K-Edge Garmin Race Mount

The K-Edge Garmin Race Mount is a super-lightweight unit for holding newer versions of the Garmin family flush to your handlebar. It's robust and has a secure mounting mechanism, but it's also super-expensive.

In the world of marginal gains and weight weeniness, people often look for savings in the frameset and wheels. Maybe after that, the stem, bar and bottle cages. Somewhere even lower down the league table of components you may consider for weight saving is the Garmin mount. K-Edge, the US company making a range of mounts and chain catchers, has hit this brief perfectly. At a weeny 32g, the mount is 33% lighter than the standard K-Edge mount – a saving of a whole 16g. That's at least one sip from your drinks bottle.

> Find your nearest dealer here

The mount is designed for the newer and smaller members in the Garmin stable, namely the 820, 520, 510, 500, 25, and 20. This is a result of the brand's desire to bring the unit, when mounted, as close to your bar as possible, reducing any drag and making as seemless a connection as possible. If you have the Edge 1000, though, you're out of luck, as the length of the unit will prevent it fitting effectively. It's worth bearing in mind that this is not a combi mount – you're not going to be able to get anything underneath, be it a Go-Pro or similar video system.

The main benefit of the mount is that it sits the unit flush with rather than above the line of your bar and stem, which, well, just ain't pro. Having it flush makes it easier to use, looks better, and must save you at least 0.5 watt through the aero benefit.

The actual mounting mechanism requires, as always, the unit to be twisted into place, and you know when it's there as there's a firm and reassuring snapping feel as it clicks into position. Once it's there, the unit feels super-stable and secure, and any fears of it jumping out are cast aside. Similarly, the unmounting process is quick and simple, and there's no faff or fiddle in getting your Garmin off.

At the other end of the mount, the securing mechanism is solid and effective. You simply unhinge the mechanism, get it into place, and tighten it down with a hex key. The mount is designed for 31.8mm bars, so if you have anything smaller you're going to need to craft a shim of some sort.

> Buyer's Guide: 10 of the best GPS cycling units

There are four colourways, none of which are one plain colour – for example, that pictured, or black and white, red and white, or blue and white. This may divide opinion, but if you've got the frame colour scheme to work with it, it adds a nice touch to an oft-overlooked part of your bike.

Now for the most contentious issue... at £54.99 you're paying a lot. Although it's not exactly comparing like with like, as a 1000 is not compatible with the Race Mount, the K-Edge XL mount designed specifically for 1000s is £44.99, while a 520-optimised K-Edge mount is £49.99. Considering out-front Garmin mounts from Lifeline and Bar Fly are around £20, you're paying a huge amount for a very minor saving.

All in, the price of the product is prohibitive. Sure, the mount works brilliantly, but at £54.99 I think your money is better spent elsewhere.

Verdict

A great bit of kit, but a very marginal gain suited to those with cash to burn