Bicycle computers

[David]

The 130 should work fine.

I'm running an older Garmin 520 but thinking of upgrading so I don't have to ride with reading glasses.

I do have 10 data points on my screen so that makes them pretty small.

My 10: speed, average speed, power (3 second average), average power, heart rate, cadence, air temp, time, elapsed time, distance.

Power meter is interesting but a bit depressing the older I get. My cadence is slowing too so I wouldn't be too upset to lose these data points.


I have used GPS mapping a couple times. It's nice when you have no idea where you're going and the Garmin can tell you where to turn.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by David

I do have 10 data points on my screen so that makes them pretty small.

I have the 810 and I've increased the number of screens that I use to three, I have five points on the first screen, four and four on the next two. Some of the data repeats on the second and third screens.

Does yours allow more screens?

(I used to have 10 on a single screen same as you. Like you it became too hard to read.
Now, I'm pretty sure bus passengers can read my numbers, ha ha)

[Bill Verburg]

I use 5 rotating screens w/ either 4/ or 5 data sets

always leave
elapsed time
distance
as the first 2

them alternate between
H/r
total ascent
temp
elev.
current speed
avg speed

you can set up different profiles as well
for say more than 1 bike
group ride vs solo training
hills vs flats
or for specific mapped routes

etc

[aigel]

I have a 520, never graduated to power measurements but like it otherwise. Been 6 years or so.

What has not been mentioned is the fact that many of the multi-sport watches, heck even a running watch, will record your bike rides just fine if you want distance, heart rate, elevation. I think they start lacking when it comes to directions, power meter and cadence. But it is a thought. I have some buddies who are true multi-sport dudes that don't have a separate bike computer, just using their watch.

[David]

I need to use more screens. It’s on my to do list

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by David

The 130 should work fine.

I'm running an older Garmin 520 but thinking of upgrading so I don't have to ride with reading glasses.

I've been riding with readers for YEARS.

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B002V2Y2DQ

ONOS are not "Cheap" but not outrageous. They have the readers in the bottom, just in the perfect spot. $75-$100 depending on the model, frame and power.

[red-beard]

My later Garmin was color and turn by turn. I never use the turn by turn.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I never use the turn by turn.

I hadn't used it until the other day and I was just on a sufferfest ride, relentless uphill for miles, lunch legs from the beginning of the ride and on the way back even the downhill had 25mph headwinds so, I was efforting all day long. I accidentally scrolled to the turn by turn screen and it was great, because I could always make it the 3 tenths or 4 tenths or 1.8 miles to the next turn, and watch the miles-to-destination at the bottom of the screen get smaller and smaller until Yay! there's the finish!

Mind games, baby

[flatbutt]

I'm not interested in turn by turn plus I have a phone app that records my route.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I hadn't used it until the other day and I was just on a sufferfest ride, relentless uphill for miles, lunch legs from the beginning of the ride and on the way back even the downhill had 25mph headwinds so, I was efforting all day long. I accidentally scrolled to the turn by turn screen and it was great, because I could always make it the 3 tenths or 4 tenths or 1.8 miles to the next turn, and watch the miles-to-destination at the bottom of the screen get smaller and smaller until Yay! there's the finish!

Mind games, baby

Oh man, I hate that seeing it get closer and closer yet, there's still the last long up hill to the finish. I rather not see it and put my head down and spin through it. This mind game you play by yourself sure sucks the strength out of ya

[Jeff Alton]

I also have a 520 that I transfer between 3 different bikes. It does what I need.....

Cheers

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Interesting seeing how everyone sets up and uses their computer differently.

Funny story- at least for me. I find too many bells and whistles in things, so I spend a lot of time turning features off. Was using the map feature on a long ride through some out of the way places.

I came to a set of sharp corners in a descent. I was smiling at the banks of the turns, and keeping wide of some deer. There were some tree limbs in the road too. The map 'warning' feature (I specifically thought I had turned off) started bleeping away on the screen. DANGER DANGER right turn ahead!!!!

