Cyclemeter app all the way! I've been using it for years now. Works great. It has always connected to my HR monitors and power meters without any problems. I carry a small battery bank for long rides.
@Brainjock I don't use Zwift, so I'm not sure. I know it connects with Strava. I do my long rides in Southern, MD, near Rte 301. Nice long stretches of roads.
For not even a moment have I regretted buying my Polar V650. It has outstanding battery life, I can use it for many many hours without charging. I used to commute 30-45 minutes a day 5 days a week and use it for an after hour ride of maybe like an hour or so AND use it for a multi hour day out in the weekend and still have like 20-30% left. I just charge it like once a week or nowadays more like every 2-3 weeks and I have NEVER had to worry about battery life. Also as both a MTBer and light roadie I can have multiple bike and sports set up which give me different date fields etc. And well this thing is built like a tank, dropped it quite a few times and has crashed with me more than I care to admit out in the woods and on the road with just some scratches on the body, not even the screen. The only reason I'd want to replace it is because it can't do onboard routing. Been looking to get another cycling computer, maybe smth like the karoo hammerhead or sigma rox with proper built in routing options for when I wanna do some more roaming. TLDR: I will never consider using my phone as a cycling computer as to me it can never win from a dedicated cycling computer.
I haven't even bought my bike yet and I just spent a little over 1k for all my riding kit head to toe. Just waiting on the bike now. That'll be another 3k. I can't wait to get my fitness to a whole other level!
I have an issue over the way you reference GPS, you were stating, “GPS Galileo “ and “GPS glonass”. GPS are the American satellites Galileo is the European Glonass is the Russian. Where the cycle computer says “GPS + Glonass” what it means is that it is using the two satellite systems simultaneously to improve accuracy. The side effect is that it uses more battery.
He also misunderstood that mobile phone use just the GPS. actually all current phones are alway incorporate multiple systems include the Chinese Baidu.
@This World Shall Know Pain! Hi, I also experience this. Do you have any experience of using GPS Computers in the woods and knowing whether it records your location more accurately than a smartphone? I would be persuaded to buy a Comp if it did record more accurate GPS in forest locations, but I'm not sure it will?
If you use phone app, its has some pros.. 1) Don't need to carry 2 expensive devices. 2) In emergency situations you can use phone to make a call. 3) If you get lost in unknown place, u can be traced if ur phone connected to nearest/recent tower. 4) You can take selfie or screenshot and upload it to social media.
I've set my wife's roadie up with a Quadlock mount plus a top bar bag to hold a powerbank/powerbanks for long/really long rides. The Quadlock system is excellent - the mount is tiny profile and solid, and the phone case is so low-profile that she just keeps it on the phone all the time for added protection. I've cable-tied a charging cable discretely down the stem and into the bag for when she's on longer rides. She can have her lovely big screen on full brightness for hours if she needs. The whole thing looks tight. She just doesn't use her Garmin any more.
@@Dennis4523 Actually it is one of the biggest draws on the modern cell phone. Apps most people use sync several times an hour. There are other options to shut off. Such as wifi.
Schyler Lewis alright ima guess you’re pass your prime, dude data has NOTHING to do with battery life. Apps don’t check the hour every min. Your phone doesn’t “check” the time it already knows the time on its own internal clock. And syncing Bluetooth devices and such doesn’t affect anything either.
The biggest battery draw on a smartphone is the screen which can be confirmed by using a GPS-less smart watch for navigating. When it comes to cycling computers, most tend to use a transflective lcd or a similar low power screen.
I just bought an used Android phone for 20€, installed cyclemeter on it and now I have the same functionality as a cycling computer. I mounted the phone on a normal Garmin mount in front of the handlebar. For battery life I mounted a small powerbank underneath the phone. Works fine and cost me about 30€. If a wahoo would cost about 100€, I would buy a wahoo but the cycling computers are way too expensive.
