Navigation accessories: Smartphone holder, additional batteries and more
Matthias Schwindt
· 11.07.2023
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Five smartphone mounts for the bike
For relaxed bike navigation, the smartphone must be stable and mounted in the rider's field of vision. MYBIKE has tested five such mounts that can be used to attach the smartphone to the bike.
QuadLock: Smartphone case that clicks into place
A slight twist of the wrist and the custom-fit case with the smartphone snaps securely into the holder. The mechanism sits in the base and the phone is released at the touch of a button. There are exactly the right cases for many popular phones.
SP-Connect - another mobile phone case with bike holder
The manufacturer offers the most flexible system for attaching the phone securely to the bike. The wide range of base mounts includes an attachment for virtually any bike cockpit. The case is attached to the base with a 90° turn. Custom-fit cases are available for many different phone models.
Price: 29,95 Euro >> available at Bergzeit
Finn - Universal smartphone holder made from silicone
Sat nav mounts for minimalists. A single piece of silicone cleverly threaded around the handlebars and phone can withstand even the strongest shocks. Mounted quickly with a little practice. There is always a suitable place on straight handlebars. Ideal for occasional use when you want to keep your handlebars tidy.
Price: 14,95 Euro >> available at Amazon
Topeak Ridecase for iPhone
The Ridecase system from Topeak offers custom-fit cases, but only for the iPhone. The mounting of the basic holder on the Ahead stem cap was very well received, while the attachment to the handlebars using a plastic strap was not convincing. This smartphone holder is the top solution for iPhone users with space on the Ahead cap.
Price: 34,95 Euro >> available from Rose
Top tube bag with viewing window
A more universal solution is a bag on the top tube for around 30 euros, the bag in the test is from Velmia. Secure attachment with Velcro straps in a protected position. The shiny plastic film makes it difficult to read the display, and when the bag is closed, the switched-on phone can heat up to such an extent that it goes into emergency shutdown. Ideal if you mainly drive with voice announcements and need space for small items.
Price: 25,99 Euro >> available at Amazon
Additional batteries
The smartphone with running navigation needs a lot of power. With these two alternatives to an inexpensive power bank, you have enough energy for a whole day.
BONE BIKE Tie 4 with Qi battery pack
The Bone Bike Tie 4 is a universal and simple mobile phone holder that can be ideally combined with a battery pack. Ideally, you should choose a model with Qi (induction) charging electronics. The set consisting of holder and battery pack must be put together yourself.
Price: approx. 70 euros.
TOPEAK Mobile Powerpack 6000
The 6000 mAh battery should triple the battery runtime. Two USB ports and a wide range of mounting options, including a GoPro adapter, make the power pack very flexible to use.
Price: approx. 70 euros.
Total costs: smartphone holder, additional battery and app
Even if you already have a mobile phone, smartphone navigation on your bike is only affordable if you make do with minimal solutions. Three variants:
1. minimum equipment
- Handlebar mount: 12 Euro
- App: 10 Euro
Total cost: 22 Euro
2. rational solution
- Holder with custom-fit cover: 60 Euro
- Komoot World Package: 30 Euro
- No-name additional battery: 15 Euro
Total cost: 105 Euro
3. luxury navigation
- Holder with custom-fit cover: 60 Euro
- Better base holder: 30 Euro
- Qi charging electronics or outdoor battery pack: 40 Euro
- Annual subscription to a sat nav app: 60 Euro
Total cost: 190 Euro
Tapping the e-bike battery with your smartphone
Wouldn't it be practical to supply your mobile phone with power via the large e-bike battery? Some manufacturers offer this option.
Bosch SmartphoneGrip
The new smart system from Bosch can be combined with a SmartphoneGrip instead of the Kiox 300 display. The phone is held in landscape format and supplied with power wirelessly via the Qi standard. Suitable adapter cables are available for older, non-Qi-compatible smartphone models to connect the phone to the e-bike battery.
Price: 49,90 >> available at Amazon
SKS ComPit+
SKS offers more than just a charging station with the ComPit system. The holder is attached to the lower part of the Bosch Intuvia base. The ComUnit power bank with wireless Qi charging electronics is attached to it. The mobile phone fits into a custom-fit case. This is the ideal combination of e-bike power supply and mobile phone holder for all e-bikers with a Bosch Intuvia display.
Price: 59,99 Euro >> available at Amazon
Bosch Kiox
The older Kiox display offers a charging current of 1 ampere via the micro USB socket. This is enough to supply the phone with sufficient power when navigation is active. Bosch relies on a special plug, for which short special cables for smartphones with USB-C, micro-USB and Apple Lightning connections are available from accessory retailers.
Price: 19,95 Euro
Shimano
The Japanese themselves do not offer the option of connecting external devices to bikes with EP8 & Co. However, manufacturers such as Canyon, Focus and Stevens offer charging sockets in the top tube. In the test, the Stevens bike supplied 1 ampere of charging current via the modern USB-C socket. Suitable special adapter cables for different phone models are available online.
