jeirvine 

I just carry my Android, and only really use it to map out new routes while riding using basic Google maps/directions (turning on the "Bike" layer is pretty useful for that.) Sometimes I slip it inside the clear slot on top of a handlebar bag, but most times it's in pocket. I have downloaded a few free apps to collect route data but have not even turned them on yet.

Cougrrcj

I'm an analog guy. I still have one of these in my parts bins:



.

Sixty Fiver

I carry a smartphone with gps, only a few bikes have cyclometers.

jiangshi

I've found that people without a GPS are always faster than those with one. The grades are always greater, too.

dveneman

Try the Ride Tracker app on your I phone. It's for bicycles and is really good.

russd32

I have a Garmin mount on every bike! After using GPS I'll never spend money on a computer again, and honestly the iphone apps are good enough that I probably didn't even need to spend money on a GPS. I'm with you though, it's nice to have all of my rides logged online so I can review later and compare.

Chrome Molly

Getting lost is the fun part.

Whizzer283

I had a Garmin Edge 500 bundle (cadence/heart rate/gps) that I recently sold on eBay. At first I stopped using the heart rate monitor because the data wasn't useful (too much volatility). Then I just stopped using it altogether when I realized that I didn't like being bombarded with all the info. Today I ride with my iPhone in my jersey with Strava & Cyclemeter running. Cyclemeter tracks all my data and allows me to export it to my computer just like the Garmin, only easier. Strava allows me to track my personal progress. It might be my immaturity but I look forward to seeing how many trophies I picked up on the last ride.

Anyone considering a bike computer should first check out free Strava and $5 Cyclemeter before plunking down hundreds of dollars on a dedicated bike computer. If you like taking longer rides, get a maxboost supplemental power supply.

+1 Strava
+1 Cyclementer

RobbieTunes

Ex Pres 

Yes, Sunday as a matter of fact.
What are these GPS and APPS ye speak of?

Kobe 

All I need is the current speed, so that I maintain a decent pace ,and total distance. To get my average speed the old fashion way, using math. If I ride 30 miles in 2 hours I averaged 15 mph, it helps to keep those 3rd grade skills active.

loose spoke

+1 for Cyclemeter! Best bang for the buck and will interface with cadence and heart monitors wirelessly too.

RubberLegs

You KNOW, ALL that STEEL in that bicycle WILL throw off your compass!??!??!? ;-)
[QUYouOTE=
RobbieTunes;16003079][/QUOTE]

rhm

You know it will be work better if you put it on a bike, right?

I have those on two or three bikes.

For the last several months I've been carrying a Google Nexus Seven tablet, running "My Tracks." I tried "Map My Ride" but it sent me autogenerated emails congratulating me on my "workouts" which annoyed me enough to uninstall it. MyTracks is pretty primitive, but it gives me a map and a couple statistics and that's kinda fun. And if I get lost, I can look at the tablet and figure it out.

And the tablet lets me take screenshots, ooh, what fun:

SJX426 

My standard is a Specialized Comp from 1997 that I use all the time. I have a Windows Phone 8 and have been trying a number of different apps. I store it in jersey for the ride and compare the data with the Comp. The Comp wins every time. The apps don't appear to be consistant. The last trip said I started at 402 feet when I am in Downtown DC at less than 200ft! Time is usually off as I have to start then store in the pocket then pull it out and stop the app. They don't appear to know when I am stop vs actually ride. I would like an app to provide both, acutal ride time with average vs. elapsed time with average. There are a couple of very long stop lights or cross walks. At least the comp knows when I am stopped.

The other problem is that the Nokia has a wonderful touch screen that really doesn't take much touch to respond. When in my pocket, it may manage to go through a couple of touches that stops the program.

I have used Cycle Log, Map my Ride, CycloMeter, and just installed Runtastic. Of course they are all free so I should expect less than consistant results, right?

BlackMetal

I have this and it is the best I've ever had https://www.tankasports.com/es/cicloc...-edge-500.html

andyfloyd

I use the android app "runkeeper". It shows splits, top speed, average speed, etc. I have it on my HTC one and it works well. Just did a personal best today on my way to work today. I like it because you can get tangible evidence showing you how you are growing as a cyclist...ie : Getting faster or slower.

OTS 

Garmin Edge 500 here also.
It's easy and I like the data it collects.

Cougrrcj

I had it on my Fuji until the constant 'pinging' from the pin attached to the spoke fatigued said spoke enough to break it. Just riding along on a nice flat country road and I hear a very loud 'PING'. Hmmph, I thought to myself, 'I wonder what that was?' About a mile or so later I noticed that my odometer wasn't working so I stopped on the side of the road and noticed the broken spoke. At that particular time, it was attached to a custom wheel I had built up using the original Phil Wood hubs, butted 14/15/14 stainless spokes and MA2(?) rims. That was the only spoke that broke on that wheelset, so I attributed to the constant plucking of that spoke every rotation of the wheel. IIRC, it read 78xx.x miles at that time. I really wanted to 'turn it over' and hit 10,000 miles on it, but it broke something internal at 97xx.x miles. I replaced it, bit the new one lasted only 1200 miles or so. After that I just quit using them. BTW, that was in less than just one year's time of riding! The one in my parts bin came from a 'flipper'.

You know, It would almost be worth the "WTF?"-factor to put one back on there. Heck, I got that ten years ago from someone asking be what 'that doohickie' was on my bike, pointing at my tiresavers... Those I've 'rebuilt' a few times over the years using a stainless spoke and nylon tubing...

RobbieTunes

Not my bike, but I think the only steel on it would be the bolts and the chain. 2103 Tarmac SL4. He carries a compass, a frame pump, and runs 3 straps on his L foot, which uses a wrestling shoe. After several motorcycle accidents and falls at home, his legs don't always "answer the call."

MetinUz

Here is what I usually use, Garmin 910XT. It also works for running and swimming, and does not clutter the bar of my C&V rides.

Cougrrcj

Anyone tried the TomTom GPS Sport watches?

https://sports.tomtom.com/en_us

MetinUz

Looks like only the runner model is out, and the battery lasts up to 10 hours, which is not good enough for cycling. My 910XT lasts over 20 hours, and can be charged on the go. A TomTom multi-sport model is supposed to be coming soon, but no word on the battery life or charging options.

iab

The experienced riders I know seem to care about only one thing, power. And how power relates to their heart rate, weight and time. Other than than, they measure themselves against other riders by height.

And someone explain Strava to me. Virtual competition? Distance/time/speed are almost worthless metrics, comparing them to people who rode under different conditions makes them even more worthless. Anyone want to compare wii bowling scores? I got a 237 the other night.

lphilpot

For a while I used my (oldish) Garmin GPSmap 76S on my bike, until I got a Cateye computer. That's used for mileage and speed while riding, but all the while SportsTrack Pro is running on my phone. I upload it when done (https://www.sportstracklive.com/track...g/1104335/full). It makes for a nice way to record rides. I don't even power up the Garmin enough any more to keep the almanac updated.