VCSL2015

At the risk of starting a new thread and last thread for a long time, I was wondering what you prefer and why. Thank you!!!

JerrySTL

I have a bike computer (Garmin Edge 705) on the handlebars so I really don't need to see the smart phone data. I keep my phone in a jersey pocket.

beakersbike

I figure if anything unfortunate happens, my phone has a better chance of surviving inside my jersey pocket than sitting on the handles.

obed7

I actually bought a nice mount for my I-phone, used it a few times and took it off...with a light, garmin and phone mount, there was just too much junk...I carry the phone in my jersey pocket...

ColaJacket

I don't have a dedicated bike computer, so I use a stem mount for my Galaxy S4 (w/ Otterbox Defender).

GH

Willbird

I have a stem mount for my iPhone 5s but I will soon have s Garmin edge 510, would rather have phone in pocket. Bought wahoo rflct+ thinking phone could stay in pocket, nope loses connection to wahoo TICKR. Rflct+ works great to save phone battery, but Bluetooth does not penetrate a human body very well hence the loss of TICKR signal.

Fly2High

Timbuk2 2015 Goodie Box. I wanted someplace to store a few things and the phone and this worked great for me. Even with a Urban Armour Gear Case on my iPhone 6, it fits in this top tube box.

Goody Box 2015 - Timbuk2

bassjones

Garmin 910XT on handlebar mount, iPhone in pocket.

Black wallnut 

Garmin 510 on an out front mount; iPhone in pocket. Works for over 7K miles a year.

TrojanHorse

Well, what are you using your iPhone for? If it's your bike computer, you sort of need to see it. if not, put it in your jersey. 3rd option, get a regular bike computer for cheap (or a garmin for not-cheap).

matchstick

On the stem right now since I use it for a bike computer, but I'm hoping to update to a bike computer at some point, at which time it will go in the pocket.

Cycle Babble

I use Endomundo with my smart phone to track my biking......but I leave the phone packed in my top bar pack with a few emergency snacks. I also use a cheap bike computer to track the miles as well. They are both within a quarter mile after a 30 mile ride.

John S

MikeRides

I have a dedicated bike computer (Bell Cyclocomputer) mounted to my handlebar that tells me everything I need to know plus some (distance, average/max/current speed, time elapsed, even calories/fat burned). My phone, goes into my water resistant saddle bag until the end of my ride.

Fly2High

I purchased a cheap Nashbar Dual sensor (speed and cadence) computer for $50. This gives me all the metrics I need on the spot at a cheap price. speed, distance, avg speed and cadence, max speed, instant cadence, clock, duration, etc.. Just cannot afford a Garmin 510 or better. I would want turn by turn navigation which I think I would need the 800+ to get. I like the ability to load a map and follow a predefined path. Until I find some serious discretionary funds, the phone fills the route planning for me, unfortunately.


I use my phone to log my workout but I tend not to look at it. I can leave the screen off and it is good for a day's riding. With the screen on,I only would get a couple hours at most. I tend to use Strave and MapMyRide (sometimes at the same time) to log my route, see how I compare in Strava or as a backup if I am following a MapMyRide route. I like how Strava compares segments to my past and to how others have done them.

Mindcrime

Simple bike computer on the bars/stem to track speed/distance in real time, Strava and Road ID running on IPhone in plastic baggie in jersey pocket to log stats for upload and transmit location to spouse. Easy, cheap, keeps battery use down.

69chevy

I'm so confused as to why you'd put a phone that is a great cycling computer in a pocket, and also have a computer on the bars.

I mount my phone on my bars, and it does everything. Music (speaker, not headphones), GPS, cycling app, time, etc...

TrojanHorse

How far do you ride and is the screen on the whole time? Extend that out to 8+ hours and you'll start to see the complications and yeah, I know you can get external batteries etc etc. I personally don't want to get stranded with a dead phone.

kc0bbq

My Garmin 500 can record 100 hours of rides, at least, between charges. My phone is 75% discharged after 6 hours out, recording via Strava with the screen off, in my pocket fresh off a charger.

If your rides are only up to a few hours long it is enough of a cyclocomputer, but you start to outgrow it even at entry level endurance distances.

69chevy

I ride anywhere from 10 miles to 100 miles.

For long rides I have an external charger.

I only turn the screen on when I need to see it.

I've never had a problem.

Black wallnut 

#TrojanHorse already made this point however I used to use my smart phones as bike computers and where I live 5 hour rides would drain my cell batteries. I have had my phone shut off before. I was not even using the screen however I was sometimes using verbal updates from RunKeeper. I had a wireless bike computer that showed speed, distance and time mounted on the bars. Using a smartphone to upload my rides to social media provided a vehicle for encouragement, support, motivation, and inspiration to ride my bike. I doubt that I would have become the cyclist that I am without it.

Granted battery life might be better today than it was several years ago. However If i use my smartphone much at all I need to recharge the battery daily anyway.

TrojanHorse

Glad it works for you. I like having the screen on 100% of the time so I wouldn't like your setup.

69chevy

I understand that. I've never had any need to see the screen unless I am doing intervals or am "training" for that, I leave the screen on, but I don't do that for hours on end.

DTSCDS

I have a Wahoo RFLKT and my phone goes in my jersey pocket. I haven't had any trouble with losing the bluetooth connection. (Maybe I've just been lucky so far.) I put it in a zip top bag if it looks like moisture might be coming. With the screen turned off I have plenty of battery for anything I will be riding. (I'm only doing a couple of hours at a time.) Yesterday I rode an hour to work, it sat in my pocket all day and then I rode the hour back home and still have tons of battery left. They key is having the screen off.

VCSL2015

Gosh I am SO glad i asked this question. I hope it can help other people as much as it helped me make my decisions. Currently maybe im a dork...the jury is still out.... I love to have my Strava near me so was wearing a thin jacket and the dang thing only had a right side pocket so it was hitting my knee every time i pedaled! That did not last long and I wasnt having it anymore, I took out the pocket and sewed it into the left top side of the jacket. Still bad. And this is how this thread was born. My iphone needed a home. I also like to hear my podcasts while riding. I am using earbuds but they keep falling out of my freakin ears with my sunglasses on, and helmet its a tangled mess Id rather not have while on the road. Let me hear if you use earbuds or have other ways you listen to your phone while on the road.

Rvav8r

+1