Originally Posted by
dashelter
The Goal Zero is not slim and is very expensive.
Looking for something slim, portable and affordable not a battery-type charger.
If we could keep it at under $40, that'd be great.
regarding the Quad Lock mount, i have an Android, which one of the QuadLock mounts should I get:
Stem/handlebar mount?
Out front mount?
Out front mount pro?
The thing is: I already have a case for my Android and buying another case for the Quadlock may not make too much sense. Is there a good, reliable handlebar bike mount that I can use to hold both my Android and the slim, portable power bank? This will help with not having too buy another phone case I really don't need.
Lastly, anything to hold water bottle while riding on the bike?
As always, many thanks.
Goal Zero is recommended because Goal Zero makes good quality stuff. I don't buy cheap stuff I want stuff that might be lower in cost but works really well and has good support. I have had two Goal Zero power banks for 4 years now and zero issues in that time (have gone through more cables) but for a while I would have a power bank that would last me maybe a year or less and most of them low cost and maybe well reviewed but not long lasting. I have a Flip 12 which is small and takes little space and a Flip 24 which take up the same width but double the length (who would have thunk it) No not flat but easy to stash in a pocket. In the end though the Flips are $20-40 so not very expensive and they have a nice promotion going on now if you buy two flips you get a charging dock (which I now want as they didn't have that when I got mine). The Sherpa and Venture are both more expensive but they are also quite a bit more featured and much bigger battery wise. Unless I was touring or constantly traveling I probably would skip those but for a normal weekend ride or commute I would skip them anyway.
I will hate to break it to you but all the chargers are going to be battery type, they are power banks but they are batteries in the end. You don't want to just charge from solar or wind or something as most phones don't love the on and off charging they like constant power.
For Quad Lock mounts I would pick the one that suits you the best. For me it would be an OutFront mount probably the Pro but I like that position for my phone if I was going to use while biking.
They do make a stick on mount for other cases but if your case isn't LifeProof or OtterBox I would probably just go for the QuadLock. I know quite a few folks who have them and love them and use them all throughout life as they don't just make bicycle mounts but mounts for the home and car and office and motorcycles and more.
In terms of bottle cages King Cage or PDW Animal Cages are the best and all I use on my bikes (aside from one specialized cage they recommend for holding their range extenders (it came with the bike). I have zero interest in other cages and have used most of the PDW ones and the Titanium King Cages (and Ti Flask Cage they made for me) and really truly couldn't complain about them at all, they hold bottles really well and look good doing it. Ron is a super nice person and his small staff is also super great to work with and they are all made right here in 'Merica. The PDW stuff adds some fun to the bottle cage world but also their cages hold on to bottle really well and can handle a little wider bottle or narrower bottle in many cases (though I only standard cycling bottles)