The Velotrac Pak was the only iPhone bicycle holder that was suitable for the rainy days and tossed cans of cider that occasionally make riding such a pleasure. Instead of attaching the phone to the handlebars, the Velotrac attaches to the top tube and packs the phone into a clear pocket in the lid of a small gear bag.
We took the Velotrac out in a heavy rainstorm and although it did a good job of protecting the phone, we did find a good deal of condensation inside the pouch after a half-hour ride.
The Velotrac attached easily to the frame with three velcro straps that are more than long enough to surround the fattest tubes. It's not a permanent connection though, so we had to remove the whole thing every time we parked the bike to thwart the thieves.
The iPhone screen was visible through a clear plastic window, but operating the phone was not easy and it wasn't as bright as it was without the cover. On the other hand, it was handy that Velotrac included a rubber orifice to pass the headphone cable through, although we prefer Bluetooth headphones when we're on the bike.
It was very tough to remove the phone from the pouch, which would thwart any cheeky chappies who try to grab your gear like the brass ring on a merry-go-round. With the other brackets, we thought someone might be tempted to have a go at grabbing the phone. Although it would be hard to wrench it out of any of the brackets, unless you already knew how to twist it out, it could have damaged the phone, so the Velotrac is a good choice if you fear the weather or scalliwags.
Velotrac also offers a free iPhone app (iTunes link), which you can use with any bike mount -- or just save the coin and put it in your pocket. You can also use the Velotrac with any phone that fits in the pocket, not just the iPhone -- but it'll have to be the same size or smaller than an iPhone 3GS to fit.
£22.00 ($29.95 plus $4.95 shipping to the UK) direct from Velotrac
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Comments 3
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Anonymous 13 August, 2010 11:01
Doesn't it ever rain whre you guys live? Only 1 was sort of protective agaist rain (although it was full of condensed water after some time - which will proove very harmful).
Does the closed and watertight "thing" not exist yet?
I drive a motorbike i Denmark where it rains frequently. I need a closed box that lets me operate it while driving (get off my case about the danger of this - I don't care). Besides it must be mount in a secure and maybe suspended manner, that can deal with vibrations.
Anyone?
Anonymous 10 September, 2010 12:59
I have owned both the Go Ride and Dahon iPhone mounts and can not recommend them. The plastic that attaches the holders to the mounts snapped on both. My iPhone is now badly scratched from two falls but miraculously still working. I don't do heavy mileage and only cycle on London roads - which are reasonably smooth. I am tempted by the Velotrac, because it doesn't rely on brittle plastic to attach to the bike, but think I'll hang on until there are more reviews.
Anonymous 16 October, 2010 22:37
of these mounts only the velotrac offers the possibility of accomodating an extra battery. Surely non of these mounts are any good for touring with gps unless they incorporate an auxillary battery. Why has no one done it?