Apple Watch replace phone and bike computer for cyclists
09-10-18, 05:56 AM
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Apple Watch replace phone and bike computer for cyclists
Anyone try this with a cellular Apple Watch yet. Be nice to leave phone and not need bike gps.
09-10-18, 07:55 AM
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I used it for about a year before getting my Garmin. It works pretty well but it is not as accurate for HR or GPS as the Garmin is. The battery life can be an issue for longer rides over 9 hours or so. If you want to know your current speed you have to take your hand off your bars and look at your wrist which can be annoying also.
09-10-18, 09:26 AM
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I used it for about a year before getting my Garmin. It works pretty well but it is not as accurate for HR or GPS as the Garmin is. The battery life can be an issue for longer rides over 9 hours or so. If you want to know your current speed you have to take your hand off your bars and look at your wrist which can be annoying also.
So it works pretty well except for the core functions of monitoring HR and tracking GPS? Oh, and battery life is sometimes a concern and it's inconvenient to look at while riding, but other than that...
Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
09-10-18, 09:36 AM
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haha yeah I mean I’m way happier with the functionality of my Garmin for bike rides but the Apple Watch was an ok device for me for a while. I still use it for runs and hikes and everyday use but now that I have a better product designed specifically for cycling I don’t use it for that.
09-10-18, 11:12 AM
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I use the apple watch (3) pretty regularly instead of the phone. Typically track w/ strava watch app, not always, sometimes the apple workout app. I'm just logging with it into overall apple health app. Does fine on GPS functions, sometimes gives a "false flat" for a while on HR, maybe 1 of 8 times. Since I'm not in any kind of training mode, it does fine for me. I also run a basic cyclo-computer on my handlebar, that's for "cockpit" info. Other platforms (eg Garmin or Lezyne) do provide a more extensive solution, but, "meh."
09-12-18, 10:47 AM
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I used it for about a year before getting my Garmin. It works pretty well but it is not as accurate for HR or GPS as the Garmin is. The battery life can be an issue for longer rides over 9 hours or so. If you want to know your current speed you have to take your hand off your bars and look at your wrist which can be annoying also.
09-13-18, 11:13 AM
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lol yeah. As long as you just pulled it off the charger and don't plan on doing a long ride, it can replace a bike computer. But only for hipsters.
09-13-18, 05:08 PM
#10
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I don't use it to replace a bike computer, but I do use it to leave my phone at home. I've always worn a watch, so it does mean one less thing to have with me. I also use it to listen to podcasts while riding which previously was a function also provided by my phone.
Series 4 looks interesting with it's fall notification capability.
J.
Series 4 looks interesting with it's fall notification capability.
J.
09-13-18, 06:14 PM
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I use a series 3 to track my rides. I didn't spring for the cellular, so I still bring my phone. I also ride with a Lezyne micro-GPS. The distances agree within about 1%, most rides. I use the bike mounted computer for avg. speed and as a backup for distance data. The watch is my primary, mostly because of the HR. I know it's not as accurate as a chest strap, but on the other hand, I don't have to wear a chest strap.
09-14-18, 07:25 AM
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I think it is best used as a calories/heart rate monitor off the bike. I decided to get one but I won’t replace my Garmin with it. The Garmin right in the line of sight on the bars plus a heart rate band is really the best combo for riding,imo.
I do know some people who ride with just the watch for now, and it works for them, but it is not as accurate.
Short story is I think an Apple Watch is more of a compliment to a bike computer than a replacement.
I do know some people who ride with just the watch for now, and it works for them, but it is not as accurate.
Short story is I think an Apple Watch is more of a compliment to a bike computer than a replacement.
09-14-18, 12:21 PM
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Not sure I see the point.. this watch costs about double what eg. a garmin 520+ costs. By itself, you can't easily call an ambulance with your watch, so you'll want your phone anyway; and I can't see that it does anything better than a dedicated garmin/wahoo unit does for cycling? If I do happen to crash, I'm more comfortable trashing my $20 casio than I would be one of these.
09-14-18, 12:23 PM
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09-23-18, 07:21 PM
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I'll continue to use the Garmin 510 but when I get the watch, maybe I can eventually leave my phone behind. I think a chest strap is still the most reliable HR monitor on rides/runs anyway.
09-23-18, 08:18 PM
#16
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J.
09-24-18, 06:34 AM
#17
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Having used a Garmin FR35 with wrist-based HR for almost a year now, I can confidently say that if you plan to look at HR data at all, use a chest strap. The wrist-based sensor has so many issues that its data is all but worthless.
09-24-18, 10:12 AM
#18
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But I *hate* chest straps. Maybe it's some version of claustrophobia or something.
Anyhow, the Scosche Rythm+ and the new Wahoo Tickr that mount either near the elbow on the lower arm or around the bicep on the upper arm positioned over the brachial artery have worked very well for me. I think that is a good alternative to a chest strap and is accurate.
J.
09-26-18, 05:48 AM
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I'm currently using garmin vivoactive HR with garmin HR strap and cadence sensor, works fine and I get to wear the watch all the time.
09-26-18, 10:23 AM
#21
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My watch face for riding has easy access to phone and walkie talkie and Apple Music. I also have the time on it and the wind speed and direction.
This helps me clear some clutter on my bike computer face. I still would strongly recommend using a bike computer to track rides and monitor things like heart rate, watts, distance and MPH. After the ride, the Garmin shoots everything to strava and then everything gets put into the watch so the calories and exercise goals are updated.
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