Bike Forums - View Single Post - DIY iPhone Bicycle Mount

03-27-12 | 05:43 AM

#8

bud16415

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 1,141

Likes: 5

From: Erie Penna.

I have gone thru 4 or 5 variations of the DIY iPhone mount starting with the 3GS and now the iPhone 4. My first mount was very much like the OP and attached in a similar manner only using a different brand of case mounted to the stem. After a short time I became worried about the shock and vibration coming up the fork and stem. My second design I made a bent aluminum bracket attached that to the bars and the case to that the U shaped bend acted as a spring and dampened the vibration a great amount. I used that mount all the time I had my 3GS and it also allowed my DIY charger to work with it mounted because the cycle apps demand a lot of power and longer rides will leave you without a phone. When I moved up to the iPhone 4 I got my first otter box case and I have never cared much for the belt clip method of holding my phone (just a personal preference) but the case and belt clip worked great just clipping it to my aluminum bracket as the strip of aluminum was exactly the same size as a normal belt would be and was very easy on and off, and I could still charge as I ride. There was still some vibration though the combination of the bracket and the belt clip and this spring it dawned on me to try just clipping the belt clip to the strap/ handle on my handle bar bag. This worked perfect the bag took all the vibration out held the phone in perfect vision and if I have the DIY charger on when I normally get off the bike the two things I take are the bar bag and the phone so it can stay connected. This has worked out really well for me I know most people don’t have a handlebar bag but if you do it might be an idea. I don’t have a photo of it clipped to the bag but I have a photo of the older setup with the bag mounted and I think you will get the idea.

As to the phone snapping in both ways. I warn everyone about the otter box case as on mine I can snap it in both ways but with the face out I can get a false snap, and will think it’s in there. I always give it a pull test to make sure it’s all the way snapped in. After you play with it for a while you will know what the real snap feels like.

There are several waterproof bike mounted cases on the market now they are not cheap but look really nice. Maybe with the next phone I might try something like that if I start doing some longer tours.
This was my 3GS setup but shows the bar bag.

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