What is the best smarwatch can be used as a cycling computer
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What is the best smarwatch can be used as a cycling computer
Hi everybody, I am looking for a smartwatch which I can use as a cycling computer as well. I want to start my ride with a button click and it will auto sync to strava. I don't want to install strava and start like in samsung watch. I want something like lezyne cycling computers. I will mount the watch to my bicycle, start the ride with a button and it will sync automatically after I finish the ride. Is there any smartwatch like that in the market? If there are multiple options, which one do you suggest?
Thank you
Thank you
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gamin is the best choice. though you don't get your heart rate with it on the bars. with the garmin you can get one that will connect to cadence speed and heart rate sensors. this guy is what I wear it to get my heart rate. I use it to pump heart rate to my bike computer https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1 it records my cadence too
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I looked at a lot, ended up going "dedicated device" instead of watch. Garmin 130 Plus, about the size of an Oreo. Quite pleased with it. I use it with my iPhone in my back pocket and a Polar H10 HR strap. Does sync to Strava, but I fell "outta love" with Strava about a year ago.
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I have a Garmin Vivo Active 3 that does all that very well. it seemed dead simple for me to sync it up with Strava and stuff. you have a wear it on your wrist so it can measure heart rate if you want that data. you can also install third party apps like Dynamic Maps to turn it into an unoffical turn-by-turn nav computer. there's a learning curve to it just like any other technology.
unfortunately, there's always an extra step, so you're just going to have to change your expectations and get used to that. here's how I log a ride:
1. click button on watch. GPS fires up in about ten seconds and I click it again to start.
2. ride, observe data on watch face. if someone texts me during a ride, my phone sends the message to my watch face so I don't have to stop and dig the phone out of my pack/ pocket.
3. finish ride, click button on side of watch. tap "save" button. watch goes back to regular watch mode.
4. when I put my bike away, I open the Garmin Connect app in my phone and the app automatically syncs my ride data in Connect. Connect can also be linked to several other services like Strava. Connect automatically loads my data to Strava within a few minutes.
unfortunately, there's always an extra step, so you're just going to have to change your expectations and get used to that. here's how I log a ride:
1. click button on watch. GPS fires up in about ten seconds and I click it again to start.
2. ride, observe data on watch face. if someone texts me during a ride, my phone sends the message to my watch face so I don't have to stop and dig the phone out of my pack/ pocket.
3. finish ride, click button on side of watch. tap "save" button. watch goes back to regular watch mode.
4. when I put my bike away, I open the Garmin Connect app in my phone and the app automatically syncs my ride data in Connect. Connect can also be linked to several other services like Strava. Connect automatically loads my data to Strava within a few minutes.
Last edited by mack_turtle; 08-12-20 at 11:15 AM.
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That said, @velopig, I use a F6X too, absolutely love it. Agree it has basically everything feature wise, and it's also useful for hiking, skiing, swimming, etc. Without any qualifications, that's my advice too.
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Best depends too much on things that are too subjective.
As for smart watches or anything on my wrist, I wouldn't want to have to take my eyes that far off the road to look, much less take a hand off the bar at certain times when I might want to glance at speed or such. Out front mounts put that information in a better position for me to see.
But what "best" for me isn't necessarily "best" for you.
As for smart watches or anything on my wrist, I wouldn't want to have to take my eyes that far off the road to look, much less take a hand off the bar at certain times when I might want to glance at speed or such. Out front mounts put that information in a better position for me to see.
But what "best" for me isn't necessarily "best" for you.
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One of the nice things about the current crop of watches is that they've got pretty decent HRMs built in, but that's thrown out of the window when you mount it on your bike. So... why a watch, then?
I mean, that's what I did for my first "cycling computer," - I bought a Garmin 310XT and got a stem mount. It was totally dumb, though - I should have just gotten an EDGE unit, instead.
If you do want to go with a watch, the other thing that you'll want to consider is connectivity - some will pair to a cadence sensor. Few will pair with a power meter.
I mean, that's what I did for my first "cycling computer," - I bought a Garmin 310XT and got a stem mount. It was totally dumb, though - I should have just gotten an EDGE unit, instead.
If you do want to go with a watch, the other thing that you'll want to consider is connectivity - some will pair to a cadence sensor. Few will pair with a power meter.
#11
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I use my Apple watch that is connected to my Iphone running the Map my ride app. Seems to work okay but still have to touch the watch if I need info mid ride.
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Still, why a watch? The 945 is an amazing watch but it's utter overkill for your use, and you can get everything you need from an Edge 130. Or a Wahoo Bolt. And they'd cost less, and do what you're talking about. Can you elaborate on your specific goals?
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And they'd still need to pop for an HRM if they want to mount the watch on the bike.
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But still, it sounds like the OP heard about a smartwatch being used as a cyclocomputer instead of a phone and isn't aware that there are yet-better devices, but then doesn't want to hear about them. Ah well.
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My experience is that there's no way I'd trust the OHR while cycling; I tried that briefly and it was an absolute no-go.
But still, it sounds like the OP heard about a smartwatch being used as a cyclocomputer instead of a phone and isn't aware that there are yet-better devices, but then doesn't want to hear about them. Ah well.
But still, it sounds like the OP heard about a smartwatch being used as a cyclocomputer instead of a phone and isn't aware that there are yet-better devices, but then doesn't want to hear about them. Ah well.
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#25
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I use the Map My Ride app on the Iphone and it also shows on the apple watch. They seem to be on the same page when I compare. Since I already have both and not competing the general info is fine for my needs.