Any Good Handlebar Extenders?

Jon Forrest said:

I'm out of real estate on my handlebars so I need an
extender, like the Minoura Space Grip or Swing Grip (~$14).
After doing extensive Googling, it appears that both
of these aren't very reliable. Topeak makes the
Bar Xtender, which is more expensive (~$20).
Performance makes a Minoura clone called the
ViewPoint OS Spacebar ($10). While none of these
is all that expensive, I'm most concerned about
durability since I wouldn't want all my gadgets
to fall off in the mud.

Which would you buy?

Jon Forrest

There's also the 'second stem' option (e.g. http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/HandleBar)
that's suited me well.

This summer, I replaced the ABS bar with a longer one to allow for the
lights and the handlebar bag at the same time. I have fairly wide
bars, so it worked, but only just. I'll be going back to a narrow
accessory bar for the winter, I expect.

Jon Forrest said:

I'm out of real estate on my handlebars so I need an
extender, like the Minoura Space Grip or Swing Grip (~$14).
After doing extensive Googling, it appears that both
of these aren't very reliable. Topeak makes the
Bar Xtender, which is more expensive (~$20).
Performance makes a Minoura clone called the
ViewPoint OS Spacebar ($10). While none of these
is all that expensive, I'm most concerned about
durability since I wouldn't want all my gadgets
to fall off in the mud.

Which would you buy?

I'm curious - to what sort of 'unreliability' of the Minoura Space Bar
do you refer? Been a popular product for years with AFAIK zero returns.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Jon Forrest said:

I'm out of real estate on my handlebars so I need an
extender, like the Minoura Space Grip or Swing Grip (~$14).
After doing extensive Googling, it appears that both
of these aren't very reliable. Topeak makes the
Bar Xtender, which is more expensive (~$20).
Performance makes a Minoura clone called the
ViewPoint OS Spacebar ($10). While none of these
is all that expensive, I'm most concerned about
durability since I wouldn't want all my gadgets
to fall off in the mud.

Which would you buy?

Jon Forrest

I have picked up two of those bar extenders at Performance. Two
slightly different modles. I see nothing to fail. You just need to
tighten the three bolts and all is well. What I had a problem with was
getting my light tight enough to stop flopping around when riding on
gravel roads. I solved that by getting a helmet light. Of course
better shimming would have prevented the light rotation.

You can attach the spacebar to your handlebars or to your stem. Of
course the oversized stems are a tight fit but I did it on the cross
bike.

A Muzi said:

I'm curious - to what sort of 'unreliability' of the Minoura Space Bar
do you refer? Been a popular product for years with AFAIK zero returns.

This is not a scientifically valid survey, and I didn't write down
all the references, but most of the complaints were similar to
the following, taken from
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14614080:

"The original mounting clamp is quite frankly badly designed. The steel
band that wraps around the handlebar eventually broke, as I thought it
would. I repaired it by replacing the steel band with a couple of robust
cable ties."

I'm thinking of going with the Performance version since they
promise 100% satisfaction and there is a local store if I need
to return something.

Jon Forrest

"Jon Forrest" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Performance makes a Minoura clone called the

Which would you buy?

I've use the Performance one for several years with no real problems. My
only potential issue is that I didn't have the screw that holds the plastic
arm to the clamp tight enough and it rattled partially loose over time.
Once I got it tight enough, no problems for a long time now.

Lyle

I have a Minoura Space Grip which has been fine, but I have seen one of these break (on a friend's bike) - the metal that grips the bars just fatigued as far as I can tell.

Another option, which I have not seen "in the flesh" is the Nitto Lamp Holder.

roshea said:

I have a Minoura Space Grip which has been fine, but I have seen one of
these break (on a friend's bike) - the metal that grips the bars just
fatigued as far as I can tell.

Was weight a factor?
I use mine for the computer and 2 backup button leds.
Puts the computer under the my HID - lit at night!

On Oct 9, 5:25 am, roshea <roshea.2y6...@no-

mx.forums.cyclingforums.com said:

I have a Minoura Space Grip which has been fine, but I have seen one of
these break (on a friend's bike) - the metal that grips the bars just
fatigued as far as I can tell.

Another option, which I have not seen "in the flesh" is the 'Nitto
Lamp Holder' (http://tinyurl.com/ytw43s).

--
roshea

That Nitto one is badass. I've seen handlebar bags mounted to those.
Dictionary definition of "overbuilt."

"Jon Forrest" <[email hidden]> a écrit:

Quoted message said:

I'm out of real estate on my handlebars so I need an
extender, like the Minoura Space Grip or Swing Grip

[snip]

Quoted message said:

Which would you buy?

If you can find an old pair of Cinelli Spinaci, one of the bar clamps with a
cut-down length of mtb handlebar makes a very sturdy accessory bar.

