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Turkey, Ankara
1 Level
711 Review
46 Karma

Review on Enhance Your Cycling Experience with Topeak BarXtender Handlebar Extender by Lloyd Edwards

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Well made and strong

I received this bar extender to replace a 4.5" Minoura swivel bar. The problem with the other extension was that it wasn't stable enough. The Topeak extension is slightly smaller but feels more durable. The mechanism for gripping the metal strap is almost identical to that of the Minoura. It works well but is a bit painful to put on properly. You need to make sure you put it in the correct hole (there are 3 of them) for your rod size. It feels secure when you first tighten it, but if the knob slides over the handlebars under load, you may need to tighten it a little more. I did that and now I have no movement, even on the biggest bumps. The advantage of this extension cord is that it is made out of a solid metal rod. It's very stiff and doesn't vibrate on me. The hinge on which the angle of the rod can be adjusted is metal and can be tightened safely without fear of breaking the plastic part. This is one of the differences between this extender and Minoura. On the Minoura, the connection is partially plastic and tightening gives gradual feedback to the screw as the plastic is tightened. With the Topeak extension, you can clearly feel when the bolt has almost reached the point of secure hold, as the metal in the connection gives quick and decisive feedback. I am very happy with the expansion. I use it for my lights at night and my GPS during the day. Carrying both at the same time will exceed the maximum listed weight of the accessory that can be carried on the extender, but I'm still tempted to try. UPDATE: I have been using this product for a while and I can confirm my 5 star rating. It has had to be tightened a few times but is very stable and reliable.

Pros
  • Decent performance
Cons
  • Not the best