Bicycle computers
 

I thought we had a thread on this but search says no.

So, I want to upgrade my data collection to include heart data, calories, elevation among the other cool stuff like power.

Garmin Edge 130+ looks good but I'm asking you all for any personal recos.

TIA

It's been several years since we did the MS150, but we had Wahoo Elemnt computers that tracked heart rate, rpm, speed, elevation. We didn't have power meters. Something (I can't remember if it was the computer or strava) estimated calories. They could be used stand alone, but I think they provided even more capabilities if you had a linked smart phone with you. If you didn't take your phone, the data would sync to your phone when you got back to your phone. At the time, the Wahoo Elemnt (can't remember which) got good reviews and, I think were competitive with the Garmin stuff.

The Edge 130 is compatible with the Garmin Varia.

I would get that one for that reason. I love my Varia!

FB - You can get all sorts of stuff from Garmin. It all depends on what you want it to do...

My last two Garmins did all the regular stuff: Speed, Cadence, HR, Distance. Both record the ride. I think both Autostarted. And Both were Bluetooth and could wirelessly transfer the data.

The more advanced ones can communicate continuously, connected with various websites for tracking data. And the top units had GPS with mapping data and a display. You could upload planned routes and it would give turn by turn directions as you ride.

The Edge 130 Plus looks like a good Unit that includes Bluetooth. It has a Black/White non-touch display. Honestly, this is about all you'll need. It even has crash detection! It will send a text with your location in the event of a crash to your emergency contact.

Really like my wahoo bolt. Black and white, easy to read. Compact. Programing occurs from phone, which I find easier than using the device itself.

This is the one I have...but there is a newer version out that has more features.
Can be paired to the Garmin Edge 130

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I just got off a big ride, and was thinking about data.

I've got a Garmin 1030 for the gravel/mtb/road, and older SRM for the road.

The biggest thing is to buy something where you can get power data transmitted from the pedals or cranks. Not an estimated power, but something synched to an actual transmitter.

Power + HR is where the training really begins.

Temp, altitude, distance, maps, gradient, timer. All fun stuff, but if I had to choose 2.....

Power and HR.

What I like about the Garmin is the customization. One can set as many (or few ) screens as wanted, to display, whatever they want in whatever sequence they want. I try to keep the screens simple, with big numbers that are easy to find when the HR is maxed out, or one is going fast. Then, a second screen with more geeky features like max speed, ave speed, temp, etc, to mull over when I'm at a more relaxed pace. I've got one screen that's just a big arse timer. I try to keep it simple so if one accidently swipes from the preferred screen during a high intensity moment, it's easy to swipe back to it.

Sorry can't help you there. I don't have one. I just ride until I am just about to puke then I let up for a second or two or slow down a mile or two.

I don't care about distances, speed, or cadence. a 63 miles ride vs 70 isn't too much difference since the suffering is about the same after 60 miles.

I would like a heart rate monitor one day.

Th Edge 130+ is ANT+ and can connect a power meter

I'm 70 yo now. I can't ride for speed anymore. Distance is more of a friend to me but i'd like parameters other than how far how fast I traveled. I'd like to track power, heart rate, elevation and do cool statistical stuff. However, power and heart rate are the two main things given recent events. The other goo gaws are fun. If'n I'm gonna do the work I aim to have some fun too. :D

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.

this worked for me great as a kid!

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/soviet-military-surplus-bicycle-light-set-with-bottle-dynamo-new?a=2224681&szc=000&clrc=000&pm2d=cse-spg-15-pla&utm_medium=pla&utm_source=google&utm_campaign= ci&gclid=cjwkcajw5s6wbha4eiwacgnczw1xwhyygg1zbumjr tp-mqf-omecjxnhmqzbpsniqibbj4vk1dwl4xockokqavd_bwe

^^^ Hah...I had one of those also. It was quite a bit of tech for the 60's!
I remember the drag that it would create when the generator was flipped to the tire.

When I lived in Japan in the late 70s, a lot of Japanese folks rode bicycles, and almost all of them used that sort of lighting setup. I think I even had one even though at 8, 9, & 10yo, I don't think I ever rode after dark. But it was REALLY cool!

yup, I had one on my 3 speed Raleigh "english racer".

i don't think you will be disappointed with the Edge. a great product.

You'll find power meters are jaw-droppingly expensive.

so these are like a fit-bit for the bike and rider ?

just bought the wife a fit-bit high level thing she wanted

IDK Fit-Bit. This tool gathers data on distance, speed, elevation gain, pedal cadence and heart rate with a monitor. I've been riding for many years measuring myself only with speed and distance. Now I want to geek out a bit with more data. I'm fortunate enough to have the $$ to spare on such a toy.

I have a 1030 and an 530

130 does the same basics( speed, distance, elev. ) but w/ a smaller b/w screen
1.8" vs 2.6" or 3.5" my old eys like bigger screens

to do h/r, cadence, power you need the extra sensors, I get h/r from my Garmin watch(Foreunner 35) but you can also wear a chest strap which I hate

cadence has a sensor attached to the bike
there are also speed sensors that attach to the bike for heavily forested areas where the GPS signal is weak or absent) and canyons, ditto

the power sensors are very expensive and replace the pedals, nice, but no thanks I/m not that interested

The 530 , 830 and 1030 all do route maps, again the bigger the screen the better situational awareness you get, screen for 530 & 830 is 2.6" for 1030 3.5"

all communicate w/ Garmin.com which is like Strava and keeps a record of your activity, including maps and weather

1030 is by far the best w/ modern e-shifted bikes and has bells and whistles lacking in lesser models, similar progression for 830 compared to 530 and 530 compared to 130

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.

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)

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

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.

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

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.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...webp_QL65_.jpg

My later Garmin was color and turn by turn. 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

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

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

Cheers

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":D

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! :)

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)

That's me on a climb.

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.

[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).

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

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!

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