Bike computer

[Peter Ball]

Hi all,

I'm looking to get the old Dutch a GPS cycle computer to sit on the handlebars of her newish lecky bike for her Christmas pressie.

We've both had various manual ones with wheel sensors over the years but invariably they finish up not working and in the shed.

I'm would like to get something for about £100-ish or less if possible so wondered if any of you have had any experience of them and could recommend a good one.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

 

[D8ve]

Garmin is the standard go to gps and you can get a new one for under £100.
Me I have two Oregon 400 series with colour touch screen and nice maps for guidance. Also available second hand. Have a play on eBay for options.

 

[redcup1999]

I would say it depends on what you are looking for in a cycle computer, and what your "real" budget is.

I spent years mucking about with cheap rubbish and applications running on my phone before finally realising that Garmin Edge did everything I wanted.

I started out with an Edge 500 before progressing on to an Edge 520.

Edge 200 does most basic stuff, but doesn't integrate with other sensors (speed, cadence and heart rate).

The newer budget models (Edge 20 and Edge 25) don't have as much functionality (?) but are a lot cheaper - I don't know much about these but am sure they will do the job.

You will find plenty of the older models on Ebay for sensible money or the Edge 25 is less than £100 on Wiggle.

 

[Gubbins]

I have the edge 510 which has been really good. It's the 520 predecessor and I think it does everything the 520 does so not sure what the upgrade is. I have had other garmins which get better with each upgrade and sell them on easily on ebay so agree that's the place to look to keep your budget down. My edge 200 was a bit flaky finding the satelites but the 510 is much better.

 

[redcup1999]

My edge 200 was a bit flaky finding the satelites but the 510 is much better.

Good point - Edge 510, 520, 20 & 25 use Glonass (russian gps) as well as GPS to gain a quicker lock - well worth having.

A good reason to go for one of the newer ones rather than a 200 / 500 from ebay.

 

[Gubbins]

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/best-gps-devices-for-cycling-43224/
Anyone with bucks spare and nowt to spend them on Check out the Wahoo Elemnt

 

[Peter Ball]

Thanks guys, given me lots to think about, much appreciated.

 

[Nealh]

Edge 20/ 25 don't/can't do maps. You can down load a course to follow however there are no overlays or topo features at all. The Edge Touring is quite good but more then a ton.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Get yourself a smartphone from Ebay. this one only costs £25. You don't need a sim card. Use your wifi to download all the maps before you start. Google navigation is better than Garmin and comes free with the phone. It beats Garmin in every test and has all the special features for cycling. You can also use any of the many free cycling and sports apps to plan, log and analyse your rides. With a smartphone, you get all the features of the Garmin plus a lot more. Of course you can even use it as a phone if you want if you put a sim card in it.

The GPS and all its features run from the GPS signal, not the phone signal, so you don't have to worry about reception.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Fashion-Mini-Quad-Core-HD-Camera-C3-Smartphone-Mobile-Phone-Android-4-4-F7-/322158031339?hash=item4b021d71eb:g:pbsAAOSwc1FXZkbg

Holder for it:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RockBros-Bike-Smartphone-Bracket-Handlebar-GPS-Universal-Phone-Holder-Pink-/371786546831?hash=item5690347e8f:g:Jl0AAOSw6btXR-BA

Or one of these or similar to carry your tools too:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-Bicycle-Frame-Panniers-Front-Tube-Bag-Case-for-Mobile-Phone-5-5-4-8-4-2-/351618233892?var=&hash=item51de147624:m:mTbe6NIUM-mxCLp1d_g0uVQ

With the phone, even with out a SIM, you can also:

Take photos or videos
Listen to the radio
Play your music
Check the steepness of hills (clinometer)
Get satellite views of your terrain

 

[Croxden]

You might tempt me to buy a mobile phone, nah, just had second thoughts.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

It's a lot cheaper than a GPS and can do a lot more!

 

[Benjahmin]

OK, got tempted, looked up a range of Apps and how they worked (new angle for me). Just ordered the cheapo smart 'phone linked by D8veh. Should fit nicely into the top of my carradice handlebar box. Save carrying O.S. maps everywhere.

 

[Gubbins]

OK, got tempted, looked up a range of Apps and how they worked (new angle for me). Just ordered the cheapo smart 'phone linked by D8veh. Should fit nicely into the top of my carradice handlebar box. Save carrying O.S. maps everywhere.

What a good and simple idea. I do like to see complicated things simplified.
I did all this with an old phone slotted in the frame bag and it works much better than suggested. My biggest surprise was using Strava on it as the app does a much better job than my garmin ever did , and it's bigger to boot. Power isn't too much of a worry these days as there are many options to keep it running. Please update on the phone when you get it as I too am interested..
Unfortunately it was on yhe bike when it was stolen. [emoji35]

 

[Benjahmin]

'Phone arrived today. A month from Shanghai, not bad, I guess. Just stating to get to grips with it, connected to WiFi now looking for best map App.
Is that what they're called? I'm lost here, may just have to spend the rest of the afternoon deep in study mode

 

[danielrlee]

I've got two apps to recommend:

1) OSMAnd
Uses open source mapping data with extremely detailed off-road path info. Although the interface is clunkier than Google Maps, the mapping data is far better. Even better than an OS map IMO.

2) Cyclestreets
The best cycle routing available, bar none. Again, the interface is clunky and outdated, but I wouldn't use anything else for routing info.

 

[Gubbins]

I am more interested in the phone itself as I would use it as a bike computer running strava without a similar card.

 

[Benjahmin]

Thanks Dan. I'm totally new to this smart 'phone thing and so far I'm running round in circles. I will be using it without a sim and I assumed that on board storage would be enough. Have tried to download both the apps you mention but I think I may need a memory card for the 'phone. So, for now, it's charging 'cos I've reached my hi tech frustration limit for one day
As to the 'phone itself, I have nothing to compare it to. My regular 'phone is one of those basic JCB rugged, throw at the wall, indestructable types. And yes they do survive the washing machine It linked to my WiFi with minimul fuss but does seem a bit slow to respond to instructions. Down to processor size I suppose.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Sportstracker is a good app for recording and analysing your trips. Ordinary Google apps that should already be in your phone, like Google Maps and Google Navigation are all you need to plan and ride your Routes. You can set it to Cycle in the menu, which then uses the off-road cycle routes as well as the roads.

 

[Benjahmin]

Thanks Dave, that sounds like all I need. Can't find it though, think a visit to the local geek may be on the cards.

 

[Planemo]

Dont forget that 'cycling' navigation isnt available in Google maps whilst offline, even if you have downloaded maps. Its a bit of a pain to be honest. You have to use the 'driving' option which tries to put you on dual carriageways and allsorts. Its the main reason I have considered buying a dedicated cycle GPS rather than trying to use my phone. Its fine if you are online though.