Bike Computer Recommendation

[Headshot]

Another good bike computer android app is Urban Biker. Free and even has a bell function. Now to find a decent phone on bike holder for a Galaxy 5.

[Albatross]

I have the Edge 25 and yes, you can turn the GPS off.

[dirtrider]

Most bike computers can do what you want except for the ALT . But there are plenty of those also around but reviews suggest that it's not very accurate . 

[Ryanpmb]

I have the Edge 25 and yes, you can turn the GPS off.

 

He cannot use a GPS device.

 

Unfortunately, should the Yolandes and Kevins of this world enter the race, they would simply flick the GPS back on...

[Bobbo_SA]

You're not allowed a GPS device when competing in RASA or R2R.

 

Gets bit grey re a phone but most of the time you're lucky if your smart phone can make a call on that route, nevermind access data.

 

But 99% of smartphones have a GPS anyway.

[Ryanpmb]

But 99% of smartphones have a GPS anyway.

 

Thus my grey area comment. It's something of an issue for the organisers. Given the nature of the race though - you're only cheating yourself if you use it.

 

By Day2 the phone is dead or turned off anyway.

[dirtrider]

Thus my grey area comment. It's something of an issue for the organisers. Given the nature of the race though - you're only cheating yourself if you use it.

 

By Day2 the phone is dead or turned off anyway.

 

And another main concern they got with GPS is the ability to track the course and we know what happens once tracks gets posted all over the place !! 

[Christofison]

From what I've heard from guys who have done it in the past, you are allowed a GPS device to record your route. You are not allowed to plot routes, load them onto your bike computer and let that be your means of navigation.

 

Golden Rule 5
"During the Freedom Challenge, Challengers are restricted to the use of traditional forms of navigation. This includes the use of the official race narratives and race maps, a magnetic compass and any device which measures time, distance and speed without the use of GPS technology (i.e. a simple bike computer). Any device onto which a GPS track or route can be loaded and followed is prohibited. Use of such devices for navigation will result in immediate disqualification."

[dirtrider]

Mail received from race office quote 

 

". The issue relates to the recording of GPS tracks during the event (which these GPS enabled devices all do automatically) which are then shared publicly / uploaded later, creating the impression that the route is open to the public - much of the route crosses private land and access is by prior arrangement and sometimes only allowed during the event - in the last few years access to parts of the route has been permanently lost due to people riding through on GPS tracks without official permission. "

[Pure Savage]

You can pop an edge 25 into your bag, load it onto strava as private and nobody it the wiser. 

 

You get to see your results, its easy, nobody gets in trouble.

[Davey_Jones]

I have a o-sync mini cadence which has most of those features and its really really small.  Got it from cycle labs think it was under R300 end of last year.

 

You might need to call to see if they have stock still.  I got mine from Fourways mega store.

 

oh just know its a wired computer

[AngryAustrian]

Have a Polar CS500 lying in a drawer I could sell. Has all those functions, not sure on the battery life left on the speed and cadence sensor though... if they run flat you have to replace them.

[Ryanpmb]

You can pop an edge 25 into your bag, load it onto strava as private and nobody it the wiser.

 

You get to see your results, its easy, nobody gets in trouble.

Completely against the ethos of the race. But ultimately that's a personal choice I guess.

 

Lots of interaction with other race members and hosts at the overnight stops. Someone will find out.

 

But as I said - simply against the race ethos. Those that enter understand.

[Ryanpmb]

From what I've heard from guys who have done it in the past, you are allowed a GPS device to record your route. You are not allowed to plot routes, load them onto your bike computer and let that be your means of navigation.

 

Golden Rule 5

"During the Freedom Challenge, Challengers are restricted to the use of traditional forms of navigation. This includes the use of the official race narratives and race maps, a magnetic compass and any device which measures time, distance and speed without the use of GPS technology (i.e. a simple bike computer).Any device onto which a GPS track or route can be loaded and followed is prohibited. Use of such devices for navigation will result in immediate disqualification."

Yes, in the past there was some leniency towards this. However, now you CANNOT use a GPS device. Let's not confuse the issue. Those that enter now are explicitly told they will be disqualified if they use a GPS device, under any circumstances.

[tubed]

Tim James has a built in GPS function and a senior/ very experienced SAA pilot, I reckon he knows the FC route better than most, but it was still very satisfying (in a perverse way) to see him going in circles late into the night and the early hours of the morning in the Vuvu Valley last year.

 

Dirtrider will tell you, you dont make memories by taking short cuts or the easy way - no debate, no GPS.

 

The most important feature of a bike computer is reliability - make sure it functions below freezing and some guys even take a backup, without it you will be at sea.

 

I took one off a bike in Rhodes and my mate Eric resorted to counting provincial km signs on fences to figure out how far to go - neither is optimal.

So go basic, reliable and oddly enough the one thing I would want is a reliable temp reading - nobody believes you are riding at -9, you need a photo of that. These things are important!

[EmptyB]

I have a o-sync mini cadence which has most of those features and its really really small. Got it from cycle labs think it was under R300 end of last year.

 

You might need to call to see if they have stock still. I got mine from Fourways mega store.

 

oh just know its a wired computer

You can also buy Sram group sets at Cyclelab now for R299...