Bike computers are worthless. Change my mind.
06-20-20, 07:21 AM
#126
Senior Member
No ANT+ on a smart phone, and that’s a deal breaker for a lot of my older sensors and HRMs.
Also the bike computer will work under more extreme temperatures and weather, as most smart phones will start to overheat and shutdown at around 95’F, which is easy to do if it is sitting in the sun on your handlebars on a hot day. The Garmin edge has an operating temperature of 140’F, which is way past mine. The same is true at the low temperature end as well where a smart phone ‘gives up’ around 32F while most bike computers operate at far lower temperatures.
Phones are just not made to sit out in difficult environments like on handlebars for a long period.
But to each his own I suppose.
Also the bike computer will work under more extreme temperatures and weather, as most smart phones will start to overheat and shutdown at around 95’F, which is easy to do if it is sitting in the sun on your handlebars on a hot day. The Garmin edge has an operating temperature of 140’F, which is way past mine. The same is true at the low temperature end as well where a smart phone ‘gives up’ around 32F while most bike computers operate at far lower temperatures.
Phones are just not made to sit out in difficult environments like on handlebars for a long period.
But to each his own I suppose.
06-20-20, 09:46 AM
#127
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06-22-20, 05:02 AM
#129
Member
I should stop following this thread. Change my mind.
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06-22-20, 12:31 PM
#131
Junior Member
the only use for a garmin or wahoo would be a hard ride or race , as far as functions go , a 30 dollar android phone can do everything you need while cycling , and if strava brought back heart rate i might be tempted to pay and use my phone to record races .
i guess dedicated computers can be a bit more accurate with gps , maybe cyclocross or MTB races would be best recorded with a watch ( a few cx racers in the pros had those watches ) , some are kind of more compact than a phone , BUT compare a 30 to 200 phone to a 100 to 400 dollar cycling computer and over all the phone wins every time . reply with any reason to choose a gps computer over a phone .
RANT : i mean does the 400 dollar wahoo roam even have a sd card slot to store and load maps and routes , i personally bought a garmin 520 because ti was in my price range, i thought it would be great for nav and routes but this thing sucks the battery only lasts 8 hours and it cant even hold 100 MBs of map data , doesn't have official functionality for map loading , i have to make separate folders and swap out my map sections just to get a map on screen and there is still no real time navigation , it cant play music or do turn by turn as well as my phone can but on my 30 dollar phone i have a full gps for free , why do these gps computers even exist , it would be beyond easy to add an SD card slot and expand storage , ok rant over , i still feel i should have spent the 150 on a new phone dedicated to my bikes
i guess dedicated computers can be a bit more accurate with gps , maybe cyclocross or MTB races would be best recorded with a watch ( a few cx racers in the pros had those watches ) , some are kind of more compact than a phone , BUT compare a 30 to 200 phone to a 100 to 400 dollar cycling computer and over all the phone wins every time . reply with any reason to choose a gps computer over a phone .
RANT : i mean does the 400 dollar wahoo roam even have a sd card slot to store and load maps and routes , i personally bought a garmin 520 because ti was in my price range, i thought it would be great for nav and routes but this thing sucks the battery only lasts 8 hours and it cant even hold 100 MBs of map data , doesn't have official functionality for map loading , i have to make separate folders and swap out my map sections just to get a map on screen and there is still no real time navigation , it cant play music or do turn by turn as well as my phone can but on my 30 dollar phone i have a full gps for free , why do these gps computers even exist , it would be beyond easy to add an SD card slot and expand storage , ok rant over , i still feel i should have spent the 150 on a new phone dedicated to my bikes
06-22-20, 01:33 PM
#132
Junior Member
I used to use CycleMeter on my iPhone for my rides, but the app has limitations and limited battery life.
I have been a Garmin user since the beginning of 2016, first with an Edge 520 and then an Edge 530. I have used them for my local rides here in Virginia, for the End to End in the UK, in New Zealand, Greece, and France. The Garmins are reliable, never run out of juice in the middle of a ride, and have the added bonus of allowing the user to download routes from sites such as Strava or RidewithGPS. Turn by turn navigation is a Godsend when you are in a new place or overseas.
