Cycling has come a long way since its humble penny-farthing beginnings.
As with any sport, there are gradual levels of enthusiasm and ability. From casual commuters to Olympic BMX riders, there are a myriad of cyclists out there of professional stature, amateur status and everything in between with vastly different needs.
The classic idiom ‘all the gear and no idea’ refers to the uncomfortable beginner’s period when an individual decides to embark on a new sporting hobby. When it comes to cycling, the sheer amount of kit that both recreational regulars and pristine Pros clad themselves in can be incredibly intimidating.
What’s more, newbies often feel like sheep in wolves’ clothing when dressed in full Lycra and clip-ins for the first time. Yes, it’s more aerodynamic. But, no there’s nothing to be done about that initial, overwhelming feeling of sheer embarrassment. Confidence comes with exposure, and you’ll be a Lycra warrior in no time at all.
However, proper clothing is just one aspect of the rather complicated equation. Whether you’re a mountain rider, road biker or cycle-to-work enthusiast, there are countless ways through which cyclists of all kinds can make their journeys as seamless and fuss-free as possible.
Arguably the most important modern accessory – ergonomic saddles and cycling bibs aside – is the humble phone mount. As much as we’d like to think that we’re capable of being separated from our smartphones, the vast majority of us have lost our hunter-gatherer instinct for directions.
Whether we’re cycling a well-trodden route to the office or pedalling around the corner to a friend’s house, city roadblocks and obstacles can disrupt our muscle memory and force us to come up with alternative routes on the spot.
Stopping and inputting directions into an endlessly buffering Google Maps is no good in a fast-paced, automobile-run environment. What all cyclists need is a phone mount which displays a pre-loaded route, which can also adjust itself in real time without any cumbersome intervention.
With our smartphones serving as veritable extensions of our bodies, it’s of the utmost importance that we invest in phone mounts that will protect our precious tech no matter the environment. We’ve rounded up a selection of the most secure bike phone mounts on the market. Keep scrolling to plug in and pedal away.
Best bike mounts at a glance:
- Best overall: Quad Lock Out Front Mount Pro - £49.99, Amazon
- Best for bike stem mount: Mous IntraLock Bike Stem Mount - £29.99, Mous
- Best for simple practicality: Toad Universal Smartphone Mount for Bikes and Scooters - £13.99, Decathlon
- Best for weather-proof protection: Whale Fall Hard Casing Bike Bag - £15.99, Amazon
- Best for a seamless mount for any bike: Loop Mount Twist - £60, Amazon
- Best for value-for-money: Grefay Bike Phone Mount - £8.49, Amazon
- Best for durability: TruActive Premium Bike Phone Mount Holder - £14.99, Amazon
- Best for hi-tech cycling aficionados: Garmin Edge 540 Bundle - £449.99, Amazon
Quad Lock Out Front Mount Pro
Best overall
A tried and true phone mount used by cyclists on all terrains, the Quad Lock mount system may be a pricey investment but it’s certainly a worthy one. The mount itself is low-profile and incredibly sturdy thanks to the rigid anodised aluminium arm. All mounts from Quad Lock feature the brand’s patented dual-stage lock, which ensures riders are confident that smartphones remain secure no matter the weather. Simply twist and lock in your phone to use Maps or Strava while you ride.
Though you can purchase a phone case with the integrated lock system, you can also go for a universal QuadLock adapter which sticks to the back of your phone or preferred case. This adhesive on the universal adapter is an ultra-strong 3M VHB, so you can be sure that it’s just as secure as the QuadLock case.
Designed to be aesthetically pleasing and brilliantly aerodynamic, this mount will keep you plugged in without compromising your performance.
Buy now £49.99, Amazon
Mous IntraLock Bike Stem Mount
Best for: bike stem mount
Another option which makes of a dual twist and lock system, Mous’ IntraLock bike stem mount can be screwed straight into your bike stem for unbeatable stability and security. This safe and sturdy mount is compatible with bicycles with forks which have a steering tube diameter of 11/8” (the most common fork size for most modern bikes) and a stem top cap with a removable bolt.
You’ll need to invest in either an IntraLock phone case or a universal convertor before going for this model, but the pay-off is supreme. Rather than a simple twist-and-lock mechanism, IntraLock is guided by strong N45 magnets for ultra-easy installation.
Buy now £29.99, Mous
Toad Universal Smartphone Mount for Bikes and Scooters
Best for: simple practicality
This universal smartphone mount by Toad via Decathlon is a flexible yet secure option akin to the built-in mounts you’ll see on rentable e-bikes and scooters across the capital. Wonderfully easy to install, the mount rotates 360 degrees and keeps your tech safe. While great for commuters, we wouldn’t recommend using this mount on rougher terrain.
Buy now £13.99, Decathlon
Whale Fall Hard Casing Bike Bag
Best for: weather-proof protection
Available with or without a handy reflective strip, Whale Fall’s protective bike frame bags are made from 100 per cent recyclable EVA and TPU. Suitable for smartphones measuring up to 6.9”, the case has a sensitive enough waterproof cover that both touchscreen and Face ID remain useable.
What’s more, the durable and pressure-proof hard case unzips to house additional supplies and essential bike maintenance tools.
Buy now £15.99, Amazon
Loop Mount Twist
Best for: a seamless mount for any bike
Suitable for most modern smartphones, this phone mount has been designed to be compatible with any bike. Ready to use without the need for an additional phone case, the lightweight and seamless construction clamps your phone in place and keeps it there no matter the terrain you find yourself on.
The CNC metal construction build is designed to be durable in all weather conditions and the spherical accessory stows away with ease when not in use.
Buy now £60.00, Amazon
Grefay Bike Phone Mount
Best for: value-for-money
Grefay’s quick-release phone mount snaps your smartphone in and out of place in seconds. While the spring mechanism may feel stiff at first, it offers durable security. The mount offers 360-degree rotation as well as a 15-degree tilt while ensuring that all of your phone’s most important features remain usable while you ride.
Buy now £8.49, Amazon
TruActive Premium Bike Phone Mount Holder
Best for: durability
With effortless installation and two-pronged security which doesn’t require the purchase of a compatible phone case TruActive’s premium mount is a steal. The universal accessory is shock-proof and equipped with four corner security grips as well as a non-slip anti-vibration pad to help protect your tech on all terrains.
Rotatable and easily adjustable so you can view directions at your ideal angle, the TruActive case also comes with an impressive lifetime warranty.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
Garmin Edge 540 Bundle
Best for: hi-tech cycling aficionados
Though not technically a phone mount, the Garmin Edge 540 bundle is a bike computer that comes with a handy installation kit. While phone mounts often have shock absorption and stabilisation features, the reality is that constant cycling on rough terrain can damage your smartphone.
By investing in a GPS-equipped bike computer, you can get all your smartphone benefits in a purpose-built and weatherproof piece of kit. This option from Garmin is also equipped with a pin-protected alarm, e-bike compatibility, a live-track feature, ride-specific routing and so much more.
Buy now £449.99, Garmin
