Tigra iPhone bike mount

This iPhone bike mount has everything you could need. It’s waterproof, even in the heaviest of rain, it holds your iPhone securely in position, even if you are out on rough mountain bike trails and it allows you to connect your headphones and charger for use while the iPhone is inside the mount.

If you are splashing the cash on an iPhone 4S then it’s a great mount if you want to follow directions, record your cycling or take video from your handlebars.

There are some downsides. The first is size. It’s a very bulky mount and therefore it does stand out on the handlebars and it’s a very tight fit in a jeans pocket. Also, at £35, there are cheaper options out there. Although, many of them can’t match the access to the iPhone sockets for plugging into a portable battery pack and headphones.

Full disclaimer: We love this mount so much that we sell it ourselves in our London Cyclist Shop for £34.95.

Topeak iPhone Drybag

Topeak have a long history of making excellent bike accessories and it was only a matter of time before they started selling an iPhone bike mount. This one takes a slightly different approach to other mounts and relies on a dry bag. This means it is incredibly waterproof. The mounting mechanism is highly secure and should cope with even the toughest of mountain biking.

Unfortunately, the mount doesn’t allow for access to any of the iPhone 4S ports. Both the top and bottom are obstructed. Also, there’s no access to the iPhone camera so you couldn’t use it to film your ride as a helmet camera.

The good news however, is it costs just £16.

Ram Ez-On iPhone bike mount

Whilst the Ram mount lacks waterproofing, it is highly secure and provides great visibility of the iPhone as there is no plastic film in the way. Also, it costs under £20 so doesn’t break the bank. There are plenty of positive reviews on Amazon. The large mounting mechanism may however make it inappropriate for some handlebar sizes.

UltimateAddons iPhone bike mount

This is another mount I’ve used for a while and I like the protective cover around the iPhone. Similarly to the Tigra iPhone bike mount that I’ve thoroughly reviewed, this mount will fit most sized handlebars (I’ve tested road, mountain bike and hybrid). The locking mechanism is easy as it doesn’t require any tools.

Unfortunately there are two downsides. The first is that it isn’t full waterproof. Therefore, if you are using your iPhone 4S in the heavy rain and you tap the screen some of the water may transfer through. Also, I was doing some pretty hefty mountain biking and the mount managed to unhinge itself. It flung into the air at around 15 mph and hit the ground. Fortunately, no damage was done to the iPhone thanks to the protective case but I was shocked to see it come off as the mount felt very secure. However, for most day to day use, it should be absolutely fine.

The mount costs £19.99.

Best iPhone 4S bike mount

This will largely depend on what you wish to use it for. A great all rounder is the Tigra mount. However, if waterproofing isn’t as important as a clear view of the iPhone 4S screen than you can’t go wrong with the Ram-Ez. Personally, having my iPhone so exposed makes me nervous. Alternatively, the Topeak Drybag has outstanding waterproofing and a secure mount.

Whichever mount you choose make sure you take a look at our extensive coverage of all things iPhone:

• Bike apps for the iPhone
• 3 new cycling iPhone apps
• Sports Tracker app on the iPhone

When normal people spot the rain they think “oh no” when I spot it I think “iPhone bike mount testing time!” Yep I am cool sad.

Let me introduce you to the latest mount I’ve been testing. The cleverly named:

Tough Waterproof Case and Bicycle Handlebar Mount for Apple iPhone 4

Or as I call it:

The swivelly waterproof mount.

Basics out the way: £29.99 including VAT and delivery.

Mounting the mount

This took me around a minute to install. The two parts of the attachment go onto the handlebars. Then two screws hold it securely in place. The mount then slides on top. This is where you have to apply quite a bit of force to be sure the mount is secure. Once that is done then my iPhone 4 felt completely safe.

Keeping your iPhone 4 dry

In my previous reviews of iPhone bike mounts one thing that vexed me is the fact the mounts didn’t keep your iPhone dry once the heavy rain comes down. Fortunately, this iPhone 4 bike mount excels at doing this. Even when I took the test to an extreme and ran it under a tap the iPhone inside stayed dry. This is very impressive and shows the mount has been well designed by UltimateAddons.

