How to Choose Bicycle Phone Mount | Buyers Guide 2022
If you are looking for the phone mounts for your bike but don’t know how to choose bicycle phone mount, then you have landed yourself in the right place.
This is the article where we have discussed a lot about bicycle phone mounts to gain a very clear idea about this amazing bike accessory and find the best one for your bike according to your wants and needs.
How to Choose Bicycle Phone Mount: Everything You Should Know
Why You Should Take Your Phone While Cycling
There are several reasons you should keep your phone with you while you go out cycling. Some of the top reasons for carrying your phone with you are:
Safety
The main reason you should carry your phone with you when going for a ride, is that you have access to help in times of need.
While riding, you might face many types of unfavorable situations or even accidents- getting lost, experiencing a flat tire, seeing something suspicious, or falling off the bike.
In such cases, you might need help from the other. What else could help you reach the right party other than your cell phone?
Speed Tracking
If your main purpose of riding the bike is to exercise, you might want to keep track of your speed and miles as well. This is because this would help you to measure your performance, and what better way to keep an eye on the speed than a bike speed tracker?
When you have your phone with you, it tracks your speed with every pedal and helps you keep track of your betterment progress.
Repair Your Bike
One possible nightmare every cyclist has to face is experiencing a break down in the middle of a path. And if a repair shop is not around the corner, it becomes a bigger problem.
But, if you have your phone with you with certain apps, you can always repair the very basics and get it ready for the ride again, at least until you reach the workshop.
Bicycle Light
One of the most interesting benefits of having a phone with you when you ride your bike is that you can use it as a bicycle light. You can light up your regular phone flashlight or download a light app- either way, this will do the work.
However, remember that it’s only a temporary solution. When your cycle light is broken, fix it as soon as possible.
GPS Tracking
The last thing you want when riding your bike is getting lost. Getting lost is one of the worst fears realized by the riders. And if you don’t want to get lost, then there is nothing better than having a GPS-enabled mobile phone with you during your rides.
GPS enabled cell phone usually comes with a map that shows exactly where you are and gives you the direction of where you want to go. This amazing feature could help you find your way back only when you have your cell phone with you.
Types of Bike Phone Mounts
Like all other bicycle accessories, manufacturers also offer more than a few types of bike phone mounts to choose from according to your requirements. Let’s talk about the mount types to know more.
Case Mounts - phone model specific
Case mounts are hugely popular nowadays. This bicycle phone holder is extremely good for those riders who don’t have a shatterproof or water-resistant case and still want their expensive phones to be protected.
The phone case holders are usually padded and waterproof and therefore, offer exceptional safety and security to your phone when you take it on a ride.
It doesn't matter whether you are on a mountain bike trail or hit up gravel; this case will always protect your phone.
However, as these holders are specifically for phone models, you have to be careful when finding one for yourself.
Universal Mounts
As the name suggests, a universal mount or universal bracket, however you call it, is suitable for various phone models to ensure your freedom and convenience.
From your android devices to the apple ones, you can fit in just any models in this incredible phone holder for a bike.
Usually made from silicone and a rubber grip, this holder not only fits your phone perfectly but at the same time provides a flexible yet secure hold on the phone while you ride for maximum safety.
Frame Bag Mounts
Like the universal holders, the frame bag holders are also capable of holding various phone models in them. As the name suggests, the only difference is this holder is a bag and offers you additional storage space on your bike for more convenience.
What to Look for in a Cell Phone Holder for Bike
Before you go all out and about to buy a bicycle phone holder for your riding sessions, pause a moment, and read below.
Below, we have discussed all the must-have features you must keep in mind so that you never fail to get the perfect one.
Construction and Design
The construction as well as the design of the phone holder matters. You wouldn't want to buy something that is not durable nor easy to access.
To enjoy your mount to the fullest, you must keep an eye on this. Otherwise, there are high chances that you might not end up with the best one.
Strap Bike Phone Mount
As the name suggests, a strap bike phone mount involves a strap fastener (more like a watch strap) to fasten your phone in place.
Usually made from silicone or its derivatives, this phone holder hangs around the handlebar of your bicycle and can be locked in to keep your cell phone secure.
Moreover, this smartphone holder's silicone body is water-resistant and can absorb even high vibrations and shocks, and therefore, can provide maximum safety for your expensive phone.
Magnetic Bike Phone Mount
The magnetic holders are usually a large piece of magnet where you attach your phone when you are riding a bike.
These holders are attached to the bike with adhesive so that they are attached to the cycle securely.
However, the magnetic holder is not as secured and your phone might fall off it easily when you hit a bump or face any unfortunate events.
