benwahl

I am starting to track my miles and installed a basic bike comp. on my bike. Then I got to looking in the app store and saw they had GPS apps that say they do a whole lot more, plus data is already in the app, no having to transfer date from my bike comp.

Does any one use a app on there phone?
Does it replace having a comp. on the bike?
I like to know how fast I'm going- but don't think I want to stare at my phone the whole ride. Just looking for feed back about what works for every one.
244 lb.. and heading down
Ben in Nashville

socalrider

for the iphone, check out Strava or Endomondo apps. I like endomondo because it is simple, works fine, data is very close to my garmin 305. The app also gives you the option of using a bluetooth heart rate monitor.

on the iphone, gps apps are tough on battery life.

phlydude

I have "iMapMyRide" from the app store - the upgraded version gives you vocal updates and eliminates the ads.
For what I need it to do, it works.

Here is an example of what it does after you save the workout:
https://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/48276398

Comparable to what I have seen others use with their Garmin devices. Here is ride I did with a group where one used his Garmin:
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/123767523

robberry

I have a cheap Cateye and use imapmyfitness/iPhone 4 stem mounted.

ahultin

I have found nothing with the functionality of cyclemeter. The biggest downside to any of the iphone apps is battery life.
I was very sad when my Iphone ceased to function

mgw189

I use a program called cardio trainer which I like a lot. I am not sure on availability for iphone though. I have tried I mapmyride which is good but like the feedback from cardio trainer better.

chefisaac

Not to hijack the thread but I would like something that you could map your ride (like in mapmyride) and upload the directions to an app which would give you voice turn by turn.

FastRod

I use a website called https://www.geodistance.com/ it's based on google maps and allows you to mark out from a to b and show you how long your route is. It requires no account to use.

benwahl

The first link in taking me to an ammo page, if you have the link to the imap my ride it was one of the apps I was looking at. Thanks for the post-Ben

shawmutt

With GPS units as cheap as they are, it's hard for me to justify rigging an iAnything with its limitations to my handlebars. I like my Forerunner 305, and Garmin Connect is a cool service.

phlydude

Whoops! Sent my brother a link to .45 ammo and I must not have Command+C properly (damn Mac!)
Here is the proper link
https://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/48276398

gforeman 

I love Cyclemeter. Works for more than just biking, and also announces progress at certain intervals. I have mine set so at each 5 miles, it tells me Distance, Calories, Pace, Time of Day, and Time Cycling. I have since stopped using my Garmin.

When done it can email you the results, post them to Facebook, etc. A lot for the money!

mandopickr

I use My Tracks on android, and I really like it. Downloaded it for free. Carry my phone in one of my back pockets, without problem. I like it because I don't see my average speed until after the ride. And then I can forward it to google for my desktop.

Allen55

I love my cyclemeter app!

M_Wales

I ride with both... Love the map my ride GPS maps feature... Can't get lost in new areas now..

I use a topeck dry bag...

threemonkeys

I don't use a bike computer, but my iPhone app (Cyctastic) is great (shows time, distance, GPS, etc). It does eat up the battery, so I bought an external battery and keep it in a small bag. That allows me to go on 50-milers with no fear of running out of juice. And when it rains, I simply wrap a small plastic bag on the phone to waterproof it.

FYI - I don't care about weight, aerodynamics, etc, as I bike only for crosstraining and am not anal about the metrics.

robberry

I REALLY wish an iPhone app would let you create routes on your computer and download them to your phone. You can edit routes on Google maps, but not on the iPhone maps.

edmund84

You can using Runkeeper. I use Runkeeper to track cycling and running. You can create routes on their website and then you can select what route you want on the phone from those you made on the web. I'm sure you can do that with other apps as well.

alsoran22

Distance and time is all that matters to me. Did I do it faster than last time.

But then I spent all my money on my bike.

Cychologist

I tried a lot of the iPhone apps. The main thing I learned is I wanted a Garmin...love my Garmin 800.

Seattle Forrest

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/127060342

I use a Garmin 800. The battery life is somewhere in the ballpark of 20 hours. I spent 5 hours riding the bike on Saturday, and about 2 more thrown in for lunch on the road, and some sight seeing. From what I've heard, this is the main weak point of using a phone as a bike computer, and it probably doesn't affect that many people here.

pdlamb

Bike computer: Replace battery every 18 - 24 months (my experience). Cost: $35. Waterproof, always there, total fiddling before each ride=push two buttons. Long rides (over 8 hours), battery is still working.

GPS: Battery life maximum 6 hours (again, my experience). Must charge batteries night before ride. Cost: 10x cyclecomputer. Waterproof, have to take mount or bar bag, can get lost in house.

Phone: Battery life, don't know, never left GPS on that long. Water -- AACK! Needs waterproof bag to carry on bike. Cost $200+, Lord help if it gets lost.

What's hard about this selection? It can only be the gadget-oriented mindset of the user that wants to use the new play toy. In rational terms, there's no comparison!

pg13

you can get a good gps for 150 or less easily these days though not all are waterproof(same with bike computers) can usually find a case/mount for it that is. edit: hmm obviously not the 800 or such though lol

RichardGlover

Hey, that's not a bad price on .45 training rounds.

shawmutt

There are other options for GPS. A 60Csx or 76Csx uses 2 regular AA batteries, lasts 18 hours, and you can map out a route, find a store when you're in the middle of nowhere, and use it for other purposes like hunting, hiking, fishing, boating, driving, etc. It is an expensive option once all the costs are considered (I probably spent $400 when all is said and done). However, I got a lot of use out of it in the six or so years I've owned it. It's not a small unit, and not touch screen, but it's hardy. Here's what the 76Csx looks like installed on my bike:



That being said, I still use my Forerunner 305 because of the cadence sensor. Once I get good enough to not need it I'll probably just use the 76Csx