Charging your iPhone

Using the various great bike apps that are available for the iPhone, we all wish we could get more battery life out of it. Fortunately, the mount makes it possible to run your charging cable into the mount. This means you could have a battery pack resting in a bag near the handlebars and you can power your iPhone for longer. An excellent additional feature in this iPhone 4 bike mount.

Negative points

The UltimateAddons iPhone mount unfortunately loses a couple of points due to the mounting mechanism that is included. The swivel mount is unsuitable for a bike because whenever you go over a bump, it shifts down. Much more suitable is the mount included in this version. This is a big let down for this particular configuration as you end up continuously adjusting the position of your iPhone so that you can see the screen, when you are better off keeping hands on the brakes.

iPhone 4 bike mount review

Review: You can see the screen clearly, it keeps your iPhone dry, you can plug in your charging cable and it holds the iPhone securely. Sounds perfect? Unfortunately, not so. The bike mount it is let down by the swivel mount. Much better to stick with versions that don’t offer swivel capabilities.

Good points:

• Waterproof
• Plug in charging cable
• Holds iPhone 4 securely

Bad points:

• Bumps cause the mount to adjust from the position you’ve set it at

iPhone 5 bike mount

With rumours a plenty that an iPhone 5 is set for a near release I’ll be keeping my eye out for iPhone 5 bike mounts. If you guys spot any iPhone 5 bike mounts then do send them to me in the comments and I’ll get on and review them as soon as possible. I’m guessing lots of people will be switching to the iPhone 5 as their contract runs out.

See also:

1. iPhone bike mounts
2. UltimateAddons iPhone bike mount review
3. Apps for cyclists
4. Cycling apps for the Android
5. Insuring your bike

Sip tea in a cafe along a peaceful canal route, pedal hard up challenging hills and leave the heavy London traffic behind as you discover another side to London.

Let the London Bike Rides iPhone app be your personal tour guide to great cycling in London!

Rides include:

• A 35 mile cycle friendly loop around London’s main attractions and less explored eastern edges.
• See London lit up at night with the Nightride route.
• Fit your panniers or bike basket and explore London’s markets and independent shops.
• Discover London’s architectural marvels from ancient churches to inspiring modern library designs.
• Teach the kids to ride on the largely traffic-free Wandle Trail.
• Get the training miles in along the Orpington route.
• Get your bike and pretty much everything else muddy near the Epsom Downs.
• Escape from London for the weekend and head for the seaside along quiet country lanes.

The app is perfect for those just embarking on their first cycling adventures to bike commuters and road cyclists.

Pick the perfect ride for you, either by starting off in the nearest route to you or by filtering the rides down to your preferences. Whether that be for off road routes or long road rides.

Once you’ve picked a ride, you can read about the attractions along the way to visit. Sights such as Hampton Court Palace and King Henry’s mound in Richmond Park are included. There are also over 100 pictures and videos that give you an excellent overview of the ride before you set off.

Of course all the cycling is likely to lead to a big appetite. Cafe’s and pubs are listed as well as nearby bike shops.

There’s also an information section with tips such as what to bring with you to the rides and where to hire a bike from.

Reviews

In the run up to the launch I gave out a few preview copies of the app. Here is one of the initial reviews:

“London Bike Rides app is fantastic! It caters for absolutely anyone with a bike and wanting to get out riding around London and beyond. The trips are well researched, thought-out and presented. The app is easy to use and has a number of handy hints too. I love that it’s not just about the exercise of the ride, there’s the interesting attractions, pub stops and bike shops factored into it too. The only problem is that I need more time to do all the routes in there!”

-Amanda L

Download London Bike Rides app now

The app can be downloaded from the link below for £3.99 £1.99

Download from iTunes now
£3.99 £1.99

Not on the iPhone? There is also the London Cycle Routes eBook.

I’m losing count of the number of iPhone bike mounts I’ve reviewed. When I initially setup London Cyclist blog I didn’t think to myself: “One day I’ll test every single iPhone bike mount ever made.” But here we are and it seems to be becoming reality!

