I needed a handlebar mount strong enough to hold my Exposure front light without breaking. Plastic out-front mounts flex, and on a bumpy Kent lane at night that weight hanging off a thin arm is the last thing I want to fail. The K-EDGE Garmin Max XL Combo Mount is made from machined aluminium with a black anodised finish, and it has done the job: the Garmin sits on top, the light hangs underneath, and nothing moves. It isn’t cheap for a handlebar mount, but if it means the mount never breaks and my light never ends up in the road, it’s worth every penny.
The other reason I chose this particular model is size. The Max XL is K-EDGE’s mount for the larger computers, and it caters for the Garmin Edge 1050, which is a big unit compared with the older Edges.
Key highlights
- Machined aluminium: CNC-machined with a solid one-piece arm, in a black anodised finish with laser-etched logos.
- Combo design: computer on top, and a GoPro-style interface underneath for a light or camera.
- Built for big computers: fits all Garmin cycling computers, including the Edge 1050.
- Payload: rated for about 161 g on top and 242 g underneath, so a full-size front light is no problem.
- Replaceable insert: a Garmin-approved plastic insert holds the computer and is designed to break away in a crash, protecting the Garmin’s tabs.
- Light: about 63 g for the combo version.
- Fit: 31.8 mm round handlebars (a 35 mm version is also made).
- Lifetime warranty against defects, and made in-house in Boise, Idaho.
One thing worth checking with the Edge 1050: K-EDGE says it clears the stem only when the stem faceplate is less than 4.5 mm thick. If yours is thicker, they sell an offset spacer for the 1050.
On the bike
Its first proper outing was Through the Fog to Rye, six hours in the dark and the fog with the light working hard the whole way, and the mount held everything rock solid.
You can find the K-EDGE Garmin Max XL Combo Mount (31.8 mm, black) on Amazon UK.
Related
Rides with this mount
- Through the Fog to the King’s Head: a foggy Saturday loop over the North Downs to Charing, with the headlight doing most of the work
- Through the Fog to Rye: its first proper outing, six hours in the dark and fog
Every town, café, beach and landmark from my rides is collected on the Links page.