Bicycle Phone Mounts: How to Choose a Secure Mount for Navigation

A phone mount turns your phone into a navigation screen, ride tracker and music remote. The wrong one rattles, loosens or drops a phone on the road. Here’s what to look for.

Mount styles

Clamp or grip mounts

Arms or a silicone cradle grip the phone. They fit most phones and cases. The unbreakable bike mount is a sturdy example.

Stem mounts

Mount on the stem or steerer for a centered, compact setup. The DryTunes quick-release stem mount also suits e-bikes and scooters.

Magnetic mounts

Fast to attach and remove, especially with MagSafe phones. A magnetic phone holder also works on exercise bikes, strollers and carts. Make sure the magnet is strong enough for rough roads.

Case-based mounts

A dedicated phone case locks into a mount. Very secure, but you’re tied to that case.

What to check

• Phone size including your case.
• Bar diameter and where the mount fits among lights, bell and computer.
• Vibration: strong vibration can damage some phone camera stabilizers. Choose mounts with damping, or ride with the phone in a pocket on very rough trails.
• Weather: a rain cover or water-resistant phone helps.
• Quick release so you can take the phone with you.

Safety tips

1. Set your route before you ride.
2. Use voice directions so you don’t need to look down.
3. Don’t text or browse while riding.
4. Check the mount is tight before each ride.

Alternatives

If you only want speed and distance, a dedicated bike computer is lighter, has better battery life and doesn’t risk your phone.

Related reading

Planning a commute? See our commuting tips and bicycle safety tips.

How to install a handlebar phone mount

1. Choose the spot. Near the stem is most stable and keeps the phone in view without looking far down.
2. Clean the bar so the clamp grips well.
3. Add the rubber shim if your bar is narrower than the clamp.
4. Tighten evenly until the mount doesn’t rotate when you push it.
5. Insert the phone and check it doesn’t touch cables, lights or your knees when turning.
6. Give it a shake test. Hold the bike and wiggle the bars hard; the phone shouldn’t move.

Choosing by type of riding

• City commuting: a quick-release clamp or magnetic mount for easy on and off at every stop.
• Road cycling: a compact stem mount for good aerodynamics and stability.
• Mountain biking: a secure clamp with a safety strap, or keep the phone in a pocket on rough trails.
• E-bikes and scooters: a stem-clamp mount designed for heavier vibration and higher speeds.
• Indoor and exercise bikes: a magnetic or clip mount on the handlebars for training apps.

Battery tips

Navigation and screen use drain batteries quickly.

• Lower the screen brightness or use auto-brightness.
• Download offline maps before the ride.
• Close apps you’re not using.
• Carry a small power bank and short cable in a top-tube bag.
• In cold weather, keep the phone warmer in a pocket between navigation checks.

Weather protection

• Many phones are water-resistant, but the charging port isn’t always protected from road spray.
• A clear waterproof case or rain cover keeps the screen usable in light rain.
• After a wet ride, dry the phone and mount before charging.

Theft and safety

• Remove the phone whenever you leave the bike.
• Don’t leave it mounted while locked in public places.
• Keep a passcode and find-my-phone turned on.

Mount vs a bike computer

A phone is versatile, but a bike computer has advantages: longer battery life, a screen made to be read in sunlight and less risk to an expensive device. Many riders use a computer for data and keep the phone in a pocket for calls and emergencies. A GPS bike computer is a good option for longer rides.

Common problems and fixes

• Phone slipping: tighten the clamp, add a rubber pad or use a mount with a safety strap.
• Mount rotating on the bar: add the shim and tighten evenly.
• Screen hard to read: angle the mount and turn up brightness.
• Rattling: check the joint screws and add a rubber washer.

Mount features worth paying for

• A secondary safety strap or tether in case the main clamp fails
• Vibration damping to protect your phone’s camera
• A 360-degree rotating head so you can switch between portrait and landscape
• Tool-free quick release for moving between bikes
• Metal clamp hardware instead of all plastic
• Compatibility with cases you already own

Using your phone as a ride tracker

Free and paid cycling apps record routes, speed and elevation. Start the app before mounting the phone, check GPS has a lock, and set auto-pause so stops at lights don’t skew your averages.

Mounting a phone on a kids’ or family bike

On family rides, a parent’s phone mount is handy for navigation and quick photos at stops. Keep it on the adult’s bike only, set the route before leaving and pull over before taking photos.

Frequently asked questions

Can vibration damage my phone?

Strong vibration, especially from motorcycles or rough trails, can affect some phone camera stabilizers. Mounts with vibration damping help, and on rough terrain a pocket is safer.

Are magnetic mounts safe?

Good magnetic mounts hold well on smooth roads. For rough riding, choose one with a backup clip or strap.

Do I need a case?

Most mounts work with cases. Check the mount’s size range includes your phone and case together.

Is it legal to use a phone while cycling?

Rules vary. In many places, looking at navigation is allowed but holding the phone isn’t. Set your route before you ride and use voice directions.

A video review from Bike Shop Girl of a phone mount for biking.

Top image: “2019-09-09 @ 18-20-20 etrex+Z5 -P1030944” by Voschix (resized and cropped), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.