Published by Lyn on 11 April 2016
Richard Peace road-tests Quad Lock's universal kit for mounting smartphones on bikes.
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Quad Lock Smartphone Mounting Kit, rrp £29.95 / US$39.95
Official website: quadlockcase.co.uk
The Quad Lock mounting kit for smartphones has a reputation as being one of the securest phone mounts out there and, as I use my smartphone for navigation on-the-go, one seemed like it would be a useful addition to my bike kit.
The universal kit is pretty minimalist, consisting of a universal adapter that sticks to the back of your phone or phone case, a bike mount and two size of o-rings and zip-ties for mounting on the handlebars.
This will have to be one of the shorter reviews I've ever written as the Quad Lock system works so quickly and efficiently; just minutes to set up out of the box. O-ring or zip-tie the mount onto your bars (I preferred the o-rings as the mount can then be removed in seconds) and peel the paper off the adhesive on the back of the adapter and stick to the back of your phone or phone case.
The mounting is the real clever bit that gives you peace of mind that your phone will be staying firmly attached to the bars. You push down the blue sprung-loaded collar, locate the adapter cut-outs into the mount tabs and twist until you hear a reassuring click. To remove the phone just push the collar down and twist and lift the phone off.
There are a few caveats to what is undoubtedly a nice quality and very useful bit of kit – which are nothing to do with Quad Lock really, just observations on how I would and wouldn't use it.
I rode with the mount for several rides on a large wheeled bike (700c wheels) and on a 16” Dahon folder and would not use it on small-wheelers due to the many vibrations transmitted to the bars due to small wheel size.
Similarly I would stick to smooth roads when using it and dismount the phone on tracks and badly potholed roads. This isn't for fear the phone would come off the bars, more fear of damage from shocks and jolts whilst on the bike. The universal system means your phone is exposed to the elements unless you stick the adapter to the back of a waterproof case or have a waterproof phone. Quadlock do waterproof case options for more popular models like iphones.
If your phone has a flimsy and easily removable backmount like mine, then you may want to get a third party hard rear cover and use the mount on that to stop the risk of the phone parting company with its rear cover.
Quad Lock also produce other kits using the same twist-and-lock design for running, driving and photo tripods. There is also an alternative 'out front' mount that extends the phone location over the front of the bars 'for easier viewing and improved aerodynamics' and a GoPro video cam adapter too.
Highly recommended.
Quad Lock Smartphone Mounting Kit, rrp £29.95 / US$39.95
Official website: quadlockcase.co.uk
Richard Peace is founder of Excellent Books, specialists in cycle publishing. He is author of Cycling Southern France (UK, US), Cycling Northern France (UK, US), and Electric Bicycles: The Complete Guide (UK, US). He is a regular contributor to A to B magazine, Bike Europe and writes for Eurobike Show Daily.
