Mounting light s GPS etc

[kingrollo]

Hi,

Recently acquired a grasshopper FX - any tips on how to mount lights and GPS - it has above seat steering - but the bars aren't a standard size ...

Was thinking of one of those add on bars


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gasea-Hand...3842140005-B07TDCTNFY-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

 

[a.twiddler]

Not sure what you mean by bars not being standard size. On my HPV Spirit the diameter at the stem clamp is 25.4 mm, then is 22.2 mm elsewhere. Even the Rans Stratus XP with its extravagant chopper-esque bars stays with these dimensions. I manage to fit all my stuff on the Spirit without any problems.

After being used to bikes with USS it's like going from a famine to a feast.

From left to right: bell, Garmin etrex, bottle cage (though there were already fittings on the stem), Cateye backup light mounting (bike came with dynamo hub and lights), and Mirrycle adapted to work with a handlebar clamp. These items have a lot of adjusment for different bar diameters though. I would think that the bracket that you linked to would work OK if you wanted to keep your bars clear. Something that I found useful on a previous bike was a Minoura Space Grip which I unfortunately sold with it. They don't seem to be available any more but there are a lot of other brackets about which could do the job.

If you look at the derailleur post there might be a threaded hole somewhere on it which might take a light bracket. It could have a bolt or rubber bung in it to protect the threads. You might be able to fit a light to the post itself using a clamp of some sort. My Grasshopper had a threaded hole hidden away under the boom (it didn't have a derailleur post) but some HP models have one on top. It's a bit random, seems to vary between models and year of production, from what I've read.

 

[kingrollo]

Not sure what you mean by bars not being standard size. On my HPV Spirit the diameter at the stem clamp is 25.4 mm, then is 22.2 mm elsewhere. Even the Rans Stratus XP with its extravagant chopper-esque bars stays with these dimensions. I manage to fit all my stuff on the Spirit without any problems.
View attachment 772405
After being used to bikes with USS it's like going from a famine to a feast.

From left to right: bell, Garmin etrex, bottle cage (though there were already fittings on the stem), Cateye backup light mounting (bike came with dynamo hub and lights), and Mirrycle adapted to work with a handlebar clamp. These items have a lot of adjusment for different bar diameters though. I would think that the bracket that you linked to would work OK if you wanted to keep your bars clear. Something that I found useful on a previous bike was a Minoura Space Grip which I unfortunately sold with it. They don't seem to be available any more but there are a lot of other brackets about which could do the job.

If you look at the derailleur post there might be a threaded hole somewhere on it which might take a light bracket. It could have a bolt or rubber bung in it to protect the threads. You might be able to fit a light to the post itself using a clamp of some sort. My Grasshopper had a threaded hole hidden away under the boom (it didn't have a derailleur post) but some HP models have one on top. It's a bit random, seems to vary between models and year of production, from what I've read.

What I mean by non standard -;for example the out front mount for my wahoo roam - is much too large for the bars on my grasshopper - likewise the go pro mount for cycliq fly 12 camera/light combo is too large - I assume those products are aimed at (and in my experience fit) a standard road type handlebar - they don't fit the grasshopper bars as they are aimed at 'standard' road bars .....ergo the grasshopper bars are non standard size and IME.

 

[a.twiddler]

I can see plenty of plastic/rubber shims available on that auction site in various sizes to fill the gap, without breaking the bank.

I was surprised at how consistent the handlebar size is in the recumbents I have experience of -similar to flat bar bikes at least. An unexpected amount of standardisation in non standard human powered vehicles! There's probably outliers such as some Cruzbikes that might use road bike bars. No doubt someone will be along with a different range of experiences and more examples, but it does seem that in this respect, recumbents are a bit conventional, probably in the interests of being able to use a wider range of handlebar controls.

 

[kingrollo]

I'm not seeing a 22mm go pro mount - other than bodging it with shims - which failed this morning as the light/camera swung down and produced some footage which may be of interest to my dentist !!!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Any chance of some photos so we can see you what are working with ?

 

[kingrollo]

 

[a.twiddler]

I'm all for symmetry, and it would be nice to be able to find a way to mount such things centrally. The next best thing is to be able to mount it as close to the centre as possible. The larger diameter of the central bulge of the handlebar doesn't look as if it extends very far either side of the clamp so mounting things close to the clamp ends up being on the tapered part of the bar. A bit of vibration and slight outward movement will result in it loosening as yours has. Perhaps trying it a little further out on the parallel part of the bar would be more secure. If the shims won't do it, perhaps a strip of scrap inner tube wound round the bar will fatten it up enough. If it's a narrow enough strip, it wouldn't look too obtrusive. It's easier if you tape the end to the bars before winding it round.

On the plus side, the cable runs from the bars are well tucked in and won't get in the way of the headlight beam or any extra brackets you might decide to add while solving this problem.

 

[kingrollo]

I'm all for symmetry, and it would be nice to be able to find a way to mount such things centrally. The next best thing is to be able to mount it as close to the centre as possible. The larger diameter of the central bulge of the handlebar doesn't look as if it extends very far either side of the clamp so mounting things close to the clamp ends up being on the tapered part of the bar. A bit of vibration and slight outward movement will result in it loosening as yours has. Perhaps trying it a little further out on the parallel part of the bar would be more secure. If the shims won't do it, perhaps a strip of scrap inner tube wound round the bar will fatten it up enough. If it's a narrow enough strip, it wouldn't look too obtrusive. It's easier if you tape the end to the bars before winding it round.

