Minoura Space Grip

kenbaxter
kenbaxter Posts: 1,251
edited December 2007 in Workshop
Want a quick way to get a pair of lights on and off road bike without cluttering up bars. Minoura space grip looks like the only thing on the market to do this. How quick is it to take on and off? Looks like it would be quicker to mount my pair of lights on this and then take this on and off rather than faffing around with both lights?

Anyone used one?

Comments

  • sloxam
    sloxam Posts: 861
    complete pain in the arse to put on and take off.
    i found this http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=M1215 to be much better
    i hate hills (cos i'm fat)

    www.justgiving.com/steven-loxam/
  • Cunobelin
    Cunobelin Posts: 11,792
    1. Place band around bars
    2. Attach base / bracket to band and tighten into place
    3. Attach end to bracket and tighten bolts

    Less than 5 minutes.

    Think of these as an extension and NOT a quick release device.
    <b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
    He that buys flesh buys many bones.
    He that buys eggs buys many shells,
    But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
    (Unattributed Trad.)
  • kenbaxter
    kenbaxter Posts: 1,251
    Thanks. Change question - what good quick release bits of kit are out there to rapidly mount two lights to bars?!
  • Cunobelin
    Cunobelin Posts: 11,792
    Tends to be the lights.....

    The quickest are the Dinotte, with a simple "o" ring that loops under the bars, and then there are the other such as "cam lock" fittings which detach, and all the others leave part of the bracket on the bike.

    I am afraid that AFAIK there are no QR systems to allow for this. Short list what you want from the lights and then buy a set that suits your needs is the only answer.
    <b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
    He that buys flesh buys many bones.
    He that buys eggs buys many shells,
    But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
    (Unattributed Trad.)
  • Crapaud
    Crapaud Posts: 2,483
    kenbaxter wrote:
    Want a quick way to get a pair of lights on and off road bike without cluttering up bars. Minoura space grip looks like the only thing on the market to do this. How quick is it to take on and off? Looks like it would be quicker to mount my pair of lights on this and then take this on and off rather than faffing around with both lights?

    Anyone used one?
    Minoura space grip!!! Noooooooooooo! Complete rubbish! See here.

    And as sloxam says, "complete pain in the ars* to put on and take off. "
    A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject - Churchill
  • The BIG GT
    The BIG GT Posts: 655
    Had the same problem with the Minoura but have 'almost' eradicated the slippage with a piece of inner tube between the band and the bars and a lot of tightening torque!

    It will still move a little on bumpier stuff but it is a lot better. I also keep the Spacebar as near to vertical as possible, either above or below the bars (I have mine above due to cable interference) as this puts less leverage on the bracket/bars grip, so less movement.

    It works pretty well for me but the product is definitely flawed and you need to play around to get satisfactory performance, even on a commuter (as mine is).

    Every now and again the band seems to stretch (or the rubber wears) and you need to replace the rubber and retighten but it seems to work for a few months in between.

    Hope this helps...
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    Now living happily at http://www.uk-mtb.com !!
  • Cunobelin
    Cunobelin Posts: 11,792
    Wierd...

    I have used these for some years now and they are on all my bikes from the recumbent dérailleur posts to the seatpost on the Airnimal

    I have never had a problem with slippage or durability!
    <b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
    He that buys flesh buys many bones.
    He that buys eggs buys many shells,
    But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
    (Unattributed Trad.)
  • The BIG GT
    The BIG GT Posts: 655
    Cunobelin wrote:
    Wierd...

    I have used these for some years now and they are on all my bikes from the recumbent dérailleur posts to the seatpost on the Airnimal

    I have never had a problem with slippage or durability!

    That may be because, if I understand correctly, the bar is then vertical rather than horizontal as when attached to the bars? This would mean that the weight pulling downwards is almost locking the band tighter where the same weight will try to spin the extension around the bars.
    :?
    .
    I think. :shock:
    .
    .
    .
    Now living happily at http://www.uk-mtb.com !!
  • Cunobelin
    Cunobelin Posts: 11,792
    The BIG GT wrote:
    Cunobelin wrote:
    Wierd...

    I have used these for some years now and they are on all my bikes from the recumbent dérailleur posts to the seatpost on the Airnimal

    I have never had a problem with slippage or durability!

    That may be because, if I understand correctly, the bar is then vertical rather than horizontal as when attached to the bars? This would mean that the weight pulling downwards is almost locking the band tighter where the same weight will try to spin the extension around the bars.
    :?
    .
    I think. :shock:
    .
    .
    .

    Possibly, although on the Thorn and on the Hurricane recumbent they are horizontal.

    May be because the lights are light (Dinotte)
    <b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
    He that buys flesh buys many bones.
    He that buys eggs buys many shells,
    But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
    (Unattributed Trad.)
  • Raph
    Raph Posts: 249
    I have a minoura space bar at the bottom of a drawer somewhere, and that's where it works best! I found the only way it works without slipping is either pointing downwards - not possible with ergos cos that's where the cables are, and only useful for lights cos you wouldn't be able to see a speedo or GPS there, or backwards so it's behind the handlebar resting on the stem so it can't slip downwards. That way the speedo can be right over the stem, a light can be on the handlebar so it's in front - BUT you still lose one space on the handlebar bar cos of the space grip fitting, so I found you don't gain much for the hassle and the fact that your knees hit the thing when cranking up hills.

    I did try it fitted to the stem (the fitting rotates 90deg) and pointing straight upwards, which works quite well, but improves the eyesore potential no end and draws attention to the bike which is bad news re theft and vandalism when it's locked up in town.

    I never tried the inner tube idea or other rubber spacer, but that sounds promising since I have lights with rubber spacers in the clamp and they're impossible to budge when even moderately tight. I might dig up the minoura and try it again!

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