Bikemate Slim 3 Phone Holder Review

If you love cycling and have a smartphone, you probably have an app that will either record a route or guide you round one.  If its the latter, then you will need a phone mount for your bike.  This is where the Bikemate Slim 3 comes in.

The good.

Although I couldn't find a Slim 3 on sale in the UK, I ordered mine (size Medium) from Bicycle Hero in South Korea. Fedex shipping selected and it got to my door in just two days!  The reason I went for the bike mount over many other bicycle phone mounts is simple; the bracket allows you to put your phone on your stem, like a Garmin.  Most of the other holders that I could find simply will not fit on a road bike stem as the clasps dont open wide enough.

A large enough clamp to fit on a road bike stem

The Slim 3 that I am using cost little over £20 (including delivery!) and fits most smartphones.  I have tested it with a Samsung Galaxy Nexus which fits great.  Anything bigger than that and you will struggle though.

The clamp is really secure as it uses a ratchet to grip on tight.  The case is also removable with the click of a button underneath leaving the clamp in place.  The phone can be used while in the case which is also pretty handy.

The bad.  

Only two things that I can moan about.  One; There are holes in the top and bottom for charger / jack ports which in my view would be better sealed off as it means the phone isnt waterproof.  It doesn't claim to be waterproof but IMO it would be much better if it was.  Two; If you have a phone [like the nexus] with the power button on the side, then its really hard to turn the screen on and off when the phone is in the case.

All in all the case is far better than any other universal one.  Im sure if you have an iPhone 4S you will be able to find an Apple specific one that would be better, but as I have been using a Galaxy Nexus, this does the job well.

Bikemate Slim 3 Phone Holder
Reviewed by Chris Wheeler on Sep 22 2012
Rating: 4.0