willieb

I'm not a casual rider by any means, I mean from a technical perspective. Big time techie. I'm getting back into riding (Beginning training for 6-gap in N GA). And I'm very seriously considering taking the plunge to using my iPhone for my cycle computer.

Well...

1.) I have my iPhone with me anyway.
2.) iPhone has many many app options for cycling, more each day, constantly improving. Granted I would probably pick one and stick with it, but the other options are there...
3.) I feel like I'm stuck in the stone age with my Garmin Edge 305 with Heart Rate and Cadence sensors. Yes it's a GPS but black and white and with no maps. And I have to connect to to a computer after every ride to upload my ride data to Garmin Training Center, and online, for me to view, analyze, share, etc. Like I said, I'm a techie like that, all this actually helps motivate me... a lot.

I look at all the cool apps available on the phone that makes my old Garmin look like an antique. Using my iPhone just makes sense. When I bought my edge it was the top of the line, and there wasn't HR & Cadence sensors available on any smart phones. But now there's much better Garmins available, but at a high price. Then I still will be missing features I would get from my iPhone, different apps, Internet, less weight from 1 less device, etc.

I usually have the latest and greatest but I've kept my 4S since it's a world phone (Honduras Missions once a year)...

I'm looking for the best case for the money that meets these needs:

iPhone 4S Waterproof case, bike mount, HR & Cadence sensors, & extra battery for at least 8hr or so batt life for the long centuries.

I have to admit I'm a bit behind but I am researching and this Wahoo looks like it meets my needs. https://www.wahoofitness.com/Products...for-iPhone.asp

Any other suggestions or experiences to share? I am interested in any case/accessory combinations that meets what I am looking for. Thanks.

Muffin Man

Why not just upgrade to a Garmin 500 instead?

JaceK

or a garmin 800?

CrankAndYank

Oh Lord. Why would you mount something as heavy as an iPhone to a bike - esp for big climbing rides?

Smiziley

The best solution is the correct tool for the job, which the iPhone isn't. It's a good tool, but a Garmin is better.

Shimagnolo

Or even a 705 from eBay.
I'm still using the 705 I bought years ago, because there is no compelling reason to replace it with an 800 or 810.

kstephens

I have an iphone, and tried the cycling apps. They are a battery drain (maybe 3-4 hours - and that is assuming you are managing the battery properly and starting off at 100%). I ended up with a garmin 800. It is great. I have done a few century rides, and all day tour rides and still had plenty of battery life. It also has several pages you can scroll through as well as customize the appearance of each page. On the bike it is much more user friendly than the iPhone.

StanSeven

You will look like a geek rather than a techie with an iPhone on your handlebars. Get a Garmin. If you don't go for maps, get one for the data. Then carry your phone in your pocket/bag. If you get lost pull out your phone to see where you're at.

Diegomayra

I use my Iphone as my only bicycle computer and it works great (Roadbike Pro App). On a century attempt, my battery died at mile 84 , just over 4:30 hrs running time. That is considering I use offline maps, turn off cell data, no push email, and no peering at my phone (ever). I have a small 5600Mha battery I carry sometimes to recharge my phone if I plan to make a water pit stop. I would try it out, I purchased a cheapie Zefal Iphone mount at my local walmart for $20, works quite well. I use Polar's Bluetooth Smart HRM.

I would search Amazon Warehouse deals for bluetooth Iphone HRM's.

Menel

Stick with the Garmin.

Save your iPhone battery for an emergency. Injury, accident, broken spokes, 3rd flat, ruptured sidewall, snapped cables, etc etc.

mleach82

I have been using my iPhone 4s with the Wahoo Fitness stuff.

They have a case, ext battery, HR, cadence and speed sensor

https://www.wahoofitness.com/

mdelrossi

Wahoo works great. Loved it till I had to move tho the iPhone 5

Menel

*had* to? I don't think you know the meaning of that word considering the 4 and 4S are still sold.

mulliganvi

I have used the Wahoo 4 case / extra battery with good success. Up to 6 hours rides and have had 60 % battery at the end of the time. The only problem is when you turn the extra battery on, it resets your cycle app. You'll need to restart it and it looks like 2 rides if you upload it to a strava like program. I am going to try the Wahoo RFLKT on the N + 1 that will arrive this week.

https://www.wahoofitness.com/Products...e-Computer.asp

It looks fancier then having the iphone on your handle bars, and will hopefully future proof your wahoo technology with phone upgrades. Although, i think you can get different inserts for the wahoo case if you go from a iphone 4s to a 5 (this should be double checked)

mdelrossi

Nope, not only different size but different port 30 pin as opposed to "lightning" 9pin I think.
I really like Apple and their designs but sometimes they just pi** me off with changing connectors.
I went an got this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
A bit more bulky but you can use an external battery.

Menel

It's not like they do it a lot... They've only done it once. The 30pin was introduced with iPod in 2003. That lasted for 9 years. Now they are on their Lightning connector.

Far less than the other yahoos. Dozens of proprietary connectors, to miniUSB, to now microUSB and who knows what is next.

TromboneAl

I might buy your Edge 305.

justin_nj

I use my droid based phone AllSport GPS as my bike computer - love the statstics, auto-upload to my computer, etc. I have 2 phones so no worries if I need to make a call. Long rides - external slimline battery works just fine.

tagaproject6

By claiming you are "not a casual rider by any means" should not be followed by "iphone, apps and cycling". Do you see a lot of "Big time techies" in the pro peloton using iPhones?

Use the right tool for the job and there are plenty of tech that are cycling specific.

justin_nj

Just because someone claims not to be a casual rider doesn't mean they are trying to mimic what the pro's do and use. The word casual is also up for debate. To one person, a casual rider for someone who does a 40 mile daily ride and at least one century a week could be someone who rides 20 mile rides on a road bike 3 or 4 times a week. For the 20 mile rider, a casual rider could be a beach cruiser who rides 2 miles down the boardwalk on a sunday afternoon.

So - ranking on someone for their choice of technology and what works best for them is the key to their own success and being able to ride better next time they put their feet on the peddles.

I am not trying to start a technology war or a spat between cyclists, but I would bet you some pro that just finished first in a race on his 12.3 pound, $18,000 bicycle isn't going to rank on someone riding a $700 entry level road bike!

tagaproject6

The iPhone is not the right tool for the job. If you have to make adaptations to a device to make it apply to a specific task, it is not the right tool.

justin_nj

We will need to agree to disagree on this. Tools are modified to make new tools! Nuff said. If the OP wants to use his iPhone and it works for him, then so be it.

patentcad

shyonelung

I also use my iPhone. I keep it in a plastic bag in my jersey pocket or carry it via an arm mount called Tunesband (more comfortable when I'm wearing long sleeves). As for the battery problem, when I'm on a long ride, I take along a Mophie charger, which I carry in my Camelbak. Of course, it adds a little bit of weight but for someone like me, it doesn't matter. More serious cyclists might find it cumbersome though. I use the Cyclometer app for my GPS and HR (with a Bluetooth Polar strap). I also have an older Polar computer that measures HR and cadence but it doesn't download to my computer so it's kind of useless except as an in-ride monitor.

gc3

I got the one with the extra battery so it could help power my speakers: