Are you looking for a secure and sturdy phone mount that will enable you to use your phone for navigation during your bicycle tours? After over six years of cycling adventures with Quad Lock, this little phone mount is one of the most reliable cycling accessories I’ve ever had. I’ve written this review to help you decide if Quad Lock is the right companion for your bicycle tours.
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored article. I strive to make my reviews as honest and unbiased as possible. If you purchase a Quad Lock phone mount through my referral link, I’ll receive a 5 % commission on your purchase. It will help me further develop this blog and share tips and inspiration about bicycle touring.
I am terrible at navigating and remembering directions. When I first started cycling, I had to stop every few minutes to get my phone out of my pocket and check the map. Deeply frustrating and quite dangerous.
I started looking for a cycling phone mount and got overwhelmed by the number of options. Little waterproof pouches, cheap silicone straps and the Quad Lock.
The latter was significantly pricier than the other products. Why would I spend 45 euros for two pieces of plastic? But after reading some glowing reviews, I decided to give it a shot.
What is Quad Lock?
At first glance, Quad Lock looks unimpressive. When attached to the stem, it’s barely noticeable. The system contains two main elements: the mount and an adapter to glue onto your phone case.
It keeps your phone securely attached to your bicycle and allows you to safely peek at your phone when you need to check the navigation.
You can choose between the traditional stem mount and the outfront mount. I’ve used the first one, but I used my dad’s out-front mount and was pretty impressed with it as well.
Safety and convenience
I am amazed at how safely and securely the simple construction of Quad Lock keeps my phone. I’ve taken it on countless bumpy rides, and the phone never fell off, even when I crashed at over 40 km/h.
Using Quad Lock is also very convenient. Clipping your phone in takes less than two seconds, and you can attach the mount it wherever it is most handy. Depending on the type of bike and my setup, I had it on my handlebar, my stem and even on the top tube (the last option makes the phone a tad harder to access, so I only recommend it if you have no space on your handlebar and don’t need to use your phone very often).
Quality and durability
The robust and sturdy construction makes Quad Lock worth its relatively high price. The stem mount is made of glass-filled nylon and polycarbonate, and the outfront mount’s construction uses stainless steel. I’ve used it constantly for over six years, and it has survived all my falls and adventures without even a scratch.
Even the unremarkably looking O-rings to attach the stem mount are strong and don’t stretch out. Unfortunately, I am very disorganised and lost them a while ago. I’ve replaced them with zip-ties, and it works all right.
Easy installation
With Quad Lock, it’s not only easy to attach and detach your phone. You can also dismount it swiftly and without any tools, which is convenient if you have several bikes. In this case, it’s best to use the standard stem mount.
The out front mount takes a minute longer to install, as you have to unscrew the screw with the Allen key.
Is Quad Lock compatible with my phone?
Currently, Quad Lock offers phone cases only for selected smartphone models (iPhone, Galaxy, Huawei, and Pixel). You can, however, convert most phone cases into compatibility with Quad Lock using the universal Quad Lock adapter. The adhesive doesn’t stick to leather, rubber, wood, anti-print glass and silicon, so it’s better to use plastic phone cases.
Can I use Quad Lock as a GoPro mount?
Quad Lock is not only a phone mount. If you want to film your cycling adventures with a GoPro, you can convert the outfront mount into a sports camera mount by buying an additional camera adapter.
Is Quad Lock waterproof?
Quad Lock doesn’t cover your phone in any way, so it’s not waterproof (unless your phone is). If you have an iPhone, Galaxy, Huawei or a Pixel phone, you can buy a poncho to protect your phone from the rain, dust and mud.
I don’t have a poncho for my phone. In really heavy rain, I put it in a bag or in a pocket.
Drawbacks
The main disadvantage of Quad Lock is that you need to have a special phone case or a case with the adapter to use it. If you want to borrow your bike to someone, they won’t be able to use the mount unless their phone case has the adapter.
It’s also a bit problematic when you’re changing the phone. I managed to unglue the Quad Lock adapter from my old case and stick it to the new one using some strong glue, but it was a bit of a hassle.
I also find it annoying that the adapter makes my phone bigger and thicker. You feel it especially when putting the phone in your pocket.
If it bothers you, consider getting a spare case you can use when you’re not cycling.
Quad Lock is one of the most expensive phone holders for cycling. Spending 45 euros for two small parts might seem excessive and unneccessary. However, when you calculate the cost per use, it doesn’t seem so pricey at all. I’ve been using it for over six years, and it doesn’t look like I’ll have to replace it anytime soon.
In my opinion, Quad Lock is a fantastic phone mount that makes using your phone for navigation on bicycle tours much smoother. If you’re looking for a tool to secure your phone on bumpy roads for years, you should absolutely check it out.
- A smartphone is an excellent tool for navigating your bicycle tour, but the GPS drains the battery extremely quickly. To avoid running out of battery, switch on the airplane mode, reduce the screen brightness and deactivate the screen if there are no intersections and crossroads.
- Download offline maps of the area you’re travelling through to avoid extra costs abroad or trouble in remote areas with no cellphone coverage.
- Google Maps is not the best tool for cyclists. Check out my list of best navigation maps for bicycle touring to find the best alternative for you.
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