Camera damage in handlebar-mounted phones?

[6zfshdb]

I regularly use electronic devices on my bars, but not a smartphone. To minimize vibration, I installed a Redshift Shockstop suspension stem:

ShockStop PRO Suspension Stem

The new ShockStop PRO Stem blends seamlessly with the aesthetic of modern bikes, while reducing fatigue and strain. Along with the ShockStop Suspension Seatpost, this system works together to suspend the rider and smooth out rough terrain on the bike you already own, making your ride smoother...

redshiftsports.com

It isn't perfect but when using the lightest elastomers, it noticeably reduces vibration and helps with hand & wrist discomfort.
Unfortunately it's pricey and doesn't work well with all bar types.

 

[RunForTheHills]

It's a chat bot though. You can't take that for an official answer. Regardless, there are people reporting such damage. So it seems to be happening. Maybe the best approach is to buy the extended protection plan.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I regularly use electronic devices on my bars, but not a smartphone. To minimize vibration, I installed a Redshift Shockstop suspension stem:
View attachment 203928

ShockStop PRO Suspension Stem

The new ShockStop PRO Stem blends seamlessly with the aesthetic of modern bikes, while reducing fatigue and strain. Along with the ShockStop Suspension Seatpost, this system works together to suspend the rider and smooth out rough terrain on the bike you already own, making your ride smoother...

redshiftsports.com

It isn't perfect but when using the lightest elastomers, it noticeably reduces vibration and helps with hand & wrist discomfort.
Unfortunately it's pricey and doesn't work well with all bar types.

The serious flaw with this approach is that you don't know that the damping provided actually addresses the camera-damaging vibration frequencies.

For a phone camera with susceptible mechanicals, the only reliable protection for now is to keep the phone off your bars.

That cautious approach has cost me the price of an expensive GPS bike computer that I was otherwise just fine without. But until we know more, I value high-quality phone photography too much to do otherwise.

 

[6zfshdb]

That's one of the reasons I carry my phone in my pocket. I also consider it a safety factor in case I'm thrown off the bike and unable to get to it to call for help.

 

[Gionnirocket]

You'all struggling over I don't know.... Just get yourselve something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Bicycle-Accessories-Sensitive-Touch-Screen/dp/B0DSVWH2DH/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=zbn7T&content-id=amzn1.sym.4efc43db-939e-4a80-abaf-50c6a6b8c631:amzn1.symc.5a16118f-86f0-44cd-8e3e-6c5f82df43d0&pf_rd_p=4efc43db-939e-4a80-abaf-50c6a6b8c631&pf_rd_r=8KKC6DHZS2JJ1GFZJ7K9&pd_rd_wg=YOY7o&pd_rd_r=8df1581a-3400-497a-981e-a54d90ab3060&ref_=pd_hp_d_atf_ci_mcx_mr_ca_hp_atf_d



By far better crash protection and the phone is floating in material so one can assume vibration is not an issue.
Anywho been using one since before eBike days and never a phone/camera issue. And though the phone is not as accessible as a handlebar mount which I find to be a plus being unplugged when riding, you can still see incoming calls and gps when needed.
ymmv

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

You'all struggling over I don't know.... Just get yourselve something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Bicycle-Accessories-Sensitive-Touch-Screen/dp/B0DSVWH2DH/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=zbn7T&content-id=amzn1.sym.4efc43db-939e-4a80-abaf-50c6a6b8c631:amzn1.symc.5a16118f-86f0-44cd-8e3e-6c5f82df43d0&pf_rd_p=4efc43db-939e-4a80-abaf-50c6a6b8c631&pf_rd_r=8KKC6DHZS2JJ1GFZJ7K9&pd_rd_wg=YOY7o&pd_rd_r=8df1581a-3400-497a-981e-a54d90ab3060&ref_=pd_hp_d_atf_ci_mcx_mr_ca_hp_atf_d

View attachment 203929

By far better crash protection and the phone is floating in material so one can assume vibration is not an issue.
Anywho been using one since before eBike days and never a phone/camera issue. And though the phone is not as accessible as a handlebar mount which I find to be a plus being unplugged when riding, you can still see incoming calls and gps when needed.
ymmv

Must be nice to have all the answers.

