what Android app and what hardware should I get for my Galaxy S4?
 

I am back to riding after two years off due to injury. My bike computer fell apart while in storage and I have decided to go the smartphone route.

I need a recommendations for hardware and software app that would work with my Samsung Galaxy S4 (kitkat 4.4.2).
I may want to add a HR monitor later on, but no critical.

The setup needs to be reliable, good battery life (I understand there's an issue with that) give me ride states, during the ride and summary after.
I need speed, cadence, and all other functions that come with a smart phone app. If I add a HR monitor it would be nice to have it integrated to the app.
I do NOT need to upload my rides, nor do I need to share my rides with a community etc.


I looked at Topeek, but it is not very clear which apps support it (aside from their own).

If you have experience with such setup I would appreciate it if you could chime in with your experience..

Thanks,

Arie

If you sign up with RideWithGPS.com, they have an app. It works for what you want. And in my case, I don't have a mobile data plan, so I just use the gps with the app to track my ride and look at it afterwards. But if you do have mobile data, which most folks do, you can look at the map in real time. I would also download GPS CoPilot which allows you to download a map to your phone of the entire US or regions. This allows me to see where I am on the map without having mobile data, just with my gps turned on. I'm really not into looking at electronics while riding. I use RideWithGPS to track my ride for upload later, and GPS Copilot to pull out if I get lost and need to look at the map.

I looked into this a while back - ultimately I decided to get a Garmin 810, but I think you could put together a decent system with an S4. Here are some thoughts:

Mount: Take a look at this one:
GS4-PP ~ BikeConsole Power Plus for Samsung Galaxy S4
It's a mount and additional battery all in one.

App: The S4 can natively use Bluetooth and ANT+ sensors, so you've got a lot of options. I would try Endomondo, don't know if you'd need the pro version or not. There are other options like IpBike, but Endomondo is pretty slick.

Sensors: Any ANT+ or Bluetooth sensor will work fine with the S4. Just make sure the app you use supports the sensors you have. There are some apps that only support Bluetooth sensors. The new Garmin accelerometer-based speed and cadence sensors look really good and are starting to ship:
Garmin - Bike Speed & Cadence Sensor

IpBike software with Rokform mount are great. You can even take pictures or videos while you ride.

MapMyRide and OsmAnd Offline are alternatives to the apps mentioned- I have OsmAnd and just used MapMyWalk today for the first time. I have a Nexus 7 with Kit Kat and I just launch whatever app at my start point, shove it into a bag or pocket, and then pull it out at my destination- I don't even bother trying to keep an eye on the screen while underway.

I use MapMyRide for tracking and export to Google spreadsheets, if they would (or when they finally do) put the sensor readouts on the display with speed and mileage, I might use it exclusively. I've tried Endomondo, but after being teased by the amount of data available, IPBike is my current default setup. IPBike has way more information available than I need, but super customize-able, it will do everything but pedal for you. I've stuck myself in the Ant+ camp, using an old HTC Rhyme, and a rooted Nexus 5.

Take a look at Google's My Tracks. Has an average 4.3, more than 10 million installs and 75,000+ of the 123,000+ reviews gave it 5 stars. Is compatible with various biometric sensors- including ANT+. And the really cool part (IMO)? There is no community that you have to join in order to use it (other than having a Google Account of some sort).

Do not know how it would work out as a bike app, but it does have that option among the activities menu/calorie consumed calculator.