James Thomson

roshea said:

I have a Minoura Space Grip which has been fine, but I have seen one of
these break (on a friend's bike) - the metal that grips the bars just
fatigued as far as I can tell.

Another option, which I have not seen "in the flesh" is the 'Nitto
Lamp Holder' (http://tinyurl.com/ytw43s).

I wish I would have bought the nitto, $31 version. I bought the minoura
at the shop $12. I didn't like the way it mounted, it was hard to get
tight and still doesn't feel solid, and the diameter of the space bar is
small, so lots of shims are needed for accessories. I have two lighting
options that I won't even try with this setup, both are too heavy.

1. marwi night pro bullet with self contained 4 recharable batteries.
2. marwi, the slammer, ebay for $35. red/blue LEDs with a 15 watt in
the middle. nice disco light on nighttime bike path rides.

roshea said:

I have a Minoura Space Grip which has been fine, but I have seen one of
these break (on a friend's bike) - the metal that grips the bars just
fatigued as far as I can tell.

Another option, which I have not seen "in the flesh" is the 'Nitto
Lamp Holder' (http://tinyurl.com/ytw43s).

I wish I would have bought the nitto, $31 version. I bought the minoura
at the shop $12. I didn't like the way it mounted, it was hard to get
tight and still doesn't feel solid, and the diameter of the space bar is
small, so lots of shims are needed for accessories. I have two lighting
options that I won't even try with this setup, both are too heavy.

1. marwi night pro bullet with self contained 4 recharable batteries.
2. marwi, the slammer, ebay for $35. red/blue LEDs with a 15 watt in
the middle. nice disco light on nighttime bike path rides.

"Jon Forrest" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm out of real estate on my handlebars so I need an
extender, like the Minoura Space Grip or Swing Grip (~$14).
After doing extensive Googling, it appears that both
of these aren't very reliable. Topeak makes the
Bar Xtender, which is more expensive (~$20).
Performance makes a Minoura clone called the
ViewPoint OS Spacebar ($10). While none of these
is all that expensive, I'm most concerned about
durability since I wouldn't want all my gadgets
to fall off in the mud.

Which would you buy?

Jon Forrest

Hmm, I have a big handlebar bag and need to mount a light, so I'm looking
for a swing grip type thingie as well. I WAS going to get a Minoura Swing
grip, but I may have to revise plans.

"roshea" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have a Minoura Space Grip which has been fine, but I have seen one of
these break (on a friend's bike) - the metal that grips the bars just
fatigued as far as I can tell.

Another option, which I have not seen "in the flesh" is the 'Nitto
Lamp Holder' (http://tinyurl.com/ytw43s).

--
roshea

Hmm, do you know what the tube diameter for this thingie is? Is it 22.2mm
or roadie drop 23+mm? I'm wanting to try a Sheldonbrownesque approach in
gearing up my dropbar mtb commuter and use SRAM twist shifters below the
dropbar.

Aeek said:

On Tue, 9 Oct 2007 22:25:38 +1000, roshea

Quoted message said:

I have a Minoura Space Grip which has been fine, but I have seen one of
these break (on a friend's bike) - the metal that grips the bars just
fatigued as far as I can tell.

Was weight a factor?
I use mine for the computer and 2 backup button leds.
Puts the computer under the my HID - lit at night!

I couldn't say why my friend's Space Grip failed, since I'm not sure how much stuff he kept on it. The metal eyelets used to attach the thing to your bars or stem seem flimsy and likely to snap off, as this one did.

Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ® said:

"roshea" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have a Minoura Space Grip which has been fine, but I have seen one of
these break (on a friend's bike) - the metal that grips the bars just
fatigued as far as I can tell.

Quoted message said:

Another option, which I have not seen "in the flesh" is the 'Nitto
Lamp Holder' (http://tinyurl.com/ytw43s).

Quoted message said:

--
roshea

Hmm, do you know what the tube diameter for this thingie is? Is it 22.2mm
or roadie drop 23+mm? I'm wanting to try a Sheldonbrownesque approach in
gearing up my dropbar mtb commuter and use SRAM twist shifters below the
dropbar.

I believe the auxiliary tube is 22.2, but the bar-side clamp is 26-
ish, to mount on the bulged section of the bar. You'd have to shim it
down to 24 if you wanted to clamp it to the drops, like the Hubbub
adapter, but if you wanted it up top, like Paul's Thumbies, it
_should_ work.

Interesting idea!

Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ® said:

"Jon Forrest" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm out of real estate on my handlebars so I need an
extender, like the Minoura Space Grip or Swing Grip (~$14).
After doing extensive Googling, it appears that both
of these aren't very reliable. Topeak makes the
Bar Xtender, which is more expensive (~$20).
Performance makes a Minoura clone called the
ViewPoint OS Spacebar ($10). While none of these
is all that expensive, I'm most concerned about
durability since I wouldn't want all my gadgets
to fall off in the mud.

