A good phone mount turns your e-bike into a proper commuting machine: turn-by-turn directions, your battery app and your music controls all sit right where you can glance at them. A bad one drops your phone on the road at 25 km/h. We've compared the most popular mount systems sold in Australia using manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner feedback (these are researched picks, not hands-on tests) to help you pick one that suits your bike, your phone and your riding.
Quick picks
- Best overall: Quad Lock Out Front Mount Pro
- Best for tight cockpits: Quad Lock Handlebar/Stem Mount Pro
- Best magnetic mount: Peak Design Out Front Bike Mount V2
- Best for rough roads: SP Connect Universal Bike Mount SPC+
- Best case-free option: Topeak Omni RideCase II
- Best budget clamp: ROCKBROS Shockproof Phone Mount
Case-based systems vs clamp mounts
Bike phone mounts fall into two broad camps. Case-based systems (Quad Lock, Peak Design, SP Connect) use a phone case with a mounting interface on the back. The case clicks or snaps onto a matching mount, and you twist or press to release it. They're very secure and quick to use, but you're buying into one brand's ecosystem, and you'll need a new case (or a stick-on universal adaptor) whenever you upgrade your phone.
Clamp and cradle mounts grip a bare phone (or one in a slim case) with spring-loaded arms, claws or silicone straps. They're cheaper and work with almost any phone, but they're generally bulkier and rely on friction rather than a mechanical lock.
For daily e-bike commuting, most riders are better off with a case-based system. E-bikes are heavier, faster and often ridden on bumpy shared paths, so a positive lock matters more than it would on a casual cruiser.
The best bike phone mounts for e-bikes
Quad Lock Out Front Mount Pro
Quad Lock is an Australian brand and its dual-stage locking system has a strong reputation with commuters and road cyclists. The Out Front Mount Pro is an anodised aluminium arm that sits your phone ahead of the bars, out of the way of your display and controls. That's handy on e-bikes where the stem area is already crowded with a head unit or remote. Spacers cover 22mm, 25.4mm, 31.8mm and 35mm bars, so it suits most flat-bar commuters and drop-bar e-road bikes. It also rotates a full 360 degrees for portrait or landscape navigation.
- Positive dual-stage lock: phone can't pop off over bumps
- Fits a wide range of bar diameters
- Huge range of cases for iPhone, Samsung and Google phones
- Needs a Quad Lock case or universal adaptor (sold separately)
- Needs a round bar section beside the stem; won't suit every cockpit
Quad Lock Handlebar/Stem Mount Pro
If there isn't room out front, this compact mount straps onto the stem or handlebar instead. Quad Lock says it fits diameters from 25mm to 40mm and attaches with either the supplied rubber O-rings (tool-free and easy to swap between bikes) or zip ties for a more permanent fit. It uses the same dual-stage lock as the Out Front Mount, so your case works on both. A separate flat adaptor is available for flat-topped stems.
- Small, light and easy to move between bikes
- Same secure lock as the pricier Quad Lock mounts
- Wide 25–40mm fit range
- Puts the phone lower and closer, so you'll look further down to read it
- O-ring fitting is handy but less permanent than zip ties
Peak Design Out Front Bike Mount V2
Peak Design's Mobile system uses SlimLink, which combines magnets with a mechanical lock. The magnets pull the phone into place so you can mount it one-handed without looking, and the mechanical latch keeps it there. The cases are also MagSafe-compatible, so they double as everyday cases. The aluminium mount comes with collars for 22.2mm, 25.4mm, 31.8mm and 35mm bars, but Peak Design notes it isn't compatible with tapered or non-round bars.
- Fastest one-handed mounting of any system here
- Slim everyday cases that don't scream "bike mount"
- Light anodised aluminium construction
- Requires a Peak Design case or Universal Adapter
- Won't fit oval, aero or tapered bars
SP Connect Universal Bike Mount SPC+
SP Connect is popular with mountain bikers and motorcyclists, and its SPC+ system locks with a quarter turn. The Universal Bike Mount fits handlebars or stems from 22mm to 42mm, includes adaptors for flat and round surfaces, and can be used with or without its arm, so you can keep it low-profile or lift the phone for a better viewing angle. The big drawcard for e-bike riders is that SP Connect sells an Anti Vibration Module designed specifically for bicycles, which it says reduces up to 60% of vibrations. Check SP Connect's compatibility list before buying, as the module only suits certain mounts (some with an adaptor).
- Widest bar/stem fit range in this list
- Bicycle-specific vibration damper available
- Tool-free fitting with flexible positioning
- Needs SP Connect cases or the Universal Interface adaptor
- The damper doesn't fit every SP Connect mount, so check before you buy
Topeak Omni RideCase II
Don't want to replace your favourite phone case? The Omni RideCase II is a universal holder that grips the phone with stretchy silicone straps, then clicks onto Topeak's stem mount with its QuickClick system. It suits phones up to about 6.9 inches, keeps the front camera clear for face unlock, and works in portrait or landscape. It's a good choice if your household has several different phones that need to share one bike.
