Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple AirTag 4-Pack for just $69, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
You'll support the site, and get ad-free DCR! Plus, you'll be more awesome. Click above for all the details. Oh, and you can sign-up for the newsletter here!
Here’s how to save!
Wanna save some cash and support the site? These companies help support the site! With Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
You can also pick-up tons of gear at REI via these links, which is a long-time supporter as well:Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. No cost to you, easy as pie!
You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
-
5 Easy Steps To The Site
In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds (including drones & action cams!)! It’s a nice break from the day-to-day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2024 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
Rec-Mounts is also another company that makes bicycle mounts. In fact, they have more variations than any company I have come across. I have purchased a few mounts from them and they are solidly built mounts.
They sell some of their items on Amazon so if you append /dcr07-20 on the item link you can support Ray.
Here are some links.
Catalog: link to an-y.com
Home page: link to rec-mounts.com
Amazon Store Front: link to amazon.com
They are a Japanese company so best to translate the webpage if possible on your browser. They used to have an english catalog in 2014 but I guess they didn’t put the effort to release a new one in english with their last few editions.
Let me also add that I believe most of their mounts are dual sided meaning you can add a Garmin mount adapter to the top and the bottom has screws underneath to attach a multitude of adapters which include the GoPro. Their catalog shows all the different possible types of configurations.
For a TT Garmin/GoPro mount, you could get something like their Type1 TT bicycle mount then attach a GoPro GP-K400A mount to the underside. The mount is solid aluminum (except the garmin adapter part) so it should be pretty sturdy.
Here’s a picture of this setup on my bike. They used to have the TT mount on Amazon but I don’t see it currently.
TT Mount Top Garmin View. Has screws to interchange with other adapters.
Bottom View with GoPro Adapter.
I have bought a few Rec-mounts. They are sturdy mounts. Another benefit to their mounts is the use of thin rubber padding under the clamp, protecting your handlebar slightly.
I’m looking to save some real estate on my handlebars with a combo mount for both ELEMNT and a light, so does anyone know of an adaptor that can be used to attach a light to the GoPro mount?
The light in this case is a SeeSense light that normally uses a silicon strap to wrap around the handlebar.
Light and Motion do.
This is such a great idea…
A quick google search turned up this – link to shapeways.com which seems like what your asking about. I’m going to keep searching but something like this will almost certainly be my new light mount.
Found an even better option here – link to thingiverse.com
With your Shapeways link you can at the very least buy it already printed. Don’t forget you have to arrange for printing or already have a 3D printer if you use anything from Thingiverse. There is a growing collection of stuff both on SHapeways and Thingiverse. There is also the opportunity to work directly with a ‘designer’ to come up with something size specific or some unique combination that can eliminate the use of multiple adapters.
Hi Mike,
If your light is roughly cylindrical we (Bar Fly) currently make a universal light adapter that mounts directly underneath the Bar Fly 4 (so you’d use it instead of the GoPro mount). Here’s the product: link to barflybike.com
It can be bundled with either the Max (Edge 1000/810) or Mini (Edge 510/520).
The new light adapter that you can see in the bottom of the first post mates with the GoPro mount. This product will be available within two weeks.
I hope that helps!
-Ford
Ray – quick question, as an FR920XT quick release user I need by 1/4 turn rotated by 1/2 turn, otherwise I have to look all wonky – do Bar Fly mounts accommodate this?
Hi Andrew,
Absolutely. The Bar Fly 4 platform has top, bottom, left, and right holes to accommodate all the different computers. All you’ll need to do is unscrew the garmin disc, move the nuts on the underside from the top/bottom to the left/right, and screw the garmin disc back on 90 degrees from where you started.
Please let me know if that doesn’t make sense.
-Ford
I cant make out whether Barfly have ditched the 1/8 turn mount approach? In particular for the TT/tri options, it’s a real help when in races I want to use my forerunner, versus a training ride when I want to use the edge.
How is the new TT/tri combo mount designed? From the picture, it looks to have gone back to 1/4 turn? Thanks
Hi Steve,
Our current TT/Tri mount uses the 1/8th turn interface but the new one will go back to 1/4th turn. This was done so that we can support all the other computers out there with a single platform and interchangeable discs. We’d like to still do an 1/8th turn on the new platform but it just doesn’t work with all the other computers out there and the underside GoPro mount.
Thanks,
Ford
Only related to Tate Labs. At Interbike they made a reference to a bike bag “The Porter System” was there any news on this. The only link I have found is a picture and a short mention.
link to singletrackworld.com
Maybe they dropped the idea. Just wondering
certainly looks interesting
If these latest barfly mounts are as brittle as the others I would stay well clear. Mine cracked last month whilst I was out riding in the dark. Garmin 810 was never seen again, 30mph with ditches either side of the road, not a chance in being able to find it. Sent 3x emails to barfly, called them out on Twitter and heard nothing. Customer service, non-existent.
Thanks for the post Ray.
It’s amazing that some companies don’t understand the power/danger of social media, one post like the above, boom, and I would be more interested in looking at a major competitor.
How hard would it be to have customer service so they don’t get nailed by word of mouth.
My guess is that a good response and we wouldn’t hear about it
Well, they had ample opportunity to respond. Even sent them 4x pictures of the broken mount and cited the UK sales of goods act to them, i.e. They are not fit for purpose. K-edge with a lanyard for added security now. That’s £255 of unnecessary expenditure there….
Totally agree with your post, that is why they have to pay attention, your loss, will guarantee I won’t buy one and how many others, that’s because they didn’t want to deal with your complaint, their loss imo
Hi Steve,
Sorry to hear that. Please send us an email at info@barflybike.com so we can get this sorted.
Thanks,
Ford
Hi Ford,
I would appreciate a reply to my previously sent email to yourself on 21/04.
Thanks,
Steve
Could someone show me where I can buy the mount on the bottom left (night rider to go pro)
Hi Trevor,
That is our new universal light mount which will be available within two weeks. You’ll be able to buy it on barflybike.com and through most local shops.
-Ford
Hi Ford,
Thank you for your response. I have sent an email following up on this request to the provided email address, I hope to hear from you soon.
Regards,
Steve Pomfret
I’m pretty late to the party, but has anyone here actually tried the Bar Fly Wahoo mount? I bought a Bar Fly 4 in July 2017 to use with my new ELEMNT, and was disappointed. While I liked the mounting system in general, the Wahoo insert just did not hold the ELEMNT securely at all. The problem seems to be that the little bumps that are supposed to click into the squarish holes on the backside of the ELEMNT (shown clearly in the third picture in the article above) are just too big and don’t fit firmly into the holes. As a result there’s little or no resistance to rotation. After a couple of hours riding, I was able to knock the ELEMNT askew a couple of times just by bumping it with my hand. I don’t think this was a manufacturing defect because I also bought the Bar Fly MTB mount and it had the same issue. Either that or I was using the wrong insert, but all the other ones that came with the mount fit even worse, so I guess that was the Wahoo one (they didn’t bother to label it). I ended up returning both mounts and getting a K-Edge, which holds the ELEMNT even more firmly than Wahoo’s own mount.