Cycling navigation was revolutionised by the bike computer, but is there an alternative, cheaper option? We have teamed up with Mous to show you how to transform your phone into a bike computer. Ollie runs through all the bike phone mounts and phone case options!
In association with @Mouscase π https://gcn.eu/Mous
00:00 Intro
01:00 Mous mount and case
01:33 Phone drop test
03:00 Navigation apps
03:52 Mounting options
05:50 Pros and cons
Useful Links:
Everything Cycling. All In One Place π https://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com
GCN+ | Every. Unmissable. Moment. π https://gcn.eu/9I9
Download the GCN App for free π https://gcn.eu/app
Visit the GCN Shop π https://gcn.eu/gcnshop
Join the GCN Club π https://gcnclub.com
GCN Training Plans π https://gcn.eu/gcntp
Have you used your phone as a bike computer? π±π²
Watch more on GCN…
πΉ Phone Vs Cycling Computer π https://youtu.be/GjeEMZSrPsI
πΉ Watch our Editorβs Choice Playlist π https://gcn.eu/editorschoice
πΉ Or why not check out our Features Playlist π ββhttps://gcn.eu/gcnfeatures
π΅ Music – licensed by Epidemic Sound π΅
Thru the Wall – Matt Large
23 Til Infinity – Matt Large
Devil to My Right (Instrumental Version) – Zorro
fresh perspectives – Matt Large
Just My Luck – Matt Large
Knowledge Is Power – Matt Large
#gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife #phonecase #phonemount #maps #cyclingride
πΈ Photos – Β© Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & Β© Sprint Cycling Agency
The Global Cycling Network (GCN) is the largest online cycling channel in the world, bringing together a global community of road cyclists to celebrate everything thatβs great about the world of cycling.
Our videos bring fans compelling daily content including expert tutorials, techniques, training, racing, cutting-edge bike tech, unparalleled behind the scenes event coverage, humour, entertainment, and more.
Presented by ex-pro riders, GCN offers a uniquely qualified insight into the world of cycling, and most importantly itβs fuelled by our passionate and enthusiastic fans β everyone who makes up the GCN community. We also bring the latest and greatest tech to your attention, showcase the best places in the world to ride and get exclusive access to events and races.
Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside Cycling
Thanks to our sponsors:
Pinarello Bikes: https://gcn.eu/Pinarello
Zipp Wheels: https://gcn.eu/Zipp
Topeak Tools: http://gcn.eu/Topeak
Canyon Bikes: http://gcn.eu/-Canyon
Pirelli Tyres: https://gcn.eu/Pirelli
Orbea Bikes: http://gcn.eu/Orbea
Vision Wheels: http://gcn.eu/Vision
Wahoo Fitness: http://gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness
Park Tool: http://gcn.eu/-parktool
Elite Bottles: https://gcn.eu/EliteBottles
Whoop Fitness: https://gcn.eu/Whoop
Selle Italia: https://gcn.eu/SelleItalia
SiS: https://gcn.eu/ScienceInSport
Zwift: https://gcn.eu/Zwift
Shimano Wheels: https://gcn.eu/Shimano
DMT Shoes: https://gcn.eu/DMT
Silca: https://gcn.eu/Silca
MET Helmets: https://gcn.eu/methelmets
Strava: https://gcn.eu/strava
ShadowStand: https://gcn.eu/ShadowStand
Watch our sister channels:
GCN Tech – https://www.youtube.com/@gcntech
GCN Racing – https://www.youtube.com/@gcnracing
Global Triathlon Network – https://www.youtube.com/@gtn
GCN Italia – https://www.youtube.com/@gcnitalia
GCN en EspaΓ±ol – https://www.youtube.com/@gcnenespanol
GCN auf Deutsch – https://www.youtube.com/@gcnaufdeutsch
GCN en FranΓ§ais – https://www.youtube.com/@gcnenfrancais
GCN Japan – https://www.youtube.com/@gcnjapan
GCN Training – https://www.youtube.com/@gcntraining
Global Mountain Bike Network – https://youtube.com/@gmbn
GMBN Racing – https://youtube.com/@gmbnracing
GMBN Tech – https://www.youtube.com/@gmbntech
Electric Mountain Bike Network – https://www.youtube.com/@embn
44 Comments
Have you used your phone as a bike computer? π²π±
I use to have my phone as a GPS on the bike but removed it because I just want to enjoy the ride and donβt mind getting lost
But Ollie .. Phone now a days heat up during rides that are 3 hours long and really can spoil the screen (I've been told) .
do I need to have the full Strava version to plan rides? great review of options. I use Garmin 1030 and phone when Garmin is on the fritz. Sometimes Garmin doesnβt like my Hot Spot to download my ride to Strava.
