The end of the 2022 season is a good time to summarize the long term tests. In April, my wife and I received a set of phone mounts for bikes from Peak Design company. What do we think about this gadget? Can You trust them to hold Your smartphone even when riding thru tough terrain? We invite you to the summary of our long term test.
Peak Design Mobile – Specification
Peak Design Mobile is a whole series of products that have been created for the use of smartphones in various conditions, and especially when traveling. The basis of this system is a specially fitted case for the smartphone. It has a small square hole on its back with special magnets. These two solutions create the SlimLink system. Thanks to this, the phone can be securely attached to various types of mounts. There are tripods, universal mounts, bike, motorcycle, car and even wall mounts. Mounting options are numerous and they are prepared to specific conditions of usage. With the car holder, which can be equipped with an inductive charger, a magnet is enough to hold the phone in the right position. But when riding a mountain bike, it is definitely not enough. At those more demanding conditions there is additional mechanical system of mounting that holds our smartphone securely in the right place. You can read more about the system, choosing the right components and our first impressions in the article Peak Design Mobile – Bike mount for smartphone.
Peak Design Mobile – After season
In total, we received for a test: Peak Design Everyday Case for Samsung S21, an Universal Adapter, Bike Mount Out Front and a Universal Bar Mount holder. Having the base of the Peak Design SlimLink system on all the time with our smartphones, we additionally decided to buy also a Car Mount. We divided the components between us as follows. My wife Ola wrapped her new S21 in Everyday Case Fabric. There is no option for a dedicated case from Peak Design for my older S10, which is why I used the Universal Adapter sticker. Then we got 2 different mounts for the test, but there was no problem with who is taking what here either. The Bike Mount Out Front mount supports handlebars with a maximum diameter of 31.8 mm, while the handlebar in my enduro bike has a diameter of 35 mm. So the first one was taken by Ola to her Marin trail bike, while I used the Universal Bar Mount. The car holder is universal, so our phones worked in it alternately.
Peak Design Mobile – Everyday Case Fabric Samsung S21 – Ola
From the beginning, as soon as we received the items for testing, my phone is always dressed in Everyday Case Fabric. And this even when I do not ride a bike and do not use a dedicated mounts. Why? Mainly due to the fact that the case is slim, does not enlarge the phone, and thanks to the material finish on the back, it is securely held in the hand, even when with sweaty fingers or wearing gloves made of slippery material. During these months of use, I appreciated not only its appearance, but also the level of protection for the pretty precious smartphone. Because not once, not twice my Samsung S21 scored an uncontrolled flight towards the floor or pavement. Fortunately, phone emerged from such this situations unscathed, as did the case itself. And perhaps most importantly – despite intensive use, it still looks like new. The material finish is easy to clean, and the case itself looks as good as right after I took it out of the box.
Peak Design Mobile – Universal Adapter – Marek
The universal adapter from Peak Design is a simple tool to use the benefits of the Mobile system and SlimLink mounts when a dedicated case is not available for Your model of smartphone. It is a special sticker that can be attached to any case from another manufacturer. The only condition is that the surface of its “back” must be smooth. I stuck my adapter on a standard phonecase. The first impression was that it sticks out a bit and I was wondering how the 3M tape on which it is glued will withstand everyday use like hiding in pocket and etc. I definitely wouldn’t want to change the case on my phone depending on whether I go out on the bike and use the Peak Design system or not. Fortunately, it turned out that the mount is as strong as declared by the manufacturer and despite constant use, the adapter holds as it should. The outer layer is a nice in touch material and a plastic frame. In addition to the obvious advantage of using the Peak Design system, an interesting and sometimes useful option is the fact that thanks to the magnet I can easily attach the phone to a metal surface. For example, while staying in a hotel recently, I was able to hang phone for the night on a ladder which was just next to the bed. To sum up, after a few months of continuous use, the adapter sticks to the case as it should and at the same time perfectly holds the phone in dedicated Peak Design Mobile mounts.
Peak Design Mobile – Bike Mount Out Front – Ola
Bike Mount Out Front accompanies me during every shorter or longer bike ride. The phone attached to it can be conveniently operated even while riding. The handle itself, after it is mounted on the handlebars, holds securely and it only had to be corrected once throughout the season. But that’s after Marek took my bike it upside down, and layed it on the mount. Otherwise, there would be no need to move it at all. What is important, even when I do not use the bike mount, because, for example, I am going to just on a short ride the store, it does not interfere with the everyday use of the bike. It is very light and not that big, so You can quickly get used to its presence on the handlebars.