My Garmin has a much smaller footprint on my handlebars than a phone would, and the battery life is far superior – a 45-mile ride uses up just 25% of the battery on my 530. As for your issues with running out of storage, I log 150 rides a year and have not had any issues with space limitations. An Edge 530 will set you back less than $300, and for me that is money well spent.
I have been a Garmin user since the beginning of 2016, first with an Edge 520 and then an Edge 530. I have used them for my local rides here in Virginia, for the End to End in the UK, in New Zealand, Greece, and France. The Garmins are reliable, never run out of juice in the middle of a ride, and have the added bonus of allowing the user to download routes from sites such as Strava or RidewithGPS. Turn by turn navigation is a Godsend when you are in a new place or overseas.
My Garmin has a much smaller footprint on my handlebars than a phone would, and the battery life is far superior – a 45-mile ride uses up just 25% of the battery on my 530. As for your issues with running out of storage, I log 150 rides a year and have not had any issues with space limitations. An Edge 530 will set you back less than $300, and for me that is money well spent.
06-22-20, 01:38 PM
#133
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I used to use CycleMeter on my iPhone for my rides, but the app has limitations and limited battery life.
I have been a Garmin user since the beginning of 2016, first with an Edge 520 and then an Edge 530. I have used them for my local rides here in Virginia, for the End to End in the UK, in New Zealand, Greece, and France. The Garmins are reliable, never run out of juice in the middle of a ride, and have the added bonus of allowing the user to download routes from sites such as Strava or RidewithGPS. Turn by turn navigation is a Godsend when you are in a new place or overseas.
My Garmin has a much smaller footprint on my handlebars than a phone would, and the battery life is far superior – a 45-mile ride uses up just 25% of the battery on my 530. As for your issues with running out of storage, I log 150 rides a year and have not had any issues with space limitations. An Edge 530 will set you back less than $300, and for me that is money well spent.
I have been a Garmin user since the beginning of 2016, first with an Edge 520 and then an Edge 530. I have used them for my local rides here in Virginia, for the End to End in the UK, in New Zealand, Greece, and France. The Garmins are reliable, never run out of juice in the middle of a ride, and have the added bonus of allowing the user to download routes from sites such as Strava or RidewithGPS. Turn by turn navigation is a Godsend when you are in a new place or overseas.
My Garmin has a much smaller footprint on my handlebars than a phone would, and the battery life is far superior – a 45-mile ride uses up just 25% of the battery on my 530. As for your issues with running out of storage, I log 150 rides a year and have not had any issues with space limitations. An Edge 530 will set you back less than $300, and for me that is money well spent.
06-22-20, 01:58 PM
#134
Junior Member
I only use the mapping function on my 530 for downloaded routes and turn-by-turn instructions. I don't see the sense of using the maps on the Garmin, given the small screen size. I carry a lightweight laptop when I am on tour to research my daily routes via RidewithGPS. If you want the bigger picture while you are on the bike, pack along a 1:50,000 scale paper map of the area you are riding in.
I still think the Garmin is one of the best cycling investments I have made.
I still think the Garmin is one of the best cycling investments I have made.
06-22-20, 02:22 PM
#135
Junior Member
Bike computers are Worthless. Change my mind.
It all depends on what you want it for. I'm a recreational cyclist, but I'm into gadgets and data. That provides the value I am looking for. Others may not find the same value. I have a set of power-meter pedals on my vintage Schwinn, but others might never do the same.
I just went from a Garmin 520 to a 530. Increased battery life, and the 530 allows for the add-on battery extender gizmo. I plan on doing a couple of 24-hour rides, so this will work for me. But again, it's all about what you value. :-)
I just went from a Garmin 520 to a 530. Increased battery life, and the 530 allows for the add-on battery extender gizmo. I plan on doing a couple of 24-hour rides, so this will work for me. But again, it's all about what you value. :-)
06-22-20, 02:42 PM
#137
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My usual pattern is to do very long rides on weekends to particular destinations then back home after a fairly long break at the destination. That relied a lot on GPS. Now since COVID, I really haven't wanted to spend much of any time at a destination, so I'm rediscovering the art of "take a right and see where this road goes". I'm using my phone to keep track of my path so far so I can just reverse it for the trail of breadcrumbs home. It's really easy to get turned around on New England roads, and getting totally lost 50 miles from home in 93 degree weather would not be my idea of fun..
06-22-20, 03:48 PM
#138
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Got a cheap Cateye that I use. No power meter or cadence, just basic speed / time / distance. Love it.
Helps me pace myself on rides and allows me to keep a record of distances traveled.
Budget friendly as well.
Usually bring my phone but pack it away and only use it during stops.
If I ever get into a serious conditioning regimen I may use it for my bt hrm again but the whole idea of messing around with a phone while I'm pushing it on the bike is a pretty stupid idea to me just like being distracted by earbuds. Would probably have a different take if I rode on dedicated bike circuits.
Helps me pace myself on rides and allows me to keep a record of distances traveled.
Budget friendly as well.
Usually bring my phone but pack it away and only use it during stops.
If I ever get into a serious conditioning regimen I may use it for my bt hrm again but the whole idea of messing around with a phone while I'm pushing it on the bike is a pretty stupid idea to me just like being distracted by earbuds. Would probably have a different take if I rode on dedicated bike circuits.
06-22-20, 04:53 PM
#139
ole skool cyclist
I was headed down that same road
I sometimes use a cycling GPS program with my iPhone but I often jump on the bike and start riding. I have several and they still have an old Cateye or Vetta computer. I seldom reset the trip odometer. I just look at the starting mileage and ending mileage. I have a brain and it works. I usually have it on the function where mph is also displayed. Its all I need.
06-22-20, 05:51 PM
#140
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gee....see, here's the thing, you're you and I'm me and you're not.
We are....different. I've never been in a race, and I'm sure i never will be.
i own a garmin (that I got six years ago, I think). Never have used it much, but back then, it came in handy when traveling and needing directions.
On the other hand: I am totally attached to my cat eye strada. I want to know all of that stuff it keeps track of. Just because I want to know...some people don't care about that info, and therefore: they don't need one. I want to know how many miles I've gone each month, each year, etc....and at times when I've accumulated a lot of miles, keeping track encourages me to do even more.
I've also used my iPhone with ride with gps....that's been useful in some situations. But mostly: my idea of a cycling comptuer is that strada....which has the great virtue of going so long in between changing the battery. I have the digital one as: my headlight doesn't interfere with.
I got no problem with anyhone who has NO computer, nor with anyone who has the most complex one on the market. That's just the kind of wild and crazy guy I am.
We are....different. I've never been in a race, and I'm sure i never will be.
i own a garmin (that I got six years ago, I think). Never have used it much, but back then, it came in handy when traveling and needing directions.
On the other hand: I am totally attached to my cat eye strada. I want to know all of that stuff it keeps track of. Just because I want to know...some people don't care about that info, and therefore: they don't need one. I want to know how many miles I've gone each month, each year, etc....and at times when I've accumulated a lot of miles, keeping track encourages me to do even more.
I've also used my iPhone with ride with gps....that's been useful in some situations. But mostly: my idea of a cycling comptuer is that strada....which has the great virtue of going so long in between changing the battery. I have the digital one as: my headlight doesn't interfere with.
I got no problem with anyhone who has NO computer, nor with anyone who has the most complex one on the market. That's just the kind of wild and crazy guy I am.
06-22-20, 05:55 PM
#141
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Found that my Garmin 530 somehow knows how much water i sweat out during a ride.
Must be magic.
Must be magic.
06-22-20, 06:04 PM
#142
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Not very relevant, but 15 or 20 years ago, I had a cateye OS1, in fact, i had a series of them.
