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[bumblebee]

Hello,

I am absolutely hopeless with directions and rely heavily on my iPhone to find my way around/back home!

As far as I know, bicycle phone mounts are not much use without a power bank to keep the battery topped up!

I wonder what you guys think of the following options, or could suggest something better than what I have come up with?

a) Two-in-one

b) Bag plus a separately bought Power Bank

I have a road bike with a very short stem, so not really sure if that will stop my phone from fitting? Also have reservations about the bag option as I want to be able to use the touch screen without too much fiddling!

Another concern is price - I'm on a tight budget and don't want to spend a lot!

What do you guys use/suggest?

Thanks

 

[snorri]

After that memorable night out whilst on tour in Germany when after midnight I couldn't find my campsite and had to be assisted by the Polizei, I bought and have relied upon my Garmin Etrex to get me back to where I started and it hasn't let me down.
They are now available for less than £75 the two AA cells last for hours** and a handlebar mount is available.
As you travel a trace is left on the screen, to get back home you simply follow the trace back to where you came from.
The other method is to make your home/base a Waypoint. When you have had enough cycling and wish to get back you select Waypoint 'Home' and Go To. An arrow appears on the screen which will be pointing towards home, as you cycle you just keep the arrow pointing ahead, or as near ahead as possible allowing for the road network.
The second method has the advantage that you only have to have the gps switched on for the homeward journey thus doubling battery life.
Someone will possibly be along to tell of a more modern system, but this one works for me
** cells can be replaced mid journey if necessary, without losing any data.

 

[mjr]

I voted for the best of the two, but I now tend to keep my phone in my chest pocket and shouting navigation instructions out at me so I'm not looking at maps instead of the road, unless it's really complicated and I stop to check.

 

[Gamble1983]

I Use a Quad Lock and find it perfect, the case is sturdy and the lock is solid

 

[Mark trek29er]

+1 for the quad lock

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Another one for quad lock. I'm still surprised at how slim the sturdy holder is. I got the Gorilla screen protector as well. The only downside being, that now the screen is unresponsive with its rain jacket on.

 

[Dan_Marshall]

Quadlock case, and 'out in front mount'.

Have them on all bikes I have. In my opinion, perfect if the iPhone is your strava / GPS bike computer

www.quadlockcase.com

 

[*Dusty*]

I use one of these

http://www.topeak.com/products/bags/tt9842b

Also carry a mini USB power bank which is enough for a full charge of the phone in my saddle bag or jersey pocket. Give it a quick blast at the coffee stop, job done.

 

[jefmcg]

Another vote for topeak drybag. You can run power from a top tube bag if you need it, but a modern phone should last for quite a few hours if you don't leave the screen on.