Materials
Similar to the construction process, the construction material of your phone mount also matters. This is because the holder's durability and longevity largely depend on how and with what it is made from.
Some of the most commonly used materials to construct the phone mount are as follows.
Plastic
One of the most common construction materials used to make bike phone holders is plastic. Plastic materials like polyurethane (PU), polycarbonate (PC), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are extremely sturdy and offer you extended durability. These materials are also flexible and hence, reduce any chances of the holder to break abruptly.
However, even though this plastic is durable, phone mounts made from this material shatter in the event of a crash quickly.
Rubber
If you are looking for a more flexible and stretchable phone holder, then the ones made with rubber must be your top preference.
Rubber is not only stretchable but at the same time, it is also quite durable and doesn’t shatter like plastic ones.
But then again, rubber phone mounts can show signs of cracking over time.
Silicone
Another popular construction material is silicone. Even though silicone is an alternative to rubber, it is more durable and most commonly used in strap mounts.
Metal
Even though metal is a bit heavyweight material, more than a few manufacturers use this material to construct their phone holders to ensure incredible durability.
Most used metals that made bike phone holders are stainless steel and aluminum.
Synthetic fabrics
As the frame bag holders are slightly different from the other types of bike phone holders, they are usually made from nylon and other synthetic materials for better protection.
Mounts made from synthetic fabrics are normally waterproof and provides additional protection to your phone.
Phone protection
Another important thing you should never forget when buying a bicycle smartphone mount is the type of protection it offers.
Your phone protection is very important- you won't want to lose your precious phone while taking it on a ride.
Waterproof
Even when you have rain gear and you riding your bike in the rain, it’s quite impossible to keep your phone from getting drenched, and that’s why you need a phone mount on your bike that would actually shield away from your phone from getting damaged from water.
Shock Absorb
In addition to the waterproof ability, don't forget to check if the mount is capable of absorbing shock or not.
Shock absorption is equally important as it keeps your phone safe and secure from the rough road's vibrations and makes sure it doesn't break or suffer any damage because of the same.
Size of the handlebar
The handlebar size matters when you want to mount a phone bracket on it. It would be best if you always kept in mind that not all the brackets will fit your bike’s handlebars and therefore, you need to remember to measure the handlebar length and dimensions before making your choice to get the holder that fits your bike like a glove.
Phone compatibility
One crucial aspect you must never forget when selecting a phone holder for your bicycle is to check its compatibility with your phone's model.
Like many other cell phone accessories, the bracket also needs to be compatible; otherwise, there are high chances that it won’t fit the phone and the phone might fall off during your rides.
Low Profile Design
While shopping for the perfect phone bracket for your bicycle, you might have noticed that some are placed a little higher than the others.
Even though high mounted cell phones are convenient and offer you excellent accessibility, they quickly get caught up on things and cause a mess.
To avoid such messy situations, you must opt for a phone mount that features a low-profile design.
A low-profile phone bracket not only avoids catching up to things but at the same time, it is less shaking and more stable and, therefore, offers better security for your favorite phone.
Screen Visibility
The whole point of having a cell phone with you when you are going out for a ride is to get access to your phone and use its several features for more convenience.
To enjoy the best screen visibility, you need to mount a phone bracket that offers an excellent view of your phone screen and make it easy to use different apps like the map and speed trackers.
Quick and Easy to Attach and Detach
Even when you are not planning to remove your phone bracket from your bicycle anytime soon, you should pick the one that is both easy to attach and detach.
Easy installation is a must because you won’t want to go to a workshop and spend extra money just to mount a phone bracket.
Secure Grip
When you are installing a bicycle holder on your cycle, you want to stay put in place. And therefore, you need to pick the one with just the right amount of security grip on it.
In case you don’t know, the grip is the part that connects the holder to the bike, and when it is safe and secure and stays tightly in place, it also holds the phone securely.
Phone Accessibility
Phone accessibility is another feature you must never compromise when choosing a smartphone mount..
This is because you might have to use some features while riding and if the bracket doesn’t offer you easy accessibility, you would have to stop the cycle and then use the phone.
While some brackets allow you to use the buttons and features easily, others like the frame bag mount, is not as liberating and might make it challenging to use the phone on the go.
Our advice would be to pick the one that provides you the freedom to use your phone correctly.
Headphone Jack And Charging Port Accessibility
If you don’t have a pair of fancy, modern air pods, but you still want to listen to music while cycling, then you would obviously need a phone bracket that offers easy accessibility to the headphone jack.
Accessibility to the headphone jack and charging port provides you with maximum convenience during ridings, especially when you are on a long road trip.