The latest one is sent to me by UltimateMobiles and retails at £19.99. Which by iPhone bike mount standards is good.

On my top 10 list of things I don’t want to ever happen to me, number 7 is to watch my iPhone fling out of its bike mount and make a plop sound, as it falls into the nearest river.

Therefore, with the UltimateMobiles bike mount, there was one thing I was looking for: security.

Fortunately, this is where the mount gets five stars. It is clipped very securely in place and can’t be released unless you press a button at the back. After doing a lot of bumpy riding I couldn’t feel happier on this front.

Next up is waterproofing

In my Testing iPhone Bike Mounts Bible, that I keep next to my bed at night, the next most important thing I look for is waterproofing. If a mobile phone was designed to swim, then logically, we’d all be making calls underwater.

With it’s plastic cover and zipped up design all factors were pointing towards the conclusion that the iPhone bike mount would be waterproof.

After some horrible days with lots of clear skies and run-down-to-the-park-now-and-soak-up-the-sun weather we finally got what I’d been hoping for. A rainy day.

Off I hopped on my exciting daily errands to the post office. After experiencing the world’s slowest moving queue I pedalled back home in the heavy rain.

Pulling off my soaked cycling jacket and sitting down in my wet trousers on my housemates freshly ironed shirts, I inspected my iPhone and the cover.

Conclusion: Moist. This bike mount is not getting a green tick and smiley face in the waterproof category.

However, in the light rain, which is probably what all us cyclists will mostly experience anyway, it should cope fine.

Next up: Screen Viewability

My third category is Screen Viewability. For those of us who don’t speak Andreas, that equates to how well you can see the screen.

I had no problems in this area and whilst of course there was plenty of reflection I was able to see the screen and use the iPhone whilst inside the mount.

Is this the ultimate iPhone bike mount?

No.

But it is my new favourite iPhone bike mount. I like how my iPhone feels secure, I like that it’s inside a zipped up cover and I like that it’s impossible to move it unless I press a button at the back. The downside: You won’t be making calls underwater any time soon, as the cover will cope only with light rain. 

Overall: I’m impressed and would recommend the UltimateMobiles iPhone bike mount and cover. Available from:

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/go/ultimateaddons/

When I first started living here I mixed things up and chose between the different rides. However, as it became clear the fastest route was the first one down the A-road I’ve been using it almost exclusively.

It would be the same thing if I was commuting to Canary Wharf. From where I live you could actually do 70% of the ride traffic-free. You’d simply hop on the canal at the nearest opportunity and follow it all the way down to the Limehouse Basin.

The question is: What do you prefer? The most direct and often busiest route or the quietest route? Or do you balance the two?

I’m going to hazard a guess here and say most people opt for the most direct route that tends to be the fastest.

Your answers on a postcard please… (i.e. in the comments below)

See also:

• London cycle routes eBook
• Helmet cameras for safety or pleasure
• Which pedals do you recommend for commuting?

The app is called Bike Doctor and it shows you how to complete 24 common bike repairs. It will help you keep your bike in perfect working order and save you the frustration of riding around on a squeaky and half-working bike!

We built it because we were frustrated at how bike repair manuals often leave you confused with not enough pictures illustrating each step and language that is hard to follow. To combat that, we created an app that makes bike repairs possible for even a complete beginner to do.

The Android app that will save you money..

If you use the app just once on a simple bike repair such as fixing a puncture you’ll save yourself £10 – £20. On the more complex repairs the saving are far greater!

Be sure your bike is safe to ride..

The Bike Doctor App for Android and iPhone will talk you through exactly how to safety check the different parts of your bike. So you’ll be sure you’ll never have a situation where parts start flying off in all directions!

Never again put up with wobbly wheels and squeaky breaks..

Don’t let yourself endure a sub-par cycling experience. Get your bike repaired quickly and easily so that it rides just like the day you left the bike shop.

A bike mechanic in your pocket at all times..

Problems with your bike don’t tend to crop up while it’s sat in your house. Bike Doctor is there with you at all times, ready to spring to action and help out!

A helping hand even for a pro..