I use a old Iphone 5c & Iphone 6 as a computer with the Wahoo fitness app and bluetooth HRM & cadence sensors. It gives me all the stats of a high end computer, a awesoem display - specially in early morning rides when my co-riders can hardly see their comp screens. I use this setup for 2-3 hour rides and it does a fab job. upload rides directly to strava. I dont even insert a SIM in these old phones for this purpose. I would highly recommend riders to try using a old phone with a smaller screen as a bike comp as they are lighter.
I use a small computer that shows me the basics while I’m riding-speed, distance, time, etc. I use apps on my smartphone for the other data. There is very little drain on the phone battery because the apps on the phone are active but off screen and the screen stays black and can be securely tucked into a warm, waterproof pocket. My Wahoo SC Blue even talks directly to my phone. I ride 2-3 hours and rarely / never?finish with my battery under 85% charged. I’m also listening to music through my Bluetooth Aftershokz.
As a massive nerd, I wrote my own cycling app for my iPhone after my expensive Garmin decided it didn't want to work anymore. I figured I had to bring my phone with my anyway, for safety reasons.
@@Jbvidd nope. You can get a cheap prepaid Android phone, set it up on wifi, and use it just for the GPS. Idk how stuff like Strava works with no data connection, but there are plenty of cycling computer apps that are free if you just need a HUD with route tracking. You download the apps you need and set them up on wifi and then head out.
I don't need either of these. My Samsung Gear S3 Frontier Smart Watch wrecks both using Smart Phones and Cycling Computers. As long as my watch is on me, it will automatically detect my ride, track my speed, distance, heart rate, energy expenditure, time, and location using GPS. So once my ride is done or if I need to make a pit stop, it knows to pause. In addition to all of that, it lets me listen to music without needing headphones. All of that with a 2 day battery life. Never in my life will I consider using a cycling computer as the watch I have will do all of that and even verbally update me in real time so I dont need to take my eyes off the road. That and cycling computers add unnecessary weight to the bike, which I know most cyclists loathe the idea of. I would strongly encourage anyone interested in picking up a cycling computer to also look into a smart watch as well. The added functionality and battery life greatly outclasses even the best cycling computer by a long shot.
Smartphones (and other technology) have destroyed the SatNav market. Cycling computers could be next. Just takes one of the big boys to take an interest …
If you are a serious rider, I think hands down you get a garmin or a wahoo. Using your phone can easily take your battery from 100% to dead in 1-2 hours. To me, my phone is my emergency lifeline. I don't want to be killing its battery. My Wahoo can last 12 hours WITH the back light on at all times. I'd imagine if I turned the back light off during the day it would last closer to 15-20 hours. Finally, and maybe the most important, a cycling computer is dedicated to just that, cycling. You are far less likely to have issues with lost rides, bad data, the app crashing, etc. Further, with your phone you are more likely to have other apps interrupt or even mess up your ride tracking. If you are serious about tracking your rides there is really no need to watch this video. Get a cycling computer. Here's a challenge, find one person who has spent the money on a decent cycling computer (garmin or wahoo) that decided they are better off using their phone after they got it.
Very important also: gps generally can be seen much better in sunlight. A smartphone screen also has to be activated to be read... which is not the case on gps screens, technology is different.
The latest cycling computer by Hammerhead, the Karoo 2, is basically an Android mobile phone stripped down to function only as a cycling computer. Having all the capability and flexibility of smart phone makes the Karoo 2 arguably the best cycling computer currently available. But this also begs the question: Why not just use an actual smart phone as a cycling computer? Why not just attach a smart phone on your handlebar, download a sports app that displays performance metrics and navigation, and pair it with your power meter and heart rate monitor? The premium Garmin Edge 1030 Plus is as large as a mobile phone and costs just as much. So you can argue, why not just use a smart phone instead? The modern smart phone can work not only as a cycling computer but also as an emergency communication device, camera, currency converter and language translator when abroad, as well as wallet with smart pay. The latest smart phones are also waterproof and can be incased in shockproof casings to further improve durability. But it's precisely because the smart phone is also their emergency communication device, camera, etcetera--all sharing just one battery and the same memory capacity--that cyclists are hesitant to use their smart phones as cycling computers. Use your smart phone as a cycling computer for both fitness metrics and navigation while riding and use the same phone to take pictures and calling people during stops and the smart phone's battery won't last very long. (Also, crashing with your smart phone mounted on your handlebars may mean you've also destroyed the same device you need to call for help.) Perhaps the solution is to get a separate smart phone and use it as a cycling computer, since premium cycling computers are getting to be as expensive as smart phones anyway. I feel that if smartphone batteries lasted several times longer and were made even more durable, they would make cycling computers obsolete.
