Cycling with your smartphone opens up a world of possibilities, from navigation and fitness tracking to capturing memorable moments. However, fumbling with your phone while riding is not only inconvenient but also dangerous. A reliable Phone Holder For Bike solves this problem, keeping your device secure and accessible. This guide dives into the diverse landscape of bike phone mounts, evaluating various types and models to help you choose the best fit for your cycling needs.
Two-Part Mounting Systems: Dedicated Cases vs. Universal Adapters
Two-part mounts offer a secure and streamlined approach by integrating a dedicated phone case or a universal adapter with a handlebar mount. Let’s examine some prominent examples:
The Thule Smartphone Bike Mount, while robust, presents a mixed bag. Its substantial base clamps across the handlebars, utilizing a spring-loaded bracket and silicone straps to accommodate various phone sizes. Installation on a road bike proved secure, but its bulkiness and complex setup are drawbacks. Furthermore, compatibility issues arose with a test mountain bike, even with provided shims.
Alt text: Secure Thule phone holder for bike mounted on bicycle handlebars, ensuring phone stability during rides.
The Morpheus M4s Bike Kit, previously available for iPhones, featured a well-designed phone-specific case. However, its screen protection lip fell short of Apple’s recommended minimum. Unfortunately, Morpheus products are currently unavailable in the US market as of Spring 2023.
The iOmounts Nomad Universal Bike Phone Mount offered an intriguing magnetic concept. A magnetic disc adhered to the phone or case, attaching to a zip-tie style handlebar base. Initial tests showed secure phone stability. However, challenges emerged with base snugness and removal. The metal disc also hindered Qi wireless charging compatibility. Klock Werks now markets a similar Nomad Universal Phone Mount, likely inheriting the same wireless charging limitation.
Alt text: Magnetic bike phone mount system with iOmounts Nomad Universal Bike Phone Mount and magnetic disc for easy phone attachment.
Rokform presents a comprehensive range of bike mounts. Testing encompassed the Rokform Rugged and Crystal cases for iPhone 8 Plus, the Universal Mount Adapter for Samsung Galaxy S8 Active, and the V4 Pro Series Phone Bike Mount. Despite a higher price point, none matched the performance of the Quad Lock system. While the V4 Pro Series appeared more robust than its predecessor, the Rokform Pro-Lite Bike Mount, the cost remains a significant consideration.
The SP Connect Bike Bundle offers improved adjustability compared to earlier versions. Cases are available for iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, with a Universal Adapter for broader compatibility. However, switching between portrait and landscape modes requires manual adjustment using a small plastic tool, inconvenient during rides. The tool’s lack of labeling and mention in packaging added to initial usability challenges.
Alt text: Adjustable SP Connect Bike Bundle phone holder for bicycle with phone case and handlebar attachment.
The Tigra Sport FitClic Neo line shares conceptual similarities with Quad Lock and Rokform but falls short in execution. The iPhone 8 Plus case exhibited button obstruction. The locking/unlocking mechanism, reliant on a small plastic lever, proved less user-friendly. While the standard mount offered better stability than the out-front version, both exhibited more phone rattling than desired during testing.
Topeak Ridecase for iPhone suffers from an inadequate protective lip and lacks wireless charging compatibility. Removing the phone from the case for case swapping also proved difficult.
Fidlock Vacuum Phone cases, according to user feedback and reviews, also lack wireless charging compatibility. This limitation further restricts their practicality for modern smartphone users.
Universal-Fit Silicone Straps or Plastic Braces: Simpler Mounting Options
For cyclists seeking simpler and more adaptable solutions, universal-fit mounts utilizing silicone straps or plastic braces provide alternatives.
The Delta Cycle X-Mount Pro, constructed with a low-profile forged-aluminum frame, offers limited mounting versatility. It exclusively fits under a bike’s stem cap, lacking angle adjustability. While sturdy silicone bands securely hold phones in portrait orientation, the fixed positioning and orientation limit its appeal.
