I was thinking of integrating an ipod dock and/or a cell phone dock into a downtube as a means of getting a solid place to mount my ipod/cell phone where I could stick it and allow it to be used and charged. Anyone done this before, heard of it done, tried it, etc?

MINI made a cradle built into the downtubes a couple of years ago. I believe it was only for the european market though. Its available here:

http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...ductshow&id=56

You may have better luck looking at the Navigation and Audio forum as there are many threads in which people show off the mounts that they wither purchased or made.

On a side note, that MINI piece is HORRIBLE looking!!!

If you have Nano, you can get a pretty nice looking mount without hacking the down tubes. I dig mine deeply. I believe it is made by Griffin, called the Tune Flex, or something along those lines.

I agree! Not what I had in mind at all. I have seen some of those modifications but everything I have seen is attached and doesnt look built in. I was thinking of using fiberglass to make something that was permanently attached and that was very solid and allowed the cell phone or ipod to be slid in and removed for security reasons. Guess I should make a drawing and scan a copy of it.

That is what I was un-clear about. The lower portion of the tube could be modified in this fashion however there are a few things to think bout.

1. How long do you plan on having the same phone. These days people go through phones without thinking about it. If you were to make a custom thing in the tube it will not really be universal, especially if it is going to be able to charge the phone.

2. Again, how long are you going to have the iPod. I am on my 3rd iPod and I am thinking about getting a Touch.

I will try to think of a way to do this.

Blake

It is a good point about the fact that different phones and ipods are different sizes. Maybe the solution is to have it be possible to have a universal size for the fitment of phones and ipods, a holder that is slightly too large to fit your average phone and ipod and then to have specific foam inserts that are taylored to specific phones and ipods. That would take care of the fitment issues with the added bonus of providing a soft "pocket" that would hold the devices firmly without damaging them and even possibly giving them some protection from rough roads, spirited driving, etc.

I have done this in a couple of ways... Try ProClip:

http://www.proclipusa.com/home/home.aspx

They have an option for a Mini downtube connection mount and a holder custom designed for your phone. I bought the downtube mount and a holder for my Treo. The downtube mount ended up interfering with my cup holders, so I ended up getting this:

http://www.minidomore.com/interior_a...ipod_mount.php

I am using this mount with the proclip holder for my Treo. I love it.

-Ed