When shopping for a bike phone bracket, see if it has holes on the right sides that match the holes on your phone. This way you can connect everything you need to connect without having any difficulties.
360 Degrees of Rotational Capability
There is nothing better than flexibility and to enjoy the incredible flexibility of your cell phone while you are riding, get a phone mount with 360 Degrees Rotational Capability.
This exciting feature not only offers versatility and flexibility but at the same time, can enlarge your viewing for maximum convenience.
Affordable
The one huge factor that you must keep in mind while shopping for a cell phone bracket is its price- don’t forget to check its affordability.
There are many bicycle phone holder available in the market at different price levels. Get the one that suits your budget as well as your needs the best.
How To Install A Bike Phone Mount
Installing a phone holder on your bicycle is not as hard as you might assume. In fact, it is relatively easy if you know the right steps and you have the right accessories.
The most intelligent thing to do before mounting the phone holder is to read the manual it comes with. This is important because your bracket might have some special features and need special attention.
In general, attaching a phone holder is extremely easy. However, we cannot describe it here as different brackets require different mounting procedures, and describing them all here won’t be a good idea.
Bits of Advice
Some of the tips and tricks you should follow while using a bicycle phone holder are as follows.
Choose vertical or horizontal viewing.
While many bike phone mounts offer vertical screen options, others tend to provide horizontal viewing. You should choose the one that you think is best for you.
Test the sturdiness of the mount before taking it on the road
Even before taking your bike for a spin with your new phone holder, don’t forget to check its sturdiness and make sure that it is appropriately attached to avoid unfortunate events.
Please make sure a clamp mount doesn’t align with any phone buttons so you can access them.
If the clamp is aligned with the phone buttons, there will be a problem with accessibility and you might not enjoy your ride to the fullest.
Try an activity-tracking app.
Before going for a ride, check with the several activity-tracking apps you use to make sure they work perfectly and won’t create any problem in times of need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to carry a phone in your pockets?
In theory, it might seem a great idea to carry your phone in your pocket while you are riding but in reality, carry a phone in your pocket is not the best idea. There are several reasons behind it.
For starters, your expensive phone might fall off and get lost, or you might accidentally break it.
The worst-case scenario is when you keep it in the back pocket, there are not only high chances of breaking the phone but at the same time, your sitting position is also off and you might end up hurting your back.
Are bike phone mounts waterproof?
Well, it depends on the model you are buying. While some bicycle phone holders are waterproof to offer your phone the highest level of protection, the others don’t come with this feature, and therefore, we just cannot state that all the bike phone mounts waterproof.
How secure are the phone mounts?
Phone mounts are relatively safer for your cell phones than putting them inside your pocket during your riding sessions. The holder ensures that your phone doesn’t suffer from breakage or damage during cycling.
However, different bike phone holders provide various security features and while some are incredibly secure and safe, others are not.
Are All Phone Mounts Universal?
No, not all the phone mounts are universal and can hold all models of devices.
While the universal phone brackets and the frame bag mounts are versatile and can accommodate all types of phones, the cases are model specific and hold only a particular model.
Can I use bike phone mounts on motorcycles?
Unfortunately, no. you can’t and you shouldn’t use bike phone holders on motorcycles.
This practice is not suggested because bike phone holders are not as durable as motorcycle phone holders and have the possibility of breaking down at high speeds. If this happens, you might say goodbye to your favorite phone.
Does it matter where I mount my phone?
Yes, it does matter where you mount your phone on your bike. The mounting position is essential not only for safety but also for better visibility.
You shouldn’t attach your phone in a position that blocks your view and might end up causing accidents.
How long will my bike phone holders last?
We cannot give you a time frame on how long your bike phone mount will last.
It depends on several factors like the construction material, how you use it, how often you use it and if the holder has good construction and takes good care of it, we are sure that it will last longer than usual.
Do I need to buy a new phone mount after changing my phone?
Well, that depends on the type of mount you are using on your bike. for instance, if you have a universal phone bracket or a frame bag mount, you don’t have to change it after changing your phone.
But on the other hand, as the case bike holders are model specific, you have to install a new one once you change your phone.
What is the top bike phone mount brands available?
Some of the top bike phone holder brands available in the market today are:
ROKFORM TOPEAK -Quad-Lock
Wrapping Up
The right phone holder is a "must-have" accessory for you when you are going for a ride. This holder helps you access the map and saves you from getting lost, but it also provides other benefits to you.
And with this guide in your hand, you should learnt all about how to choose bicycle phone mount & you can buy the perfect phone mount for your next ride easily.
So what are you waiting for? Hop on your bike and shop now.