A. Don't want a bag like that on my top tube.

Many ebikes have displays or controls there, and I'm keeping this bike as light and aerodynamically clean as possible.

B. Most phones lack susceptible cameras, so the track record you cite is pretty meaningless.

 

[6zfshdb]

I'm not familiar with all the smartphone cycling apps and I'm probably showing my ignorance here. I've seen and talked to many riders who use bar mounted smartphones. Most have just a map, speed, distance and a compass on the display. A handlebar mounted GPS will display the same data and more with far less damage potential. I've been using GPS receivers on my bars while riding some rough surfaces since the 1990's and have never had a problem.

Sure, there are smartphone apps that track any number of parameters that a GPS can't, but these will work with the phone in your pocket. Why not keep it there and use a GPS on the bars? For photography, to me anyway, it's easier to take the phone from you pocket rather than remove it from a bar mount. It's also more resistant to theft and overall a safer place for both you and the phone. Yes, a GPS can be swiped off the bars just as easily as a phone but I'd rather loose a $300 GPS than a $1000 smartphone.

I realize there may be connectivity issues with maps and real time data transfer, but many GPS units now have those features as well. There are also budget, weight and personal preference factors to consider.

Educate me here. What are the other reasons why you can't put the smartphone in your pocket and use a GPS on your bars that's designed for rough treatment?

 

[Gionnirocket]

Must be nice to have all the answers.

You know... It really has been working out quite well for me.
Thanks for noticing

A. Don't want a bag like that on my top tube.

View attachment 203931View attachment 203932
Many ebikes have displays or controls there, and I'm keeping this bike as light and aerodynamically clean as possible.

Everything is a compromise... but I don't find it necessary to enlist NASA vibration frequency testing to come up with a solution. And if you can calculate the aerodynamic loss of such a case, let alone feel any difference while riding... I'll buy a Specialized
But I can't imagine it's measurably more than the bag currently on your bike.

But when you ride to ride and not to document every crank or inch forward let alone to search out photo op's to posts and stop worrying about every gram or how the bike may look in photos to others or in search of the coveted, "clean bike" . . .
Life and riding is just more enjoyable

B. Most phones lack susceptible cameras, so the track record you cite is pretty meaningless.

Well my Pixel 6 does have OIS as did my previous HTC U11.. so maybe a little more relevant than you infer. If the Samsung you're contemplating is too delicate for your intended use, you have options. From what you've stated about the hardware, I wouldn't be going back for a 4th time. In any case I'm not having issues nor am I losing any sleep.

ymmv

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Educate me here. What are the other reasons why you can't put the smartphone in your pocket and use a GPS on your bars that's designed for rough treatment?

Tried just that on yesterday's ride, and it's probably my way forward — at least for now.

Custom Wahoo ACE GPS data and map pages with ACE disconnected from ebike but still connected to HRM. At that point, it was just a bar-mounted GPS device with sophisticated mapping and heart rate.

The ACE faithfully displayed and recorded all of that data but knew nothing about the ebike. No cadence, rider power, assist level, or battery state. But I still had all that and more in real time on the bike's own top tube display.

Without that display of rider power, cadence, assist level, and battery state on the bike, disconnecting the ACE from the bike would be a totally unacceptable solution.

Meanwhile, the phone in my pocket recorded everything on the Specialized app (SA) — including ALL ebike and GPS data. This gave me back the motor and battery use data that my ACE still won't show and SA somehow loses when the ACE is connected to the bike.

SA ride report cover page with ACE disconnected from bike (this ride):

Given my bike's small battery, I find that battery and assist summary quite useful. Not shown here is the extensive ride data and analysis SA provides when you click the [View All Data] and [Analyze Your Ride] buttons.

Same SA cover page with ACE connected to bike (previous ride):

That's all there is with the ACE connected. Battery and assist summary gone. Note "wahoo' connection indicator below map.

Granted, the ACE provides much better real-time mapping than SA, and the latter doesn't give real-time grade. The ACE might have better navigation as well, but haven't tried that and normally wouldn't use it much.