Discover the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023. Get expert insights, reviews, and recommendations in this comprehensive guide.
It’s time to upgrade your bike commute by mounting your phone on the handlebars. You’ll have more enjoyment riding to your destination and less need to memorize new routes with plenty of twists and turns and stops for guidance! If you want to ride everywhere, it’s useful to have a phone mount set up so that discovering new routes is as simple and convenient as returning to your daily routes.
What is Phone Mount for Bicycle
Furthermore, you want a phone mount that will make riding comfortable and enable you to quickly take pictures while out on the bike. You don’t want just any phone mount. So that traveling by bike is even more convenient than traveling by automobile, let us buy you an amazing cycling phone mount!
Side Note: The iOttie Easy One Touch is unquestionably the greatest phone mount if you ever drive a car without one. It has excellent functionality on ALL phones with ANY cover, and it has the type of user-friendliness that I look for in a cycling phone mount. Well, let’s get back to bikes.
You may read on for additional information, and I’ll go over all the greatest and most affordable cycling phone mounting choices. So, discover the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
The Greatest Phone Mount for Bicycles—Works with Any Phone Case!
Read more: Reviewing the Voge 650 DSX: A Tough, Adventure Bike
The Best Phone Mount for Bicycles in 2023
1. Chrome version of the Tackform Motorcycle Phone Mount
Any phone, with or without a case, will be held firmly in place by this phone mount! You may take pictures or use it for other purposes while riding because it is easy to use with one hand. I made this post after seeing the Tackform Motorcycle Phone Mount because, despite its name being “motorcycle,” no one appears to be promoting it for bicycles. The size of the handlebars is the same! As an alternative, you can change the connecting point to a rapid release. See the details of my experience here.
The Greatest Bicycle Phone Mount (Requires Special Case or Adapter)
These phone mounts are less bulky and typically offer better, simpler, one-handed operation than phone case-independent mounts, provided that you don’t mind requiring a specific phone case or adapter. Although I prefer to have my own phone case, I do hope that these firms will ultimately provide a wider variety of cases so that I can consider switching. You have a ton of extension possibilities once you acquire the case because there are a ton of various mounts and attachments available to expand the back of your phone.
While Mous & Peak Design is a little more user-friendly than the others, all of these options can be operated with just one hand. So, discover the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
2. Mous Intralock ecosystem Mous Intralock Phone Case & Bike Mount (adapter not included)
The Mous Intralock ecosystem (new as of 2022) is my top choice. For less than the cost of rival mounts, they are offering both the phone case and the mount that are compatible with MagSafe. As of this writing, they cost a total of $45 and are equally, if not more, superior. Given that Mous is a long-standing company that specializes in phone cases, I’m hoping that eventually, their Intralock technology will be available in a wider range of cases, which might even tempt me to try it.
You are limited to using Mous’s single phone case, which isn’t the smoothest-feeling option, as they do not currently sell adapters. So, discover the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
3. Phone Case & Quad Lock Out Front Bike Mount System
The Quad Lock Bike Mount System has been around the longest and has, therefore, been more thoroughly tested for its dependability and durability if you’re looking for a tried-and-true option. Nevertheless, I frequently struggle to put the phone back on the mount, and the Quad Lock isn’t compatible with MagSafe. In addition to having a new adapter that is also Magsafe compatible, Quadlock does sell adapters that fit onto any phone case. I’ve included more of my QuadLock experience below.
5. Peak Design SlimLink Phone Case & Bike Mount
Peak Design has a fantastic, but somewhat more expensive, bike phone mount, case, and mount if you’re on a larger budget and like something sleeker. If you decide not to utilize the phone case, Peak Design offers a stick-on adaptor and is compatible with MagSafe.
The Peak Design Universal Bar Mount is something I like because it looks really simple to switch out on different bikes and other items that have bars that wrap around. It uses the same kind of silicone strap connection as cheap bike lights, so it’s very easy to take on and off, even though it may be less solid and secure.