I was thinking... "yeah, I saw that, but your millenial warning system put one more thing on my radar to contend with" Thank god I'm only going 15 mph on a bike so I have plenty of time to reprogram the computer, dodge the deer, and the tree before I reach the turn"

I guess the warning feature is nice if you are on a straight line for an extended amount of time and need a warning to know it's time to turn, but I'm not quite there yet!

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by look 171

Oh man, I hate that seeing it get closer and closer yet, there's still the last long up hill to the finish. I rather not see it and put my head down and spin through it. This mind game you play by yourself sure sucks the strength out of ya

I hear what you're saying but this was a tough ride and seeing turn by turn for the last 12 miles or so was somehow very satisfying. This was a back country gravel ride and knowing the distance to the end was a big help)

(I tend to be a grinder, not a gazelle, on the gravel bike)

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

(I tend to be a grinder, not a gazelle, on the gravel bike)

That's me on a climb.

[hcoles]

Originally Posted by red-beard

HR monitor is really important. If your HR is up with low exertion, you are seriously dehydrated.

One thing I liked about my Garmin was the "alerts" feature. You can set time, distance, HR, for alerts. I put an alert to chime every 5 miles and every 15 minutes to remind me to drink.

I've been thinking to get something with a HR. I didn't know re. HR and dehydration - excellent tip. If I drink a lot the day before I ride better the next day.
A number of other riders have the rear facing radar and like it. From time to time a car appears from no where.

[David]

[QUOTE=red-beard;11746856]I've been riding with readers for YEARS.

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B002V2Y2DQ

ONOS are not "Cheap" but not outrageous. They have the readers in the bottom, just in the perfect spot. $75-$100 depending on the model, frame and power.


I still ride in a pretty low stance so I'm wearing frameless Oakly's so I can see out the top of the lens. I think going to 2 screens will get me to 60 (another 5 years).

[Bill Verburg]

The lowest cost/benefit is likely a combination of a good wrisyt watch w/ a good bike computer

I've been using a Garmin 35 wristwatch paired w/ a 500 later 520 and 530 for the past 10-15yrs

a buddy uses a 245 pared w/ a 1030

when comparing data, his data set is far more informative and complete wrt to body condition

after doing some research I found that the most useful extra info comes from the wristwatch

the current low end watch w/ all the necessary sensors is the 255 which has the exact same sensor suite as the $1000+ models

[flatbutt]

The Garmin 130+ is here and crikey it is complicated but their online help is very good. I couldn't get the speed sensor to work at all. The chat guy had me do the old fashioned turn it off and on by removing the battery to reset it and it worked. I still can't get the cadence sensor to work. The various screens are plentiful and I'm slowly working through them. I'm amazed that this thing works so well with no wires. Yeah I'm a luddite.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

The Garmin 130+ is here and crikey it is complicated but their online help is very good. I couldn't get the speed sensor to work at all. The chat guy had me do the old fashioned turn it off and on by removing the battery to reset it and it worked. I still can't get the cadence sensor to work. The various screens are plentiful and I'm slowly working through them. I'm amazed that this thing works so well with no wires. Yeah I'm a luddite.

I had the same problem with my HR sensor today. Usually it'll recognize it, but I had to restart the computer to get it to register.

Garmins are def. something one needs to put some effort into understanding and setting up. They paybacks are good though.

The temp sensor worked very well. 99 degrees and climbing. It was a short ride!

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

The Garmin 130+ is here and crikey it is complicated but their online help is very good. I couldn't get the speed sensor to work at all. The chat guy had me do the old fashioned turn it off and on by removing the battery to reset it and it worked. I still can't get the cadence sensor to work. The various screens are plentiful and I'm slowly working through them. I'm amazed that this thing works so well with no wires. Yeah I'm a luddite.

130is a good basic bike computer that does all the essentials

but if you want to monitor your body(heart rate/O2 levels, fatigue levels etc) while riding it still needs to be paired w/ a good wristwatch, a bonus is to pair w/ your phone to see who's calling on the bike screen or watch screen

I love the wristwatch pulse monitor compared to a chest strap