On the plus side, the cable runs from the bars are well tucked in and won't get in the way of the headlight beam or any extra brackets you might decide to add while solving this problem.

Cheers.

Be nice if come with 31 bars then I could just screw the mount on. That would add to its already considerable weight though.!!! I can't quite believe how slow it is - even on the flat. I know it's aimed at touring - but it seems massively slower than my Bacchetta giro 20....should have gone for the streetmachine ....

 

[a.twiddler]

Cheers.

Be nice if come with 31 bars then I could just screw the mount on. That would add to its already considerable weight though.!!! I can't quite believe how slow it is - even on the flat. I know it's aimed at touring - but it seems massively slower than my Bacchetta giro 20....should have gone for the streetmachine ....

As far as weight is concerned...it looks like that is something you have to accept with HPV products if you want the plush suspension, luggage capacity etc. It may just be that you just need a few months to redevelop your recumbent legs. If you cast your mind back to your early days with the Bacchetta Giro 20, how did that feel in comparison? Though the Bachetta, from my understanding, is a pretty stripped down minimalist bike compared with the Grasshopper.

There are so many good reviews of the Grasshopper, the gist of which seem to be that it's a sportier version of the Streetmachine, more suitable for shorter riders than the Streetmachine due to seat height, though it also seems a bit Marmite and some just don't get on with it. You just have to give it a chance. If in the end you want something different, you should be able to sell it without losing anything. Not just from my experience, but from watching listings on that bay of e, they don't seem to hang around for long once advertised.

 

[kingrollo]

As far as weight is concerned...it looks like that is something you have to accept with HPV products if you want the plush suspension, luggage capacity etc. It may just be that you just need a few months to redevelop your recumbent legs. If you cast your mind back to your early days with the Bacchetta Giro 20, how did that feel in comparison? Though the Bachetta, from my understanding, is a pretty stripped down minimalist bike compared with the Grasshopper.

There are so many good reviews of the Grasshopper, the gist of which seem to be that it's a sportier version of the Streetmachine, more suitable for shorter riders than the Streetmachine due to seat height, though it also seems a bit Marmite and some just don't get on with it. You just have to give it a chance. If in the end you want something different, you should be able to sell it without losing anything. Not just from my experience, but from watching listings on that bay of e, they don't seem to hang around for long once advertised.

Well I was 11 years younger on my Bacchetta - but I think I am fitter and lighter now.

I can't seem to find a decent gear to spin in - I'm either Mashing or not generating enough speed to stop me from wobbling all over the road .

Going along the canal path is great - I don't slide down the seat like I did on the bacchetta .

I guess I jumped on the grasshopper....and the initial Eurporia of cycling again - has quickly been replaced with the harsh reality of being a rookie again!!!

 

[a.twiddler]

Well I was 11 years younger on my Bacchetta - but I think I am fitter and lighter now.

I can't seem to find a decent gear to spin in - I'm either Mashing or not generating enough speed to stop me from wobbling all over the road .

Going along the canal path is great - I don't slide down the seat like I did on the bacchetta .

I guess I jumped on the grasshopper....and the initial Eurporia of cycling again - has quickly been replaced with the harsh reality of being a rookie again!!!

I've just posted a summary of my HP Velotechnik Spirit which I've now had for two years. It has the same gear arrangement as the Grasshopper I had, with a SRAM 3 X 8 rear hub and single chainring. The standard set up for the Grasshopper and Spirit gave a gear range as I recall something like 40" to 100 gear inches, with a 46T chainring. I was surprised that a manufacturer like HPV would have chosen such a high geared set up for something supposedly designed for touring. We don't all live in Holland. Nice to have the high range if you have thighs like Reg Harris but I found the Grasshopper lacking in the low gear department.

My Spirit came from the previous owner with a 34T chainring, giving a range from 16" to just under 80", as he said he had a steep hill just outside his front door on his commute. It's nice to have the low gearing but I found that I rarely used the low range on the rear hub, and sometimes wished for a higher top gear as there were occasions with the wind behind me or long gradual downhills when I found myself spinning out. I'm certainly not a speedy rider, but even the Spirit would have been a bit faster with a higher gear.

After some experimentation I worked out that a 38T chainring gave a good compromise, with a gear range of 17.5" to 89. 7 or so. This allows me to mostly be in the middle range on the rear hub (which theoretically is the most efficient range, being direct drive), feeling a bit more relaxed while pedalling in the high range, and still having enough low gears in the low range of the hub gear. There is some overlap between the ratios when using the derailleur.

Living in the town that I do, I soon found that if a bike can get me across town, I can ride it anywhere, as getting down to the river and back up the other side can involve some steep sharp pitches. The Spirit can certainly do that on its current gearing.

I tried a 38T on the Grasshopper and it had a similar effect. If you go from 46T to 38T you will have to experiment with taking a link or two out of the chain to see what works. Also, you need to put a bit of wire or a small allen key through the chain to stop it disappearing into the chain tubes while you do that. It's a pain to get it out again if it does. (DAMHIK!).

Something to think about, and it might just make life easier for you with the Grasshopper.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

For GPS you just want smaller orings, assuming you don’t have an out front mount. If out front mount, thicker shims.

 

[kingrollo]

For GPS you just want smaller orings, assuming you don’t have an out front mount. If out front mount, thicker shims.

I do have an outfront mount (several) - but these all fit a standard road bar - the grasshopper bars are exceptionally skinny - 22mm - not aware of an out front mount that would fit.