Bike computer vs iPhone
#51
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If all you are interested in is real time speed and distance, there are some cheap GPS "computers" available. I have one of these, which is very simple, doesn't have a lot of functions, but works fine. Right now it's only $25 on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/CYCPLUS-Compu...34&sr=8-3&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/CYCPLUS-Compu...34&sr=8-3&th=1
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#53
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Sometimes I wonder about how accurate it really is. There have been multiple times when riding with friends where we all end up with different distances and elevation gains, even though we started and finished our rides at pretty close times and locations, and are all using GPS-sourced distance calculations. The differences aren't gigantic, but more than would happen in our variations in start and stop times/locations.
#54
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I use this Garmin watch. I paid $99 at my local running store. It will log data for numerous activities. It displays time distance and speed. Once it syncs with the Garmin app, I have the app sync with Strava, and there much more data is visible, like elevation and segments etc.
Like you I only want the basic info while riding. This does it well, doesn't add clutter to bars and works with all my bikes, jogging, walks, hikes etc.
Like you I only want the basic info while riding. This does it well, doesn't add clutter to bars and works with all my bikes, jogging, walks, hikes etc.
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#55
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It's not what the cycle computer does or what the smart phone does that is the true attraction. That lies in the simple using of an electronic device and the fascination of translating experience into numbers. Think back to the days before we had all this stuff. Cycling was just as much fun. I suppose there is no harm in using these devices, but they are really unnecessary. I have a simple computer on my road bikes but nothing on my mountain bike. The only difference between riding one and the other is that on my road bike I know how fast I am going and how far I went. If I am cycling to a destination on my road bike, I know how far I have to go. I pretty much know the same things on my mountain but not with precision. As Marshall Mc Cluan pointed out with regards to T.V., "the medium is the message." But no harm done if you like this sort of thing.
I take it for an indicator of irrelevance to their time where certain things (unnecessary to us) have become a necessity.
For example, I still don’t really see a need of those bicycle-specific tight outfits that cost hundreds of $ but my children almost wouldn’t go out on a bike without it, even when they are riding my old steel Tesch or the ancient Waterford.
But as long as they enjoy the outdoors, it’s all good!
#56
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I only go on day trips, and as someone already mentioned, I know the routes, town, and I have my phone and watch (yes, a 50 year old watch that is still ticking accurately by natural and occasional movement of my wrist - no batteries, no recharging, no blue or purple tooth). 😉
Next year when I start going touring, multiple day trips, then a good bicycling computer will become important and I’d buy.
Next year when I start going touring, multiple day trips, then a good bicycling computer will become important and I’d buy.
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It's about the location. I'm not under the belief that being in my jersey pocket is the same as some sort of protective case, but it's much less exposed and prone to damage than being on my handlebars, especially since a good portion of my riding is in the dirt (MTB or gravel bike)
#58
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Especially when riding in the dirt, I tend to stop and take pics along the way. I like having my phone quickly accessible, and my jersey pocket serves my needs. When I crash and land on my back, and the shattered screen slices into the soft flesh of my lower back, I will remember that I should have heeded your warning.
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The IG Sport line gets very good ratings, have more functionality than you can use and has GPS (and sensors for speed, cadence,etc) for CHEAP: https://www.aliexpress.us/w/wholesal...7b4b2145o5egxH. Amazon sells the same stuff for far more.
I have had zero issues with my bike electronics (lights and sensors) through this site.
I have had zero issues with my bike electronics (lights and sensors) through this site.
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#60
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Addressing the "just ride your bike more" folks, I've found that a big factor in riding my bike more is creating routes to places I've never seen using RidewithGPS, uploading the resulting TCX files to my Garmin and following its prompts. Another factor in riding my bike more is having current data on cadence and heart rate. I can ride a lot further if I know how much energy I'm expending. I too, don't look at speed. That's the one useless piece of data. Distance, OTOH, is very important. It's good to know where one is and what's coming up next. When my wife and I did our two week tandem tour in the Czech Republic, I planned the whole thing out in advance. We used our Garmins for navigation and took no paper maps. That's how we ride our bike more. We're still at it, riding places we've never been before as well as old, familiar routes, of which I have over 200 in my route library.
