What's wrong using an iPhone as the bar mounted bike computer?
04-03-15, 02:57 PM
#51
meh
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I test smartphones for a living and have used many of them to run Strava in my back pocket. Battery life is really not an issue there, all-day riding should not be a problem with any modern phone. However, mounting it on the bar only makes sense when you can see the screen and that's where battery life can become problematic. Also, many of the screens don't offer very good visibility in bright light which means you have to turn the brightness up, using even more battery.
You can get a cheap Cateye to mount on the bars and keep the phone safe in a pocket. I bet the simple Cateye is about the same price as the waterproof iPhone bar mount.
However, if your rides are short in duration, go for the bar mount for your iPhone. I see a lot of recreation riders do this.
04-03-15, 03:11 PM
#52
Senior Member
Works great in my experience. This is actually recommended for people who have issues with it being in the back pocket.
It disables iMessage, but not regular SMS text messages and phone calls.
Cyclemeter will use your speed sensor for speed, and the iPhone 6 barometric altimeter for elevation. However, when you import to Strava, it ignores those and just uses the GPS data. It's annoying because a speed sensor is much more accurate at determining whether you are stopped. Obviously the do this because a badly calibrated wheel size can lead to bad speed readings, and it puts everyone on a level playing field. Strava apparently throws out elevation data too for phones, but not for Garmin. This explains why my elevation gains are always different (usually smaller) than others in my group using Garmins.
FYI you can run Cyclemeter with the GPS turned off I believe, and it will record speed from the BlueSC. I've done this on a trainer only though.
Good tip on the mobile data switch, thanks! Does this disable receiving texts though?
This brings up another topic..maybe best for another thread -- that has me a bit confused. Do the main apps out there use GPS and Mapping data for the metrics reported (speed, climbing, distance), or the sensor's readings? Eg. If I have a Wahoo Blue SC sensor mounted, and run either Strava, Cyclemeter, or the Wahoo fitness app, is my distance and speed coming from the sensor or the app/GPS ? I'll have to check again, but from what I remember, eg. for Cyclemeter, there isn't a way to run this app if GPS is turned off on the phone, even if a sensor is linked to the app, right? I don't understand this.
Cyclemeter will use your speed sensor for speed, and the iPhone 6 barometric altimeter for elevation. However, when you import to Strava, it ignores those and just uses the GPS data. It's annoying because a speed sensor is much more accurate at determining whether you are stopped. Obviously the do this because a badly calibrated wheel size can lead to bad speed readings, and it puts everyone on a level playing field. Strava apparently throws out elevation data too for phones, but not for Garmin. This explains why my elevation gains are always different (usually smaller) than others in my group using Garmins.
FYI you can run Cyclemeter with the GPS turned off I believe, and it will record speed from the BlueSC. I've done this on a trainer only though.
04-03-15, 03:16 PM
#53
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Phones may be worth more than $.99, but if that's what I'd have to pay, that's what I'd have to pay. Of course I'd have to renew my verizon contract, but doesn't change my monthly fee anyway. Refurbed 5 and 5Cs go for $280 without contract, not the $6-700 others are talking about. I don't need the size of a 6.
I don't know what you pay a month for service, but consider the difference over the term of the contract. Might be more than the price of a bike computer!
04-03-15, 04:13 PM
#54
Spin Meister
There's nothing wrong with putting a phone on the bars. I don't like to, though, because I think it detracts from the clean appearance of my bike. Most of the people I ride with - none of them, actually - mount their cells on their handlebars either. Plus the screen is difficult to see in daylight and for a long ride there will be battery issues with the screen turned on.
If I were touring, or a more casual rider than I already am, a bar mount might be an option (I already have one, a gift, which I've yet to use). When I'm riding, though, I like to imagine I'm chasing down Merckx or even my younger self. Neither they nor I put much on the bars other than tape and brakes back in the day, so I don't now.
From the link proved by the OP, lots of people like their phones on their bars. And so do people on the forum. So if you like the idea, OP, go for it.
If I were touring, or a more casual rider than I already am, a bar mount might be an option (I already have one, a gift, which I've yet to use). When I'm riding, though, I like to imagine I'm chasing down Merckx or even my younger self. Neither they nor I put much on the bars other than tape and brakes back in the day, so I don't now.
From the link proved by the OP, lots of people like their phones on their bars. And so do people on the forum. So if you like the idea, OP, go for it.
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04-03-15, 08:10 PM
#55
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I haven't had my phone fall out of my pocket in a spill. I have been riding with a phone since somewhere in the 90's. Today's phones are so flat that I doubt there would sustain any damage in a fall. On the bars, if you do a header over a person who fell in front of you, the phone might be the first part of the bike to hit the ground.
04-04-15, 11:10 AM
#56
Senior Member
I would need to look it up but maybe the original Moto G did not support low energy Bluetooth. I want out for more than 5 hours today with the HR-belt and Strada Smart connected to the 2nd Gen Moto X and had about 50% left when I got home, and the Moto X is not actually great in terms of life. Got much more out of the 6 Plus I used before.
04-04-15, 11:13 PM
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Vast majority of posts I come across for dealing with a smartphone, talk about putting in waterproof baggy for jersey pocket, special wallets that hold the phone plus other accessories, etc.. Just wondering what the conventional wisdom is for just not mounting the smartphone in a handlebar-attached case to do your bike computer duty. If you're going to carry it anyway, why have a separate unit for bike computer duties/gps etc?
-battery life. Should be fine as long as you start out well-charged. I started a 2.5-hr ride @ 50% charge the other day and the phone died before I finished.
-screen visibility. You'll have to see what you think. My 4 can be marginal.
-rain. iPhones are amazing things and can handle some wet, but they have limits. I've hit mine skiing, elk hunting, and cycling as far as moisture. Nothing permanently broke- testament to a good design- but it got funky.
04-04-15, 11:23 PM
#59
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Bike computers are $30, one time. iPhones and contracts... way more than I'm willing to pay.
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