Minoura Phone Grip smartphone holder

With many smartphone apps these days that take the role of a bike computer, along with mapping, many are wishing to mount their phones on the handlebars for easy view. This Minoura iPhone holder uses a ratcheted side-grip, making it near universally compatible with the ubiquitous rectangular smartphone shape.

As part of the delivery for the Minoura Live Training package, which includes the iOS app, this holder was designed primarily with the iPhone in mind. Referred to as a 'phone grip' in the packaging however, and with the way in which the phone is held, it should suit many others. Basically, the phone is clamped from the sides by means of two claws that slide on ratchets. To mount the phone, you place it on a foam center pad - centered by a lower lip - then push the clamps in together - that simple. We had the 'M' size on test, which can range in width from 28-35mm - able to fit an iPhone and hardcase. A 'S' is also available: 22-29mm.

The phone is then supported by three points: bottom-left, left and right. Testing with my iPhone 4, this proves to be an extremely secure hold, due to the grippy padding used on the back plate and grips; the phone isn't going anywhere without the clamp in tow. The iPhone 4 is a uniform shape throughout, allowing maximum grip contact area. I'm not sure the hold would be quite as tight with some of the curved phones on the market, but with the clamps clawing around the top slightly, I shouldn't imagine it would be a problem. An additional rear pad is included to thicken it out if necessary.

If you're using this with the Live Training package, you'll no doubt have the ANT+ dongle too. It just about fits into the dock connector, around the lower support point. Other phones, with USB connectors on the side, may have difficulties running with accessories in this mount however.

The clamping mechanism is attached to the gripper with a single bolt, between a toothed interface for angle adjustment. The bolt is tightened prior to inserting the phone, so if you want to sit the phone at a specific angle, you'll be juggling between the two. Once tightened, it is solid with zero play.

The clamp itself is a robust metal job, with a Kilner jar style lock. Clamp diameter is adjusted by means of a bolt on the opposite side, adjusting the pivot location. I found it quite hard to adjust, because of how much extra shortening the lock adds. There is a silicon strip for grip, but it doesn't have much give in it like the rubber gasket of a Kilner jar. Secondly, because the diameter is adjusted on the opposite side of the circle, you end up with a slight oval, rather than a circle. Once I did get it right, the clamp was secure and didn't wiggle or rotate on the bars - fairly essential given the weight, bulk and value of most phones.

With a clamp range of 28-35mm, I believe it is intended for the bars. Due to the length of smartphones and inevitable overhang though, I found this a really bad place. Riding out of the saddle was impossible due to my knee clipping the bottom edge and to me it just looked vulnerable - especially considering the clamp release button is located on the underside of said edge. Taking a leaf from Garmin's book, I managed to clamp t to my stem instead, by maxing out the range of the clamp and rotating the platform 90deg. It worked well in this position, apart from the odd drips of sweat.

Minoura's iH-100 is a solid smartphone holder, which ticks all the boxes and one which I do not doubt with the security of my iPhone. The only flaws I can find are ones which are inherent to mounting a phone to a bike's handlebars: the bulkiness of a smartphone compared to a bike computer and the lack of protection from the elements.

If you're looking for a bike clamp for your phone, you'll have already decided this isn't a problem for you though, and if that is the case, I can thoroughly recommend Minoura's.

Verdict

A bulky thing to have on the handlebars - but it is very secure.