We’ve also found the Bike Doctor app has been a hit amongst those more experienced in bike repairs as it is so useful to quickly refer to.

Here is a video showing the Bike Doctor App on the Android:

Get the Bike Doctor App on your phone

The Bike Doctor app can be downloaded on the Android by searching for “Bike Doctor” in the market or using the qrCode below:

Bike Doctor is also available on the iPhone and iPod Touch

In July I released a bike repair iPhone app that is really useful to someone like my good friend who would like to save some money and do a few basic bike repairs himself. In-fact it’s also useful to someone who already knows how to do various bike repairs but sometimes forgets some of the details and can use a friendly reminder.

Yesterday, we majorly updated the bike repair app to Version 1.1 so I thought it would be a good time to mention it again.

From the simple bike repairs that makes a big difference to the common but slightly more complex..

The iPhone app now contains 24 bike repairs. It will show you some of the simple stuff that makes a huge difference such as how to keep your bike clean. It will also take you through some of the more advanced repairs such as stopping gears from skipping. It aims to do so in a simple to understand way that anyone can follow.

Is your bike safe to ride?

It can be pretty useful to know the answer to this question. Therefore, we’ve added a bike safety check to our bike repair iPhone app to help you quickly run through the different parts of your bike to check they are okay and don’t need any attention.

Unforeseen emergency repairs

When you are out cycling it can be incredibly useful to have the information to repair your bike to hand. Even something simple like a puncture repair can be a little bit daunting to a beginner. The app is always there in your pocket, like a humble servant, ready to spring to life when you need it.

Save money and don’t be scared of looking after your bike

The app is part of a bit of a personal mission I have to show people that looking after your own bike needn’t be something to be scared of or to think that it is only the realm of heavy enthusiasts. I think a squeaky half broken bike ruins the fun of cycling. Anyone can be proud to repair their bike themselves, enjoying cycling fully and saving a ton of money in the mean time!

I wanted to extend a big thank you for everyone who’s downloaded the iPhone bike repair app Bike Doctor. I’ll be putting in many more hours to add more repairs and updates that will make it even more useful. It is thanks to you guys the app has been so well received and recognised.

Download Bike Doctor for the iPhone or iPod Touch

Get your very own pocket bike mechanic who is always available! Download Bike Doctor from the link below:

Download link:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bike-doctor/id377338365?mt=8&uo=4

Android Bike Doctor

Bike Doctor is now available on the Android.

http://bikedoctorapp.com/

UPDATE: The App has reached number 1 in the Sports category! (1/July/2010)

UPDATE: The App has been featured in the “New and noteworthy” section of the App Store (2/July/2010)

I’ve produced a nice little video that explains the app:

Apologies for how I sound, I was loosing my voice by the end of the recording!

The Bike Doctor App basically shows you how to maintain your bike (similarly to my free eBook). Version 1 includes 20 repairs. It’s great for if you are out cycling and you get some kind of problem with your bike. You can simply load the app, tap the part of the bike with a problem and follow the easy step-by-step instructions.

You can download the app from here:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bike-doctor/id377338365?mt=8&uo=4

(Costs: £2.99 – very cheap compared to bike maintenance books or having all your repairs done by a bike shop!)

What are the future plans?

I have big plans for the second version including a monthly maintenance check list that you can simply tap off, push notifications to remind you to look after your bike, more repairs and a safety check. Also I want to add more “on-the-road” repairs which is when the app is most likely to be used.

Your help..

If you have downloaded the app then please do leave a review.

See also:

• Bike Apps for the iPhone
• 3 new cycling iPhone Apps
• Mount your iPhone to your bike
• Using GPS coordinates for cycling

The last time I covered iPhone bike apps was over 8 months ago and since then some great new cycling apps have been released that have been topping the fitness charts in the app store. I’ve also grown frustrated at some of the flaws in the existing apps that I’ve been using. My old favourite Trails uses a lot of battery and keeps crashing.

(See also: If you’ve spent £500 or $700 on an iPhone why not get the full use out of it?)

