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Vel CNC Straight Bar Mount

4
£32.00

VERDICT:

4
10
Disappointing results for its selling points
Weight: 
55g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Vel CNC Straight Bar Mount is machined well and allows both a Garmin and GoPro to be mounted simultaneously, but the positives beyond that are a bit lacking, though that partly depends on what size computer you have.

  • Pros: High quality finish
  • Cons: Minimal adjustability prevents use of larger Garmins when mounted under the handlebar

It may not be the sexiest accessory, but the bike computer mount has fast become a staple addition to the cockpit. You'll want something that is secure, adjustable and reliable to hold your possibly very expensive computer, and yet somehow the Vel Mount manages to fall down on the majority of those points.

> Buy this online here

Let's start with some positives. The mount is Garmin compatible, with a GoPro attachment on the underside for a neat setup. The handlebar end is hinged, making for easy fitting with only a single bolt to worry about. It's well made, too, with a good quality black anodised finish and smart looking laser etched logos. However, the fact that 'laser etched logos' was deemed enough of a selling point to put on the box worried me, and rightly so.

Vel CNC Straight Bar Mount - detail 2.jpg

Personally, I find straight mounts that are attached alongside the stem frustrating. You're never looking straight down on the computer and something always feels off. There is the positive of angle adjustment, which you can't get with stem bolt mounts, but I would still prefer a central position. In fairness to Vel, it does offer an angled bar mount if you're willing to spend a little more, but remember you're already dropping nearly £30 as it is. Granted, there are even more expensive K-Edge mounts out there that won't hold your GoPro, but still, yikes. That said, the Topeak Ridecase is £36.99.

Design-wise, I'm disappointed. If fitted above the handlebar, as per Vel's own marketing, the mount sits really high. If you then add the Garmin on top of that it suddenly turns a clean front end into a protruding mess. So you might think, 'no problem, it's adjustable, just put it below the handlebar', but the length of the mount arm is too short to fit the longer Garmins, like the 810 I still use. I like the idea that it can be fitted above or below the handlebar, but because of how the mount arm is bolted to the clamp, fitting it below the handlebar massively reduces the reach, preventing me from being able to twist my Garmin into the mount. This wouldn't be the case for a smaller Garmin, but still a missed opportunity.

Vel also claims an 'adjustable reach' for the mount; again, a great idea in concept. However, the slot for the bolt has been machined with rounded ends. Not a problem for the bolt itself, but underneath is a square section, to ensure the mount remains straight, in a similarly round ended slot. So although the slot is 1.8cm from end to end, in reality the adjustment is just 4mm at best, which seems a little pointless. And if, like me, you try to force it a little further, you end up damaging what turns out to be a pretty soft alloy.

Vel CNC Straight Bar Mount - detail 1.jpg

The other issue with allowing 'adjustability' is the need for bolts, which in turn can rattle loose. On two of my rides I found my Garmin flailing around up front. Granted, that might have been me not having tightened it well enough, but I'd be concerned that, over time, that could happen regardless. Trying to learn from my mistakes, I tightened it significantly more but scratched the nice anodised finish in the process.

Using a GoPro in the mount, it creates some shaky footage since it's fixed rigidly to the handlebar, but that has always been an issue with bar-mounted GoPros. The GoPro mount is removable (by screws) if you wanted to do so.

> Read more road.cc reviews of computer/phone/camera mounts here

The plastic Garmin insert makes for a satisfying and secure snug fit with your device. No rattling where that is concerned. Although the Garmin insert is removable, Vel doesn't sell a Wahoo insert directly, but with a little research you could perhaps find a replacement from elsewhere.

All in, the Vel CNC straight bar mount is a bit disappointing. Out of the box it looks nice, but its features to improve functionality don't seem to have been fully thought through. If you have a small Garmin, want it mounted below the bar and have no need to adjust the reach, then this will do nicely. But in reality, Vel hasn't achieved what it was trying to here, and the selling points don't match up to reality.

Verdict

Disappointing results for its selling points

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Vel CNC Straight Bar Mount

Size tested: One

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The Vel CNC Straight Handlebar Mount is designed to hold both a Garmin and GoPro and allow for adjustability in reach and position either above or below the handlebar.

Vel says, "CNC handlebar mount for GoPro and Garmin"

In reality, the reach adjustability is only 4mm and when positioned below the handlebar the mount can't fit a large Garmin such as the Edge 810.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Vel lists these features:

Straight clamp to allow access to stem bolts

Adjustable reach

CNC alloy construction with laser etch VEL logos

Can be fitted above or below handlebar

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
10/10

This is definitely a positive. Well machined parts and an excellent anodised finish.

Rate the product for performance:
 
3/10

If simply judging it on its ability to hold a Garmin and a GoPro then it does just fine. But if going by Vel's selling points of adjustable reach, can be fitted above and below handlebar and so on, then it's really poor. The adjustment is more or less non-existent and only certain Garmins will fit when the mount is attached below the handlebar. When the mount is fitted above, the Garmin sits so high that it looks silly.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

The mount has stayed strong so far with no rattling. The only issue has been with the adjustment bolt coming loose, and when tightening it damages the black finish of the part.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
6/10

Being an alloy material compared to many equivalent plastic products, it is on the heavy side.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

It just doesn't match what Vel is trying to sell it as. It is cheaper than other equivalents out there, but for £30 it falls short.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Pretty poor with many of its selling features not actually bearing out. Adjustability is minimal and some Garmins won't fit when it's positioned below the handlebar.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The finish of the product is great!

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

That it doesn't match what Vel says it can do.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It's cheaper than many K-Edge equivalents and cheaper than the Garmin own mount. It does include the GoPro mount, so that's a positive.

Did you enjoy using the product? Not especially.

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? No

Use this box to explain your overall score

I'd say it's below average and doesn't do many of the things it's claimed it can. In certain scenarios the mount will do what you need, but in my case, it didn't.

Overall rating: 4/10

About the tester

Age: 24  Height: 5ft8  Weight: 60kg

I usually ride: Giant TCX  My best bike is: Scott CR1 Pro

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, club rides, sportives

Add new comment

4 comments

Avatar
maviczap | 5 years ago
0 likes

Can't see why you can't turn the mount upside down, and then it could be run lower than the bar which is the more popular position for people not using bar bags.

Avatar
James Whateley replied to maviczap | 4 years ago
0 likes
maviczap wrote:

Can't see why you can't turn the mount upside down, and then it could be run lower than the bar which is the more popular position for people not using bar bags.

Essentially the reach is too short because of where the mounting bolt is positioned. When mounted below the bar, the Garmin Edge 810 I was using was too big and would be blocked by the bars. If you're using a computer small enough, then yes you absolutely can mount it below the bars.

Avatar
janusz0 | 5 years ago
0 likes

> I found my Garmin flailing around up front.

James, meet Threadlock.  No need to apply excessive force.

While we're talking bar mounts, why does nobody make ones that sit the computer up high, for tourists who use bar bags?  I know that I can use an accessory bar, e.g. a Minoura or Topeak, but they're too skinny for modern accessories (and Garmin should be ashamed of the wobbly 'standard mount' with elastic bands).

Avatar
sizbut replied to janusz0 | 5 years ago
0 likes
janusz0 wrote:

While we're talking bar mounts, why does nobody make ones that sit the computer up high, for tourists who use bar bags?  I know that I can use an accessory bar, e.g. a Minoura or Topeak, but they're too skinny for modern accessories (and Garmin should be ashamed of the wobbly 'standard mount' with elastic bands).

have a look at https://www.76projects.com/shop/adjustable-garmin-mount-p35eg 

 

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