TheLibrarian

So I've decided to join the modern world and get a smart phone. Looking at all the different devices, plans and os's. It looks like some apps are only for certain os. Does that effect any common cycling apps? I think my choices are basically windows, android, or ios (apple) as far as i can tell. Apple is pricey, I'll try to avoid it for my needs. Will android or windows give me sufficient options in bicycle apps and what apps do you recommend? Windows says they have functional offline gps which seems good? Depending what else i can do I figured it'd at least be neat to see exactly how far i've gone, make maps of trails and avg or real time mph.

Seattle Forrest

Most smart phones are either Android or iOS; Windows has a small enough share of the market that you should ignore it unless you have a specific reason to do otherwise.

There are plenty of niche apps that are only available on one platform but many of the more popular apps work on Android and Apple. If all you want is a speedometer and to keep track of your riding time and distance, it doesn't matter which operating system you choose, both are very capable of this. GPS will work without cell coverage (or with it disabled, eg in airplane mode) on either platform. I've used mine (in the phone) in the wilderness to identify stars on backpacking trips.

CharlieC

From someone who has windows phone, it is not good for cycling apps. Few are available compared to Apple or droid and some that are available, do not have full functionality. Stick with the droid if want a less expensive phone.

I love my windows phone for the office stuff, but almost everything else about it sucks. Come Bill, I'm trying to support you here but you are making it soon hard....

Rich Gibson 

I use a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 but the Galaxy 5 will work fine. The app I use is IpBike. It has a screen you can configure to just about any parameter you wish. It uploads to between 7-10 on line cycling related sites. I upload Training Peaks. It's free for up to 1 million wheel revolutions and after that quite inexpensive. I have a Wahoo cadence and speed sensor, MioGlobal heart monitor and a Power2Max power meter which all show on the screen of the phone. The author also includes a virtual power meter feature. IpBike works with both the ANT+ and Low power Blutooth (LPBT) interfaces. The Galaxy 5 phone is the lowest number to get otherwise you need an external dongle to convert ANT+. The 5 and Note 4 have the receivers built in. Slick!



Rich