Bike Computers?
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Chattanooga TN
Posts: 1
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate with Campy Super Record. Cannondale R2000 with Dura Ace
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bike Computers?
Hey folks,
I'm an old masters racer that's getting back into cycling. Do people still use computers, or are you using phone apps? What are people using?
I'm an old masters racer that's getting back into cycling. Do people still use computers, or are you using phone apps? What are people using?
#2
Senior Member
All my bikes are running a mix of wired or wireless SRM's so tied into their head units.
Wouldn't be keen to have something as big as my mobile out front!
Wouldn't be keen to have something as big as my mobile out front!
#4
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 5,528
Bikes: 2019 Trek Procliber 9.9 SL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2017 Bear Big Rock 1, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3401 Post(s)
Liked 5,431 Times
in
2,572 Posts
I use a Wahoo Bolt. I like it a lot.
IMO, a phone is just too big, but I know people who do that.
IMO, a phone is just too big, but I know people who do that.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Likes For Eric F:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,862
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2951 Post(s)
Liked 3,092 Times
in
1,411 Posts
Garmin Edge 130.
I don't need color, touchscreen, or big maps. I just need something to talk to my powermeter. This works.
I don't need color, touchscreen, or big maps. I just need something to talk to my powermeter. This works.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,281
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2838 Post(s)
Liked 1,574 Times
in
901 Posts
There's a lot of folks using dedicated GPS cycling computers. Expensive little suckers (but worth it) that use GPS to track your time, track and speed (Garmin, Wahoo, hammerhead, Lezyne as typical). Most upload a saved and completed ride to a website so you can log your workouts. Most allow a route to be created online and downloaded to the device that gives you an on-screen map as well as turn-by-turn directions. The Bolt and the Garmin 130 are typical. There are pricier versions as well. I'm a map and data junky so love my Hammerhead Karoo 2.
#7
Junior Member
I use both a Garmin 530 and a phone app called Ride with GPS which was free. The Garmin adds a lot of detailed info to my rides like heart rate, respiration rate, vertical distance climbed, it’ll also take power meter inputs but I haven’t bothered getting power meter pedals yet. It sends all that data to my phone’s Garmin app so I can go back and look it over later.
The free Ride w/GPS phone app has great mapping so when I go way out of town I can quickly see “where does that road go?” or find my way back to my car! It’ll also tell you average speed and max speed. It also has a lot of the trails in the woods where I ride my mountain bike which is nice.
The free Ride w/GPS phone app has great mapping so when I go way out of town I can quickly see “where does that road go?” or find my way back to my car! It’ll also tell you average speed and max speed. It also has a lot of the trails in the woods where I ride my mountain bike which is nice.
#9
Full Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 425
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 167 Post(s)
Liked 291 Times
in
163 Posts
I have a Garmin Edge 530 which ticks all the boxes and I've used it for the last 3 years. I got a Hammerhead Karoo 2 for Christmas from family and I have started using it - seems great so far.
I don't like using my mobile but I do have it with me so I guess anyone looking to avoid getting a dedicated computer could simply use their phone with Strava.
I don't like using my mobile but I do have it with me so I guess anyone looking to avoid getting a dedicated computer could simply use their phone with Strava.

Last edited by AlgarveCycling; 02-07-22 at 03:17 PM.
#10
Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Mars Hill, NC
Posts: 19
Bikes: Litespeed Tuscany
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
8 Posts
If you have a power meter, you should absolutely be using it. And the corollary to "If a tree falls and no one hears it, did it make a sound?" is "If you rode without Strava, did you really turn the pedals?"
#11
...
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Whitestone and Rensselaerville, New York
Posts: 884
Bikes: Bicycles? Yup.
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 262 Post(s)
Liked 802 Times
in
411 Posts
$50 Cyclplus M1. GPS ride tracking and manages all my sensors including power.
It's a mainland Chinese computer, so they get my cycling data before pushing it to Strava. I don't think a retired guy's ride data is altering the balance of National Security, but it deserves a mention.
It's a mainland Chinese computer, so they get my cycling data before pushing it to Strava. I don't think a retired guy's ride data is altering the balance of National Security, but it deserves a mention.
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: SW WI
Posts: 160
Bikes: Cannondale Topstone, Trek Dual Sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 63 Post(s)
Liked 90 Times
in
48 Posts
I have a Garmin Edge 530 which ticks all the boxes and I've used it for the last 3 years. I got a Hammerhead Karoo 2 for Christmas from family and I have started using it - seems great so far.
I don't like using my mobile but I do have it with me so I guess anyone looking to avoid getting a dedicated computer could simply use their phone with Strava.

I don't like using my mobile but I do have it with me so I guess anyone looking to avoid getting a dedicated computer could simply use their phone with Strava.

I also use the free RWGPS for data. Haven’t really had a large need for GPS navigation, but when I do I extract the file from RWGPS and load it in my garmin handheld, but that is a cumbersome process. Perhaps the Garmin has similar data collection, but I guess simple data is more of a importance to me at my level. It would be nice in those rare occasions not to run two devices.
#13
Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm sorry to butt in on this, but I have just registered and do not see a button enabling me to post a new thread. Can anyone help? The FAQs state that you need the right permissions to do this, but do not explain how you get these. Also, I cannot see there there is any contact facility. Anyway, how does one acquire the ability to post on Bike Forums please?
#14
Full Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 425
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 167 Post(s)
Liked 291 Times
in
163 Posts
So, my question to you is is there a way, or is it relatively easy to extract data from your 530 to up load to RWGPS?
I also use the free RWGPS for data. Haven’t really had a large need for GPS navigation, but when I do I extract the file from RWGPS and load it in my garmin handheld, but that is a cumbersome process. Perhaps the Garmin has similar data collection, but I guess simple data is more of a importance to me at my level. It would be nice in those rare occasions not to run two devices.
I also use the free RWGPS for data. Haven’t really had a large need for GPS navigation, but when I do I extract the file from RWGPS and load it in my garmin handheld, but that is a cumbersome process. Perhaps the Garmin has similar data collection, but I guess simple data is more of a importance to me at my level. It would be nice in those rare occasions not to run two devices.
As for RWGPS, not sure in that particular case, I never use GPS nav on my rides; I have never needed to.

Likes For AlgarveCycling:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 13,664
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3839 Post(s)
Liked 1,076 Times
in
757 Posts
You can get it to do it automatically:
https://ridewithgps.com/help/automat...garmin-connect
RWGPS has lots of Garmin users (so, they definitely put effort into supporting them).
Last edited by njkayaker; 06-25-22 at 04:17 PM.
Likes For njkayaker: