RPK79

My last two phones have been large (HTC Desire 816 and Samsung Note 5). They fit in my jersey pocket just fine. If you got a phone bigger than either of those I don't know what you were thinking.

Dave Cutter

I hadn't realized it was actually a "preference" (by definition). The technology exists. It is what is, like it or not. You can tell yourself that you've limited technology in your life (you can even tell others) But, after all.... NEATHER of us submitted our posts by "letter".

So I am confident that you must have a good working knowledge of the Internet. We ether embrace the technology or we fear including it's benefits in our lives. But ether choice has NOTHING to do with cycling. And... there is lots more cool tech stuff on it's way!

Jadesfire 

Fixed that for you Mr. Grumpypants . I was not trying to pick a fight. However, I am comfortable enough without technology to not need a spelling and grammar check before I post. Perhaps you should avail yourself of that resource? After all- the technology exists.

ReneV

Re: phone on handlebars.

I used to carry my 6+ like that but I'm fairly certain that it has damaged the onboard gyro. The display takes a tap on the casing to align with how I'm holding the phone most the time.

bikemig 

+ 1; or cut the phablet in half, sort of like ultralight hikers do with their gear.

Dave Cutter

THANKS! When posting on the Internet you can never be sure that you're absolutely correct..... until someone nags at your spelling.

P.S. Spelling doesn't have much to do with cycling.

Jadesfire 

Evidently neither does sarcasm and reading comprehension.

Dave Cutter

Oh come on!

BTW I am not grumpy. And not trying to give you... or anyone a hard time. I just happen to think that modern day Luddites and Technophobe's are holding back economic progress (and other things). I believe it to be a shameful waste.

Don't be such a stick-in-the-mud! This stuff should be FUN.

kbarch

Cycling IS fun. Worrying about whether one is constantly available by mobile phone, or whether one has detailed maps at ones fingertips, not so much. Back before mobile phones and the internet, paper maps were widely available, but I didn't take road trips without them because I was a cartophobe or a Luddite (damn those new-fangled offset presses!).

Long Tom

Jadesfire, I live out in the sticks and my rides are fairly long @ 30-40 miles, and on lonely rural roads. So it's not a matter of staying connected per se, it's a safety device. I'm self employed and don't need to be constantly connected like some folks do. I don't even HAVE a Facechat or a Snapbook or a Tweeter or any of that newfangled stuff.

Now get out of my yard, you ****ing kids.

I guess a burner could work. It'd certainly up my street cred! But.... nah.

FLvector

If you only need the phone in case of emergency or assistance with routing, etc., I'd stay away from any mounts. Place in a ziplock bag and place in your saddle bag or jersey pocket if it will fit. I never bother with my phone during a ride.

jon c. 

Or we use it as it fits in our lives. I ride with a flip phone acquired at the end of the last century. Works great and is very rugged, so I throw it in my seat bag or golf bag and don't worry about damage. It's not the most modern phone technology, but it's the technology that works best for me. Doesn't mean I'm neo Luddite or technophobe.

Jadesfire 

Guess my comment came off as annoyed? I didn't mean it like that. This has been fun .

kbarch

That sounds prudent, especially the part about not bothering with it while riding.

Phablet, on the other hand, just sounds ridiculous.

Jadesfire 

Lol. Same story here. My last job I was always on call and had to be connected. Drove me crazy and gave me an ulcer. I like to keep things as simple as possible these days. When my 4 yo smartphone dies I'm downgrading back to a flip phone myself.

dcsix

Yeah I agree but I get Jadesfire's point. One could probably buy a loaded SIM card for their last phone (or a really old flip phone) and have security knowing they are not out of touch-that's enough for some people. Not for me, but enough for some.

Dave Cutter

Are you sure? Todays "smart phones" are ready tiny little computers.... with built-in wifi. They do a BUNCH of stuff... and they are even backwards capable enough to make phone calls. Nothing against a flip-phone (or any phone). But for about the same weight/space/cost... I'd rather have the computer.

Heck you can even pair your phone with your smart TV once back home or at a cycling buddies. And review ride data (or even google map street views). My phone accesses my home security alarm and cameras and even control lights and the garage door.

(GOOD, for me too)

Yeah. But when we start looking at "just what we need"... I have to think that this thread isn't in the car free forum. We don't "need" to go out sporting around in spandex tights on an ultralight road bike. And it isn't like we have to forego the excessive weight of a smart phone... in favor of an ultralight flip-phone. They weigh about the same.

I don't have a crystal ball (app) so I don't know where the trends will take us. But I kind of like the idea of a bigger phone that could fill-in for my laptop at least part of the time. But I realize the size of these things could be a problem that might require a little adjustment to get used to.

Jadesfire 

Hah- I just realized something:
Your avatar is referencing Breaking Away (I assume), your location states in your recliner. And you are posting adamantly on this thread about embracing the latest and greatest in technology.
My screen name is referencing Star Wars and I belong to a generation that grew up with all this stuff (not saying you didn't- the avatar pic is just my only point of reference). And I am on the completely opposite end of the spectrum.

Irony at its best !

aubiecat

I have a Note2 and I'm about to get a Note4.
I use this to hold my phone. Had it for two years.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...rch_detailpage

ColaJacket

@Jadesfire

I thought that Irony at its best is that you stated, "I have chosen to not live with a lot of technology in my personal life. " on an internet forum on which to post requires technology in your personal life.

And since people are posting what type of phone that they have, I have a Samsung Galaxy S4. I just finished the contract on it, as I got it on Black Friday, two years ago. But if I want to get new bike tech toys, like a HRM, cadence sensor, speed sensor, and eventually a power meter, I'll need to upgrade, as the S4 does not support Ant. I could get a Cycle computer, but the phone works pretty well, I normally want a phone on the ride anyways (so SWMBO can contact me), it is less trouble than having 2 devices, and it would be less expensive.

GH

DanPLC

I use this phone mount and love it. Perfect size for a phablet. Amazon.com: Delta Cycle Smart Phone Holder Handlebar/Stem Bike Mount: Sports & Outdoors

Jadesfire 

Yeah, I guess that's ironic, too . To clarify that- I meant I'm not on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, et al. I drive a stick shift and I prefer real paper books over e-readers. By no means am I anti-technology (I have a smart phone and just bought a new laptop and obviously I use the Internet), I just look on it as a tool to be used to help me live my life and not to live my life around it.

RPK79

I just got the Samsung Note 5 and I have it setup for running now with ant+ HRM and footpod. I'll stick with the Garmin for the bike though. I've had too many crashes (software not bike) and battery drains using phones.

RPK79

I used to be against using e-books, but now I love it and will never go back. Only exception I make is my favorite author, I buy his books as hardcover 1st edition and get them signed, but I'm tempted to get the e-books, too.

ColaJacket

With my S4, I've had a couple of crashes, but with my Otterbox Defender and Nite-Ize mount, it has not had any issues (knock wood). And with the popularity of portable chargers, the battery drain shouldn't be an issue. But I also don't normally worry about my speed, etc. while I'm riding. Who knows, once I get all the other tech toys, I may decide to get something like a Garmin 520.

GH