Navigating with your phone or staying connected on a bike ride requires a reliable phone mount. With numerous options available, choosing the Best Bike Phone Mount can be overwhelming. This guide reviews a range of phone mounts, categorizing them by their attachment style and features to help you find the perfect fit for your cycling needs.
Two-Part Mounts with Phone-Specific Cases or Universal Adapters
This category includes mounts that utilize dedicated phone cases or universal adapters for a secure and streamlined attachment.
Thule Smartphone Bike Mount
The Thule Smartphone Bike Mount stands out with its robust base, designed to clamp across the handlebar’s center. Equipped with a spring-loaded bracket and silicone straps, it accommodates phones of varying sizes. While installation can be a bit involved and the mount itself is quite bulky, it provides exceptional phone stability once properly secured. However, compatibility issues may arise with certain bike types, as observed with our mountain bike test, even with the provided shims.
Morpheus M4s Bike Kit (Discontinued)
Formerly available for iPhones, the Morpheus M4s Bike Kit featured a phone-specific case known for its premium feel and precise fit. Despite its quality, the case’s lip didn’t meet Apple’s recommended minimum for screen protection. Unfortunately, Morpheus products are no longer accessible in the US market as of Spring 2023.
iOmounts Nomad Universal Bike Phone Mount / Klock Werks Nomad Universal Phone Mount
The iOmounts Nomad Universal Bike Phone Mount offered an innovative magnetic attachment system. A magnetic disc adhered to the phone or case, connecting to the handlebar-mounted base. Initial tests showed strong phone stability. However, users encountered difficulties in achieving a snug base fit and found the release mechanism frustrating. Additionally, the metal disc rendered the mount incompatible with Qi wireless charging. Klock Werks, having acquired iOmounts, now offers a similar Nomad Universal Phone Mount, likely inheriting the same wireless charging limitation.
Rokform Bike Mounts (Rugged, Crystal Cases, Universal Adapter, V4 Pro Series)
Rokform presents a comprehensive range of bike mounts, including options like Rugged and Crystal cases for iPhones, a Universal Mount Adapter for other phones like the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active, and the V4 Pro Series Phone Bike Mount. Despite the variety, Rokform mounts tested were generally outperformed by competitors offering better value. While the V4 Pro Series appeared more robust than its predecessor, the Rokform Pro-Lite Bike Mount, the higher price point remains a consideration.
SP Connect Bike Bundle
The SP Connect Bike Bundle provides enhanced adjustability compared to earlier versions. Cases are available for a range of iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, with a Universal Adapter extending compatibility. However, switching between portrait and landscape orientations still requires manual adjustment at the case level, using a small plastic tool. This tool, included with the mount, lacks clear labeling or mention in the packaging, requiring users to consult the online user manual for the case to understand its function.
Tigra Sport FitClic Neo line
The Tigra Sport FitClic Neo line mirrors the concepts of Quad Lock and Rokform but falls short in execution. The iPhone 8 Plus case presented button obstruction issues. The locking and unlocking mechanism, reliant on a slender plastic lever, is not particularly user-friendly. While the standard mount offered better stability than the out-front variant, both exhibited more phone rattling than desired during testing.
Topeak Ridecase for iPhone
The Topeak Ridecase for iPhone is characterized by an insufficient protective lip and incompatibility with wireless charging. Furthermore, removing the phone from the case for case swapping proved to be a cumbersome process.
Fidlock Vacuum Phone cases
Fidlock Vacuum Phone cases also present wireless charging limitations, as reported by user reviews on the company’s website and independent tech blogs. This incompatibility might be a significant drawback for users prioritizing wireless charging convenience.
Mounts with Universal-Fit Silicone Straps or Plastic Braces
This category encompasses mounts that employ silicone straps or plastic braces to accommodate a wide range of phones without requiring specific cases.
Delta Cycle X-Mount Pro
The Delta Cycle X-Mount Pro features a low-profile, forged-aluminum frame designed for stem cap mounting only, lacking alternative attachment options or angle adjustability. Its robust silicone bands securely hold standard and extra-large phones, but only in portrait orientation.
