GPS on a bike?
#1
Road Runner
Thread Starter
GPS on a bike?
I have a Garmin GPS-V that I used to use all the time on my touring motorcycle. Now that I've "retired" from that activity and am ramping up my "pedal cycling", I'm wondering how practical it would be to occasionally use this unit on my bike. The V is a medium-size GPS, and I do have some RAM mounting parts to put it on the handlebars. This is a "comfort bike" used mainly on rail-trails and such, so a bit of added weight is not a big deal to me. But it might be a bit clunky-looking or geeky maybe.
Anyone have any experience doing something like this? I am thinking of doing an organized multi-day cross-state ride in Michigan this summer. The GPS might come in handy, although I'd have to pack a couple sets of extra batteries since I no longer have a 12V electrical system to connect it to .
-- Doug
Anyone have any experience doing something like this? I am thinking of doing an organized multi-day cross-state ride in Michigan this summer. The GPS might come in handy, although I'd have to pack a couple sets of extra batteries since I no longer have a 12V electrical system to connect it to .
-- Doug
#2
Site *****
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 503
Bikes: 1960 Malvern Star
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This has been brought up in this post GPS thread
I have put my GPS on several times to check the calibration of my cycling computer. I wouldn't put it on unless I was doing some mapping or using trails to get somewhere. All the same, it is a nifty toy.
I have put my GPS on several times to check the calibration of my cycling computer. I wouldn't put it on unless I was doing some mapping or using trails to get somewhere. All the same, it is a nifty toy.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Alabama USA
Posts: 535
Bikes: TREK 1000c
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by DougG
Anyone have any experience doing something like this?
-- Doug
-- Doug
The data I like to monitor from the receiver is Speed, Avg Speed, Distance (odometer), Time Total, and Time Moving. The track function is also used to show a map of where I rode.
BTW, did you see the new Garmin Forerunner 301 with the heart monitor feature?
https://www.garmin.com/products/forerunner301/
d.tipton
Last edited by tippy; 04-02-05 at 10:04 AM.
#4
Road Runner
Thread Starter
Yes, I use a Forerunner 201 for my running and like it a lot. I used it on the bike a couple of times, but of course it has a lot less capability than the GPS V. The F201 is good for tracking time, distance, and pace, but I am looking for the mapping features of my V.
#5
Banned.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Posts: 4,761
Bikes: 84 Trek 660 Suntour Superbe; 87 Giant Rincon Shimano XT; 07 Mercian Vincitore Campy Veloce
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I have no use for a GPS. I've been riding road bikes for over 35 years and rode mostly in remote mountain areas and never wish I had a GPS. Don't know where your going? Look at a map! Or take a map with you, it's not like your going to be navagating the freeway system in St Louis!!!
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Middle of Montana
Posts: 467
Bikes: 1996 Specialized Stumpjumper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I could have used one today. I was riding on old hiway 101 on the coast here and took an off road. Went several miles but had to turn around because while I knew the road hooked back with 101 somewhere I had no idea how far....
D
D
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Maryland suburbs outside Washington D.C.
Posts: 498
Bikes: '06 Specialized Roubiax Expert, '08 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp 29, Nishiki frame
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
While my Garmin V is used primarily in the car, I've brought it along when hiking or mountain biking on occasion. Garmin makes a handlebar mounting bracket, so it's easy to attach/detach.
Do I need it....no. Do I refer to it when hiking/biking...only when coming to a major fork in the trail and don't have a map (which isn't too often). But I do mark the location of every "summit", so I can save it for posterity.
Do I need it....no. Do I refer to it when hiking/biking...only when coming to a major fork in the trail and don't have a map (which isn't too often). But I do mark the location of every "summit", so I can save it for posterity.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 7,143
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 261 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
10 Posts
Originally Posted by Dougmt
I could have used one today. I was riding on old hiway 101 on the coast here and took an off road. Went several miles but had to turn around because while I knew the road hooked back with 101 somewhere I had no idea how far....
D
D
When you do get lost, you can spend a load of time just trying to find your exact location on the map. The GPS liberated me from having to carry paper with me forever. I don't even know all the features of the device and I've had it for nearly two years! It's not necessary. The fact that I can no longer get lost has made the device invaluable.
#9
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Camarillo, The VC, California
Posts: 303
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a Magellan that I was using a lot. On a tour in Thailand once it came in handy three times. Here in California it doesn't come in too handy but I use it in place of a cycle computer and it can be a fun toy. I'm not using it now as I don't want to buy batteries for it, but will take it back to Thailand next month.
#10
Work hard, Play hard
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,596
Bikes: Cannondale super V 500, Bianchi Piaggio(hopefully getting a new road bike when I get some money)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My uncle has a GPS on his bike. it's pretty cool, tell you altitude, climbing speed, speed you are moving forward, Longitude/Latitude, temp, etc.
Only problem is, if he hits a bump or the road gets rough the batteries sometimes disconnect and the signal is lost.
Only problem is, if he hits a bump or the road gets rough the batteries sometimes disconnect and the signal is lost.
#11
Lifelong wheel gazer ...
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lower US 48
Posts: 346
Bikes: All garage sale finds...
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 72 Post(s)
Liked 36 Times
in
26 Posts
I use a Garmin SP III on my motorcycle and in the car, but have not used one on a bicycle. If I did, I expect the V one of the models on my list to look at closely.
There is a forum specifically for GPS users at https://forums.gpscity.com/index.php
You might find some useful information there.
Regards,
Rick
There is a forum specifically for GPS users at https://forums.gpscity.com/index.php
You might find some useful information there.
Regards,
Rick
__________________
Current bikes: Unknown year Specialized (rigid F & R) Hardrock, '80's era Cannondale police bike; '03 Schwinn mongrel MTB; '03 Specialized Hard Rock (the wife's)
Gone away: '97 Diamondback Topanga SE, '97 Giant ATX 840 project bike; '01 Giant TCR1 SL; and a truckload of miscellaneous bikes used up by the kids and grand-kids
Status quo is the mental bastion of the intellectually lethargic...
Current bikes: Unknown year Specialized (rigid F & R) Hardrock, '80's era Cannondale police bike; '03 Schwinn mongrel MTB; '03 Specialized Hard Rock (the wife's)
Gone away: '97 Diamondback Topanga SE, '97 Giant ATX 840 project bike; '01 Giant TCR1 SL; and a truckload of miscellaneous bikes used up by the kids and grand-kids
Status quo is the mental bastion of the intellectually lethargic...