Alt text: Delta Cycle X-Mount Pro phone holder for bike mounted under bicycle stem cap, offering a minimalist design.
The Vibrelli Universal Bike Phone Mount, employing silicone corner straps and a spring-loaded plastic bracket, simplifies mounting compared to the Thule option. However, its base felt less robust, featuring a plastic ball-in-socket mount tightened with a plastic ring nut, potentially compromising long-term durability.
Resembling the Vibrelli, the Roam Universal Premium Bike Phone Mount utilizes a spring-loaded bracket and plastic ball-in-socket mechanism. However, its handlebar mount is overly complex, cumbersome to attach, and excessively wide, consuming significant handlebar space.
The Zéfal Universal Mobile Mount shares a similar plastic ball-in-socket mount design with Vibrelli and Roam. Its plastic bracket arms, requiring a button press to widen, felt unstable even when locked. Fold-forward “feet” intended for phone support interfered with the silicone corner straps, creating design conflicts.
Both TrailKase products from Bikase tested exhibited excessive phone rattling and shaking over bumps. The TrailKase with Q/R 360 Degree Bracket featured a heavy metal mount base, while the TrailKase Universal Phone Holder‘s lower-profile plastic mount felt flimsy, both failing to provide adequate phone stability.
The Topeak Omni RideCase DX initially appeared sturdy. However, its wide silicone brackets unfortunately obscured the home buttons on both the iPhone 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S8 test phones, hindering phone usability while mounted.
The Ram X-Grip Phone Mount employs four spring-loaded arms with rubber knobs for phone grip. However, arm placement proved problematic. Correct positioning, barely contacting the iPhone SE’s bottom, resulted in the upper arms pressing the volume and power buttons, demonstrating a flawed design for button-heavy phones. The inclusion of a glue vial without instructions further complicates the user experience.
Alt text: Versatile Ram X-Grip phone mount for bike with spring-loaded arms securely holding a smartphone.
The Gub G-85 Bicycle Phone Holder, an aluminum-constructed mount, offers impressive solidity at a budget-friendly price. However, assembly is complex. Protecting phones from scratches and slippage from its metal prongs necessitates applying tiny cushions, requiring precision and potentially specialized tools.
The Vup Universal Bike Cell Phone Holder, a popular, inexpensive silicone-bracket mount on Amazon, is easy to install. However, test phones experienced excessive rattling, shaking, and bouncing during rides. The lower strap also interfered with the iPhone 8 Plus home button.
Another budget-friendly Amazon bestseller, the Ailun Silicone Strap Phone Mount Holder, felt too flimsy for on-bike testing. Its straps also risked obstructing phone home buttons.
The Team Obsidian Silicone Bike Mount‘s lower strap covered both test phones’ home buttons. Stretching its thick silicone straps onto the iPhone 8 Plus with a case proved challenging, highlighting usability concerns.
The Delta Cycle Smartphone Holder XL and Hefty Holder presented difficulties in phone insertion and removal. Their bulky, awkward, and aesthetically unappealing designs further diminish their appeal.
The Nite Ize HandleBand felt durable and secure. However, its wide straps obscured portions of the phone screen, impacting screen visibility and usability.
Waterproof Universal-Fit Phone Holders: Protection from the Elements
For cyclists prioritizing weather protection, waterproof universal-fit phone holders offer a solution.
The Topeak Smartphone Drybag, tested in its 5-inch size, provided a snug fit for the iPhone 8 Plus in a case. However, significant phone rattling and bobbing occurred even with minor pavement imperfections, regardless of handlebar or stem mounting.
Alt text: Waterproof Topeak Smartphone Drybag phone holder for bike protecting phone from weather conditions during cycling.
The Bikase Handy Andy 6, attaching with Velcro straps, offered easy installation and removal. Minimal phone movement was observed on road rides. However, the plastic window produced significant glare, rendering the phone screen unreadable in bright conditions. Newer versions for current phones appear unavailable.
Article edited by Christine Ryan.