Hi Ollie, nice video! Have you tried my cycling app? Phil
But the phones arnt waterproof!!! Im using a samsung with a punkcase (waterproof 3 years old) and a quadlock adaptor stuck to it and bar mount!
Was it just me or did it look like there was a decent size crack in his screen?
I've been using my phone as my only bike computer for a while now, and it works really well. Battery is not really an issue as I just keep a powerbank in my frame or top tube bag. The only actual big issue I face is when it's raining a fair but, the screen becomes impossible to use when it is too wet. I've been using the Peak Design mount and I think it's a bit more sleek than the Mous one!
3:00 phone screens arent easy to see outdoors, in sunlight. Even if you turn the brightness up high (which drains the battery) its often realy difficult to see.
Just something to be aware of before you invest in expensive mounts.
Dedicated bike computers are designed with better screens for daylight visibility.
I have a quad lock mount but I agree with the comment here that the required case is a bit bulky. Will this Mous system work with any of their cases?
Basically a commercial for that product π
I use a wahoo mount on my bikes (and an adjustable one for hire bikes), and its easy to get a stick on wahoo mount for the phone. This may sound unsafe but I cut a hole for that in the back of my phones gel case which is a bit smaller than the size of the stick-on mount, which means that if it did come lose (it doesn't) it will still stay attached to the bike until I noticed. For software I have used Bike Computer Pro for years – easily customisable to add things like power meters in the display, and uploads to Strava as well. Another thing about Bike Computer Pro is that it very rarely crashes, whereas when I used the Strava app it was always freezing or crashing.
Yes I did and would never do it again. Because of the vibrations during the ride the glass got micro cracks which went worser and worser until the phone wasn't usable anymore.
I'd also recommend some bone conduction headphones (that don't cover your ears) if you're using your phone for navigation. That way you can easily hear turn by turn directions and you don't need to be constantly looking down at the screen. You can also save battery this way by turning off the screen most of the time.
hoping for a software comparison video, got some phone holder advertismentπ
Maybe this is obvious to everyone, but I think this is an appropriate time to point out that if you want to wear headphones while riding (e.g. for navigation prompts), make sure they are the bone conduction type that don't cover your ears. Normal headphones or earbuds will likely get you killed if you can't hear cars.
I would use my phone as bike computer. It most likely would fit in to any bike specific bike cases. I don't have to worry about having the phone screen on all day. The 10300mAh battery can play 19 hours of continues video. I don't have to worry about my phone getting wet. Unlike my bikes. I can pressure wash my phone. I don't have to worry about dropping it. It is strong enough to survive having a Ford F150 drive over it with no damage. The reason I don't use it as a bike computer. Is if it gets nicked. The replacement for my phone has a 10850mAh battery
I used my iPhone for many years as my only bike computer. Great app called Cyclemeter with infinite ways to customize the screens to look at during a ride and all kinds of ways to slice and dice data from past rides. Post ride, sync ride data to other cycling apps (such as Strava) that have functionality not in Cyclemeter. This year, finally βsplurgedβ on a Wahoo Element Bolt for various reasons. Syncs with Garmin Varia radar to show approaching cars behind (in strip on one side of Bolt screen). More waterproof than iPhone. Better batter life than iPhone (on longer rides with iPhone, always had to be mindful of screen brightness / attach portable charger later in ride ). Better visibility in bright sunlight. Summit features for climbs very useful. Now ride with both iPhone (mounted on quad lock – great product) and Bolt on my handlebars. Still track rides on Cyclemeter app but do so with screen off so never any battery issues; also run wahoo element bolt app on phone (app has some features of value during ride – such as more easily seeing βbig pictureβ view of where are on a ride than on Bolt itself.
What a load of bollocks
What a load of bollocks
I have a Mous Intra Lock and the corresponding case for my phone, honestly such a good investment, been using it for over a year now and love it. Pretty cool to see Mous being featured on GCN as well.
Oh bike computers are lighter? I will get one of those then and keep my phone in my jersey
I just use my phone as bikecomputer and record using wikiloc xor my polar m430 device !
