cyber.snow

I have been out of biking for the past few years and this year my resolution was to start riding again. I have ordered a new bike and started riding on my old bike. Years ago I had a Garmin 500 and while it did a lot of things like measure cadence, heart beat, etc. It didn't offer much in the way of mapping. I tried a Garmin GPS and bought a wireless computer and rode with my polar watch, but that was a real clooge. I would like to be able to see where I am and have an idea how fast I am going, how far I have ridden and how long I have ridden, I would like to also know my heart rate so I can better adjust my workout, but I can also do that with a watch. Do they make anything that puts all this together and maybe uses an Iphone? wish wish....something reasonably priced and without worrying about a dozen batteries, etc.

khuon

I'm using a Garmin Edge 1000. It's a bit pricey and somewhat large but it ticks all the other boxes you're listing.

RomansFiveEight

Cyber.snow; there's actually all kinds of stuff that uses an iPhone.

Some things to consider:

GPS and the screen suck battery life down. So if you want to mount it to the bars and track data; you can, but the battery won't last long.

Alternatively, the iPhone can go in a pocket, and you can track the data; but not see it real time.

One option, is a two-fold solution that costs about the same as a lower-end GPS cycle computer (like a Garmin Edge 500/510), but with as many if not more features. Is to use a device called the Wahoo Reflekt, which uses your iPhone, but displays the data on it's own, coin-cell powered screen. Then the iPhone can go in a pocket or saddlebag, and for even more battery life, you could install an external battery pack. Depending on how much you want to lug around, you can get a name-brand external battery pack that's not much bigger than your phone that'll keep it running, GPS and all, in your saddlebag four hours and hours and hours.

A final option is what I did, which is the "el-cheap-o frugal" (say 'frugal' with a cool accent) option. I discovered that stuff made for older smartphones is dirt dirt dirt cheap all over the place. I also discovered I had an iPhone 4 collecting dust in a drawer. So for about $30 (cheaper if you get it without the speed/cadence sensor), I got a Wahoo bike case that included a speed+cadence sensor, and the bike case gives the iPhone ANT+ connectivity for sensors (the iPhone 4 doesn't support Bluetooth 4.0, which is needed for Bluetooth sensors. The 4S does, though). By disabling the SIM card (remove it, or set a SIM pin then restart the phone, and don't enter the PIN), since it wasn't 'active' anyway, I can free up some battery life. And it's been lasting 3 hours or so, full brightness, ready to go. Which is enough for me. Wahoo sells a battery pack that attaches to the back of the mount, and reviewers say they are able to complete century rides without their old trusty iPhone 4/4S dying. The advantage of that is that I get a full-featured cycle computer complete with turn-by-turn navigation if I so wanted, using something that was collecting dust and a $30 Amazon.com purchases. But it has it's disadvantages. Modern software is slow, and though it does work just fine with Strava and Wahoo Fitness, it won't work for Trainerroad and some other apps. The disadvantage of using it over my iPhone 6 is that without cellular data, I'm limited "in the field". Though I can tether it to my iPhone 6 using the wi-fi hotspot, but that's a mess and then it'll drain the battery in my iPhone 6. However there are free apps out there that let you pre-download maps, so you can use navigation. Of course, it's only a 'disadvantage' depending on how you look at it, since the purpose-made cycle computer doesn't have cellular data anyway! (But, then, they last for 15+ hours on a charge, are much smaller, etc.)

The solution that worked for me works for me now. I'm happy with it. Eventually I'll probably want a bonafide cycle computer. But this is a good, cheap, beginner solution for me. Had I not 'discovered' the magic of leftover outdated smartphone stock, the solution probably would've been my iPhone 6 in a Jersey pocket, which would mean no real-time data. And the real time data actually is helpful for me as a beginner.