Quoted message said:

Which would you buy?

Quoted message said:

Jon Forrest

Hmm, I have a big handlebar bag and need to mount a light, so I'm looking
for a swing grip type thingie as well. I WAS going to get a Minoura Swing
grip, but I may have to revise plans.

If anyone's interested, I have a "homebrew" version of the Nitto thing
that I'll sell for cheap. Works fine, I just decided I didn't like
it. It uses a couple of Nashbar aerobar clamps to hold a straight 10"
or so section of (currently steel) MTB bar to the narrower section of
a standard road handlebar. I've mounted heavy handlebar bags to it
with no problems. Ultimately, I just didn't like the way it looked
and took it off.

Here's a few photos:

http://i13.tinypic.com/5xzbzmx.jpg
http://i10.tinypic.com/4xnyatk.jpg
http://i13.tinypic.com/539sn13.jpg

I'll sell it for $20 shipped in the CONUS, if anyone wants to give it
a try (mail me offline). It works well, I just couldn't get past the
aesthetics. If I had to do it again, I'd use the second-stem idea and
mount a short section of bar below the main handlebar.

Andy M-S said:

On Oct 9, 4:48 pm, "Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ®"

Quoted message said:

"Jon Forrest" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm out of real estate on my handlebars so I need an
extender, like the Minoura Space Grip or Swing Grip (~$14).
After doing extensive Googling, it appears that both
of these aren't very reliable. Topeak makes the
Bar Xtender, which is more expensive (~$20).
Performance makes a Minoura clone called the
ViewPoint OS Spacebar ($10). While none of these
is all that expensive, I'm most concerned about
durability since I wouldn't want all my gadgets
to fall off in the mud.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Which would you buy?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Jon Forrest

Quoted message said:

Hmm, I have a big handlebar bag and need to mount a light, so I'm looking
for a swing grip type thingie as well. I WAS going to get a Minoura Swing
grip, but I may have to revise plans.

If anyone's interested, I have a "homebrew" version of the Nitto thing
that I'll sell for cheap. Works fine, I just decided I didn't like
it. It uses a couple of Nashbar aerobar clamps to hold a straight 10"
or so section of (currently steel) MTB bar to the narrower section of
a standard road handlebar. I've mounted heavy handlebar bags to it
with no problems. Ultimately, I just didn't like the way it looked
and took it off.

Here's a few photos:

http://i13.tinypic.com/5xzbzmx.jpghttp://i10.tinypic.com/4xnyatk.jpghttp://i13.tinypic.com/539sn13.jpg

I'll sell it for $20 shipped in the CONUS, if anyone wants to give it
a try (mail me offline). It works well, I just couldn't get past the
aesthetics. If I had to do it again, I'd use the second-stem idea and
mount a short section of bar below the main handlebar.

....and it's sold.

"Andy M-S" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ® said:

"Jon Forrest" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm out of real estate on my handlebars so I need an
extender, like the Minoura Space Grip or Swing Grip (~$14).
After doing extensive Googling, it appears that both
of these aren't very reliable. Topeak makes the
Bar Xtender, which is more expensive (~$20).
Performance makes a Minoura clone called the
ViewPoint OS Spacebar ($10). While none of these
is all that expensive, I'm most concerned about
durability since I wouldn't want all my gadgets
to fall off in the mud.

Quoted message said:

Which would you buy?

Quoted message said:

Jon Forrest

Hmm, I have a big handlebar bag and need to mount a light, so I'm looking
for a swing grip type thingie as well. I WAS going to get a Minoura Swing
grip, but I may have to revise plans.

Quoted message said:

If anyone's interested, I have a "homebrew" version of the Nitto thing
that I'll sell for cheap. Works fine, I just decided I didn't like
it. It uses a couple of Nashbar aerobar clamps to hold a straight 10"
or so section of (currently steel) MTB bar to the narrower section of
a standard road handlebar. I've mounted heavy handlebar bags to it
with no problems. Ultimately, I just didn't like the way it looked
and took it off.

Quoted message said:

Here's a few photos:

Quoted message said:

http://i13.tinypic.com/5xzbzmx.jpg
http://i10.tinypic.com/4xnyatk.jpg
http://i13.tinypic.com/539sn13.jpg

Quoted message said:

I'll sell it for $20 shipped in the CONUS, if anyone wants to give it
a try (mail me offline). It works well, I just couldn't get past the
aesthetics. If I had to do it again, I'd use the second-stem idea and
mount a short section of bar below the main handlebar.

Dude, I have the same thing, the Nashbar aero extension, and was going to do
the same thing with a short flat bar! However, the bar end thingies that
come with the kit has 21mm diameter, and flat mtb bars are usaully 22.2mm,
so I was wondering how I was going to fit the bar in the clamps. Obviously
it worked for you.