Phone Mounts

Ram or Quadlock

The Quadlock looks neater, the X Grip does the job

We riders are finding more and more the need to have our phone available on our bikes and whilst more and more bikes are coming out with Apple Play or the Google equivalent they are not always the best way. Phones have also in many instances become replacements for standalone Satnav units with better and better Apps and native maps to save on data use. So the question is how do we mount them and which is the best?

I have tried two systems over the past 3years on a couple of bikes, the RAM X-mount and the Quadlock. There are pros and cons with both, and I’d like to share my experiences of using them with you.

Ram Mount

www.ram-mount.co.uk

This was the first phone mount I used. It is based around a modular system with 1inch balls that connect the various parts of the system comprising multiple options for mounting the base to the bike. These range from clamps to go around the bars, to replacement brake/clutch reservoir cover replacements, headstock bolt replacements etc. The list is extensive, and you can easily get lost in the options catalogue. Then there is the X-Mount. This is a spring-loaded X grip that holds the phone. Initially you feel that your phone is vulnerable, it does not look like it’s going to hold the phone, but it does. I tried it on and off road and even dropped my off-road bike but never found the X-Mount lost its grip. There is also an optional rubber that loops over the corners of the phone for extra security. I never used mine, but its there if you feel the need.

Between the X-Mount and the bike mount there is usually a connector comprising a spring-loaded arm that connects to a 1inch ball at either end. This system gives you almost unlimited options for positioning as both ends of the arm can be swivelled. Once set and locked off the position doesn’t move, at least I never found it to. What I did find though was that you could place the phone into its holder and as you ride it can move about move about 15deg.

The X grip can allow the phone to rotate slightly

Then you end up with you phone slightly out of alignment. Not a big problem unless you suffer a bit with OCD and like things ‘just right’. I know I do. With a bit of fiddling with the initial set up you can all but prevent this, but not always.

The end of each gripping arm also has a rubber end. These are just a push fit and can come off and get lost. As these are needed to ensure a good hold on your phone it may be necessary to think about gluing them in place.

With a RAM X Grip you just clip the phone in. There is no need for a specific phone case.

Price of a basic set up is about £75 but it all depends on the fitting options you choose.

Quadlock

www.quadlockcase.co.uk

If I was so happy with the Ram mount system, why you may ask did I move over to Quadlock?

The answer is wireless charging. RAM Mount had started to offer wireless charging mounts, but they looked big and cumbersome. I wanted something else. Quadlock looked like they had the answer.

Like RAM the Quadlock system is modular. There is a basic male fitting that connects to a Quadlock female fitting in the back of a Quadlock phone case. Yes you do have to have a specific case.

Quadlock offer a wide variety of ways of fitting the base to your bike, I again went for a mount on the bars.

There are connecting arms etc. and they all allow a degree of customisation for the final positioning of the phone. What I would say is it isn’t quite as easy to get that ideal location as with the RAM mount system. You need to fiddle around a bit. At first, I ordered the bike fitting, base and Quadlock case and along with that what I though was the wireless charger. Unfortunately, it was a wireless charger but on for a car so wasn’t suitable for use on the bike. Also, I found out that Quadlock were in the process of changing the design of the bike specific water-resistant unit. So, I would have to return the unit I had, which was done and Quadlock were happy to provide a refund. So, for a few months I had just the basic Quadlock unit on my bike. This is probably the most direct comparison to the X Grip.

The connection between the phone, via the case and the mount is very direct and reassuring. You just push and twist a quarter turn and the phone is held firmly in place. You have a choice of putting the phone on and having it in a portrait or landscape orientation. To take the phone off you just depress the brightly coloured lever and twist the phone through a quarter turn and lift it off. What could be simpler? At this point I should mention that the Quadlock release lever comes in a bright sky blue, their corporate colours but other colour options are available. I had chosen red.

Handlebar mount to anti vibration fitting, to charging head

On the road the phone never moves and never looks like it is likely to. Whilst waiting for the release off the charging unit I had a simple USB cable attached to my phone, which worked fine.

Wireless Charging

After a couple of months, the wireless charging unit became available, and I ordered one. I also order the Quadlock antivibration mount to protect my phone, more specifically the tiny motor that provides the image stabilization in my iPhone. I had managed to destroy one on my Yamaha XT660Z so I didn’t want to take any chances even though three years on silky smooth Triumph had never been a problem. It must be said the thumper XT can undo nuts and bolts from 10m!!

The anti-vibe mount is a rubber mounted device that takes away any damaging vibes. It sits unobtrusively behind the phone, and in my case the wireless charger and just quietly gets on with its job.

The wireless charger is a neat bit of kit and simply bolts onto the basic mounting system, in this case the interim anti-vibe mount with a single bolt. Power to the charging unit is via a weatherproof USB C and USB connector. The charging unit is sprung and mounting the phone to it is as simple as aligning the fitting on the back of the phone with the mount and simply a push and a twist. The phone clicks into place and shows its charging. Simple. Well in theory yes. It takes a bit of time to be able to just walk up to the bike and twist and lock the phone in place. To start with it can be a bit of a phaff. Practise a bit and you won’t look like a fumbling fool in the car park. Thankfully, removal is simpler. Grip your phone, in its case, make sure your fingers are behind the case, push back on the sprung charger which releases the phone, so a quarter twist takes it off. No wires to unplug. That is it.

On the move the phone is held rock solid and I have found the even using a power-hungry Satnav and Spotify the phones sufficient power to remain charged. That’s not always the case.

All in the mount, anti-vibe fitting, case and charger cost just under £150.

So which to choose?

Pros

X Grip

Almost Infinite fitting options.

Versatility in positioning.

No need for a proprietary phone case.

Part of an extensive range.

Easy to fit.

Quadlock

Ease of fitting and comes with the tools to do it (Hex key).

Phone is held firmly in place.

Great quality design.

Neat wireless charging solution.

Cons

X Grip

Robust but looks ‘industrial’.

Phone can ‘spin’ slightly once fitted.

Rubber ends on arms can come off.

Quadlock

Needs a proprietary case. But this doubles up as phone protection anyway.

Will need a new case if you change your phone.

Positioning of phone not quite as simple as the RAM mount.

To Sum Up

When I first bought the RAM Mounts X-Grip I was very happy and would still be happy to use one. I would probably have stuck with RAM if they had developed a wireless charging solution for the X-Grip but they didn’t. Their solution was an entirely separate phone clamp to hold the phone. And it was well over £100. That’s when I started to look at alternatives and along came Quadlock. Their charging base is neat and sits almost entirely behind the phone. As a unit it costs much less than the RAM Mount solution and it just sits as an addition to their standard mounting system.

It is also a more modern design solution.

Would I still be happy to use the X-Grip? Absolutely, would I purchase another possibly. For now my go to is the Quadlock.

Phone Mounts. Which to Choose?

I Could Hardly Walk!!!!

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