I use the cycle streets app, you can download the maps for you area for free, this means out on the bike you are not using data, only the phones internal GPS, this saves battery, data costs and means that if you do lose cell mast connection, it still works
That's exactly the problem I face. Now that I am cycling further my phone is getting to under 10% by the time I get home, it died on me today 9km from home.
My expensive Garmin edge 1000 is driving me crazy. Really clunky to use and years behind. I now use my iphone together with a small power bank. Love apps like komoot eg. Will never go back to Cycling computers
I do have a Cateye computer and a "spare" Asus Zenphone, because I bought a new one and kept the old to be mostly for using in my bicycle. Not to be cocky, but that old Zenphone I use with gps and hud, and I can use it all day long and only recharge it while I sleep. As it is a "spare phone", my main phone is there in my bag if I need a phone. On the size of precision, I had my computer installed and my phone side by side, while I had testing done to see precision of the computer. The computer responded precisely by the test with trainer that give precise speed. The phone outdoors give the same speed reading the computer does. Problem is while in tunnels, at night and in underground, the phone hud gives wrong or delayed reading. I dont have to choose, but if I did, the computer is not better in any way than the smartphone. I would rather use only the computer if I had only one phone and I had to use it as a phone so I would save battery. That would be the only reason.
If you live in a Town or city - phone is fine. If you live or like to cycle in wild country where a phone is about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike get a GPS system. It is way more accurate on position. The circular error probability is not good on phones when it comes to fixing position once outside of signal range. 380 meters error probability on some of my big brand name mobile devices. GPS is a consistent 3 meters cep.
My wahoo roam has a battery life like no phone ever. Works flawless and sends all ride data to Strava and anywhere else automatically. If it took photos I would not even bring my phone!
One important thing that was not mentioned. How many cyclist leave there phones at home? I'm guessing less than 5%. So for 95% of your cycling your carrying 2 devices.
Agree, but having a massive phone in front of you might not be for everyone, they would usually have it in a pocket. For triathlon and TT bars, having a phone in the middle is a no no, way too big :(
Good video, cheers. I would like a cycle computer, but would only consider buying one for navigation. I am not interested in stats and only want a screen with an arrow to follow on a detailed screen like google maps for when I tour. I don't see any reviews on cycle computers where navigation (aside from the obvious benefits of battery life and ruggedness) is compared to smartphones and that is the area I'm most keen to see if it's justified buying a dedicated cycle computer.
Ditched my old Garmin couple years ago after using it for 7 years. Use a a Cyclemeter app on my phone now and super happy. The app costs $10 a year, allows to connect external sensors and has more functions than Garmin. The downside is a battery life but it is not an issue on most of my rides, I take a backup battery on longer rides and recharge it. Have no plans to buy a dedicated cycling computer any time soon.
Brainjock yes, you can connect it to Strava and MyFitnessPal, so every ride will appear there. Wahoo TICKR heart rate monitor works great with the app and they have a recommended list of external devices as well. In addition, I connect a SRAM (Quarq) power meter.
90% of “problems” with mobile phone mentioned here, can be resolved by using a power bank or having second, older phone, Not sure why I should switch to glonass, why not using it always? Maybe the are some aero dynamic holders for phones as well ?
