Who needs a Garmin these days?

[Grebel]

Surely a dedicated device specifically designed to do HR monitoring, power, cadence and navigation is better that a cell phone that can ALSO do the same? Just a thought.

 

I use an Edge 305 because it is able to display more info that my Polar S720i. I know that the calorie count on the Garmin isn't as accurate as the Polar's but is that really necessary? The Garmin is rugged enough to stand up the the elements as well. (Mine made it through a washing machine cycle unscathed the other day!!)

[Grondpad]

I will probably receive my iPhone 4 early next week, but I just have one concern. about using the iPhone for mountain biking.

 

How robust is it? What happens if you take a tumble or fall in a river crossing(water damage)?

 

Is anyone using an iPhone for mountain biking?

[Tankman]

It's an interesting question. You can now use an iPhone (and some other smart phones, I think) with ANT+ devices. This means these phones can work with power meter, cadence sensor HR strap etc.

 

On the hardware side I want a bike computer than I can mount on my handlebars, that will work with a cadence sensor, HR monitor and power meter, has an easily readable screen and that can work in all weather and light conditions. These are pretty much fixed once you buy the device.

 

On the software side, I like to be able to customise what data I see, I like having interval training features and I need to be able to record the data and download it to the analysis software of my choice. These may be current limitations of a device but could be changed by software updates.

 

Generally, I think a Garmin is better for me because:

- It's more water resistant.

- It's more robust and more likely to survive drops, bumps, scratches etc. I'm also less likely to care if it suffers scratches etc., so long as they don't affect the functioning.

 

I wouldn't use my Nokia because:

- It doesn't have ANT+ support.

- To be visible in bright sunlight, the backlight has to stay on. I don't know what this will do to battery life.

- The buttons are too small for me to use in cold weather with full-fingered gloves.

 

The major reason I wouldn't use an ANT+ smart phone is cost. If I lose or break it, it'll cost me a lot more to replace than a Garmin (I also wouldn't ride with it in my back pocket).

 

+1

 

There is much more real time data available on an Gps like the Garmin Edge 500. Most of the software and apps mentioned here only give you the chance to view that data after you get home and log on to the web.

 

I want to see the data while on the bike! Not keen on mounting a phone on the handlebars either.

Mud, water, sweat, operating a smartphone with a touchscreen will not be fun or easy.

 

Recording laps, cant be done on a phone as far as I know.

Current gradient

Current decent/accent

lap speeds

all the averages not instantly available - nope not for me thanks - GPS all the way!

 

If you dont have a GPS cycling specific unit - yea then these apps are not to bad

[scotty]

I'm busy cycling in demo mode on my Garmin to Thabazimbe.

[Eldron]

Hmmm a question....

 

Are cellphones water tight?

[Slowbee]

Er um dont do nokia dude!

 

we know you are not a doctor - but can you please elaborate on this ?

[david16v]

Afreek, you're a little behind buddy, check these two links in sequence...

 

http://sportstracker.nokia.com/nts

 

http://www.sports-tracker.com/

 

You must have had the old Sports Tracker.

 

Battery life, well the above ride was 4 hours and the battery barely dipped. I'm going to use it for a 6-8 hour hike in a months time and I expect it to last.

 

Handlebar, yeah you can mount it on the bars.

 

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/82056311/Images/4/5089%205062.JPG

 

Personally I wouldn't want to as I don't want to sweat all over my phone. While riding I couldn't care less what my average or current speed is. If I'm staying with the leaders and I'm giving it my all, no computer or GPS will make me go faster. Its very nice to look at the data afterwards though.

 

Thats where you all wrong! You need to analyze your data as you ride!

The more experienced you are the better you understand your cadence & HR vs distance & elevation, etc.

 

Does your phone do Cadence? Dont think so!

 

I don`t see the pro`s using these devices in there pockets??? They are mounted on the handle bars for a reason.

Oh, one other thing, your phone ain`t IP65/77 rated, which means it aint waterproof! Good luck using this on your handle bars when the weather turns ugly or when you ride through a river!

 

If you are in a pack keeping up with the fast guys;

a ) you dont know what your HR is

b ) how much distance/elevation is left?

c ) how long you can keep your HR up there before fatigue/lactic acid start to build up.

 

It`s all about sticking with the pack, checking distance, HR, ascent and then planning if you can stick it with this pack, join the next pack or drop back to another pack.

Edited November 5, 2010 by david16v

[Ratty]

I will probably receive my iPhone 4 early next week, but I just have one concern. about using the iPhone for mountain biking.

 

How robust is it? What happens if you take a tumble or fall in a river crossing(water damage)?

 

Is anyone using an iPhone for mountain biking?

 

I've learn't from past experiences that even the robost phones don't like liquid. I lost a nokia after someone knocked a beer all over me and it was in my pocket. For this reasons, my cell phone goes in a waterproof pouch that is attached to a click in my camelback pocket. I don't think the iPhone will be that Robust, just imagine falling on a rock and damaging the screen, you will cry.