Vibrelli Universal Bike Phone Mount
The Vibrelli Universal Bike Phone Mount, utilizing silicone corner straps and a spring-loaded plastic bracket, offers a simpler mounting process compared to the Thule mount. However, its base, featuring a plastic ball-in-socket joint tightened with a plastic ring nut, feels less robust.
Roam Universal Premium Bike Phone Mount
Resembling the Vibrelli in its spring-loaded bracket and ball-in-socket mechanism, the Roam Universal Premium Bike Phone Mount distinguishes itself with a handlebar mount that is overly complex, difficult to attach, and exceptionally wide, consuming nearly 2 inches of handlebar space.
Zéfal Universal Mobile Mount
The Zéfal Universal Mobile Mount adopts a plastic ball-in-socket mount similar to Vibrelli and Roam models. Its plastic bracket arms require a button press to open, and once spread, exhibit a noticeable wiggle even when locked. Fold-out “feet” intended for phone support interfere with the silicone corner straps when deployed.
Bikase TrailKase with Q/R 360 Degree Bracket & TrailKase Universal Phone Holder
Both Bikase TrailKase models tested resulted in phone rattling and shaking over bumps. The TrailKase with Q/R 360 Degree Bracket features a heavy, protruding metal mount base, while the TrailKase Universal Phone Holder’s lower-profile plastic mount felt flimsy.
Topeak Omni RideCase DX
The Topeak Omni RideCase DX initially appeared sturdy. However, its wide silicone brackets obscured the home button on both the iPhone 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S8 during testing, hindering usability.
Ram X-Grip Phone Mount
The Ram X-Grip Phone Mount utilizes four spring-loaded arms with rubber knobs to grip the phone. Positioning challenges arose, as correct arm placement was crucial to avoid the upper arms pressing the volume and power buttons, especially with smaller phones like the iPhone SE. The mount includes a small glue vial without instructions, requiring users to research online to learn that it’s intended for gluing the rubber knobs onto the metal arms.
Gub G-85 Bicycle Phone Holder
The Gub G-85 Bicycle Phone Holder, constructed entirely from aluminum, presents impressive solidity for its price. However, assembly is complex, and protecting the phone from scratches or slippage from the four metal prongs necessitates attaching tiny cushions (included) – a task potentially requiring magnification.
Vup Universal Bike Cell Phone Holder
The Vup Universal Bike Cell Phone Holder, a popular, affordable silicone-bracket mount on Amazon, is easy to install. Unfortunately, test phones experienced excessive rattling, shaking, and bouncing during rides, and the lower strap obstructed the iPhone 8 Plus home button.
Ailun Silicone Strap Phone Mount Holder
The Ailun Silicone Strap Phone Mount Holder, another budget-friendly Amazon bestseller, felt significantly less sturdy than similar mounts. Its straps also pose potential home button obstruction issues. Its flimsiness discouraged on-bike testing for safety reasons.
Team Obsidian Silicone Bike Mount
The Team Obsidian Silicone Bike Mount’s lower strap covered the home buttons of both test phones. Stretching the thick silicone straps over the iPhone 8 Plus with a Speck Presidio case proved to be a struggle.
Delta Cycle Smartphone Holder XL & Hefty Holder
The Delta Cycle Smartphone Holder XL and Hefty Holder presented difficulties in phone insertion and removal. Both are described as bulky, awkward, and aesthetically unappealing.
Nite Ize HandleBand
The Nite Ize HandleBand felt durable and secure. However, its wide straps obscured parts of the phone screen, which could be distracting or limit visibility of important information while riding.
Mounts with Waterproof Universal-Fit Phone Holders
This section reviews mounts that incorporate waterproof pouches or bags to protect phones from the elements.
Topeak Smartphone Drybag (5-inch)
The Topeak Smartphone Drybag, tested in the 5-inch size, provided a snug fit for an iPhone 8 Plus with a case. However, the phone exhibited considerable rattling and vertical bobbing over uneven surfaces, regardless of handlebar or stem mounting.
Bikase Handy Andy 6
The Bikase Handy Andy 6, attaching with Velcro straps, was easy to install and remove. Phone movement and shaking were minimal during road tests. However, the plastic window produced significant glare, rendering the phone screen largely unreadable in bright conditions. It appears there are no updated versions available for newer phone models.
Article edited by Christine Ryan.
