When the Smart System was introduced in the summer of 2021, Bosch announced that it would gradually expand the system with new hardware and software. Now there is the first of the promised additions – a handlebar mount for your smartphone.
Bosch calls its new product SmartphoneGrip. It is compatible with the display interface and enables you to use your smartphone as an alternative display and control centre instead of the Kiox 300 display. This should be particularly interesting for those who find the two-inch screen on the Kiox 300 too small or who generally prefer to use their familiar phone. In addition, you have the chance to conveniently switch back and forth between the smartphone and the Kiox 300 at any time.
Three parts in total
Bosch has designed the SmartphoneGrip to be modular. An adapter is attached to the handlebar. The display holder is located on this. The actual tray for the smartphone is clicked onto it. The latter is rubberised on the inside. This is to ensure that your smartphone does not get scratched during insertion and removal as well as while riding. When a smartphone is inserted, the loudspeakers and charging sockets of the devices remain freely accessible. According to Bosch, the buttons on the narrow sides of the smartphones are also not pressed. However, anything else would be very surprising.
Only for smartphones of a certain size
Whether you place the phone in the SmartphoneGrip with or without a protective cover is basically up to you. Only the mount itself sets a few limits. The devices must meet the following dimensions in order to be held securely:
- Length: between 123 millimetres and 175 millimetres
- Width: between 67 millimetres and 88 millimetres
- Height: between 6.8 millimetres and 13 millimetres
Not for every tour
The specifications refer to the smartphone and any additional cases or accessories you use. At the same time, everything must not weigh more than 276 grams in the end. And while we’re on the subject of restrictions: Bosch provides two other important instructions. Firstly, the manufacturer only recommends using the mount if you are riding on paved roads at a average speed of between 15 km/h and 25 km/h. The specification of paved roads sounds somewhat rigid at first. However, in addition to asphalt roads, this also includes dirt roads, gravel, sand and paved forest paths. The second crucial piece of advice is to avoid jumps and not to ride over steps with a height difference of more than 15 centimetres. If you ignore all this, your device may fall out of the mount and possibly be damaged. Much worse would be if you get irritated by such an action and comb yourself to fall.
Where is the best place?
A much more pleasant topic is the choice of positions in which the mount can be attached to the handlebar. You can choose between three variants. Option number one is to mount the forward-facing adapter to the left of the stem. In the end, the smartphone is then in landscape format in the middle in front of the stem. Many of you probably prefer this position. Mounting the rear-facing adapter to the right of the stem results in a very similar position. Then it is centred directly above the stem. In this position, the smartphone is well protected in the event of a fall, so that it does not protrude over the handlebars. Alternatively, you can screw the adapter facing the rear wheel to the left of the stem. As a result, the smartphone is then positioned slightly to the left of the stem. If you are unsure about the best position, it is best to experiment a little and test the different positions over a longer distance.
Charging your smartphone while riding
While your smartphone is held by the SmartphoneGrip, you can actively use it and charge it at the same time. If your device is inductive, the charging process even starts automatically when you insert it into the holder and then activate the e-bike system. On the left edge of the actual holder for the smartphone, you will see an LED. If this lights up constantly in yellow, the charging process is running. As soon as the phone battery is fully charged, the LED changes to green.
If you need a cable to charge your device, use the micro-A/B USB socket on the right edge of the SmartphoneGrip. In this case, the aforementioned LED lights up blue continuously during the process. A rubber cap protects the port against dust and splash water. Basically, you can use the smartphone as usual. Apps that require more battery power should not be a problem. The luxury only ends when the ebike battery itself is exhausted.
Ready to go after a few simple steps
Once you have successfully installed the SmartphoneGrip on your ebike, inserting the smartphone is quite easy. Of the two large clamps of the mount, the front one can be moved. Simply place your device with one of the long sides against it and carefully push it forward. The clamp gives way and you can insert the smartphone.
Bosch has thought ahead when it comes to safety. The SmartphoneGrip includes both a removal blocker and a screw-on keypad lock. Both prevent someone from effortlessly removing the smartphone from the mount at an appropriate moment and making off with it. But that’s all you can expect from these mechanisms. They are not veritable anti-theft devices.
As already mentioned, the mount is limited to the Bosch Smart System. In order to be able to use the associated eBike Flow app, at least the Android 7.1 or iOS 14 operating system must be installed on your smartphone. However, those who ride an ebike with a drive from the second development stage need not be too sad. Bosch continues to offer very similar solutions here with the SmartphoneHub and the COBI.Bike.
Pictures: Bosch eBike System
