Back when I was a messenger riding around the city, as soon as work instructions started coming through on my iPhone, I realized that accessing my phone during rides was crucial for working more efficiently. That marked the start of my long journey to find the perfect iPhone handlebar mount. After navigating various trends over the years, the arrival of PEAK DESIGN finally brought that journey to an end.
It’s a bit of a long story, but I’ve written an article about that evolution and the sheer brilliance of the Peak Design mount, so please give it a read—especially if you’re someone who can’t be without your iPhone while riding.
Bike Computer or iPhone?
In this day and age, where every activity is digitized and data-driven, cycling is no exception. I think many of you mount computers on your handlebars to get all sorts of data or to log your rides. Of course, I’m one of them.
For the specific activity of cycling, a dedicated computer—a "bike computer"—is definitely convenient. However, these days we all carry around a versatile computer that possesses very similar functions. Yes, a smartphone.
If you are purely cycling or training to win a race, a bike computer with no extra features is probably more useful. But in many cases, riding is a leisure activity where we look at Google Maps, take photos, check emails, or scroll through social media—or, to put it less kindly, a ride cluttered with distractions—so I simply can’t be without my iPhone.
Is it really necessary to carry both a smartphone and a bike computer? For touring or daily commuting, your iPhone (smartphone) can certainly handle the role of a bike computer. There is, however, one condition: you need to be able to mount it on your handlebars just like a regular bike computer.
I want a simple and smart way to mount my iPhone
There are many products out there for fixing a smartphone to your handlebars. However, almost none of them achieve this in a simple and smart way. This is because most bicycle smartphone mounts on the market are either generic or built with excessive safety margins to ensure the phone doesn't come loose and fall off. After all, no manufacturer wants to be liable for a smartphone that fell off the handlebars and broke.
To achieve this in a simple and smart way, you need high-precision, purpose-built gear. There aren't many manufacturers out there capable of releasing high-precision, dedicated products for smartphones that change their models every year, while also navigating patent issues.
By the way, the reason I insist on "simple and smart" is because I don't want to clutter the area around my bike handlebars with bulky objects just for my smartphone.
I want it mounted as far forward as possible
Before iPhones were waterproof, the only usable iPhone mount for cycling was effectively the OtterBox Defender series and its matching bike mount.
It was tough and convenient, so I used it a lot, but since OtterBox is primarily a case manufacturer, the handlebar mount as an accessory wasn't very user-friendly, nor did it look great. It couldn't mount the iPhone in front of the handlebars.
If you look at bike computer mounts, you'll see that many are designed to extend out in front of the handlebars. The reason for this is to keep the viewing angle shallow when checking the screen.
Whether the screen is on top of the handlebars or in front... it might look like a small difference, but having it even a few centimeters further forward makes a huge difference in the strain on your neck and the time you spend looking away from the road. You’ll understand if you try it yourself.
The arrival of the ideal iPhone mount
Around the time iPhones became waterproof, a revolution occurred in the smartphone bike mount industry: the arrival of Quad Lock. We carry them at Circles, so I think many of you already use them.
Quad Lock developed products focused on the function of "mounting a smartphone," rather than just the case itself. Their easy-to-use attachment mechanism is fantastic, and they understood perfectly where the optimal mounting position on a bike is, releasing their "Out Front Bike Mount" from the start to allow the phone to be fixed in front of the handlebars.
Back when it was released, iPhones weren't waterproof yet, and I was afraid of using the dedicated case in the rain during rides, so I started by attaching just the mount part to a thin, waterproof Lifeproof case. That was the moment I finally achieved the ultimate bike mounting environment.
The emergence of Peak Design
Now, finally, to the main point of this article.
With the arrival of Quad Lock, the iPhone bike mount problem should have been completely solved! Or so I thought.
Starting with the iPhone 12, Apple introduced improved usability through magnetism. The first company to react to this was Peak Design.
Peak Design is the manufacturer that revolutionized the world of camera mounts. I'll write about their camera gear in another article, but they used that know-how to storm the iPhone (smartphone) mount market. Their specialty? Crowdfunding.
They announced a range of smartphone mount products, more refined and precise than Quad Lock's, on the global crowdfunding platform "Kickstarter."
Since I was already a fan of their camera mounts, I decided to take a gamble and go all in. After some production delays due to COVID-19, I finally received the new iPhone case and mount.
My impression after using it? "I can never go back to Quad Lock..."
Differences from Quad Lock
The difficulty with Quad Lock was that when mounting the iPhone, you had to "rotate it to the specified angle, press down, and twist," which was a slightly tricky maneuver.
You do get better at it over time, but there are still times when you just can't mount it properly. Any user out there will know what I mean. There are times when it just slides and won't lock in, no matter how many times you try.
Peak Design, on the other hand, snaps into place with magnetism as soon as you bring it close. At that point, the claws on the back hook on, and it won't fall off no matter how much you shake it.
It’s been about eight months since I first got it through crowdfunding. It’s been comfortable and trouble-free, and it has improved my quality of life during rides. I surprisingly often need to attach and remove my iPhone, and the fact that the stress I felt every time I did so is gone is a big deal.
Compared to Quad Lock, the only downside is that the price is a bit high, but considering the high-end finish, precise mechanism, and improved usability, I think it’s worth the cost. It’s still a lot cheaper than buying a bike computer, after all.
PEAK DESIGN Out Front Bike Mount
In addition to one-touch attachment/detachment, you can immediately change the position for shooting videos or photos using the included thumbscrew. It also features a GoPro mount, so you can attach a GoPro or a light to the same mount.
On the smartphone side, a dedicated case or a universal mount that sticks on with double-sided tape is compatible.
PEAK DESIGN Everyday Case
PEAK DESIGN Universal Mount
Completing the system leads to even more happiness
That's right, a system.
A smartphone is an all-purpose information terminal; it plays an active role not just during rides, but also at your fingertips while working, as a navigator while driving, and as a camera when shooting. There are convenient mounts available for each of these places, just like there are for the bike. There’s even an option for wireless charging.
The ones I’ve purchased and use are:
- Bike Mount (for cycling)
- Wireless Charging Stand (on my office desk)
- Car Mount (for my personal car)
- Mobile Creator Kit for Tripods (securing the phone to a tripod)
A mounting environment system that decides where your phone belongs in every aspect of your life. Introducing the whole set will truly make you happy. This is getting a bit long, so next time I’d like to introduce Peak Design’s gadget ecosystem along with the camera mounts.