Lastly, the Peak Design accessories like the wallet/stand, stand/charger, and wall mount (all basically Magsafe mounts) look rather great. So, discover the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
Read more: EBike Hov Ranger Review
Budget Bicycle Phone Mounts
If you want to acquire the lowest possible phone mount for your bicycle, there are several nice solutions that might work just as well as my other recommendations if you’re not as worried about durability. So, discover the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
Specific Phone Case or Adapter Required – Budget Pick
The Mous phone case & mount are already inexpensive for what you get, but if you want to sacrifice quality for budget, you can go cheaper. For $20, you can get the Spigen Gearlock Mount along with an attached adaptor that fits on any phone. While the mounting technique is more akin to Quad Lock and may not be as user-friendly as Mous or Peak Design, it is still really impressive and allows you to maintain your existing phone cover.
6. My Favorite Bicycle Phone Mount: Tackform Motorcycle Mount
The Tackform Motorcycle Mount (chrome version), with its robust, one-handed operation that doesn’t require any special case, makes it the clear winner for what I want in a bike phone mount. Don’t be deceived that it’s promoted for motorbikes. Let us explore the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
The bars on a motorbike are the same as a bicycle, and this mount has the attachments to fit incredibly well on all bicycles. $60 at the time of this writing is not cheap, but if you look at any of the other “best” one-handed operating phone mounts, they are more costly since they need you to buy a new cover for your phone, too! Or affix something to the cover of your phone, which you now have to always have with you, even when you’re not riding a bike. Not nice!
NOTE: The vibration-dampening version is probably not necessary unless you ride mountain bikes or on uneven terrain frequently. When the engine of a motorbike vibrates the handlebars, this is very significant. It’s improbable that a few potholes will affect your camera. Let us explore the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
You can now use your phone safely and one-handedly with a secure bicycle mount, regardless of whether you have a custom case, no case, or an accessory like a pop-out ring, wallet, or anything. The ability to play music, take short pictures while riding, and improve navigation are all made possible by this exciting development. As a strange bonus, I put on my JBL Clip 4 speaker to the bracket directly behind the phone, and I had excellent jams occurring, too!
You can simply relocate this phone mount to other bikes (or motorcycles, it works there too!) by replacing the normal bar mount with a quick-release bar mount. This will make the phone mount more portable. Instead of removing the full mounting system, you may purchase only the bar mount with the ball on top. Simply unhook the phone attachment and transfer it to another bike.
Having used this phone mount for some time, I do have some observations regarding the one-handed use. It functions by pushing aside a robust, spring-loaded arm with your phone. Let us explore the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023. It requires you to grasp one of the bicycle handles in order to attach or unmount the phone since the heavy-duty spring will not break free while you are cycling.
While riding, I’ve discovered that this goes very well, but if the bike is supported by a kickstand, I have to hold the handlebar with my other hand in order to release the bicycle. Additionally, be cautious while utilizing that spring if you have an injury to your shoulder because improper form might make it difficult to move!
This is how to operate the Tackform phone mount. In this video, my other hand is gripping the handlebar. So, discover the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
My Experience Mounting My Phone on a Bicycle Using QuadLock
I invested much in Quad Lock in 2021 in the hopes that it would address all of my issues with holding my phone. I spent $90 at the time on the prettiest Quad Lock Out Front Pro Mount and an iPhone cover to match. Let us explore the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023. Although the Quad Lock mounts perform admirably overall, the use of a phone cover is not warranted. I didn’t want to utilize their adapter, and I wanted to use a smaller, non-black case.
Therefore, it’s not ideal, but I ended up switching out cases when I needed to use the Quad Lock. You’ll probably be OK with the Quad Lock or a comparable system if you don’t mind an unoriginal black casing with an additional bump or hole! I did learn that Quad Lock makes a Ring/Stand that you can connect to your adaptor when it’s not in use, which is neat but not something I would use myself.
Let us explore the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023. After a few years of use, I have the following particular complaints regarding the Quad Lock system:
To mount the system fast, it might be quite difficult to get it lined correctly. Sometimes, even though it seems/looks easy, I found myself struggling for a long time to get all the parts lined up correctly. It’s not nearly as simple as I thought it would be, but I have really improved with time. Let us explore the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
On my bars, the mount appears to move a little. The screen progressively lowers as I tap, and I occasionally have to drag it back up. This could be because I have the Out Front PRO mount, which has a longer extending arm that allows it to move about too readily, even when it’s quite tight. I assumed this was done to get it closer to my range of vision. Though I haven’t utilized the typical Out Front Mount, this is just conjecture.
