Best bike phone mounts for electric bikes

It was 2016. Electric bikes were slowly but surely gaining traction. Working in a bike retailer, I started writing, snapping images and shooting some video to help explain what this seemingly growing niche of the bike market was all about. Perhaps I was naive, but little did I think that sales of e-bikes would triple in Europe and North America over the next 5 years. 

In the intervening years, I’ve tip-toed around some trails on an e-MTB, slalomed through a French park on an electric hybrid and even lugged some heavy gear across London with an electric cargo bike. Whatever you’re getting up to on two wheels, it’s (mostly) a damn sight more fun on an e-bike.

The sheer variety of quality e-bikes available on the market today is, come to think of it, quite staggering. Folding e-bikes made from carbon fibre. Hybrid electric bikes that can be ridden 120 miles before they need charging. Electric road bikes that weigh under a paltry 10kg. 

And, speaking very generally, whilst the quality of e-bikes has improved, their cost has also come down. Perhaps not enough for all of us to become two-wheel evangelists overnight. But today, is it possible to buy a decent e-bike for £1000/$1500/€1200? I’ve no doubt. Sure, I’ve ridden e-bikes that cost over five times as much, but do you need all the bells and whistles to enjoy the freedom and thrill of an e-bike? Definitely not. 

However, there’s one slightly awkward problem facing riders of electric bikes. Where do you mount your phone?

Most electric bikes have considerably more going on around the handlebars than a conventional bike. Often there are displays, motor controllers, or remotes all competing for valuable handlebar real estate. That’s before you might want to add a bell, a light - heck, even a handlebar bag. And if your e-bike doesn't have a display capable of navigation, you might want your phone there too.

To solve this problem, of course, you could spend considerably more money on an e-bike with integrated navigation. At the time of writing, Bosch, the leader in e-bike systems, has four display systems that allow riders to navigate - each of them enabled by riders using the accompanying eBike Flow App and syncing it to their bike. 

Amongst many other features, this app has the ability to help you navigate by bike - there’s even a feature that allows users to import routes from komoot or Strava - just not Google Maps, sorry.

The problem? An e-bike with a Bosch Kiox 300 system (the cheapest out of the box solution - the Bosch Smartphone Grip is an aftermarket accessory that requires a Bosch Kiox mounting system) can cost around £3,000/$4000/€3500. That's a lot of money if all you really want is a decent way of navigating whilst enjoying your brand new electric bike.

Other options on the market include e-bikes with accompanying apps and smartphone mounts, which in turn allow navigation. Specialized, Cowboy and TENWAYS are two that come to mind. Great options, but if you’re not a fan of their design, specifications, or their limited frame sizes, you’re back to square one.

A good bike phone mount, on the other hand, can turn the smartphone you already own into a navigation and ride-tracking screen without requiring you to buy a more expensive e-bike. But not every bike phone mount is equally well suited to an electric bike.

So, what should you look for in a phone mount for an electric bike?

Do you need a specific phone mount for an electric bike?

No, but also, yes! What you do need is a mount that works with your particular e-bike. 

As we’ve already covered, e-bike handlebars can be surprisingly complicated. You may have a centrally mounted display, a handlebar-mounted controller, or simply very little spare space between the stem and your controls. 

Many popular e-bike also fitted with non-standard handlebars and stems, further limiting mounting options. Some examples that spring to mind include the Tern GSD electric cargo bike and the Brompton Electric folding e-bike. 

Non-standard handlebars could be those that fold or have a radical rise or sweep. Whilst proprietary stems are also commonplace on many e-bikes. By that, I mean they are specific to that e-bike and usually won’t fit a standard stem cap.

An e-bike can also be heavier and faster than a conventional bike, so if I were riding an e-bike, I'd be more particular about how securely my phone is held. A secure fit or clamp for your phone is a must.

All that is to say, you don't necessarily need an e-bike phone mount; you just need a good bike phone mount that works well with an e-bike. So, here are some features to look out for.

What makes a good phone mount for an e-bike? 

There are plenty of things to consider when choosing a bike phone mount, and we've covered these in more detail in our guide to the features to look for in a bike phone mount.

However, e-bikes bring a few additional considerations into the equation.

E-Bike compatibility 

Before buying a phone mount, take a good look at your handlebars. Where is the e-bike display positioned? Where is the motor controller? How much usable handlebar is left? And where will the phone sit once it's mounted?

You don't want your phone obscuring the display you've just paid a considerable amount of money for. Nor do you want the mount interfering with your brake levers, gear shifters or other controls.

Next, check that the mount will actually fit your handlebars. This is particularly important if your e-bike has an unusual handlebar diameter or an integrated cockpit. This is where a compact mount, or a stem-mounted bike phone mount, can make a lot of sense. 

The LOOP Micro Mount, for example, replaces the bike’s stem cap, making use of a rather un-used space on a bike.

Display and handlebar configuration for popular electric bikes

Whilst it's very unlikely I’ve covered the make of your e-bike, let alone the model, for some extra guidance, I’ve put together this table to give you an idea of e-bike configurations.

Please note: Check the exact model before purchasing, as the handlebar and stem combination can vary by model and model year.

Attachment system and removal

E-bikes aren't cheap, so you're probably not going to leave yours locked up outside a café with your phone still attached to the handlebars. In most cases, you'll either be locking the bike somewhere secure or taking it inside with you. Either way, your phone is coming with you.

That makes the attachment and removal system of a bike phone mount for an e-bike important. If you're using your phone for navigation, you want to be able to take it off the bike quickly when you stop, then put it back on just as easily when you set off again. There’s little point in having a beautifully engineered mount if removing your phone requires the sort of concentration normally reserved for servicing a bottom bracket.

The LOOP Mount, for example, uses a simple handlebar fitment, clamps a phone quickly, holds it securely while riding, but allows you to remove it in seconds when you reach your destination.

Phone compatibility

Finally, when buying a bike phone mount for an e-bike, make sure the mount is compatible with your phone.

Some bike phone mounts use a dedicated case that attaches directly to the mounting mechanism. Others use an adhesive attachment you’ll need to stick to your phone. Some have a universal mounting system. 

Whilst there's no right or wrong approach here, a dedicated case can provide a secure solution but ties you into that brand's ecosystem.

Universal bike phone mounts usually mean you don't have to change your existing phone case (or even have a case at all), but their wide-range compatibility usually comes at the cost of design. Think unsightly rubber straps or flappy plastic covers. 

The best bike phone mount for electric bikes

So, which bike phone mounts are actually worth considering for an e-bike? That’s up to you. We've looked at the things that matter most when fitting a phone to an electric bike, including compatibility and attachment systems.