I don’t ride the bike in such extreeme way as Marek, but still the Bike Mount survived few rides thru the Greek rocks or Kampinos roots without any trouble. The phone was always stable and secure, not swinging from side to side. If You want to take it away from the mount then You can press just one of buttons on the back of it. It is easy to do with just one hand, even with my small hands. There was no situation in which I was concerned about the safety of my smartphone. Certainly, the Bike Mount Out Front is a great choice if you want to have your phone always at hand while riding or be able to use it for the navigation in terrain.
Peak Design Mobile – Universal Bar Mount – Marek
The universal handlebar mount has a very strong magnetic-mechanical fastening system. Already at the first attachment of the phone, as soon as the additional ceramic jaws click, you feel that there is no way for it to fall out of it. To release it, press one of the two buttons on the back of the mount. The whole thing is attached to the handlebar with a special silicone band. It easily covers a bike handlebar with a diameter of 35 mm or any other standard. After the first hook is properly attached, the end of the silicone band is fastened with another plastic hook. Thanks to this everything is fastened real tight and nothing flies loosely. Mounting is very quick and secure. It’s a great option for me because I use it only when I need it. If we are going on a trip into the unknown terrains, or discovering new trails and want to have a phone with a map on top, I just attach the mount in a few seconds. When I’ve rented an e-bike, or I have another test bike at my disposal, I just fasten the mount and I’m ready to go. Without bolts, washers and other complications. However, if I go to for a ride at local spot or a bikepark, where I know the trails, I leave a clean cockpit, without any additional equipment.
Universal Bar Mount is a very convenient solution, especially since its head rotates 360 degrees, locking in 32 different positions. This gives you the ability to quickly rotate the phone by 90 degrees so that the phone don’t stick out of the handlebar too much, which minimizes the possibility of hooking it, e.g. with your knee. When riding in rough terrain and enduro or bikepark trails, the mount “works” a bit on the silicone strip and the whole phone tilts slightly from side to side. It’s not a big deal though. The mount does not make any noises and does not distract from what is more important at the moment, the trail in front of me. I have also seen opinions that it is better for the mount to work a bit, thanks to which it absorbs the smallest vibrations that can be harmful to the smartphone itself. Both the mount and my smartphone have already survived various long and short trips without any problems. Very rocky enduro trails in Greece, short trip to the enduro trails in Trutnov, or e-bike trip at Szczyrk made no mark at the phone or at the mount. I used it both at hot temperatures above 35 degrees, and also while temeperature was below zero, and everything still works as it should. I know that I can trust it and that it will still serve me well during many future bike trips.
Peak Design Mobile – Our thoughts
As I mentioned in the earlier presentation of the Mobile series products, we already had experience with the Peak Design product in the past. We have been using their backpack-mounted camera holder for several years and we are extremely pleased with this solution. That is why we set the bar high when it comes to our expectations, about the bike mounts and SlimLink system. As in the case of the Capture mount, Peak Design did not disappoint us with the Mobile series. We can both confirm the high quality of the products. Their designs and workmanship are at a very high level and we can trust the mount without any concerns, even when riding thru rough terrain. Peak Design gives a lifetime warranty for all its original solutions, so we believe that our Mobile series products will serve us for a long time. The only technical flaw we’ve spotted is that the Bike Mount doesn’t support 35mm handlebars. But my example showed well that the universal holder works great with them. We have no further complaints about those products.
Peak Design Mobile – is it worth to buy?
From the user’s point of view, perhaps the biggest disadvantage is the price we pay for the system. If we want to buy a smartphone case, a bike mount and a car holder, we have to take into account the cost close to 150 USD. So is it worth it? It is a matter of individual assessment of the convenience of such solutions. But have in mind that Your new smartphone also costs a lot of money (not to mention the prices of bikes …) and it is worth being sure about the mounting system that it will not fail. I don’t use the bicycle mount every day, but the mobile system accompanies us all the time. The car holder, which is operated without any locks or buttons, also works great. Just bring the phone closer and the magnet does its job. To sum up, the whole system, although expensive, works really well in various situations and is great companion when going for the new adventures.
About Peak Design
Peak Design is a brand created out of passion for photography and travel. It became famous in the world thanks to the original capture mount for photographic equipment. The current offer includes various transport solutions useful for travel and everyday use. Peak Design cares about the highest quality of its products, and the proof of this is the lifetime warranty for each of proprietary solution.
Official web page: peakdesign.com
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