- Works with most phones without a dedicated case
- Light and simple
- Easy to share between riders
- Straps aren't as rock-solid as a mechanical case lock
- No weatherproofing to speak of
ROCKBROS Shockproof Phone Mount
ROCKBROS makes a large range of affordable clamp-style holders marketed for bikes, e-bikes and motorbikes. Its shock-absorbing one-click holder grips phones of roughly 4.7 to 6.8 inches and releases one-handed, with a tool-free handlebar clamp. Note that the listed clamp range is 18–28mm, so it suits many flat bars near the grips but not the thicker 31.8mm or 35mm section beside the stem. It's a sensible starting point if you want to try riding with a mounted phone before spending more.
- Budget friendly
- Works with most phones, no special case needed
- One-handed release
- Bulky plastic construction
- Limited bar diameter range
- ROCKBROS sells many similar-looking models, so check the listing carefully
Buying guide: what to look for
Vibration and your phone's camera
This one catches a lot of people out. Apple has published guidance warning that long-term exposure to high-amplitude vibrations in certain frequency ranges can degrade the optical image stabilisation (OIS) and closed-loop autofocus systems in iPhone cameras. Apple says it doesn't recommend mounting an iPhone to motorcycles with high-power or high-volume engines. For mopeds and scooters, which produce lower-amplitude vibrations, it recommends a vibration-dampening mount and limiting prolonged use.
Where do e-bikes fit? Apple doesn't mention them specifically. A pedal-assist e-bike motor isn't a petrol engine, and Quad Lock says bicycles aren't subjected to the same high-frequency vibrations as motorcycles, so it doesn't recommend fitting its motorcycle Vibration Dampener to bike mounts. On the other hand, SP Connect sells a damper designed for bicycles. A sensible middle ground: if you mostly ride smooth roads and bike paths, a standard mount is fine. If you ride lots of corrugated gravel, rough fire trails, or a high-powered or throttle e-bike that buzzes noticeably through the bars, a damped mount is cheap insurance for an expensive phone.
Waterproofing
Most modern flagship phones carry a water-resistance rating, but that doesn't mean they love a Brisbane storm at speed. If you commute in all weather, look for a system with a dedicated rain cover. Quad Lock's Poncho, for example, is a phone-specific weatherproof cover that still works with its mounts. Budget "phone bags" with a clear window keep rain off, but they can fog up and make the touchscreen harder to use, and they tend to trap heat on hot days.
Handlebar and stem sizes
Measure before you buy. Common handlebar diameters are 22.2mm (at the grips on flat bars), 25.4mm, 31.8mm and 35mm (the thicker centre section). Many e-bikes also have chunky integrated stems or a display mounted at the centre of the bar, leaving limited space. Check that the mount's listed diameter range covers the spot you want to use, and remember that out-front mounts need a round section beside the stem.
Heat
Australian summers are rough on phones. Running navigation with the screen at full brightness in direct sun can make a phone overheat and dim its screen. Keeping the phone on a charger and in a sealed bag makes it worse. On hot days, consider turning off screen-on navigation and using audio prompts instead.
Australian road rules for phones on bikes: bicycle riders are covered by mobile phone road rules in every state and territory, and the details vary. As a general guide, NSW and Victorian transport authorities say you must not hold a phone while riding. You may use it for calls, audio and navigation only if it's secured in a commercially made holder fixed to the bike, or if you can use it without touching it. Texting, video calls, emailing, social media and photography while riding are prohibited. Queensland's rules also ban holding a phone while riding, and cyclists have been fined for it. Fines are significant, so check your own state or territory's transport authority website for the current rules before you ride.
A phone mount is one piece of a well-sorted commuter setup. For the rest of the kit, see our guide to essential e-bike accessories.
FAQ
Will an e-bike motor damage my iPhone camera?
Apple's guidance focuses on high-power motorcycles, and it says smaller vehicles like mopeds and scooters produce lower-amplitude vibrations. It doesn't mention e-bikes specifically. Most riders on sealed roads use standard mounts without issue, but if you ride rough terrain often, a vibration-damped mount reduces the risk.
Is it legal to use my phone for navigation on a bike in Australia?
Generally yes, if it's in a commercially made holder fixed to the bike and you don't do anything beyond permitted functions like navigation, audio and calls. Holding the phone while riding is illegal in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. Rules vary between states, so check your local transport authority.
Quad Lock, Peak Design or SP Connect: which is best?
All three are secure. Quad Lock has the widest case range, Peak Design has the slickest magnetic one-handed mounting and everyday-friendly cases, and SP Connect offers a bicycle-specific vibration damper. Pick the system whose cases suit your phone and your daily use.
Can I use my existing phone case?
With clamp mounts like the Topeak Omni RideCase II or ROCKBROS holders, usually yes. With case-based systems you need the brand's case, or you can stick a universal adaptor to the back of a slim case. Quad Lock, Peak Design and SP Connect all offer one.
Where should I mount my phone on an e-bike?
Out-front mounts put the phone in your line of sight and leave the stem free. Stem mounts are compact and suit crowded cockpits. Make sure the phone doesn't block your e-bike's display, bell, lights or brake lines.