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Zefal Universal Smartphone Adaptor Bike Kit

7
£23.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Secure and stable system for fitting any any smartphone to the stem of your bike
Secure
Simple to set up
Easy to use
No weatherproofing
Weight: 
31g

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The Zefal Universal Smartphone Adaptor Bike Kit allows you to fit any mobile phone to your stem via an adhesive adaptor and a mount so that you can see apps on the screen as you ride. It's a secure system that's very easy to use.

What you get here is Zefal's proven Z Bike Mount and an adaptor that you stick to the back of your phone or phone case.

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Zefal produces many kits that comprise a case for your phone, a Z Bike Mount, and a water resistant cover. However, most are designed for specific iPhone or Samsung models. If your phone is a different brand/model, Zefal offers the Z Console Universal Smart Phone Holder that we reviewed a few years ago (which is essentially a tray that'll accommodate a range of phone sizes), a Z Console Dry holder, or this Universal Smartphone Adaptor Bike Kit.

Setting things up is easy. You clean the back of your phone or phone case with the alcohol pad provided, peel off the coating on the back of the adaptor… 

Zefal Universal Smartphone Adaptor Bike Kit - adaptor 3M backing.jpg

…and stick it in place. That's it.

Zefal Universal Phone Adaptor Bike Kit in situ - 2.jpg

The surface you're sticking the adaptor to must be flat and non-porous, so the hard plastic back of your mobile phone is ideal. Many phone cases are good too, but soft materials, such as silicone, rubber and TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), are out.

The adaptor itself, which measures 65.5mm x 55mm and has a stack height of about 7mm, is made from polyamide and TPU, while the sticky stuff is 3M VHB (Very High Bond) adhesive tape. Ideally, you want to get your aim right first time but there's some leeway there because it cures over 72 hours. After this time, it's not going to come off accidentally; once stuck it stays stuck.

Zefal Universal Phone Adaptor Bike Kit in situ - 1.jpg

The Z Bike Mount fixes to your bike with stretchy O-rings, a bit like Garmin uses for its basic Edge computer mounts, for example. You get two different sizes in the box – 32mm and 36mm – which fit most stems.

Zefal Universal Smartphone Adaptor Bike Kit - bracket.jpg

You attach your phone by locating the adaptor on top of the mount and giving it an eighth turn clockwise. A resounding click tells you that the two are locked together. You can position your phone in either portrait or landscape orientation.

Zefal Universal Phone Adaptor Bike Kit in situ - 4.jpg

Removing your phone is a two-handed affair. You need to push in two buttons on the mount at the same time to release the lock, and turn your phone anti-clockwise. I've used Zefal's system loads, both with this kit and others, and I've never had a phone come off the Z Bike Mount unintentionally. It just doesn't happen. This is a really secure system.

Zefal Universal Phone Adaptor Bike Kit in situ - 3.jpg

As well as the Z Bike Mount, the adaptor is compatible with Zefal's Z Console Dual Handlebar Mount (£29.99), Z Armband Mount (£17.99), and Z Car Mount (£20.99), all of which are available to buy separately.

One thing you don't get here is any sort of cover for your phone, so if you get caught in the rain it's going to get wet and perhaps dirty from road spray. Most smartphones these days have some kind of waterproof rating, such as IP67, but this still might be a concern for you. If so, the Z Console Dry Holder mentioned earlier might be a better option for you.

Value

The £23.99 RRP isn't as good value as something like the Zefal Z Console for Apple iPhone X (£29.99) that I reviewed recently. The extra £6 you pay there gets you a soft thermoplastic polyurethane case for your phone plus a transparent cover to help keep the rain out.

On the other hand, Quad Lock offers a similar package to this, including a universal adaptor that sticks to your phone or phone case with 3M VHB adhesive and a stem mount, for £29.95.  Having used both systems, I'd say they're of comparable quality and equally secure, so Zefal's Universal Smartphone Adaptor Bike Kit provides better value for money.