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#61
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Addressing the "just ride your bike more" folks, I've found that a big factor in riding my bike more is creating routes to places I've never seen using RidewithGPS, uploading the resulting TCX files to my Garmin and following its prompts. Another factor in riding my bike more is having current data on cadence and heart rate. I can ride a lot further if I know how much energy I'm expending. I too, don't look at speed. That's the one useless piece of data. Distance, OTOH, is very important. It's good to know where one is and what's coming up next. When my wife and I did our two week tandem tour in the Czech Republic, I planned the whole thing out in advance. We used our Garmins for navigation and took no paper maps. That's how we ride our bike more. We're still at it, riding places we've never been before as well as old, familiar routes, of which I have over 200 in my route library.
My most critical real-time data is HR.
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#62
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Just my iPhone in a silicone case, and cheap silicone bar mount, if I crash the phone is the least of my worries.
Tim
Tim
#63
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[QUOTE=Eric F;23079071]Until you have to call someone to pick up you and your broken bike. [/
My last two crashes, the phone came out of it a lot better then me, not really an issue.
Tim
My last two crashes, the phone came out of it a lot better then me, not really an issue.
Tim
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Addressing the "just ride your bike more" folks, I've found that a big factor in riding my bike more is creating routes to places I've never seen using RidewithGPS, uploading the resulting TCX files to my Garmin and following its prompts. Another factor in riding my bike more is having current data on cadence and heart rate. I can ride a lot further if I know how much energy I'm expending. I too, don't look at speed. That's the one useless piece of data. Distance, OTOH, is very important. It's good to know where one is and what's coming up next. When my wife and I did our two week tandem tour in the Czech Republic, I planned the whole thing out in advance. We used our Garmins for navigation and took no paper maps. That's how we ride our bike more. We're still at it, riding places we've never been before as well as old, familiar routes, of which I have over 200 in my route library.
I followed that up with an extended credit card tour of Portugal, riding north to south and booking accommodation followed by building a route daily. I find the recent addition of heat maps in the latest planning software amazing as it effectively allows one to find and ride on the roads most frequented by cyclists. I much prefer a dedicated bike computer however use a phone if that is your thing as those battles have occurred numerous times on these forums with no winners on either side.
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#67
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Yep. I know my local area really well, and don't need directions to ride where I want to ride. However, while vacationing earlier this year, mapping was a big factor in being able to do some really excellent rides in an unfamiliar area.
My most critical real-time data is HR.
My most critical real-time data is HR.
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#69
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I used to use my iPhone with the app Cyclemeter. It worked pretty well until the extreme heat of the South Florida summers on my Saturday morning endurance rides. After about 90 minutes my iPhone would overheat and shut down. I would put in in my jersey pocket to cool off for at least 20 minutes before I could use it again. then if I mounted it back on my bike, it would last about ten minutes before it would overheat again. That's when I bought a Garmin. I switched to a Wahoo last year when my Garmin went dead. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, but I'll never go back to using my iPhone as a bike computer again. Neither of those have overheated on me ever.
Edit: I do ride early, especially in the summer for my Saturday endurance rides in S Florida. In the summer, I need to be off the bike by about 10- 10:30 AM, otherwise I start to overheat. But the iPhone was overheating long before I was done with my Saturday rides.
Edit: I do ride early, especially in the summer for my Saturday endurance rides in S Florida. In the summer, I need to be off the bike by about 10- 10:30 AM, otherwise I start to overheat. But the iPhone was overheating long before I was done with my Saturday rides.
Last edited by Bassmanbob; 11-21-23 at 07:30 PM.
