- apply a layer of Clear Contact (thin vinyl adhesive) to the portion of the stem where you intend to install the wireless mount. This protects the stem if you ever wish to remove the mount completely.
- get hold of some heat mold-able plastic beads. In Australia Jaycar sells these http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=NP4260 but there are similar products available in the USA
-prepare the Polymorph beads until they are malleable and then roll a ball approx the size of a large walnut
-place the ball on the stem and then press the ibike Wireless mount hard down into the plastic. Use you fingers to shape the plastic around the base of the mount, the aim is to get a nice fit between your steam and the mount. Likely there will be too much plastic but this can be trimmed later when it hardens (about 15 minutes). The plastic actually seems to adhere to the ibike mount, although you can break the joint with some force once it has hardened off.
- when the mold has hardened remove the mount and plastic mold from the stem. Again it will require a little force.
- trim the plastic to your liking, be artistic. Try and get a smooth transition between the mount and the stem, a sharp craft knife and a Dremel can assist although be careful as when the Dremel heats up the plastic it becomes soft again.
- I wanted the mount to be very secure. but also removable, much like my tubulars
so I decided to use some tubular cement. Apply some cement to the stem (on top of the vinyl) and to the plastic mount and give them 5 - 10 minutes to tack off. Re-mount the mold to the stem, after 24 hours it will be rock solid.- although at this point it looked ok and was functional I wanted something that integrated better with the stem. You could paint the plastic but as I had a carbon finish I choose to use thin carbon look vinyl sheeting I had in my workshop (useful for all sorts of things about $15 on ebay for a meter of the stuff). I went a bit nuts and even carbonified the iBike wireless mount
The mount is very solid, probably even better than the original stem mount, when you twist the ibike on the is zero movement or play
Finished product below.
- IMG_20110301_111918.jpg (92.57 KiB) Viewed 4884 times
- IMG_20110301_111855.jpg (122.33 KiB) Viewed 4887 times