iPhone mount

suddaby22

Hi there

As I am very new into road cycling (only purchased my first road bike - a Giant Defy 1 2014 - 2 weeks ago), I was after a bit of advice. I have started off with relatively short (20 to 30 mile) circuits around my local back roads (which I know like the back of my hand) but soon want to start going further a field. I am currently using Strava and Map My Fitness so would quite like to be able to see the maps on there as I am cycling. Does anyone know of any good quality phone mounts (iPhone 5) for the handle bar?

markhewitt1978

Keep in mind that your battery won't last very long if you'd got the screen on while navigating.

suddaby22

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Keep in mind that your battery won't last very long if you'd got the screen on while navigating.

Thanks for your reply Mark. I dont think I can see myself doing anything longer than 3-4 hours. Surely even an iPhone 5 could last that long? If not, do I have any other options?

bianchiboy

Yep I use a QuadLock mount- bloomin brilliant, can't recommend enough

Got mine here: http://www.lead-out.co.uk/quad-lock-iphone5-bike-mount

TCR4x4

I've got a bikelogic mount, its ok, but the mount isn't great if you remove it and reattach. The plastic strap gets chewed up by the ratchet and becomes impossible to use.

I've only had it less than a week, and the mount is knackered already, as I moved it from my handlebars to the stem, then today I fitted a new stem and handlebar so moved it again, but it won't tighten up fully now.

First time I used it, I got caught in a torrential storm, and it kept the phone dry and safe, but, when the plastic cover gets wet, it becomes impossible to use the phone, it just doesn't pick up finger strokes.

Its cheaper than the one mentioned above, but does have a few pitfalls.

arthur_scrimshaw

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/accessories/gadgets/product/review-topeak-panobike-iphone-converter-app-13-47458

cesco

I am fairly new to my current area, so I didn't know any of my local roads. Like you, I was thinking about getting a mount, but in the end decided not to, for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, an iPhone mounted on a stem looks appalling and hideous. Also, +£50 mounts just didn't seem worth it to me; yet I wouldn't dare to rely on the cheaper ones. I may even rather chip my tooth again than seeing my phone flying through the air. Most of all: don't worry about getting lost. You're cycling; so in case you do find yourself a bit off the intended route, you'll be back on track in minutes. I do carry mine with me in my jersey -in a solid case plus zip lock bag-; so should I feel really lost I can always have a look. Personally I think having one right there all the time would probably distract me too much, but that's just me I suppose.

I know you didn't ask for this at all haha. Just offering another opinion. On the other hand, if you end up getting one, I would seriously like to know how you're finding it.

DrLex

Topeak RideCase; been using one with my iPhone 4 since last April - no issues.

Chris87

i use the topeak one with the hr monitor. For club runs 50/60 miles it lasts fine anything longer you will want to get the battery pack, which is also great!

suddaby22

I must say I do like the look of the Quad Lock but have also seen a Wicked Chilli Case that is slightly cheaper and looks quite nice - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wicked-Chili-Co ... p_t_1_3437

I'm on holiday next week so I will have to think over my options. Thanks for all the input though guys

markhewitt1978

suddaby22 wrote:

Thanks for your reply Mark. I dont think I can see myself doing anything longer than 3-4 hours. Surely even an iPhone 5 could last that long? If not, do I have any other options?

3 hours maybe, 4 hours perhaps, 5 hours, I doubt it.

I carry my 4S in my jersey pocket, just doing GPS tracking with the screen off, even then I'm struggling for battery for anything over 4 hours, which is why I carry an external battery pack.

Personally I have a cycle computer on my bike for real time information and carry the phone in my pocket for tracking.

AllanES

I was the same when I first started out last year. I had my iPhone 4S mounted on the handle bars. Tried a couple of different mounts. Then got an iPhone 5 so had to buy a new case/mount. Then got into riding for longer and exceeded the battery life of the iPhone and now.............I have a Garmin.

I just wish I'd cut to the chase and just bought the Garmin instead of faffing around with the iPhone.
I still carry the iPhone......... in my bag ..............for use as a phone

FWIW i bought a Garmin 500 and it's great. Does everything I need in terms of being able to show me a route and also analyse my ride when I get home.

DrLex

suddaby22 wrote:

I must say I do like the look of the Quad Lock but have also seen a Wicked Chilli Case that is slightly cheaper and looks quite nice - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wicked-Chili-Co ... p_t_1_3437

I'm on holiday next week so I will have to think over my options. Thanks for all the input though guys

Topeak one can be found under £30 - Tredz via amazon. As others have said, for all day usage, get a battery pack, dynamo charger or a Garmin/Mio/Bryton device.

dun247

I am using a I bikeconsole. You can get one from cycle surgery or halfords. I also have a anker astro 5600mah external battery from amazon. I use either a Topeak frame bag or on a nice day I just Velcro it to my frame. Works very well but for me it's only a stop gap till I have enough for a garmin 810.

Druidor

Trying to find a decent holder for my Note II, but everything is a bit on the small side in the shops and would prefer to see in the flesh than buy over the internet.

white91

markhewitt1978 wrote:

suddaby22 wrote:

Thanks for your reply Mark. I dont think I can see myself doing anything longer than 3-4 hours. Surely even an iPhone 5 could last that long? If not, do I have any other options?

3 hours maybe, 4 hours perhaps, 5 hours, I doubt it.

I carry my 4S in my jersey pocket, just doing GPS tracking with the screen off, even then I'm struggling for battery for anything over 4 hours, which is why I carry an external battery pack.

Personally I have a cycle computer on my bike for real time information and carry the phone in my pocket for tracking.

Turn off 3G and data roaming, it will last for hours, I tracked full days on my ride to Paris, seemed to eat about half the battery power for a 9 hour ride

littledove44

I have an iPhone with a mophie juice pack pro. The rugged outdoors one.

It's waterproof so I even use it when sailing. Impervious to salt water and rain when on the bike.
The extra battery capacity is more than enough. I ran Strava on Monday from 0900 to 1830 and still had over 50% life on my battery.
If I crash the phone is more likely to survive than me.

Being rugged, I just tie it on with two tie permanent tie wraps. Total cost almost nothing. The geometry of the stem is such that I can slip it in one at a time, and therefore leave the tie wraps on permanently.

http://www.mophie.com/mophie-juice-pack ... p4-org.htm

callmedools

suddaby22 wrote:

Hi there

As I am very new into road cycling (only purchased my first road bike - a Giant Defy 1 2014 - 2 weeks ago), I was after a bit of advice. I have started off with relatively short (20 to 30 mile) circuits around my local back roads (which I know like the back of my hand) but soon want to start going further a field. I am currently using Strava and Map My Fitness so would quite like to be able to see the maps on there as I am cycling. Does anyone know of any good quality phone mounts (iPhone 5) for the handle bar?

I currently use the Quad Lock kit for my iPhone 5, got it off Amazon: http://amzn.to/18Y5DQE
Have to say, it is one of the best kits I have come across, I have mine currently on my stem, which is another great thing about it. We'll worth the £50.
FYI: I put the extra zip ties for security so it deters from thieves.