounted?
Kinda like this https://www.giant-bicycles.com/fr-ca/stem-computer-mount-for-2021-tcr

@Pish I do really like the aesthetic of stem-mounted options but was concerned there may be issues with them fitting a broad range of bikes/stems

They are less universal than bar-mounts, but I think with oblong holes and spacers, they should cover the vast majority of alloy/ahead stems .

Would you be able to share a link to the firm that is offering the printing service? I'd be interested to know what filament they're using. Without knowing all the details it's hard to say for certain, but I don't think a carbon-filled filament is the best choice for this application. Because the material is probably about 20 percent carbon fibre strands, the adhesion between the extruded layers is actually a bit worse than with an unfilled material - so the strength is not necessarily better than with standard PETG. Where the carbon fibre offers benefits is in stiffness (and also in looks, since the fibres help create a slightly rough, matte surface that helps hide layer lines and imperfections).

This is just one guy's test with only one brand of carbon fibre PETG, but it can give you some indication of the material properties.

https://youtu.be/LTmuwfyYUJQ

Accidental double post.

Sure, the company is called Midlands 3D - the filament is https://www.filamentive.com/product/carbon/

They had two options that was 100% recycled. This one, and a nylon made wholly from recycled fishing nets, which sounded cool. But that worked out more expensive I think.

Love the profile pic BTW!

If i remember correctly, nylon would absorb water also making it not great for use in the rain

Parts made of nylon have no problems in the rain. The problem with nylon filaments is when you print with them. The moisture that the nylon attracts causes issues when it passes through the hot nozzle and steam is produced. If you want to make a good print from nylon, the filament has to be dry!

Neat modular idea.

Hard to think of a print orientation in which the part will come out half decent and the layers are in a direction that makes sense?

I was about to order another Form Mount, so if a universal stem mounted option does come available, I would be keen!

Over torquing would be a problem with a printed stem mount though. You'd need it tight enough for the bars not to slip, but not too tight to crush the material.

A first version, figured I might as well open source it for those with a printer at home. Bolts on with 2 M3x20 bolts and corresponding nuts, and is designed around a 1.5mm thick strip of rubber between the clamp and a 31.8mm handlebar.

Keep in mind I'm just some guy with CAD and too much time on his hands, nothing about this has been tested and if you break something using it it's on you.

3 Attachments

• gps mount_wahoo.stl
• gps mount_clip.stl
• gps mount_garmin.stl

I don't think people really understand the quality of 3D printing depends on the orientation, material quality and layer height like @Tijmen exposed. You can design a nice CAD part, but the end product won't match your expectations (circular shapes will be sort of pixelated). I doubt people will put it on their fancy bikes. In my opinion if you really want to make something nice you'll have to do plastic injection so you'll need a mold. You could still use recycled plastic (check PreciousPlastic for instance).

1 Attachment

Or spend 30 minutes with some sand paper for ultimate aeroz presumably?

I’m not gonna be able to use the above one of the Garmin mount part is integral because I’m using wahoo which needs the mount rotated

The Wahoo version accounts for this!

Or go for fancy SLS printing, it will still have the layers but far thinner so not as noticeable and print orientation isn’t as much of a factor either. Uses non-recycled nylon though, so not very eco-friendly.

Didn’t see the attachments. Sorry for doubting you

I am still interested in the unicorn poop that is a mount that fits as a spacer, but with a longer mount than k-edge does. Like the below, with an extension of sorts
https://www.alpinetrek.co.uk/k-edge-garmin-stem-mount-mtb-ah-adjustable-handlebar-mount/?aid=df92ae9ee9f03d4633d4574291549580&pid=10004&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-rj9BRCAARIsANB_4AAHE1YN7oPAyVXCWzkj_wdryMRA9i8pmEvo7mXq0I33W3DNJi0KoN4aAg1xEALw_wcB&wt_mc=uk.pla.google_uk.1676925286.68052259627.325146335934

Just prefer gps on the stem