This. I bought a cheap silicone case for my already waterproof note 8, zip-tied it to my stem so the phone sits perfectly between my aero bars, and a small USB cable to my toptube bag with the battery. boom.
my mobile connects to heart rate monitor and blue tooth earphones. I go out for out 8 hours and facebook live at lunch stops and take pictures on phone. never ran out yet. Sporttracker FTW! Strava had me doing 399 kph to Dover once lol
I use iPhoneXR + Quad Lock + Cyclemeter. Sleek, aero, all sensors paired + strava. Perfect combination for me so far. The only downside is the batter; it’s good for about 4 hours. For a longer ride, i need to carry a battery pack and charge while having lunch
Another down side to using a mobile phone that you didn't mention is Data Usage. If you are on a low Gig Data Plan then you could run out of Data whilst out on the road and then Google Maps will be useless.
I'm less than a minute in but I have my thoughts :) I'm a new roadie. Super addicted since last fall. When I can afford a cycling computer with gps I'm definitely getting one. My phone doesn't have the batter power to do 5 hours in the saddle running strava and taking the odd picture. I've more than once had a good strava ride messed up from a dead phone. Then I also have a dead phone lol. So that's my thoughts :D
@Brainjock I had to tell you this because you also might be right about that. But yesterday out fishing I dropped my phone in the lake, luckily it was only a foot deep and got it back but toasted my batter and seemingly not my phone bahhaha. So new battery it is lol. Will update with better battery life bahahhahha
I carry my phone for safety but don't use it unless I'm off track. I do a lot of riding in the city and I also get up in the mountains on single track, both require good mapping/routing. Using my phone for that has always had me out of power in a few hours, so not practical. Plus, as the video indicates, if you're out in the rain, it is easy to ruin your phone if you're not careful. So, for me, a GPS bike computer is the winner, hands down. Now, if only they would work as reliably as my phone... I'm looking at you Wahoo and Garmin!
Makes sense. Thanks for stopping me spending cash on a pricey cycling computer that I don't really need, or a cheap cycling computer that doesn't do anything the Wahoo app on my phone already does.
The ine thing you left out it a phone on long rides needs connecting to an external battery and in hot weather I've had my phone overheat and it makes it unusable so if it being relied on it's made useless
As far as battery life is concerned when it comes to smart phone I can just carry a small battery which will double or triple my phones battery life! Just saying!
I use a Garmin watch for the ride stats etc and a Google Pixel 6 on a QuadLock mount on the stem, which is very neat and tidy and secure, so the phone is unlikely to be damaged in a crash. I also have OS maps on the phone, which is great for the type of riding I do, which includes lengthy off road sections. To improve battery life turn off WiFi. I also carry a small powerbank in my top tube bag to top up the battery on longer rides.
Where I cycle the phone (inside a waterproof case) just gets way too hot when mounted on my handle bar. If that were not the case then I'd also say that a phone is better, especially when it comes to navigation. I do enjoy the elemnt bolt though
I live at 6000’ elevation with intense sunlight; mounting a smartphone in the bars will cause the phone to overheat immediately shutting down. On the flip side, re: Garmin, I’ve had nothing but pairing/connectivity issues every time I go ride with any Garmin unit. I’ve owned their late 2000s Forerunner for Triathlon, the edge 500, and now the edge 530, and I seem to spend more time with tech support than I do actually riding. In fact I’m in the process of returning the 530 before the 90 day warranty period expires.
Great video. Myself, cannot find any good video how navigation works in practice on computers like Garmin. I do cycle freely, wherever I see ingesting pub or lovely little streets, wherever I think is ok. I wish to see the map on the go., to always orientate myself in general. Without preplanned route .
Despite the janky software and poor screen quality i would still go for the cycling comp, mainly for battery life. The garmin 830 is a beast for battery, might not be the claimed 20 hours but it does last for ages. For 12 hour days it’s good to never have to think about charging it until the end of the day.
@@Xcerptshow but it's just so much easier to use the computer. Smaller and waterproof with cycling specific functions. Dont have to think about loss of phone signal when navigating and finding a place on my road bike for a large phone and a battery bank would be tricky.
The GPS chip in your smartphone functions completely separately from your mobile data plan so you can still use it in airplane mode if you download the map beforehand. This significantly improves battery life.
