Customer Reviews

Arkon Bicycle Mount for iPhone - Black

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

An iPhone mount for a bicycle. Would anyone think that this is a good thing? Or even normal?

My question is, why not? Many bicyclists purchase "computers" for their bikes that track distance, speed, maximum and minimums, time and the like using a magnetic piece that hooks to the wheel with a corresponding reader mounted to the fork. But with the GPS features on the iPhone and the right application, you can duplicate this functionality without messy cables. The Arkon bicycle handlebar mount is one way to make that happen.

The unit itself is actually two pieces: The handlebar mount and the iPhone bracket that fits into it. It seems that this would function just as well with one piece, but the iPhone bracket is universal and can work with other Arkon mounts, so I understand the thinking behind this. Install was extremely simple: a single bolt tightens the mount onto your handle. Spacers are included for those with less beefy handlebars.

When I decided to look for an iPhone mount for my bicycle, I found that there are actually quite a few options out there. The Arkon bicycle handlebar mount stands out for a couple reasons.

First, the mount is very sturdy. The entire unit is made of a hardened plastic including where it attaches to the bicycle handlebar. I mention this because many mounts out there mount with a zip tie, which I have found are more likely to slip and even dryrot.

Second, a ball-and-socket makes it possible to view your iPhone at virtually any angle. The ball fits snugly into the plastic socket and can be tightened down with a tightening ring directly below it.

Thirdly, it is specifically made to fit the iPhone (another Arkon model is designed for iPhones with cases) so it's not as bulky as some of the universal-fit units out there.

Finally, the unit just works and adds very little weight (less than an ounce) to your bicycle. I field tested the unit on a combination of smooth and rough roads. The adjustable ball-and-socket tightens down enough that the rough spots will not move your iPhone from your ideal position. Adjusting the mount on the fly is not a problem with the oversized tightening ring. For my tests I adjusted the unit to the point where it held when going over bumps but could be moved to a different angle by hand. Worked perfectly.

Besides using the mount for GPS applications on your iPhone, it also puts your iPhone at the perfect location for controlling your iPhone. Take calls? Maybe, but I didn't. I used my iPod app and was gleefully selecting and skipping songs. For safety purposes, I will mention that having your iPhone available like this can distract you, just like when you're driving your car. Don't ever let me catch you texting on your bike, regardless of how good the Arkon mount is.

When I returned home from riding my bicycle and testing this unit, I proceeded to dismount from my bike and remove the "computer" I already had mounted on my bicycle. With the Arkon mount and my iPhone, I had no need for it anymore. If you're a bicyclist looking for an elegant way to incorporate your iPhone into your ride, you need to consider the Arkon bicycle mount.

They say that this fits all bikes, but it does not fit the standard road bike handle bars. It is too small and cannot be adjusted.

Note to manufacturer....either make the handlebar attachment larger or make it connect with two screws so there is adjustablity.

I bought this first for my hybrid bicycle(a Trek) and it mounted perfectly. It keeps the iPhone in place and is adjustable enough to get a good viewing angle while you ride. I use the iPhone for listening to music and logging GPS data while I ride with MotionX GPS.

After using it on the hybrid bicycle for a while, I decided to move it to my road bike (a Felt). It was easy to move because the nut used to tighten it to the handle bars is a wingnut. I needed no tools. It mounted to the road bike handlebars with no problems. I'm buying a second one today so I don't have to move the mount.

My iPhone is now scratched up from falling on the pavement. This mount is not well designed. The iPhone part detaches from the handlebar mount and is secured only by friction. It detaches by sliding towards the front wheel. This means if you come forward off your seat, your body can hit the phone and knock it right off. It should have a release lever to prevent this. I thought this was pretty questionable when I first mounted it but I hoped that it was tight enough to stay on. I didn't realize how easy it would be for my body to knock it off. Sadly, I now have a damaged iPhone.

I'm going to find another solution and make sure it has a release lever as well as being large enough to hold the iPhone in a case.

try to fit on my specialized allez road bike handlebar but doesn't even come close to getting it around the handlebar waste of money...problaby fits most bikes you would buy from a big box brand k-mart or target but save your money.

I was excited to use this with my iPhone and went on on a ride to do a review of the iBike app by DigiFit. I mounted it to my stem with no problems and the phone was in a good position for me to see the screed and manipulated the touch screen.

I made it less than a mile when the top part that holds the phone apparently vibrated loose while crossing the brick intersection. It fell to the ground and landed on a corner shattering the screen. I think this could have been prevented if the two pieces of the mount locked together and if the cradle had covered the corners on top as it does on the bottom.

Looked good but in my case the design flaws showed themselves rather quickly. I was not able to continue my review of the iBike app and now I'm faced with trying to contact Arkon to see if they will pay for the repairs of my iPhone.

Could be my bad luck but the flaws seem rater apparent to me now, i'll be more skeptical in the future.

Although the adjustable arm and the mounting bracket make this mount the sturdiest and most reliable of the available products I've researched, the iPhone grip itself is poorly designed. On my very first use of the product, I slid the iPhone into the grip no problem. The removal is the tricky part. Once I depressed the top tab per the instructions, the iPhone popped out of the mount with a *cracking* noise. Upon inspection, had iPhone's fiberglass/plastic back had a crack 1/3rd of the way up.

I called and emailed Arkon, but there customer service was unreachable and never returned any of my messages.

Beware when using this product that you don't harm your iPhone. I am meticulous with usage instructions, and still this $20 product managed to significantly damage my $200 iPhone.

I would agree with the readers who had problems mounting this on to their bikes. I have a standard road bike handlebar and this does not fit. I ended up going to Lowes and getting 2 inch machine bolts for the mount. I also had to get wing nuts, as my unit did not come with any. In fact, the whole mount assembly was completely different. I have only used this product once, but it did work after my modifications. I also wish that I did not have to take my iPhone out of its protective case too, but the phone has to be "naked" to fit in to holder.

I wouldn't recommend this product. My phone feel off as I was riding in the street. Luckily there wasn't a car behind me, otherwise the phone would have been ruined.

This product worked great for my mountain bike and I was very happy with it, until I purchased a new road bike and could not use it with my road bike. I had no problems with the phone coming out of the holder. The problem is the width of the clip. With the wrapping on the handlebars of the road bike there isn't a wide enough space where I can mount the device. I am keeping it for use with my mountain bike and purchasing a different product for use with my road bike.