46
votes
Accepted
Dedicated bike GPS computer over smartphone
I used a phone for about two months, then bought a Wahoo GPS computer in March 2018.
The primary motivation was that
My phone has lousy GPS (Huawei P10). Multiple times a week, it would claim that I'...
- 16.7k
17
votes
Dedicated bike GPS computer over smartphone
I use a phone for navigating long rides (up to 400km/20 hours). I'm rare among distance riders, and if I had unlimited money might get a dedicated unit. For me the phone works well - a dynamo keeps ...
- 45.4k
14
votes
Wahoo Speed sensor: how does it work, exactly?
They use a tiny MEMS gyroscope to measure RPM. These are solid state devices that can measure axial rotation so it can count how many rotations per minute the bike’s axle is rotating. The actual ...
- 28.4k
14
votes
Dedicated bike GPS computer over smartphone
Main reason not to use you phone has to be cost and crash resistance. While a dedicated unit may set you back $250-$350, many people have a decent phone with a replacement cost of over $1000. Given ...
- 39.4k
14
votes
Accepted
GPS bike computers in track cycling?
In track (velodrome) racing, visible cycle computer displays are generally not permitted. So the only funny looks will be from the commissaire who will request it be removed.
This is the UCI rule:
...
- 2,355
12
votes
Can a bike computer be used on the rear wheel?
Totally fine - its a good idea. You'll need to move the sensor and fit a second spoke magnet (or move your front wheel one)
Another option would be fit an ant+ or bluetooth sensor and look at ...
- 96.7k
12
votes
Dedicated bike GPS computer over smartphone
In addition to all the other advantages a dedicated cycling computer has over a phone, battery life when collecting data from wireless sensors such as speed and cadence sensors and power meters is ...
- 8,634
10
votes
Cycling distance per day
When I decided to get back in biking around 2 years ago (After not being in a bike since I was a teen) this was around the same amount of distance I had to pedal. My bike was a Schwinn Ridge Al ...
- 334
10
votes
Bicycle computers that can transmit audio, music?
Disclaimer: I have been working on software for a GPS sports watch, but I have not been involved in product management.
The whole reason for sports watches and bike computers to exist is limited ...
- 19.1k
9
votes
Is it worth it to get a bike computer with cadence?
I also think the answer is "it depends", but for slightly different reasons to Daniel. I think it depends on why you're cycling.
If you are training, then measuring cadence can definitely be useful. ...
- 9,593
8
votes
Accepted
Using cheap bike computer as a cadence indicator, possible?
This has been done before in pretty much the manner you're describing (and its basically the same way that a decent number of commercial cadence sensors work, e.g. Garmin GSC10, which attaches a ...
- 45.5k
8
votes
Can a bike computer be used on the rear wheel?
Yes you can, although my suggestion is buying another cycle computer rather than trying to re-fit an existing cycle computer as you appear to be asking for.
I've always used a cadence cycle computer. ...
- 440
8
votes
Accepted
Edit a recorded strava activity?
Yes this is possible. First up I'll be completely blunt
If you're editing your ride to make it look faster, then you're only cheating yourself.
EDIT - THIS WENT AWAY in 2017ish. However I know ...
- 96.7k
8
votes
Accepted
Why would anyone steal a bike computer off of a bike?
I guess there are various different motivations as already pointed out in the comments:
Vandalism. Stealing the bike computer is easy and fast, doesn't require equipment. Lamps (even attached with ...
- 1,023
8
votes
Accepted
Identifying extra triggers in a speedometer
The problem went away after a firmware update. The most likely interpretation is that the reed switch is generating two pulses for each pass of the magnet, but now each double-pulse is interpreted in ...
- 4,241
7
votes
Calorie Burn Meter Bicycle
Generally, you attach a bike computer or a power meter to a bicycle to collect statistics, and/or some sensors to yourself.
A bike computer measures the revolutions per minute of a wheel, typically ...
- 45.5k
7
votes
Accepted
How bike computer wheel circumference change affects speed
Your actual speed will remain the same. The speed displayed by the computer will be higher by 2%, as Will Vousden says. Please note that this higher reported speed will probably be more accurate (...
- 86
7
votes
Bicycle computers with nonvolatile memory
I am also searching for a computer with non-volatile memory.
According to Sigma the computers
BC 5.16
BC 7.16
BC 7.16 ATS
BC 9.16
BC 9.16 ATS
PURE 1 (according to the reply from Sigma customer ...
- 190
7
votes
Accepted
What's the difference between power meter and bike computer?
A 'bike computer' is a generic term for everything from a simple wheel sensor giving distance and speed, to an all singing all dancing computer that measure cadence, speed, altitude, heart rate, ...
- 39.4k
7
votes
Dedicated bike GPS computer over smartphone
My old GPS was powered by AA batteries. No need for recharging in the field (powerbank or so), you can just take a sealed pair of alkaline batteries with you so if something unforseen happens, the ...
- 2,094
6
votes
Is it worth it to get a bike computer with cadence?
No.
You're correct that there is extra cost and hassle involved in collecting cadence. The question you need to answer for yourself is: does the benefit outweigh the cost. Since you don't seem to see ...
- 23k
6
votes
Accepted
Is it possible to move a wireless computer between two bikes?
It depends on the bike computer.
Some computers have this feature, others don't. A brief look at the manual of this computer says yours only supports one bike and you'll need to get another computer ...
- 45.5k
6
votes
Can a bike computer be used on the rear wheel?
Short answer: Yes.
Not so short answer: It depends, since most bike computer sensors (The Reed switch / Hall sensor) are designed for a front fork - spoke clearance and usually this is smaller when ...
- 334
6
votes
Accepted
How do I troubleshoot a cycle computer?
First of all, try changing the distance and vertical alignment between the sensor and the wheel-mounted magnet.
If that doesn’t help, the sensor (or its cable) mounted to the fork is probably broken. ...
- 19.2k
5
votes
Is it worth it to get a bike computer with cadence?
Summary: I used it a lot for a while getting started. Now I never look at it.
Cadence was one of the primary features I was looking for when getting a computer for my road bike. I bought one of the ...
- 151
5
votes
What is the use of GPS/Elevation on Bike computers
Ever had that "this has to.... be the top.... oh sh$%.... it's a crest.... there's more...." feeling. Knowing altitude lets you pace your climb and arrive the the top without over (or under) doing it. ...
- 39.4k
5
votes
Accepted
Can I use Edge 510 as an indoor trainer computer
I'm basing this on my 810 but I assume they're similar.
You can create a new profile for riding on the turbo. For each profile you can select which sensors are used. If you turn off GPS and turn on ...
- 565
5
votes
Stopping interference between LED lights and wireless cycling computer
I too had major interference problems between my 700lumen Smartlight (no, not the Garmin one, just a brand called Smart) and VDO M6 wireless computer with all 3 sensors (speed, cadence, HRM) stopping ...
- 167
5
votes
Stopping interference between LED lights and wireless cycling computer
The problem is the current controller built into the LED bulb has no or ineffective EMC suppression. This is extremely common in cheap equipment from unbrand named suppliers, who save costs by not ...
- 39.4k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible