knoxtnhorn

Finally joined the modern world and got an iphone. I purchased the cyclemeter app which appears to be pretty cool though I haven't used it yet.

I've seen commercials and ads for the bike attachment; however, I've also heard about the fragility of iphones. Assuming I'm not in a massive wreck, is it really safe to hook an iphone up to the handlebars of one's bike? Seems as if the vibrations would negatively affect the phone as well as any moisture (rain, sweat, etc...).

Do any of y'all do this? Also, are there any other apps out that that I might be interested in as far as cycling goes?

antmeeks

I think you'll find the community fairly divided on whether to put your iPhone on the bars or to just put it in your back jersey pocket with a cycling app on to track your ride metrics.

Personally, I bought the iBike mount for mine and never got comfortable with my precious iPhone 4S sitting on the bars.

So I returned the mount and instead bought the Garmin Edge 200 for $150. It's pretty basic as far as Garmins go, but right now I'm not interested in any ride metrics other than where I went, how long, how fast and altitude gain.

I still put my iPhone in my back jersey pocket, but only for when I need to make a call - or occasionally check my location on the map.

As for dedicated iPhone cycling apps, I've heard good things about Strava, iMapMyRide and Cyclemeter (which you've got already).

slims_s

I carry it on my pocket, Garmin Edge 500 on the bars. I sometimes use it when i get lost to check the maps. I'd carry it in the bars for venturing into the unknown, but the battery life pretty much sucks, so it wouldn't be as convenient.

sqroot3

iMapMyRide is probably one of the better free ride-tracking apps. I used to like RunKeeper more, but then iMapMyRide swooped in with a coup around the time of all the TdF advertising. Their UI is now pretty decent.

nrowensby

I use MapMyFitness for Android... There is also an app for iOS, it tracks speed, distance, elevation, etc via GPS.

...and it's free...

I keep it in my shorts pocket (MTB shorts)... IDK if I'd feel comfortable mounting it to the handlebars.

LesterOfPuppets

When I first got my smartphone I thought about getting a bar mount but quickly found that battery life was zilch if I had a ride app running and the screen on very much at all.

So I just keep it in my center jersey pocket or shorts pocket if I'm wearing baggies.

StevenAkaProek

I always carry it with me in my Jersey Pocket. With my garmin 500 mounted

but yea won't dare use it as a gps tracking, it's 4g so it will drain so quick

adriano 

i track from my pocket with the screen off.

dgasmd

In jersey pocket for music purposes only.

HokuLoa

In my jersey pocket, Otterboxed, screen off, currently running strava to track, and cheapo bike comp for current speed. Battery drains fast with the iphone screen on even if dimmed but it lasts just fine on long rides with screen off, tracking, and a little music. Be sure to disable the wifi pre ride as this can mess with the gps and will drain the batt fast. One word of caution though; if you sweat heavily your phone WILL get wet in your back pocket so ziplock bag of some protection may be worth it...

FWIW, I originally used the MapMy+ (the paid version) and was happy until it had numerous probs (complete app failure, tracking failure, lost rides, incorrect data etc etc) and bad customer support. Annoyed and with a still failing MapMy app I tried the free Strava and have not looked back. It has more features, great design, has never failed on me, and also drains my battery less than MapMy. So much for paying for MapMy....

OldsCOOL

I use my iPhone for Tune-in music so I can jam along. I tried the mapmyride and the batt power obviously doesnt agree with longer rides. The phone is in an Otter Box with belt pack clipped on the waistband directly behind me.

I have a garmin trip computer on the handlebars. Works for me.

adriano 

any tips to boost music volume?

CommuteCommando

Google Tracks on a Droid in jersey pocket.

Cheap Cateye Velo5 on the bars works for me.

HokuLoa

RE: music volume

Have not found the need to so no, sorry.

adriano 

speakerphone isnt cutting it right now.

Durockrolly

Do you use the free version or the premium version? Is there a real need for the premium version?

Realpsi

I use wahoo fitness and runkeeper with the wahoo fitness bike mount kit. I upload everything to runkeeper for review later. Right now I have a stride sensor for running, a heart rate monitor, and a cadence sensor all tied to my iphone.

jrobe

There is no chance that my iphone is going on my bars.

I made a bracket once for my digital camera on my bars to film a mountain climb. You could see on that video how much rattling and vibration that camera had to endure. I doubt that they made the iphone to be used like that for any length of time. I also cracked the screen on my prior phone by dropping it a couple feet. I could imagine what my iphone would look like after a crash. There is no way I am going to put my iphone on the bars when I can buy a bike computer that is made for this kind of abuse. To each his own though.

DrPete 

I tried it once for laughs thinking that I could save on all the electronics--I need to carry a phone all the time so I figured, why not?

The apps generally work, but if you try one and hear an audible sucking noise, that's your iPhone's battery. With the GPS and screen on constantly, don't expect more than a couple hours of life.

bbattle

Do the pros carry cellphones when they ride? Isn't this the Pro-seur forum?

GP

Are you sure the ear buds have a govenor? I use several pair and only the Sony ones will make my ears bleed.

DrPete 

Forget that it's dangerous--I'm not sure why I'd want to ruin a ride with music.

GP

It drowns out the car horns and yelling.

tcwayne

Did it all. Had the Biologic case and the Wahoo case both.

Put it on the bars= too big and fugly

Jersey pocket= best case (of course in a ziplock)

I used to ride while tracking on MapMyRide, MapMyTracks and Strava all at the same time. Never had battery issues. I liked MapMyTracks the most but I found that the apps are unreliable and crash often. Pissed me off on numerous occasions.

I eventually (after asking around) bought a Garmin Edge 500. Best choice without a doubt.

DrPete 

I found when I hated running I needed music. Then, as I improved, I found the running itself to be meditative and I can't stand running with music anymore either unless I'm on a treadmill trying not to go insane. I don't know--tires on the road, the sound of the drivetrain, etc. etc... the ride IS the music.