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GPS or Cycling Computer?

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Old 10-12-15 | 07:52 PM
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GPS or Cycling Computer?

So I've been doing rides using both and there are discrepancies between the two. I turn both on and off at the same time. I'm using the Sigma BC 16.12 CD STS computer, and the Map My Ride app. Does anyone have knowledge and insight as to.which is more accurate? I have set the wheel size correctly on the computer. Any tips on how to calibrate, so to speak, either?

And by the way, which app do you prefer? Strava appears to.be the standard. I havent used Ride with GPS yet.

Thanks for your thoughts!
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Old 10-13-15 | 08:59 AM
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If you're using a bike computer with a magnet in the wheel and you've actually measured your wheel, that's going to be more accurate than a GPS. A good GPS should be within 2 % though.

Most people like Strava because most people like Strava (Yogi Berra would be proud) and it lets you compare yourself to other cyclists near you.

I prefer using a GPS watch and a power meter.
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Old 10-13-15 | 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by kingsleadhat
So I've been doing rides using both and there are discrepancies between the two. I turn both on and off at the same time. I'm using the Sigma BC 16.12 CD STS computer, and the Map My Ride app. Does anyone have knowledge and insight as to.which is more accurate? I have set the wheel size correctly on the computer. Any tips on how to calibrate, so to speak, either?

And by the way, which app do you prefer? Strava appears to.be the standard. I havent used Ride with GPS yet.

Thanks for your thoughts!
As SeattleForrest said, your bike computer is going to be more accurate than your phone with the setup that you are using. If you need better accuracy with your phone, you'll need to use a BlueTooth speed/cadence sensor attached to your phone and set your wheel size in your cycling app. However, since you already have a bike computer that has speed and cadence, it isn't worth the money, in my opinion, for the speed/cadence sensor and have duplicate functions. BTW, I got that same Sigma for my wife and she loves it.

What kind of phone do you have? If you have an iPhone, take a look at Cyclemeter. I think you'll like it a lot better than Strava. If you upload your rides to Strava, don't worry, Cyclemeter automatically will do that for you as well. I haven't used MapMyRide but I hear that it is also an excellent cycling app.
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