giskard

I usually carry my iPhone in a pocket of my rucksack on my 45 minute commute but it's a faff getting the phone out if I want to make a call when I stop. I'm planning to put the phone in the lower leg-pocket (just above the side of my knee) of my shorts whilst riding, but was concerned that doing so might damage the phone over time, what with it containing motion sensors etc.

Would constant movement of the phone in my pocket cause any damage or am I just being over-cautious?

robyr

The sensors will be fine. The problem I see happening is it falling out of the pocket, however.

giskard

It's a pocket with a centre zip from bottom to top so should be secure, but I might wrap the phone in a bubble-wrap sleeve to stop it moving about and possibly causing wear in the pocket.

Igo

You can have my cell phone and if you drop it I'll give you $5.

robyr

I really just doubt that you'll have a single issue. I ride around with my Xoom bare, in a pannier, flapping around. No issues, not even a scratch. In a pocket, your phone is fine. If you care enough about small scratches, just use a gel case.

AlmostGreenGuy

The only real issue is moisture. Water vapor from your sweat will trip off the moisture sensors in the phone, voiding the warranty and possibly killing the phone. To resolve the issue, place the phone in a ziplock sandwich bag before placing it in your pocket.

robyr

For what it is worth, that is incorrect. The moisture stickers will actually not trip unless submerged in water. Humidity and body moisture (unless you are literally sweating buckets, I doubt there is a single human that can sweat enough to submerge a phone) simply cannot trip the sensor. It can, however, still cause damage, so your main point is valid.

I recommend a handlebar mounted phone pouch as a solution, though. Saw one on a bike this morning and it made me say "hmm".

AlmostGreenGuy

Not quite true. You can trip the LSI just by placing the phone in a steamy bathroom during a shower. Water condenses on the inside of the device, and the condensation trips the LSI.

And I guarantee that the pocket in my bike shorts gets equally as steamy.

sggoodri

I find the mass of my phone in a low cargo pocket to be a bit of a discomfort when pedaling. The higher the pocket, the better, as long at it can't fall out. I would certainly go with a zip lock bag; I've damaged phones with sweat in my jersey pockets in the past, and then there's rain.

When inserting the phone into my pocket I turn the phone so the glass is against my body, to reduce the chance of an impact against a hard object scratching or cracking the glass.

joewey

What, does the iphone brick itself if moisture sensors are tripped?

CCrew

No, but you do lose all your Apple Fanboy Credits.

Personally I can't stand the phone or anything (like keys, etc) banging against my leg when I pedal.

Ira B

I have carried my cheapo cell phone (Virgin Mobile) in a lower pants pocket while commuting and find having it bouncing around in the pocket to be very annoying. Also, the main reason I carry it is to call for help in case of an emergency and if I were to take a spill there is a pretty good chance it would get broken.
A handle bar bag is probably a better option.

Koa C.

Yeah, that banging around on my leg would irritate the hell out of me while riding. And i would scrap the bubble wrap idea...would probably take the same amount of time to undo the bubble wrap as it does to pull the phone from your bag everytime you get a call.

chipcom 

two words: handlebar bag

Seattle Forrest

I hate having anything knock into my leg while I pedal. If the pocket is right above your knee, it could get uncomfortable after a while.

Igo

How's 'bout leave the phone at home. I do.

Schwinnrider

I carry mine in the cargo pocket of my MTB shorts on my hot, sweaty Florida commute. I have no problem with the phone getting full of condensation. However, I do keep my iPhone in a Ballistic HC case, which is waterproof and armored. That's a good idea if you choose to carry one in your pocket.

badrad

my Samsung galaxy s rides in my jean backpocket. no problems so far all spring and part of the summer.

robyr

That is pretty ballsy. I am ever-scared that my wallet will fly out of my back pocket... I'd be even more scared with a phone back there, especially if you like to get out of the saddle much at all.

giskard

I use the phone to track my ride using Endomondo and MapMyRide so leaving at home isn't an option

Igo

Much better

giskard

And much more expensive! I love the thermometer though, very cool

CJ C

I dont have a iPhone but have a fancy Android phone i keep in my right slacks pocket. so far no harm no foul and its nice and easy to get to when wifey calls as she still hasnt adjusted to the fact i need both hands to ride a bike and wants to chat on her car commute home.

the best one is when she texts me then i get home asks how come i didnt respond. man i love her

cooker

rucksack? faff? whilst? what language are you speaking?

alan s 

It fits in a ziplock snack size bag, which is about half the size of a sandwich bag. If rain is expected, double bag the phone in case there is a small hole in one bag. I accidently dropped my phone in a parking lot one evening, and it was perfectly dry the next morning after a night of heavy rain.