My phone is too large (iPhone 16 Pro), but they all are nowadays. I want to take it on rides, but I don’t need it as a bike computer b/c I have a Garmin 1050.
How do ya’ll ride with your phone? In jersey pocket? If so, do you put in any kind of wallet / case?
In frame bag? If so, any recommendations for bags that will fit a large phone but aren’t mammoth?
I switched over to a handlebar bag a few years ago for my longer rides. I have a Road Runner small burrito bag (thanks to Iain’s favorites list!), but lots of other companies make them (check out Speedsleev Diego). Not the sleekest look, but it helps for quick access and packing additional stuff which is nice.
I also have an Apple Watch Ultra with cellular service activated (add’l. $10/mo) so I could ride without my phone on me and still have the ability to make/receive calls. There’s even the ability to listen to music or podcasts, but you lose the camera option of the physical phone.
What else are you taking on your rides and where do you stash them now?
I keep my phone, ID, medical card, credit card, and a fiver in this: Jersey Pocket Tool Case | Bike Tool Bag | WaterField Designs. Fits perfectly in the center pocket.
I use this same case to carry my phone and other bike items (cash, co2, latex gloves, multitool, lens wipes, etc)
Thanksgiving day 2024 my phone fell out of my jersey pocket on a ride and I spent the whole morning sorting that out instead of helping my wife host. I bought this case the next day.
I just put it in my center jersey pocket. No case (well other than the normal phone case that’s always on it). Never had an issue with it. And ride solo a lot so it’s nice to have easy access to it to switch songs/podcasts.
I’ve got my phone in a small water proof bag that Spur Cycle used to make from sail cloth. I also keep money in the bag, as well as my Dyna Plug racer and a mask. My phone wears an Otterbox phone case.
I carry my phone (Samsung S21 FE) in my middle jersey pocket, in a PRO Discover phone wallet. Together with my keys, ID and some cash in there.
It has a top zipper which I generally leave open - still allows easy access to take a quick photo. Has some padding for protection of the phone, and is water/(sweat) proof.
If it’s pouring, I do close the zipper to keep the phone protected.
Otherwise, I also like a front triangle frame bag to keep my phone. But I find those trickier to keep dry in case of rain.
I had my phone in a burrito bag once for a particularly gnarly gravel ride. It accidentally called 911!
This is precisely why I’m still using my iPhone 12 Mini. It’s getting long in the tooth and runs slower, but it’s pocketable.
I use a Lead Out (RIP) ride wallet, which is just big enough for my 17 pro with a slim case. Has a zippered pocket that I put some bandaids and swabs in for an emergency which is nice. No issues with having it on my back every ride. I think the Silca Borsa(?) is the closest existing option.
12 mini was my favorite phone ever David, but the slowness made me upgrade.
Great bags, I wish I had picked up a second one.
Mine contains a Cycplus AS2 Ultra, SpurCycle Tool, Silca TPU tube and a Silca Gear Wipe. I toss in a DL, CC & house keys when heading out.
Phone usually sits in my right jersey/jacket/vest pocket, so I can easily access it for pictures on the fly. If it’s raining, I just move it to a jersey pocket under a vest or jacket
There’s a lot of options on Amazon but I have some heavy duty 8 mil thick zip lock bags shaped like my phone. They’re available in many different sizes and one lasts me a few years. I have one that fits my iPhone and wallet and another in the original iPhone size that I put my keys and garage door opener in. One in my left jersey pocket and one in my right. Fits and they haven’t fallen out when I’ve wrecked. $20 and I’ll be dead before I’ve used them all.
Be careful with putting your phone in a bag on the bike. Particularly a top tube bag. Had a friend that’s camera stabilisation got destroyed by vibrations. If you do do it, then make sure to put a layer of soft foam under it to absorb as much high frequency vibration as possible. Another tip with iPhones is to turn off the raise to wake and tap to wake. Your battery life will thank you for this.
That being said, carrying my phone in a thigh pocket on a pair of cargo bibs has been quite nice. It’s quick access and unnoticeable. iPhones are very well weather sealed so I don’t bother with a waterproof bag.
Your iPhone is waterproof so just use the case you use to protect it on a daily basis and stick it in your jersey pocket. No, need to overthink it nowadays.
The days of needing to protect it from rain or falls have gone.
Usually just a jersey pocket, but if I’m wearing cargo bibs it’ll then go in the cargo pocket - mainly just because it’s easier to keep en eye / hand on whilst still being mostly unobtrusive.
They were made by Mission Workshop. Can order their upgraded version.
Unfortunately modern phones are neither 100% waterproof nor immune from impact damage. IPX ratings are based on the time a phone spends submerged at some depth and the time a phone is subjected to a high pressure spray. None of them rate a phone 100% waterproof independent of time and water pressure.
Given that for some folks–definitely not all–the phone is a critically important device, it’d be unwise for those folks to make the mistake of assuming their phone is waterproof.
@Chris_Blackstone yeah mate just in the back pocket is the best and if you are super sweaty or in the rain a plastic resealable sandwich bag or similar is good for about 50-100 rides and cost effective unless you want a more permanent type of bag. Lezyne used to make quite a good waterproof bag called the Caddysack and the medium size should hold you iP16.
Happy trails
I use an apple watch with LTE–on my wrist and can take calls and message. also use it to pay for snickers bars.
