I don’t know about you but I’m a statistics freak. Every day I look at the Google statistics for this website, I track the number of posts I write each month and even weirder I studied statistics at college. Hell if I could be bothered I would probably track the average number of showers I have per week.
Yes, I know I’m a freak. It’s 5.4 showers.
So how does this unhealthy statistics obsession translate into cycling? Well, you may think I have a bike computer. I don’t. The reason being is that I think they look a bit tacky with the wires hanging down. Plus I have always found them fiddly to use.
What I do have is an iPhone and as it turns out its very useful for cycling. Using iPhone bike apps such as Trails I can see things such as how fast I’m going, where I’m going and what my average speed is.
To do this though I need to attach it to my bike. This is where iPhone bike mounts come into play.
Whilst I have briefly covered all of these before I wanted to go into a little bit more of an in-depth review of one particular one: The Bicio iPhone bike mount which was formerly called iBikeMount. This is a small mount that fits the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.
Watch movies while cycling?
So why on earth would you want to have your iPhone visible whilst cycling? Well, aside from GPS tracking your performance you can also look up directions. I often do this when I’m somewhere I have not cycled before or if I’m trying out a route I have downloaded. A quick glance down at the iPhone and I know exactly where I’m going.
Occasionally, I listen to podcasts, though only when cycling off-road. If I wanted to I could answer calls and send text messages. If the mood took me I could even watch an all time classic movie like the Titanic while cycling. Though that would be stupid. On two accounts, the Titanic is horrific and also I would crash into a white van.
My first worry when I first got my hands on the GoRide bike mount is that it was a bit flimsy. The manufacturing didn’t feel particularly sturdy and its construction is pretty simple.
In the interest of the London Cyclist readers and against better judgement I just went for it. I clipped my iPhone in, gave it a quick shake to check it wouldn’t fall out and mounted it to my bike. I am happy to report that my prized little possession is still live and kicking. I have been using the GoRide bike mount for over 3 months now and in that time it has not come close to falling out. That is after cycling on and off-road, bumping up and down pavements and covering many miles. Now I’m not telling you to go out and test it on the most extreme mountain bike trail you know because I can’t vouch for that, but for normal riding conditions I strongly doubt I would ever have a problem. When I try to pull it out with my hands it does not shift easily and I don’t think the two cable ties would ever give way.
Installing the GoRide iPhone bike mount
Whilst the mount came with very few instructions (read: none) it was pretty obvious what needed to be done. You mount the unit to the bike handlebars using the supplied cable ties. Then the iPhone is pushed into the holder and slotted onto the unit. Twisting it to lock it firmly into place.
Speaking of the cable ties be wary of your partner throwing them away. My girlfriend managed to classify mine as rubbish and threw them in the bin (pffft!!).
You can choose to either mount it vertically or horizontally. For the apps I would be using I went for vertically.
One thing that did worry me is looking at how tight the iPhone was held in the mount I was worried that removing it would damage the white finish. Luckily it hasn’t and it’s comforting to know how tight it is locked in there. 
Once it is installed using it is very easy. Unlike other bike mounts it is very easy to unclip and take with you. So when I arrive at the DVD store to take out Titanic because my girlfriend is so keen on watching it even though I hate it so much (pffft!!) there’s no problem. You just twist and pull it out.
Downsides
The main downside I can think of with the GoRide iPhone bike mount is that in the rain you have to put it away. What would be nice would be perhaps the option of an additional cover that would keep it safe from the rain. I only know of the VeloTrack that has such a cover. However, what you trade of then is that it becomes harder to see the screen and use the buttons. Thus making the whole having the iPhone in-front of you pointless.
The second downside is that it keeps slipping. So I’ll be riding along and hit a bump and the mount will fling downwards. Obviously with the iPhone bike mount facing the ground it is not of much use to me. What I tend to do now is just put some tape to hold it in place more firmly.
Overall
Having the iPhone in that position is absolutely fantastic. I find I tend to look towards the handlebars anyway so I’m often glancing at the screen. I haven’t really felt less safe using it. I think it would be more unsafe for me to have a map clipped to my bike and keep trying to look closely to find my route.
I think the GoRide iPhone bike mount will appeal to anyone that wants to track their cycling performance for training purposes or for pure geekness. Also anyone that loves having their iPhone at easy reach and anyone that often has to cycle somewhere where a map would be really useful.
