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Topeak Ridecase with mount

8
£39.99

VERDICT:

8
10
A smart mount for a smartphone. Simple to install and easy to use
Weight: 
107g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Topeak Ridecase (with mount) is a solid piece of kit that lets you attach your phone to your bike securely. You can then have full access to music, cycling apps, GPS and so on on the go, making full use of your phone while riding.

Made for the iPhone 6 – although available in other sizes – the case fitted my phone like a glove and felt very secure. The mount is made from composite fibre and machined aluminium; it's strong and light, and seemed well made and solid.

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You can fix the mount to your bar quickly and easily, joining the two separate pieces together around the bar, or if space on your handlebar is limited you can ditch the bar mount bit and fit it direct to the top of your steerer, screwing it in instead of your stem cap. Once mounted it's easy to adjust the angle of the mount, so you can set the phone screen just how you want.

Not only can you adjust the angle of your phone, you can rotate it, too, so you aren't stuck in portrait mode if you need landscape. This makes using certain navigation apps easier. Need a navigation app to go with the case? You could download Topeak's Panobike, though of course it'll work with any app on your phone.

The model I tested has an open front, so your phone is exposed to the weather, but you can buy a weatherproof version (£54.99 with mount). If you're heading out on a ride and it looks a little cloudy, you might need to move your phone to a pocket if it starts to rain, or shove a ziplock bag over the whole mount.

The case, which is very light, clips into the mount securely; I never thought for a second it would fall out. It also comes off very quickly, so when you leave your bike anywhere you can just grab your phone and go.

When you do remove your phone for a coffee break, you will see the case has a clever little stand. This means you can prop it up and check how you're doing, where you're going and so on, without having to hold it – leaving both hands free for a coffee mug in one and cake fork in the other!

The benefits of having your smartphone handlebar-mounted are obvious. For me, it's about going on new routes and navigation. The Ridecase made mounting a doddle and gave me full access to my phone's features.

Verdict

A smart mount for a smartphone. Simple to install and easy to use

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Topeak Ridecase with mount

Size tested: iPhone 6

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The case is designed for the iPhone 6, for cyclists who want access to their phone while riding.

Topeak says: "Clip in your iPhone 6 to use as a cycling computer with apps, including the Topeak Panobike app, use it to navigate as a GPS device, listen to music, and much more while riding. The RideCase has a separate protective composite fiber panel which integrates with the high-grade engineering plastic exoskeleton to securely hold your iPhone while on the go. An integrated flipstand allows comfortable viewing in landscape or portrait orientation while off the bike. Its unique and full angle adjustable mount allows viewing in landscape or portrait orientation and lets you mount or remove the RideCase in seconds."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Material: Engineering grade plastic frame with composite fiber base plate / Machined aluminum

Mount: Included mounts for installation on handlebar, stem or stem cap

Added Features: Integrated flipstand for landscape or portrait viewing

Angle adjustable rotates for landscape or portrait viewing

Size (L x W x H) 14.1 x 7 x 1.6 cm /

5.6' x 2.8' x 0.6' (case)

Weight: 27 g / 0.95 oz (case)

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

The mount is very well made and the case feels solid.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

No reason to think it won't last a long time.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

The case is really lightweight and the weight of the whole unit isn't noticeable once mounted.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

A little on the expensive side, but it is a well made piece of equipment.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The case and mount worked really well with my phone and bike.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I liked the flexibility of the mount and how easy it was to use.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 34  Height: 158cms  Weight: 61kg

I usually ride: Giant Defy  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking

 

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2 comments

Avatar
KiwiMike | 8 years ago
0 likes

Buyer beware - The last few higher-end ('>£1k') bikes I've worked on have had three different top cap/expanding bolt mechanisms to deal with carbon steerers, none of which would have fitted this mount that's expecting the trad star-nut-under-the-top-cap.

Avatar
Dr_Lex | 8 years ago
0 likes

I've been using one for years, first with an iPhone 4, and now with a 5; it's a great, secure mount.
Only difference looks to be that it used to come with a rubber rain cover; looks like you now need to choose the weather-proof version.

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