Cyclemeter

• Bike computer functionality including speed/distance/time
• Store your route and display it on a Google map
• Export routes and share them on Twitter etc
• Calendar feature to keeps track of your cycling with the option of manually adding a ride if you were not tracking it with GPS
• Store the routes you frequently do and use it to improve performance
• Voice control and voice announcements for hands free use

Cyclemeter is fantastically easy to use. Say you are cycling home and you want to track your speed and distance. Load the cycling app, hit the start button, lock the screen and away you go. When you reach your destination. Hit the done button and it is automatically added to your calendar.

This works well because battery is not been used by the iPhone trying to load your route map and keeping the screen lit.

Another great feature is for anyone wanting to improve their cycling performance. Say I know I cycle every day into work 4 miles and it takes me 18 minutes. I use the app to track it and store it as a route. Then the next day when I do the route again I can compare the two.

Overall Cyclemeter is a well designed cycling app that I highly recommend. I particularly like the way all my cycling is displayed in the calendar.

(See also: Using GPS coordinates for cycling)

RunKeeper

• Bike computer functionality including speed/distance/time
• Integrates nicely with RunKeeper.com which is free and without adverts
• Free version and pro version with main difference being no adverts and headphone announcements
• List of previous routes you have done

I tested out the free version of RunKeeper because I thought the pro-version was a little bit too expensive for my liking. This app will appeal to anyone who wishes to keep track of their cycling mainly online. This is due to the limited functionality on the iPhone itself.

The App automatically uploads your trips to RunKeeper.com. This is a well designed website that gives you plenty of useful statistics including a graph that shows you elevation and speed.

Overall for simplicity and reliability the app cannot be faulted. Similarly to Cyclemeter it is as easy as pressing go and stop to track your route. It does however lack some of the extra features of Cyclemeter including manually adding a ride that was not GPS tracked. The choice really comes down to whether you want to have access to all the data on your iPhone or whether you are happy with the integration with a separate site.

(See also: How to mount your iPhone to your bike handlebars)

Outdoors

• UK specific
• Uses Ordnance Survey maps
• Maps pre-downloaded with the application thus saving battery
• Can choose the region you want to download. I went for South-East
• Can download routes from EveryTrail.com and display them on your screen
• Expensive at around £15

Unlike the other two cycling iPhone apps this one is for route finding rather than tracking your cycling. When I cycled from London to Chichester the app managed to last the entire distance. I did this by turning off 3G, Wifi and putting the screen brightness to the lowest setting.

For a long route such as this it is really useful and a real contender against GPS devices.

The cycling app has the ability to download coordinates from EveryTrail.com and then overlay them on the map. There is even the ability to edit the route waypoints.

Whilst the accuracy is not always spot on and it would be nice to be able to zoom in more to be able to see road names this has become my main route finding application. The killer benefits are the low battery use and the reliability of the application.

Cycling iPhone Apps Conclusion

Overall I’m really happy with all three applications. For GPS tracking I would go with the free version of RunKeeper to see if that has all the functionality you need. If it doesn’t then switch to Cyclemeter.

For following a pre-set route use Outdoors or the previously mentioned Trails.

If you want to get more out of your iPhone for cycling

I’ve written an entire eBook that covers over 60 applications for the iPhone that are useful for cyclists. If you really want to get the full use out of that expensive iPhone purchase then I recommend checking out: The iPhone Cyclist

See also:

• iPhone bike apps
• iPhone bike mount

Bike maintenance on the iPhone

Bike Doctor

When you are out cycling the chances are you don’t carry big heavy bike maintenance books with you just in case something goes wrong. Technology or more specifically the iPhone comes to the rescue. The Bike Doctor App has 20 repairs that you can easily follow step-by-step. The repairs are written in such a way that even a complete bike maintenance beginner can understand them. There are big plans for this App with version  2 promising more emergency style repairs and bike safety check functionality.

Bike Doctor Website

London Bike Rides

If on the lookout for great places to cycle in London then the London Bike Rides iPhone app will appeal. It contains 30 routes through the capital and out into the surrounding area. From easy 6 mile routes that help you discover new parts of London to longer 25-30 mile routes that road cyclists look for. It’s a great little app for London cyclists.

