Guide · Mounts
Bike phone mounts: Quad Lock, Peak Design and SP Connect fit, and vibration
Each phone mount system needs its own case or adapter and states its own bar range. What Quad Lock, Peak Design, SP Connect and Apple say about fit and vibration.
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Short answer
Each phone mount system needs its own case or adapter and states its own bar range. Check the case first and the bar second. No system here wins outright: the right one is the one that fits your phone and the spot on your bar or stem.
Check the case first
Quad Lock, Peak Design and SP Connect each build their mounts around their own interface on the back of the phone, so plan on a case or adapter from the same maker as the mount. Quad Lock, for example, says its Handlebar/Stem Mount works with all Quad Lock cases and its Universal Adaptors.[1] If you already own a case from one system, that usually decides the mount. If you don't, choose by which system offers a case or adapter for your phone, then check the bar range.
Quad Lock Handlebar/Stem Mount
- Range: Quad Lock states the Handlebar/Stem Mount is designed for handlebar or stem diameters from 25 mm to 40 mm.[1]
- Hardware: it is secured with supplied rubber O-rings and nylon zip ties, and Quad Lock says the zip ties can be used to fit most tubes outside the 25-40 mm range.[1] "Most tubes" is not a promise for any particular bar shape.
- Flat stems: Quad Lock sells a Flat Bar Adaptor separately for mounting it on flat stems.[1]
Peak Design Out Front Bike Mount V2
Peak Design's Out Front Bike Mount V2 attaches the phone with the SlimLink magnetic and mechanical mounting system and is made from machined, anodized aluminum.[2] Peak Design says V2 was updated to fit more handlebar sizes, but we could not find a stated millimeter range on its pages, so we list none. Check the range with Peak Design before you buy.
SP Connect Universal Bike Mount
SP Connect lists tool-free attachment of its Universal Bike Mount to handlebars or stems of approximately 20-44 mm in diameter, with one flat and one round diameter adapter included.[3] Its page does not state which generation of SP Connect's case interface the mount uses, so confirm that your case matches.
| System | Case or adapter needed | Maker's stated bar range | Adapters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quad Lock Handlebar/Stem Mount | Quad Lock case or adaptor | 25-40 mm | Zip ties for most tubes outside the range; Flat Bar Adaptor sold separately |
| Peak Design Out Front V2 | SlimLink-compatible case | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| SP Connect Universal Bike Mount | SP Connect case or adapter | About 20-44 mm | One flat and one round adapter included |
Measure your bar at the clamp position first; our guide to measuring handlebar diameter shows how.
Picks that fit2 products
SP Connect Universal Bike Mount: mount only (SKU 53342), about 20-44 mm per SP Connect; it needs an SP Connect case or adapter, sold separately, so check your case interface matches.
More on choosing
ROCKBROS aluminum holder: the handlebar clamp version, a clamp-style holder that grips the phone without a special case; check the seller's sizing for your phone and bar, as we have not verified it. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
Phone mount with the widest stated range
SP Connect Universal Bike Mount (phone, 20‑44 mm bars and stems)
Clamp phone holder without a special case
ROCKBROS aluminium bike phone holder, handlebar clamp (4.7‑7.1 in phones)
Vibration and phone cameras
This is where most of the worry comes from, and the sources are narrower than the worry.
- Apple warns that high-amplitude vibrations from high-power or high-volume motorcycle engines may degrade iPhone camera optical image stabilization and closed-loop autofocus, and advises against attaching an iPhone to such motorcycles.[4] For mopeds and scooters it advises a vibration-dampening mount.
- Apple's note does not mention bicycles.[4] It does not warn about bike mounts, and it does not clear them either.
- Quad Lock describes its Vibration Dampener as designed for motorcycle mounts and says the camera-vibration issue is known with some motorcycles, not bicycles.[5]
- Quad Lock says its Handlebar/Stem Mount is not compatible with the Vibration Dampener and does not recommend installing one on a bicycle mount.[1] It notes separately that the dampener can be attached to its Stem Cap and Out Front cycle mounts if a rider wants it.[5]
So we cannot tell you a bike mount will damage an iPhone camera, and we cannot tell you it is safe for one. No source we found tests that.
What we could not confirm
- Peak Design's bar range for the Out Front V2.
- Quad Lock's statement on counterfeit products, and Peak Design's policy on returns bought from third-party sellers. Buy from the brand or a seller it names, and keep your receipt.
On Amazon, a listing can carry several sellers. Check that "Ships from / Sold by" shows Amazon.com or the brand before you buy.
Next
Questions
Is Quad Lock or Peak Design better for a bike?
Neither wins outright; fit decides. Each needs its own case or adapter, and Quad Lock states a 25-40 mm range for its Handlebar/Stem Mount, while we could not confirm a millimeter range for Peak Design's Out Front V2.[1]
Will a bike mount damage my iPhone camera?
Apple's vibration warning covers motorcycles, mopeds and scooters and does not mention bicycles, so it neither warns about nor clears bike mounts. Quad Lock says the camera-vibration issue it knows of is with some motorcycles, not bicycles.[4][5]
Do I need a special case?
For Quad Lock, Peak Design and SP Connect, yes, or the maker's adapter. Peak Design's Out Front V2 uses its SlimLink system, and SP Connect's mount needs an SP Connect case or adapter.[2]
Does SP Connect fit thick handlebars?
SP Connect lists its Universal Bike Mount for handlebars or stems of approximately 20-44 mm, attached without tools, with one flat and one round adapter included.[3]