I have found it makes me want to go out on my bike more than I did before. It just adds a bit of an extra fun dimension to cycling and it feels good to have my iPhone somewhere that is easy to reach. I definitely think it is money well spent.
Video Review
I have also put together this quick video review that goes over some of the main points and shows the Bicio GoRide iPhone bike mount in action:
It is my first ever YouTube video so go easy on me!
What I liked:
- Easy to unclip the iPhone and take it with me
- Small and simple
- Held securely in place and not scared of it falling
- Easy to access all the buttons and see the screen
- Easy to install and position where it suits me
What I didn’t like:
- Sometimes slips down unless you fasten it somehow (I used sellotape)
- Not waterproof
Where to get the iPhone bike mount
The mount is stocked by Amazon.com.
See also:
- A look at the rest of the iPhone bike mounts
- Bike Apps for your iPhone
- 3 new cycling apps for your iPhone
- Using GPS coordinates for cycling
“What I didn’t like:
Sometimes slips down unless you fasten it somehow (I used sellotape)”
Have you tried using those rubber strips they give you when you buy a bike light? my light kept slipping when I rode over bumps and such until I put the strips around the handle bars.
I’m sure that would work just as well, if not better. Good suggestion, will have a look around see if I have any lying about
If you mount it to the stem it wont slip.
I can’t say I have tested it mounted to the stem but it’s worth a try I suppose. I can only imagine it would then shift side to side as you turn and go down bumps. To be honest if you are forceful with the cable ties and push them in hard the amount of movement in the mount is fairly minimal.
This looks like a great mount, I guess you just have to tighten it more, so it stays in its position 🙂
I would worry about it being stolen while waiting at lights. Friends have had stuff taken from baskets. Any thoughts?
I’ve been cycling all around London today through some nice and some not so nice areas and I didn’t think at any point someone was going to snatch my iPhone. It would definitely be tough to pull off. If you are particularly worried about one area where perhaps you are frequently stopped at traffic lights then just stick it in your pocket.
Great review, I’m currently looking for a bike mount for my iphone. It’s a pity that there is no cover for bad weather (especially when living in the UK) or even a sun shield attachment would be a nice addition too!
Thanks for posting this great review – I got the GoRide and am happily cruising here in Tokyo. Like the simplicity and effectiveness. Works!
In action: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nokton/4505659140/
Cheers, Pieter
hi, how long did it take to get delivered?
In my case I got it delivered to a US address – it took 2 days to deliver in US.
it scratched the back of one iphone I had, I had to get it replaced for other reasons and put tape inside so the new phone doesn’t get scratched – still works fine.
revolving around the handlebar lets you use it to video your ride!
I really like it.
I bought this mount about four months ago and would not recommend it. About a month ago, six miles into my commute home, after a fairly bumpy stretch, my iPhone fell out of the holder and landed in a busy street. Some passers by retrieved it before it was run over, and miraculously it suffered no more than scratches to the back of the casing. I warily continued using the holder, but with an unsightly rubber band to prevent further mishap. Yesterday, I noticed the iPhone seemed unusually wobbly. I stopped and removed it and noticed that part of the plastic prong on the mount had snapped off. I count myself very lucky that I still have a working iPhone after using this mount.
I really can’t recommend this at all. I bought it and fitted it to the stem of my road bike – all well, and no rotational issues as the phone was in line with the stem. However this morning the mount broke sending my phone (in the holder) tumbling to the ground – after just one week of use. The problem is the holder attaches to the mount by twisting onto two tabs – a bit like a T-piece if you will. This morning both tabs broke as they are only moulded plastic.
Use at your peril – the case of my iPhone has just received a rather large crack!
This mount doesn’t inspire a huge amount of confidence but I believe it’s probably the best of a bad bunch (Massive gap in the market for a decent sturdy iPhone bike mount IMO) after doing some pre-purchase research. Have used mine three times so far without incident but I find myself grabbing the phone when I see a large bump approaching ie. train tracks. Also scared to take it out of the cover as I don’t want to stretch/weaken the plastic. I must say though that this has so far done what it says on the packet so i can’t fault it really! Will see what happens over the next couple of weeks. The stress of worrying about my phone flying out is making me start to think twice about using it.
In Summary….All in all, a mixed review I’m afraid.