Earlier this summer,Peak Designsent us their new aluminum anti-vibration motorcycle handlebar mount for your phone.We gave it an initial reviewshortly thereafter. And now they have released a new RAM ball mount-based system. This time, we will compare the two designs to see which one we like the most.

Anodized aluminum mount

The anodized aluminum mount is simple, sturdy, and almost a work of art. Peak’s phone mounting solution has a clean, no-nonsense design. It is machined from aluminum and has nice clean straight edges covered in a muted satin black finish.

The design is so simple that you only need two fasteners. One that closes the handlebar mounting loop, and the other that offers adjustability for the head of the mount. Also indicating their attention to detail, the fasteners already have threadlocker applied to them.

The hinged handlebar mount can accommodate different size handlebars through the use of circular rubber inserts. Those rubber inserts may also provide some vibration damping, but Peak does not say they do or do not. But as a result, there’s no metal-to-metal contact between the mount and the handlebars.

RAM mount

The RAM mount uses the same anti-vibration mounting head as the aluminum mount. As is usual with RAM setups, you attach the mount’s base to the handlebars with a U-shaped bolt that attaches to a piece of metal with a RAM ball on it. The bolt and the RAM ball are held together with two separate nuts. When attached to your bike, it is not a clean look but has a rather utilitarian feel.

You can then attach varying lengths of arms which you then connect to the anti-vibration head through the use of a knob at the side of the arm. The setup gives you plenty of adjustability for the placement of the phone.

Phone specific cases

To use the Peak Design system, you must use one of their dedicated phone cases or a glue-on adapter. The cases fit snugly and securely around your phone. They are snug enough that it is a bit of a bother to take the phone out of the case once it is in. The outer sides of the cases have a smooth “rubberized” edge that gives good grip. At the back of the case is a textured pattern that provides the case with a more “finished” look.

Attaching the phone

Attaching your phone to the aluminum or RAM mount is very easy. In fact, in my opinion, the Peak Design mounts are the easiest to use when it comes to attaching or detaching your phone to the mount. To attach the phone, hold the opening on the back of the phone case close to the head. The head has a magnet that pulls the phone to the mount and secures it. There is no turning or twisting necessary.

To remove the phone, you push the two buttons at the side of the mounting head. This releases the pins holding the phone, and you pull the phone off the mount. It is a straightforward and simple system.

Vibration damping

The mounts claim to reduce the vibration to your phone. The head of the mount uses several rubber grommets placed in a circle to reduce it. Both the aluminum and RAM-type mounts use the same heads and system.

Unfortunately, Peak Design (or any other vibration damping phone mount manufacturer that I am aware of) provides any scientific information/evidence about how much their systems reduce vibration. As a result, I cannot say how much or at what frequencies the mounts reduce the vibration your phone receives.

However, given that both mounts have a rubber-mounted base and head, it seems reasonable that the system attenuates some vibration. That said, I can tell you that the phone held by the aluminum base allows the phone to move more than the RAM mount version.

Both mounts do an admirable job on smooth roads, and the phone is held steady and easily “readable.” You can always see the display clearly. However, the RAM mount is the clear winner when the pavement changes to dirt. The aluminum mount lets the phone move much more than when held by the RAM mount. The better performance of the RAM mount may be because, by its nature, the RAM mount has two additional vibration dampers (the RAM rubber balls) that reduce the vibration transmitted to your phone. So, when compared against each other, the RAM mount seems to be the better choice if you plan to ride off-road.

Pros and Cons

Pros – Aluminum Mount

• Much cleaner and a more sophisticated look which looks like it was designed to be on the bike
• Aluminum will not rust, break or wear out
• Mount attaches easily with a single tool
• Phone removal is simple and easy

Cons – Aluminum Mount

• Seems to allow more vibration to reach the phone when off-road
• Not as adjustable as the RAM mount
• You need to use a tool to adjust the phone’s position.
• No inductive charging capability

Pros – RAM Mount

• Does a better job of absorbing vibration when off-road
• Has a broader range of adjustments than the aluminum mount
• Is easily adjustable using the knob on the side of the RAM arm
• You can quickly change devices attached to the RAM arm
• Phone removal is simple and easy.

Cons – RAM mount

• Looks like an “add-on” and is not particularly good looking
• RAM balls will wear out over time
• No inductive charging capability

Pricing

Peak Design’s dedicated phone cases carry an MSRP of $39.95, while their glue-on adapter for your existing phone case is priced at $29.95. The aluminum motorcycle bar mount is priced at $99.95. All up, you are looking at about $130—$140 for the aluminum motorcycle system.

Peak’s 1″ RAM ball mounted head sells for $49.95. So, if you already have a RAM setup, the RAM mount is definitely the cheaper way to go. Even if you don’t have a RAM setup, it is still likely the less expensive option.

Conclusion:

Both Peak Design mounts are solid pieces of kit and will securely hold your phone. If you ride off-road, the RAM version is your best bet. If you stay on the pavement and want a mount that doesn’t look like it came off a tractor, choose the aluminum motorcycle mount.

It is difficult to tell how much vibration and what frequencies of damping the Peak Design mount provides. The “fruit phone” maker is on record saying that high-frequency vibration is a danger to their phone’s camera. So, it would be nice to have some technical details to back up their vibration damping claims.

The type and amount of damping aside, I ultimately like the Peak Design RAM mount, and it is staying on my bike. If I could make a suggestion, it would be for them to offer a mount that has inductive charging. I checked in with a representative, and he said they are working on it. When that happens, in my opinion, Peak Design could have the best vibration damping mount on the market.

Note: Peak Design provided the aluminum motorcycle mount, and the 1″ RAM type ball type mounts were free.