> 28 of the best cycling apps

You can certainly get cheaper products that do a similar job. The BTR Silicone Handlebar Mobile Phone Mount that we reviewed earlier in the year was £11.99 at the time, for example, though it's now £19.99, while the Oso Velo X Cyclomount Bike Mount Holder is £17.49. Zefal's system is a little more pricey than those but it's a super-secure design that's very easy to use. The fact that you can buy other types of mount that are compatible with the adaptor might be a benefit to you as well.

Overall, the Zefal Universal Smartphone Adaptor Bike Kit is a solid design for fixing a smartphone to your bike's stem. It doesn't offer any protection from impact, rain or dirt, but it does a great job of holding your phone securely and firmly so you can use apps as you ride.

Verdict

Secure and stable system for fitting any any smartphone to the stem of your bike

road.cc test report

Make and model: Zefal Universal Smartphone Adaptor Bike Kit

Size tested: 55 x 65.5mm

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?

Zefal says, "The Universal Phone Adapter is a stick-on adapter suitable for all types of smartphones... This adapter is also compatible with other Zéfal holders. The Universal Phone Adapter can be used with all types of phones and cases except ones made from rubber, silicon, TPU and other soft materials. Choose a flat, non-porous surface (e.g. hard plastics) to attach the Universal Phone Adapter to but once it has been fit, it cannot be removed or reused."

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

Zefal lists these tech specs:

Material: Polyamides and TPU moulded

Dimensions: 55mm x 65.5 mm

Weight: 70g

Mounting: Delivered with the Z Bike Mount

Compatibility: Universal

Compatible mountings: Z Bike Mount, Z Handlebar Mount, Z Armband Mount, Z Car Mount

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

The Z Bike Mount is a solid design. The fact that the adaptor is held in place by adhesive tape might worry you, but that stuff really sticks! It's not like the double-sided sticky tape they used on Blue Peter!

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
7/10

You're probably not too fussed about the weight of a product like this. It's nowhere near as important as security.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

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

It works really well to hold your phone securely.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The security and stability of the design.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The lack of weatherproofing might put some people off. If so, there are other options out there from Zefal and other brands.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

The Zefal Z Console for Apple iPhone X (£29.99) that I reviewed recently is better value. An extra £6 gets you a soft thermoplastic polyurethane case for your phone plus a transparent cover to help keep the rain out.

On the other hand, Quad Lock offers a similar package, including a universal adaptor that sticks to your phone or phone case with 3M VHB adhesive and a stem mount, for £29.95. They're of comparable quality and equally secure, so Zefal's Universal Smartphone Adaptor Bike Kit provides better value for money.

You can certainly get cheaper products that do a similar job, but Zefal's system is super-secure and very easy 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

Use this box to explain your overall score

I'd say it's easily a 7 and possibly an 8 overall. I reckon value is slightly lower than that of Zefal's Bike Kit package that includes a phone case and transparent cover (£29.99), and that scored an 8 – hence the 7 here.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 48  Height: 190cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

Add new comment

11 comments

Avatar
Sriracha | 4 years ago
0 likes

Why does it need 2 hands to remove? Is it not possible to reach over the face of the phone to squeeze the buttons with finger and thumb whilst simultaneously grasping the phone and twisting?

Avatar
KiwiMike | 4 years ago
0 likes

I think an important point here is that it's a *two-handed* operation to remove. Quadlock is single-handed removal and replacement, even in thick gloves - meaning if you're riding you don't need to stop - answering a call, taking a photo, etc*. I reckon I'd end up wishing I'd spent the extra on a Quadlock very quickly...
 

* yes you can do all of these things in perfect safety.

Avatar
roadrunner23 replied to KiwiMike | 4 years ago
1 like

I can do all those things while driving my car too! But I'd be distracted and steering with only one hand while driving my 2 ton SUV. If you think cycling one handed while trying to take a call is OK then good luck to you.

Just remember that when you remove even one hand from the bars you have less control add-in a distracting element like a phone then you're as bad as those drivers who do the same.

Avatar
KiwiMike replied to roadrunner23 | 4 years ago
1 like

Genuinely trying to work out if you're for real or having a laff, conflating operating a 10kg bike with one hand vs. a 2,000kg car, being equally 'as bad'. 

