Pass it or Trash it: BikeConsole’s smartphone bike mount

As you may have noticed by now, I have a passion for running and cycling. This past summer, I got back into building and customizing road bikes and decided to modifying my own bike as well. I noticed that one of the first additions that cyclists request is to add a cycling computer on their bikes to track cadence, distance and even heart monitoring. I currently had a Cat Eye computer on my bike which tracks my speed, distance and time but like other cyclists, I also wanted to have access to a GPS in case I wanted to explore new trails, pick out a new riding route and of course, find my way home if I ever got lost.

 

Instead of purchasing a $600 Garmin unit to do all of the above, I decided to seek out a holster for my iPhone. My phone already had a GPS system built in and I had the ability to choose from a number of cycling apps that would track the data I wanted to manage.  I found a great app called Cyclemeter ($4.99 via iTunes App Store) which, allowed me to track speed, cadence, heart rate and create ride routes. All I needed now was a holster to mount my iPhone to the handle bars and I was set.

 

I shopped around for about two weeks and came across the perfect holster at Cyclepath. After an hour of talking to a shop advisor and fellow cyclist about everything cycling, I drove back home – excited to begin mounting my new holster and testing it out.

The unit I chose is made by BikeConsole and retails for $39.99 at Cyclepath. It has a protective hardshell case and is fully waterproof. It was really easy to install and comes with all the tools necessary for mounting. It also comes with extra parts in case any of the original parts become damaged or misplaced. (Sweet!) The unit is strong and durable and kept my phone sturdy while even on the bumpiest rides.

Features

• Weatherproof housing
• Touch screen operable
• Universal bracket with Quick Release system can be mounted on bike handlebar or stem, and can fit bars of any size
• 360 degree rotation
• Shock-absorbing silicon lining
• Stay connected at all times

 

 

After a few months of using this product, I have found no faults or have had any issues with it. I would recommend it to anyone interested in getting a holster that secures their smartphone for daily commutes or distance rides. This unit will keep your phone safe and dry while utilizing its many features such as taking calls, listening to music and having access to your GPS or cycling apps.

At the present time, I own a Samsung Galaxy S III and BikeConsole is currently taking pre-orders for the new units. So, guess who’s waiting on their pre-order to be shipped? 😉

 

Overall, I give BikeConsole’s smartphone bike mounts a final rating of:

Pass it!