Bike route tracking on the iPhone

The below comparison table gives an overview of the functionality of the route tracking apps:

The limitation you need to be aware of with most of these apps is that they will rapidly run down the battery and are heavily dependent on GPS signal quality.

EveryTrail

The EveryTrail app comes in both free and paid flavours. I paid for the full version which meant I could track an unlimited number of trips. In the free version you are limited to three. The best use of the Everytrail bike app is for following cycling routes as you can import any rides listed on the EveryTrail website. You can also track your route and tag any pictures along the way. One of the most useful functions is the ability to download offline Open Cycle Maps which is great for saving battery or for using the app abroad when you don’t have access to a 3G network.

Trails

Trails allows you to record, import and export your bike routes. Of all the apps I reviewed this is the one that does this best. When importing routes you simply search on popular croute tracking sites or you import a GPX file. When exporting, you can either export to EveryTrail or to an email address. This makes it perfect for sharing with others.

When tracking your cycling the iPhone screen is locked so that no buttons are pressed by mistake. Also, battery life is conserved as the map is not being constantly loaded unless you ask it to. There is also functionality to edit waypoints and listen to music/receive call whenever. Trails is very well designed and is the bike app I use most often. There is also a lite version available with more limited functionality.

Cycle Meter

This is my new favourite bike app for tracking my cycling and it’s the same for lots of people out there as it consistently performs highly in the iPhone app store (plenty of 5 star ratings). Cycle Meter for the iPhone by Abvio is a complete solution that works very simply. When you are at the beginning of your bike ride you tap the start button, the timer begins and you get a load of stats such as Ride Time, Distance, Speed and Average. At the end all your rides are stored on your iPhone and can be viewed again.

MotionX

There are two versions of MotionX available -  I took a look at the lite version. Tracking your bike route is simple. You simply tap the start button and set off then tap the stop button to stop. Thankfully there is a lock button on the bottom left that stops you tapping buttons when the iPhone is in your pocket. Similarly to the Trails app there is a variety of map formats to choose from. In MotionX you can also control your iPod at the same time from within the app.

iMapMyRide

iMapMyRide is an okay app, the problem lies with iMapMyRide.com. It is so full of adverts it is impossible to use. The GPS signal quality was also a little variable. It is a useful bike app for anyone that uses iMapMyRide.com frequently.

Cychosis

Cychosis works in a different way to the rest of the iPhone bike applications.  You manually enter your ride details into the application. Therefore you need a separate bike computer. The app then keeps a history of all your rides. This works well for those that don’t want their route tracked by GPS which can be a heavy burden on battery life.

More iPhone bike apps!

Bike GPS

Drivers have their Tom Tom and the UK’s cyclists have their Bike Hub. Great bike app for the iPhone where you pick your starting point and destination and follow a bike friendly route. Oh, and it’s completely free!

London Bike Shop

London Bike Shop shows you the nearest bike shop if you are in London. It also includes listings of bike cafe’s and mobile bike repair services.

The Bike Computer

Having a bicycle computer is one of the most fun (And geeky!) gadgets you can have on a bike. I’m always spending way too long looking at my bike computer trying to break my speed record.

The problem with porting this great gadget over to the iPhone is that the GPS function can work with varying success which can obviously skew your results heavily. None the less, this is a great little free app to have and I recommend it to all cyclists.

Bicycle Gear Calculator

Great application to have on your iPhone though you can just as easily use Sheldon Brown’s Tool. It allows you to calculate gear ratio and gain ratio. It costs $4.99 (£2.99).

Brake Lights

Hook it up to the back of your bag and you get a bicycle brake light for $1 (£0.59). Novel idea but it is probably ten times more useful to buy an actual bike light!

Using your iPhone for cycling: Taking it to the next level!

The applications listed here are just skimming the surface of all of the capabilities of the iPhone. If you wish to get the most out of it then I recommend taking a look at the iPhone Cyclist eBook.

Related to bike apps for the iPhone:

1. 3 new cycling iPhone apps
2. Mount your iPhone to your bike
3. Review of Bicio GoRide iPhone bike mount
4. Using GPS coordinates for cycling (including on iPhone)