I just use my smart phone and Cyclemeter app. Covers everything I need. I'm more interested in climbing so aerodynamics aren't as big a concern for me. That said, if you're a road rider and looking to shave as much weight as possible, why would you carry both a phone and a riding computer? You could shave some grams by just running with your phone provided you can get an aero enough mount to suit your needs.
Cons of a mobile phone for navigation: Your Nokia 3310 won't do it. Cons of a bike computer for navigation: Your Nokia 3310 can't upload a route to it, rendering it an expensive paperweight.
Picked up a Wahoo few weeks back . It was a nightmare ! Apple and Wahoo have some issues they need to sort out . Sent it back and bought the Garmin 530 edge ...Cant knock it :)
No wireless charging, sluggish/slow touch screen, Mini-USB charging port?! (MY GOD - how lazy and out of touch) They wanna charge premier price but they give you yesterday's tech. That's the BIGGEST problem right now. For phones, Battery issue is easily resolved with a Battery Case. Your phone's battery will last ONE WEEK. No kidding.
When on tour with the phone, I just carry a small charging brick and wireless earbuds. I get GPS tracking, and can listen to music while getting turn-by-turn voice directions for the route I uploaded from my desktop. If I want heart rate, I can just invoke the app that shipped with my sensor. Bulkiness is not a factor, since I just put the phone in the trunk or handlebar bag with the screen turned off. This way, I get a full day's riding on a single charge. When in camp, I just recharge using the brick, watch movies in the tent, repeat next day. All-in-one simplicity.
Cycling computers especially GPS units are ridiculously priced. I just bought a Garmin Edge 530 for $300. What do you get for $300? GPS and the software. That's it. GPS receivers cost nothing. The software that's on the unit is no better than anything that runs on your phone. The screen on the Garmin is a piece of crap compared to my Samsung phone. Why did I buy it? A few reasons. 1. I started road biking again and wanted to use rear-view radar. 2. It would be useful road biking to be able to see the map while riding. 3. The Edge 530 now has mountain bike trails on it so I can use it on both bikes although I really don't need it to navigate mountain biking because my phone already does that quite nicely but now I won't have to go into my pack to get the phone out. I guess??? IDK. Mostly I got it to use with the radar and have the computer and radar be integrated. All that being said it is a nifty little thing but $300? It would make more sense at $120 especially considering you have to buy all the sensors and extra mounts for other bikes. Way overpriced compared to a phone which can do ANYTHING! Take pictures, navigate, surf the web, make phone calls, text, email, shop on Amazon, watch movies, bitch on youtube comments, find a girlfriend.....
It’s an absolute no brainier… would I want to strap a 1k phone to my handlebars & then there is the size 🤔 even the sleekest of modern smart phones 📲 is a big unit to strap to your handlebars, given that your phone is used for a multitude of things not just making calls and is ultimately your life line, why would you choose to strap this to your handlebars? Should you have a unfortunate spill your phone could subsequently break free and then fall in to the road to be crushed …. & then there is the fact that you will be eating into important battery 🔋 life… with the colder the weather effecting it even more … whereas a compact cycle specific computer alleviates these issues while costing significantly less, and for some even a second hand unit with 7-8 hrs battery life would be more than adequate Garmin 820,s can be had off auctions sites now with all the sensors for under£100… keep your £1k phone 📲 for more important tasks 👍🚴 safe cycling people -
Seriously guys!! Who use bike computer nowadays 2022 , no one use ipod to listen music !! same thing, I have in my iPhone every thing I need gps , application, phone , music , big screen, if you have apple watch you will have hearts rate sensor ,more than 5 hours of riding you will carry phone even if you have bike computer more load you will carry in addition Why you need to spend money for some thing you already have, I believe in next years bike computer will disappear just like ipods become as history
Why can't l find an on scren widget to turn off unneeded background apps on Android to maximise phone battery life? Hate GMaps & Facebook running looking to sell me something local to me when all l want to do is track my route on Strava for 4 or 5 hours
Sports watch with GPS is ideal, not really Apple Watch though. I use a TomTom Spark 3 sports watch. It’s very accurate and no fuss at all. Mobile phones get very hot, especially iPhone, they simply shutdown
smartphone U always have + small bag where you have also keys and money on your handlebar and no crash is bad for this small bag+ phone , bike computers tend to die after crash....