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#70
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I used to use my iPhone with the app Cyclemeter. It worked pretty well until the extreme heat of the South Florida summers on my Saturday morning endurance rides. After about 90 minutes my iPhone would overheat and shut down. I would put in in my jersey pocket to cool off for at least 20 minutes before I could use it again. then if I mounted it back on my bike, it would last about ten minutes before it would overheat again. That's when I bought a Garmin. I switched to a Wahoo last year when my Garmin went dead. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, but I'll never go back to using my iPhone as a bike computer again. Neither of those have overheated on me ever.
Edit: I do ride early, especially in the summer for my Saturday endurance rides in S Florida. In the summer, I need to be off the bike by about 10- 10:30 AM, otherwise I start to overheat. But the iPhone was overheating long before I was done with my Saturday rides.
Edit: I do ride early, especially in the summer for my Saturday endurance rides in S Florida. In the summer, I need to be off the bike by about 10- 10:30 AM, otherwise I start to overheat. But the iPhone was overheating long before I was done with my Saturday rides.
#71
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My set up was given to me by one of my generous daughters, a Wahoo Roam and Garmen Varia. Sensors on the rear hub for speed and one on the shoe. I use to use a HR sensor across the chest but now I expect my Pixel 2 watch to take care of that. My go to app is Ride with GPS which is automatically updated from the Wahoo.
I have several bikes and the RWG supports identifying which bike was used.
What I have found useful is current cadence, which needs working on and the radar of the Varia. I like to know when a vehicle is approaching from the rear. I have managed to survive for 0ver 72 years and don't want to take any additional risk with my aging.
What I do review after a ride is the average speed, cadence and HR stats. I have been riding alone all my cycling life and don't care much what others are doing or how I compare. I am the strongest competitor I know.
I have been informed the Varia is one of, if not the brightest rear light around. It varies with the speed and distance of the rear approaching vehicle to get their attention.
I have dedicated sensors on the major bikes I ride and with a standard pedal selection, Keo, I can use one pair of shoes. That means that there are multiple mounts for the single Roam and Varia. one for each on each bike with other sensors. Sensor batteries et replaced every year.
PXL_20220720_133417067 on Flickr
P1050237 on Flickr
P1050206 on Flickr
I have several bikes and the RWG supports identifying which bike was used.
What I have found useful is current cadence, which needs working on and the radar of the Varia. I like to know when a vehicle is approaching from the rear. I have managed to survive for 0ver 72 years and don't want to take any additional risk with my aging.
What I do review after a ride is the average speed, cadence and HR stats. I have been riding alone all my cycling life and don't care much what others are doing or how I compare. I am the strongest competitor I know.
I have been informed the Varia is one of, if not the brightest rear light around. It varies with the speed and distance of the rear approaching vehicle to get their attention.
I have dedicated sensors on the major bikes I ride and with a standard pedal selection, Keo, I can use one pair of shoes. That means that there are multiple mounts for the single Roam and Varia. one for each on each bike with other sensors. Sensor batteries et replaced every year.
PXL_20220720_133417067 on Flickr
P1050237 on Flickr
P1050206 on Flickr
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#72
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I use a Sigma. Gives me MPH, distance, cadence. Among other things I don’t use. It uses a sensor on the fork and chain stay along with a magnet on the pedal. Gives me everything I need never had any issues
#73
Senior Member
I rode Bike Virginia this past summer and the routes were all Ride with GPS. No maps, no painted arrows.
For those of us with Wahoo or Garmins, just another day in the saddle.
For the many with only phones, there was a lot of frustration. Batteries ran out very quickly. Do you keep the display on or off or some combination? I can't see the map when it's in my pocket and can't always hear the prompts.
This is a case where the right tool for the job fits.
For those of us with Wahoo or Garmins, just another day in the saddle.
For the many with only phones, there was a lot of frustration. Batteries ran out very quickly. Do you keep the display on or off or some combination? I can't see the map when it's in my pocket and can't always hear the prompts.
This is a case where the right tool for the job fits.
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