 

I like my garmin as its an all in one thing. Previously I had a Polar watch, bicycle computer and Endomondo on my phone. Much easier just have one device that I can quickly move between bikes. Only problem is I haven't got used to having a computer on the bike that you have to charge.

[Grondpad]

I've learn't from past experiences that even the robost phones don't like liquid. I lost a nokia after someone knocked a beer all over me and it was in my pocket. For this reasons, my cell phone goes in a waterproof pouch that is attached to a click in my camelback pocket. I don't think the iPhone will be that Robust, just imagine falling on a rock and damaging the screen, you will cry.

 

I like my garmin as its an all in one thing. Previously I had a Polar watch, bicycle computer and Endomondo on my phone. Much easier just have one device that I can quickly move between bikes. Only problem is I haven't got used to having a computer on the bike that you have to charge.

 

Thanks Ratty. So I guess its the Garmin 800 for me. I read some reviews and apparently its brilliant!

[niklasvm]

i've used my nokia gps on about 5000km of riding and some running/hiking. I've crashed with it, ridden in the rain, etc. I ride with it in a waterproof bag in my back pocket. It provides such a lot of information for the fraction of a cost I'd have to spend on a special cycling gps. I still have my speedometer and HR monitor on my handlebars. Afterwards i don't really use nokia's sports tracker website but I can use the GPX file in any application for instance I use SportTracks which gives me elevation, gradient, time splits, etc.

 

All the technology is there now, its just the device software that needs to be improved a bit more.

[Azonic]

Thats where you all wrong! You need to analyze your data as you ride!

The more experienced you are the better you understand your cadence & HR vs distance & elevation, etc.

 

Does your phone do Cadence? Dont think so!

 

I don`t see the pro`s using these devices in there pockets??? They are mounted on the handle bars for a reason.

Oh, one other thing, your phone ain`t IP65/77 rated, which means it aint waterproof! Good luck using this on your handle bars when the weather turns ugly or when you ride through a river!

 

If you are in a pack keeping up with the fast guys;

a ) you dont know what your HR is

b ) how much distance/elevation is left?

c ) how long you can keep your HR up there before fatigue/lactic acid start to build up.

 

It`s all about sticking with the pack, checking distance, HR, ascent and then planning if you can stick it with this pack, join the next pack or drop back to another pack.

 

I've coped for 15 years without any of the "experienced" data, so I think I'll cope just fine I tend to think the more experienced you are, the less you would need to reply on a device to tell you how you feel, you'll know.

 

The pro's don't use these devices (in their pockets) because they get given the expensive toys for free. Pretty obvious that one.

 

Yep, the phone isn't waterproof, but the R0.50c plastic packet I keep it in is

 

SportsTracker records your heart rate at various places along the route. That, coupled with the profile you can generate should be more than valuable information to dive into when you get home.

[Zeps]

In the words of a old time triathlon/duathlon champ 'I don't need any device to tell me when I am k@kking off' .... is it not true that Nick Bester alluded to the fact that he may have lost a Comrades once due to 'following his HRM' rather than his instinct?

[Day Bike]

Love my Edge 705!!! :clap:

[david16v]

I've coped for 15 years without any of the "experienced" data, so I think I'll cope just fine I tend to think the more experienced you are, the less you would need to reply on a device to tell you how you feel, you'll know.

 

The pro's don't use these devices (in their pockets) because they get given the expensive toys for free. Pretty obvious that one.

 

Yep, the phone isn't waterproof, but the R0.50c plastic packet I keep it in is

 

SportsTracker records your heart rate at various places along the route. That, coupled with the profile you can generate should be more than valuable information to dive into when you get home.

 

 

I understand my body just fine, but that still doesnt mean I dont need to check the data! You cant tell me that doing a multi-stage event you aint gonna look at the data while riding???

 

Still cant understand people that ask "How far are we?" in a race!!

This all means that you can use all the energy you have on a particular hill/flat section throughout the race. Not knowing how far you`ve ridden/ how far you still have to ride is a crisis!

 

The other problem is once you get home and analyze the info, you actually forget how you were feeling on different hills, whereas if you just look down at your gps (garmin) you can see what your HR/cadence is. You can even lap it and when you review @ home can pin-point the specific spot on the map!

 

Anyway, different strokes for different fowkes!

[scotty]

In the words of a old time triathlon/duathlon champ 'I don't need any device to tell me when I am k@kking off' .... is it not true that Nick Bester alluded to the fact that he may have lost a Comrades once due to 'following his HRM' rather than his instinct?

I never use my HRM in a race, my legs dicate if and when i am able to wheelsuck.

[Woofie]

I never use my HRM in a race, my legs dicate if and when i am able to wheelsuck.

 

Me too.

Dont use anything on my bike anymore.

 

Miss knowing how far we are though.

 

But at the end of the day your aim is to try and stick with the group whether you at 70% HR or 100% HR doesnt matter.

 

So I am not going to spend bucks just to see how fast I am going.

 

I have played around with logging the gpx files on the phone though and that is pretty cool to go and see afterwards.