For amateurs like me, who's riding max 2 hours long rides for training, and these day all of us have min. one old extra phone in the house,then using a phone with much bigger screen and strava on it or Google maps is the way to go..And about power meters.. We all have our favorite routes, Soooo in the end it's all goes down to did I get a better time then last time? 😇(Xperia z5 compact, waterproof, 4,6 col) 😎
Basic cateye velo wireless is plenty good for me. I can read a map or ask for directions, I am 58 so there is no point knowing power, I don't race now and when did I was not good despite training (won point score for my grade because I turned up for every race), and I want to go riding not computer programming, batteries last long, and if they don't I can work out how far I rode from g.maps. Just my personal preference.
I had an old galaxy s3 mini, I got and extended battery from aliexpress just for a 3 USD with back cover. it look almost like a bike computer. in very sunny day it is little hard to see but still possible. Rooted and installed android version 7, and Wahoo and bike computer application is installed. Both apps can connect with cadence sensor and wahoo also connects with speed sensor via bluetooth.
My phone kept sliding out of my jersey pocket until I converted to a phone mount and now use it as my bike computer. I've had it for roughly five months now without a single negative comment and it's one less thing I can forget before taking off
@Brainjock Ironically I use the Wahoo phone app haha it can track cadence and hrm. I believe power is available. But ridewithgps is my favorite app because of the routes functionality. Both are nice depends on what one is searching for in an app.
I do touring rather than racing so weight and stats is not my priority. I like to see how far I rode and where I rode and have bragging rights on Facebook. I just connect my iPhone to a portable power bank. No issues with my phone’s battery dying mid-ride.
i'm surprized that you did not talk about sun ! putting a smartphone in the sun is not good at all, it can overheat quite quickly. is that laso the case with cycling computers ?
The weather is an easy problem to solve tho, this not justifies the price of any comp... a small device that has only some gps' and a little screen costs more than my samsung a50, which is not a really good phone but it does its work... that's horrible
Stupid to buy a Cycling computer, in this day and age. They are not upgradable and everyone has to carry their phone on their rides anyways - might as well use them.
If you down load a route to a phone for off line use it uses up a lot less battery ,you can use an old phone for this .I use a wahoo but have this for a back up .
I rode with my Wahoo Elemnt Bolt from Exeter to Stoke on Trent over two days just using the nav and it was brilliant. My phone battery was still good by the end of the day and I still had over 20% battery on the bolt after a whole day riding. The cycle computer screen can stay on all day with no issues whereas the phone would be flat in no time. I also find the Wahoo screen less reflective and easier to read at a glance. Cycle computer everytime.
@Will - I'm considering the Wahoo Element Bolt (my phone died during a ride today), does it have a safety feature that allows others see where you are? I sometimes go exploring and currently use Strava to let family see where I am. Would love if Wahoo can do that.
@@ocubex hi mate, yeah it can do all of that, you can also see people with Wahoos in your map. I have it set so it sends my wife an email with a link to track me
I use a Fitbit Ionic that has GPS and HR, it syncs perfectly with Strava. Seems like a perfect solution as it doesn't need any mount and doesn't risk having the battery of the phone running out.
Do cell phones work with a wheel sensor from other bike computers or on there own I had two Cateye computers both secured holders clips broke lost both computers on the rides.never again Cateye.
I use the wahoo speed/cadence sensor and hrm with my android phone, works like a charm, plus an external battery pack and Bluetooth headphones and I can go for looooong rides and not worry about battery life.
I typically ride for 2-3 hours and use my smartphone with the screen on. I use MapMyRide and gps. I almost always have more that 50% power left when I finish. White cares about aerodynamics unless you are a professional rider. Us weekend warriors are fine with a smartphone. Plus most phones are now water-resistant . Just get a good mounting device like Quadlock. Really good video here.