I have already expressed my distaste for the necessity of a certain case or case connection. That is all. So, discover the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
It’s important to remember that these problems are unique to the Quad Lock system. I haven’t had a chance to test Peak Design’s SlimLock system because I purchased my Quad Lock mount just after it was released. Let us explore the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023. Even more recently, Mous unveiled their Intralock system. There is still not enough diversity in phone cases, but both of those systems appear to function better than the Quad Lock system and have prettier casings.
Rubber Phone Mounts that are Tedious are the Kind you don’t Want
Watch out for phone mounts that encircle your phone in rubber on all sides. Not because they are ineffective but rather because of how very inconvenient they are. Simply put, with the better mounts available, it isn’t worth it. Let us explore the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023. Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a portable mount that you can use with bike-share or take on trips, these are still the best type of phone case-independent mount available.
These mounts require a lot of manual labor that you don’t have to perform, and once your phone is attached, unsticking it requires a comparable amount of work. Not to mention that the corners of the screen on these mounts are typically covered in rubber, which might make it challenging to operate your phone when attached. The various phone-independent bike mounts available on the market are probably going to hold your phone just fine, even if you ride on really rough terrain all the time.
Although Wirecutter appears to think that the Nite Ize Wraptor bike phone mount is the best affordable option, for more usability, I would like to use one of the other reasonably priced one-handed phone docks that I’ve covered in the previous sections. So, discover the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
This incredibly portable piece of rubber is one tiresome rubber phone mount that I do occasionally still use. This one is quite insecure because it fits through the little hole and around to mount your phone, however, it’s highly portable and functional when you need it. I’ll carry something with me in case I need it. Let us explore the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023. Better bicycle phone mounts are now available, so it’s difficult to get them these days, but I did discover several on Aliexpress for the same price as before—roughly $1.
It’s also one of the first phone docks I ever used, this rubber component. I’ve been looking for more ever since, but I’ll never forget my first love. So, discover the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
Phone Mounts for Top Tube Frame Bags (you do not want these)
I’ve also used those frame bags that rest on top of the top tube, just next to the head stem, as a phone holder in the past. If you want to use it as a bag, it’s good however as a phone mount, it was a complete disaster right away for several reasons:
The phone’s screen was entirely illegible due to the plastic coating. It was worthless because of the reflections from the sun during the day and the streetlights at night.
The bag on the top tube is just not positioned such that it is easy to glance at the phone. Of course, your phone is deep within this bag, so pulling it out is even more irritating than getting it out of those tiresome covers with rubber straps. I had to look way down, and it wasn’t easy while riding.
I instantly decided against it and sent it back. So, discover the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
The Greatest Detachable & Transportable Bicycle Phone Holders
It might be helpful to have a phone mount that is portable if you ride various bikes or use bike-share bikes frequently. Because of its extreme portability, I indicated before that I still own and occasionally use the rubber strap mount.
I’m still looking for the most lightweight bike mount that I can use when traveling or on the road because I don’t want to have a large phone mount with me. Tell me about anything, please, if you know!
As of right now, the Peak Design phone cover with the universal bar mount is the most portable choice. That amount is about as tiny as it gets, so it seems to reason that the most portable choice would also come with a certain phone cover.
Even though they are typically difficult to use, other mounts with straightforward silicone straps are also highly portable and rank among the greatest bike mounts for travel that don’t require a phone case! So, discover the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
The Nite Ize Unversal Bike attachment is one quick and simple portable attachment. Like the little piece of rubber, it covers a large portion of the screen, is difficult to use while using your phone, and needs two hands to attach and remove. Nevertheless, it functions and is dependable.
Likewise, the Nite Ize Wraptor bicycle phone mount is lightweight and just covers the screen’s edges. Let us explore the best phone mount for bicycles in 2023.
If you’re still interested in the Tackform after reading this far, they do have a fast-release bar mount that makes switching mounts to other bikes simple, but switching takes some time, and it’s hefty to transport.
Conclusion
You will now be able to select the ideal bike phone mount for your needs and riding circumstances rather than simply any phone mount. Although I still ride bikes without phone mounts and instead commit the route to memory before each ride (which is always a good way to hone your geographic skills), bicycle phone mounts are a great addition for easy, convenient, and more likely bike commutes when new rides are dynamic and complex.
Soon, I want mounts on every bike I own so I can travel through unfamiliar places with ease and never stop to check my phone.
Now, put down your phone and take in the scenery! Happy riding!
