Phone vs. Computer
#26
Me duelen las nalgas

Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,519
Likes: 2,832
From: Texas
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
I'd get a bike computer if it fit my budget. I'm surprised how essential the iPhone has become to my bicycling, although it sits in the handlebar pouch or my pocket -- I don't use a handlebar mount. I have no natural sense of direction and would get lost at every turn without some navigation aid. I even have a silly compass/bell combo and use the compass more often than the bell.
#27
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,585
Likes: 122
From: Tampa, Florida
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
I've been using my iPhone 5c as a bike computer, mounted on my aerobars, for almost 4 years and I've never had a problem with vibration causing any damage to any functions of the phone.
For those that site battery problems when using a phone as a bike computer, this is a screenshot that I posted on another thread of one of my rides. It's from my almost 3 year old iPhone 5c with it's original battery. Connected to the phone is a RFLKT+, a Wahoo speed/cadence sensor and a heart rate monitor. If after a 3 hour, 50 mile ride you still need more than 66% battery life to make that emergency call you carry your phone for, than you should go with a Garmin or one of the other dedicated GPS bike computers.
For those that site battery problems when using a phone as a bike computer, this is a screenshot that I posted on another thread of one of my rides. It's from my almost 3 year old iPhone 5c with it's original battery. Connected to the phone is a RFLKT+, a Wahoo speed/cadence sensor and a heart rate monitor. If after a 3 hour, 50 mile ride you still need more than 66% battery life to make that emergency call you carry your phone for, than you should go with a Garmin or one of the other dedicated GPS bike computers.
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HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#28
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,141
Likes: 6,366
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Low on the tech addiction scale , I used a wired computer to count the miles on cycle-tours .
Daily rides I just ride the bike.. no widgets needed .. nothing to steal, while I park the Bike.
OP is in the Tech Bubble with High priced housing , good luck with that IT Career.
./.
Daily rides I just ride the bike.. no widgets needed .. nothing to steal, while I park the Bike.
OP is in the Tech Bubble with High priced housing , good luck with that IT Career.

./.
You seem pleased with yourself in the way you make fun of people's interests. I bet you don't enjoy it when you're on the receiving end of that.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#30
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 253
From: Minnesota
Bikes: N+1=5
at this point, the sensor options for both protocols (ANT+ and BT) mean you can pretty much use either a phone or a bike computer. The phones have gotten a bit large at times for bike computers, otherwise, it's pretty much a horse apiece for functionality at this point.
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