...if you are for real, I suggest you *NEVER* watch any pro cycling, or visit Amsterdam, or in fact pretty much anywhere cold, ever - it's likely to kill you with apoplexy at the sheer reckless avalance of one-handed riding. Oh, and I recommend a read up on the laws of physics, mass / velocity / energy, etc. 

...also, you seem to be condeming anyone with only one functional arm to never cycling. Nice. 

Cheers  1

Avatar
ktache replied to KiwiMike | 4 years ago
0 likes

And don't forget the one handedness required when signalling.

Avatar
roadrunner23 replied to KiwiMike | 4 years ago
2 likes

I'm not saying that both are equivalent but you state that using a phone is "perfectly safe". I am just pointing out that many drivers used the same argument when using a mobile phone. You can't be in full control of your bike while riding one handed (those with a disability would have adaptations to allow them to have better control). I was just presenting the argument to you. While the consequences of a loss of control is likely to affect you rather than anyone else, it's not a good look when we are trying to get car drivers to give us more respect.

We argue that hands free sets in cars distract drivers but it's ok for us to make a phone call when riding on a public road? That would strike many motorists as being a double standard. 

We don't live in Amsterdam or any those other places you mention, our roads are rough, full of potholes, speeding cars and heavy trucks. The pro peleton again isn't facing the same issues although there has been more than one accident when  a pro has taken their hands off the bars.

p.s. hold a first class degree in Physics so know all about mass, velocity but thank you very much for your concern about my mental ability.

Avatar
Hirsute replied to roadrunner23 | 4 years ago
2 likes

It is clearly not 'perfectly safe' due to cognitive overload, however the cyclist will suffer but unlikely anyone else will

Avatar
KiwiMike replied to roadrunner23 | 4 years ago
0 likes

Your words, not mine: "you're as bad as those drivers".

Let's clear up a few things here shall we? 'Cognative overload' in this context is nonsense. I'm removing a phone to then press a button to take a photo. I will have naturally slowed down to suit the terrain/conditions, and also to reduce blur. There is no more 'overload' than trying to shift gears whilst thinking about what to eat next. Also, I can be having an inner monologue with myself about eating/drinking too much last night, or chatting with a friend about the foibles of gear cable outer selection and be using up far more brainpower than moving my right hand to take a picture. You've got no science on this, because using a phone to take a photo on a bike is a non-issue. I'm not trying to solve a quadratic equation or proof-read a dissertation on 14th century crop rotation. Likewise I'm not reading or sending text messages or social media posts whilst moving at 60MPH.

And your 'we are trying to get car drivers to give us more respect' victim-blaming collective-responsability nonsense shows just how far, far behind the curve you are, and how little you understand the issues. I take zero responsibility for anything you do just because you do it on two wheels, and I utterly reject your assertion that I'm responsible in any way for anything that happens to you. In asserting collective responsability you're no better than those who use it as a bigoted tool to hold back publicly-funded improvements to cycling infrastructure 'until cyclists stop breaking laws'. My derision for such views - held by people who ride or not - knows no depths, because the consequences of pandering to said views is that people die for want of said infrastructure. 

ps it's a photo, FFS, and I hardly ever ride on public roads these days. I'm all about the Gravel. 

Avatar
Hirsute replied to KiwiMike | 4 years ago
2 likes

You skipped over the using the phone for calls. Plenty of research on cognitive overload on that. I'd suggest your inner monologue can work in the same manner and you will tune out of your surroundings.

Avatar
KiwiMike replied to Hirsute | 4 years ago
0 likes

Look OK OK for all the pedants out there: It's a bloody stupid thing to do, answering a call single- or double-fisted whilst descending a 20% hill in the wet whilst shouting at mothers with prams to get out of the way of the oncoming HGV. 

My specific statement was, relevant to taking photos or answering a phonecall: '* yes you can do all of these things in perfect safety'.

And this is true. You can. Pick your time, place, speed, surface, surroundings. do I really need to clarify 'can' as opposed to 'must' or 'should' or 'always will'?

 

Avatar
adamrice | 4 years ago
0 likes

There are similar stick-on adapters for Garmin mounts which give you access to a lot more mounting options. And they cost a lot less.

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