Soyes XS16 I used as bike computer, it is colored and can do what Topend bike computer does, gps, map, sensor and plus extra functionality, music , watching video, saving spot on my handle bar. The price is only $50 on temu. I would not spend $500 for a colored top end bike computer. Cons: battery. But a cheap battery bank that you can always pluggin to the device will make it run and work longer than a high end bike computer. Also, the Soyex SX16 has a USB-TYPE C
What's this for? Just iPhones? The Mous web site sucks, no info about phone sizes. Oh well.
Informative, but looks like his phone has a cracked screen. Not a great endorsement for Mous Cases.π
I was hoping this would be more about which apps act like a bike computer instead of an advert for mouse mounts π’
Quadlock offers the most sturdy connection and mount. The company originally made phone mounts for motorcycles so they know how to build them! Recommended.
75% of this is an advertisement for Mous. Perhaps if Ollie and Mous were not so dedicated to the cult of iPhones, this video couldβve provided some useful information about how to actually hook up your phone to your sensors.
Sincerely,
The majority of the worldβs phone users
Used to do that until my mobile was snatched along with the holder switched to cycling computer immediately thank you
The phone clearly has a cracked screen in the drop demonstration ;p
The only problem here in Brazil it's attractive to theft, like "hey, look at this easy smartphone to you theft and take" πππ
What a lazy video, just a long winded phone case commercial
Iβm using a Garmin on my road and MTB as it has more bike specific features, is much more water resistant and if I smash it, happened to me a year ago, itβs cheaper to replace. Also would rather keep the phone safe in my pocket so itβs available in an emergency rather than thrashed!
most phones nowadays are waterproof or water resistant… but the problem I find with rain is that the touchscreen becomes totally un-usable when wet
I have to get a handle bar mount after seeing your video, I recently bought a van and ride in many different places, recently more city riding where I could use a map etc. I have been putting it in and out of my pocket or backpack, which sucks. But I have to admit itβs way better than the seventies when you would find a gas station, buy a paper map or ask a greasy auto mechanic for directions to the next gas station for more directions!
Mobile phones are great on a bike because they allow you to browse on the internet for more carbon fibre thingies for your bike as you're riding along instead of wasting time paying attention to traffic and such. My only advice is to make sure you buy a carbon fibre smartphone.
whats your favorite type of bar tape for all weather riding, does it matter what its made out of if you ride in all weather?
Great video. It helpful to know what gear to buy
Given almost everyone carries a (smart)phone with them when riding, it makes sense to use it as bike computer. I've been using Samsungs for 10 years. Road, touring, mtb. Never had a problem with connectivity to devices using Ant or BT. But, recently, Samsung, and most other major phone manufacturers have dropped Ant. I can get at least 8 hours out of phone. You just need to run the correct app and manage battery drain. I use Ipbike for training and OSMand for touring.
3d printed a garmin adapter for my old phone, siliconed it onto the phone case, added a usb port to my ebike battery, always connected now, works well, using Google maps since its great at finding my local bike paths
Just bummed that bicycle navigation only works with a active data connection, else only car navigation works with offline maps
But its okay, maps just wins with its routing in the routes I compared
1 Example: Garmin Edge Explore 2: 47km, komoot 41km, Google Maps 36km, Mapy(dot)cz 40km
Elevation was pretty samey on that example, maps did indeed not seem to take elevation into consideration but it doesnt matter when its +-300m elevation, ride time estimations are off due to that
So depends on where you life but here in germany with excellent bike paths it just destroys the Garmin Edge Explore 2 which tried to send me multiple times onto 100km/h streets despite disabling traffic rich streets and being in gravel mode, a thing which google maps never did, also the garmin seems to tell beforehand only air line to the destination, as example 16km, in reality it takes 28km, then I choose my starting point again and it tells me 16km again… Google maps meanwhile saying 23km beforehand and that is the actual distance, you just cant plan time with that garmin gps…
And that calls itself a bicycle gps …..
I returned it after 1.5weeks due to that and go with my old phone as navigation now
Fidlock? The only phone mount that doesn't affect the phone itself with some big adapter / cover, it's simply flat, easy on the pockets. As in one milimeter, tops. And easy on the phone when it's mounted on the bike, no vibrations. And it's stays on – you could even lift your bike holding it on your phone if.. π Magnet + vacuum, simple as that
I wish Strava had proper turn-by-turn navigation and sensor support
My Xiaomi band and its accompanying Zeplife software is free and works very well for me. It even announces the elapsed time of my ride, my heart rate, and the time for each kilometer ridden. After you see your route, average speed and heart rate, and the total cycling time