It kept track things like your top speed.
And one it's failures was: eventually the top speed would be something like: 584 miles per hour.
I'm pretty sure that even if I rode over the edge and into the grand canyon i couldn't get going that fast.
It kept track things like your top speed.
And one it's failures was: eventually the top speed would be something like: 584 miles per hour.
I'm pretty sure that even if I rode over the edge and into the grand canyon i couldn't get going that fast.
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06-23-20, 05:58 AM
#145
Junior Member
6 months ago I bought a Specialized Crossroads XC Pro hybrid and I got my computer (wireless) for $15 from Amazon.Com and have not had a single complaint. Last month I bought a Litespeed Arenberg road bike and came across a Bell wireless computer in Target for $15 also and got it and again I do not have a single complaint. For me I just want a computer to track the miles I ride, average speed, max speed, and ride time. If I get that I am happy and I can tell you I am happy. :-)
06-23-20, 06:57 AM
#146
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Not very relevant, but 15 or 20 years ago, I had a cateye OS1, in fact, i had a series of them.
It kept track things like your top speed.
And one it's failures was: eventually the top speed would be something like: 584 miles per hour.
I'm pretty sure that even if I rode over the edge and into the grand canyon i couldn't get going that fast.
It kept track things like your top speed.
And one it's failures was: eventually the top speed would be something like: 584 miles per hour.
I'm pretty sure that even if I rode over the edge and into the grand canyon i couldn't get going that fast.
Did you forget to turn it off on the plane?
06-23-20, 09:17 AM
#147
Riding the Greek Isles...
started using the Bolt a few months ago & it is well worth the money IMO
06-23-20, 10:20 AM
#148
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the only use for a garmin or wahoo would be a hard ride or race , as far as functions go , a 30 dollar android phone can do everything you need while cycling , and if strava brought back heart rate i might be tempted to pay and use my phone to record races .
i guess dedicated computers can be a bit more accurate with gps , maybe cyclocross or MTB races would be best recorded with a watch ( a few cx racers in the pros had those watches ) , some are kind of more compact than a phone , BUT compare a 30 to 200 phone to a 100 to 400 dollar cycling computer and over all the phone wins every time . reply with any reason to choose a gps computer over a phone .
RANT : i mean does the 400 dollar wahoo roam even have a sd card slot to store and load maps and routes , i personally bought a garmin 520 because ti was in my price range, i thought it would be great for nav and routes but this thing sucks the battery only lasts 8 hours and it cant even hold 100 MBs of map data , doesn't have official functionality for map loading , i have to make separate folders and swap out my map sections just to get a map on screen and there is still no real time navigation , it cant play music or do turn by turn as well as my phone can but on my 30 dollar phone i have a full gps for free , why do these gps computers even exist , it would be beyond easy to add an SD card slot and expand storage , ok rant over , i still feel i should have spent the 150 on a new phone dedicated to my bikes
i guess dedicated computers can be a bit more accurate with gps , maybe cyclocross or MTB races would be best recorded with a watch ( a few cx racers in the pros had those watches ) , some are kind of more compact than a phone , BUT compare a 30 to 200 phone to a 100 to 400 dollar cycling computer and over all the phone wins every time . reply with any reason to choose a gps computer over a phone .
RANT : i mean does the 400 dollar wahoo roam even have a sd card slot to store and load maps and routes , i personally bought a garmin 520 because ti was in my price range, i thought it would be great for nav and routes but this thing sucks the battery only lasts 8 hours and it cant even hold 100 MBs of map data , doesn't have official functionality for map loading , i have to make separate folders and swap out my map sections just to get a map on screen and there is still no real time navigation , it cant play music or do turn by turn as well as my phone can but on my 30 dollar phone i have a full gps for free , why do these gps computers even exist , it would be beyond easy to add an SD card slot and expand storage , ok rant over , i still feel i should have spent the 150 on a new phone dedicated to my bikes
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06-23-20, 08:32 PM
#149
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If navigation is important, the 520 wasn't the correct choice.
