What a phone mount is for
A phone mount holds your phone on the handlebars or stem, mostly so you can follow a map or watch a route. Used well, it means you do not have to stop and pull out a phone to check directions. Used badly, it is a distraction at exactly the wrong moments. The sections here are about fitting it securely and using it with restraint.
Types of mount
Common styles include:
- Clamp mounts that grip the handlebar or stem with a bracket and hold the phone with spring arms or a case fitting.
- Case-based mounts that lock a specially made case into a holder.
- Bar-end or stem-cap mounts that put the phone ahead of the stem.
- Bag-style holders with a clear window, which also protect from rain.
Phones differ in size, and larger ones can sag, bounce or block controls. Check the mount’s stated phone size range, and avoid fitting a heavy phone to a mount made for a smaller one. Use only designs that hold the phone positively, not just with a loose rubber band.
Fitting it securely
A phone that drops under a wheel or into your path can cause a fall and will probably be smashed. Steps for a secure fit:
- Clean the bar or stem where it clamps, and check that the diameter suits the mount.
- Tighten the bracket until it cannot rotate, but do not over-tighten, as this can crush carbon bars or thin tubing. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Place the phone where it does not interfere with brake levers, gear shifters, bell or lights. Check you can still turn the bars fully.
- Insert the phone and confirm it clicks or locks in. Give it a firm tug.
- Add a tether or lanyard if the mount offers one, so a failure does not send the phone to the road.
- Ride slowly on a quiet, flat area to test for vibration. Rough surfaces can loosen grips and cause the phone to wobble.
Check your phone maker’s guidance on mounting if you ride often on rough roads.
Set everything up before you move
The golden rule is simple: do the fiddling while stopped.
- Plan the route before leaving, and check it loads.
- Switch the screen to stay on if you rely on it, but turn off notifications that pop up. A ringing call or alert is an unnecessary distraction. Many phones have a “do not disturb” or a ride mode.
- Set the brightness so the screen is readable in sunlight, and turn on voice directions if the map app supports it, so you can listen rather than look. Use only one earbud, or a speaker, if you wear anything in your ears, so you can still hear traffic. Local rules may restrict earphones, so check the law.
- Make sure the battery is charged. Navigation drains power quickly, and a portable charger in a bag is worth considering.
Glancing: how and when
A glance at a screen takes your eyes off the road, and at speed even a second or two covers a lot of ground. Treat the phone like a mirror check rather than a screen to read.
- Look when stopped. At a red light or when pulled over, you can read the map properly.
- Brief glances only on quiet, straight, clear paths. Not in traffic, not near junctions, not on descents, rough ground or through crowds.
- Look ahead first, check it is clear, then glance down briefly and look back up. Do not drift while looking.
- Never type, scroll, answer a call or operate the touchscreen while moving. Use voice features where available, or stop.
- Keep both hands on the bars except to signal. Wet fingers on a touchscreen are also unreliable.
Good route planning reduces glances. Route planning and a handlebar GPS device suit different riders. Hazard scanning and road hazard spotting keep your attention outside the bike.
Weather and protection
- Rain. Most phones are not fully waterproof. A covered holder or waterproof case helps, but touchscreens may not work under thick plastic.
- Sun. A phone left in direct sun can overheat, and the screen may dim or shut down. Shade it or use a cover if possible.
- Cold. Batteries lose charge faster in cold weather. Keep a spare power source and keep the phone warm when not in use.
- Dust and shocks. A cracked screen is a common casualty of rough rides.
Theft and security
A phone on the bars is easy to grab. Take it with you when you park the bike, and consider a mount that releases quickly. Do not leave it mounted when locking up.
When a mount is not the right choice
If you find yourself looking at the screen too often, if the road is busy, or if you are still building skills, put the phone away and use a simple route instead. Some riders memorise routes or use a dedicated cycle computer with a larger, simpler display. Riding with a bike computer is another option.
This is general information, not legal or safety advice. Laws on phone use while cycling vary between countries, and in some places holding or operating a phone is an offence. Check local rules, follow the mount maker’s instructions, and keep your eyes up.