At the end of the day, only two options check all of your boxes. An iPhone mounted to your handlebars or (more ideally) using a Reflekt screen (you won't be able to see the iPhone in bright sunlight, you probably will be able to see the remote screen though; it's designed for that). Which has the advantage of functionality for the right price, and the disadvantage of battery life and general clunkiness. The other is a higher end Garmin cycling computer, which checks all the boxes, will last longer than most of us would ever care to ride AND more, but of course, is a costly option.

loimpact

This may not be a 'cheap' solution but I transitioned from running to biking during a running injury (I still run) and already had a Garmin 305. The 305 will do all you wanted, it's just on your wrist. Considering I like my lighting equipment to own my bars, and sometimes my GoPro, I don't mind having my GPS on my wrist anyway.


Once home, you can load all your data onto Garmin software & get all the map data you're looking for. The rest will also be available but is also immediately available on your wrist in as many screen configurations as your eyes can stand. (I think the Forerunner 15 would be the current version, though I like the larger screen of the older forerunners myself so they can pry my 305 off my cold, dead wrists.)

Just another option to consider.

cyber.snow

In addition to buying a new bike that allows me to do a lot of exploring, I am new to the area. So knowing where I am and how to get back to the car, is really important to me. Right now, I don't care a lot about power, heartbeat, cadence and a lot of statistics. I am interested in how fast I am going, how long I have been riding, maybe average speed until I get in better shape...these things are relatively simple and cheap. It is the mapping function that is my dilemma right now. I did take a look at several IPhone biking apps and found one that had a decent size map but then even that was small. I would like the map to be about the size of the IPhone and not a postage stamp size in the center of the screen, heck I can't read that while I am riding. I just spent a heck of a lot of money on a new bike and I am not prepared to spend another big chunk for a Garmin package at $700. Do they make a small mapping unit? Can I buy one of those RFLK thingys and will it keep my map up to date?

RomansFiveEight

The REFLEKT does not show map data. It's just a monochrome screen that shows metrics like speed, cadence, distance, etc.

One solution might be to mount your iPhone to your handlebars and use an app like Google Maps. Simple as that. They even have cycle-specific mapping (It doesn't always work great, but it does work). I believe you could still run an app like Strava in the background that will be recording data. Keep in mind that with the screen on and GPS going the battery will deplete fast. But, like you, I just don't have it in my budget to drop big bucks on a cycle computer after buying the bike. So the iPhone is a good solution for me.

Something to keep in mind when searching for a bike mount;

Open air mounts won't offer any crash or weather protection. But they are the cheapest. Also, I've tried waterproof mounts in the summer on my motorcycle; and found the phone to overheat and shutdown inside them when the sun is beating on them.

My only other thought is to print out directions from a source like Google Maps, and take them along in a Jersey pocket. Do it the old fashioned way. Strava has a navigation feature; even lets you pre-program a route on your computer before setting off. But I've not used it (I'd have to, you know, be able to ride far enough to get lost first). But, as you said, it doesn't give a very big map.

cafzali

Garmin's Edge series will do what you want, if you get a GPS-enabled one. Right now, I'd recommend the Edge 800 because its price point isn't as crazy as new models, but it will do what you want.

Keep in mind that you want a heart-rate monitor to pair with your computer to get heart rate. They're available for between $30 and $50, depending on whether you want a chest strap or something like the Mio Link, which you wear on your wrist.

If you're willing, hit eBay and look for people selling older Edge units like the 800, as they upgrade to newer devices. There are lots of folks who buy every single version of Edge computers.

LGHT

As a new rider I would suggest the edge 705. Very similar to the 800 as you get turn by turn, color screen, support for speed, hr, cadence, but it's not the fancy touch screen so you navigate via buttons or a little joystick on the top. You also have to plug in the device to upload data as it doesn't do wireless sync. For me as a new rider those missed "features" although nice to have where not really necessary. I picked up a used on on ebay in almost new condition for around $120 about half of the 800 cost. I put the money saved toward other things I needed like bibs, shoes, helmet etc where I didn't want to buy used and thought the money was just better spent. For example I can feel the difference between more expensive and comfortable shoes I purchased.