Can iPhone 5 function adequately as a bike computer?

nternal1

Can the iPhone 5 function a bike computer giving distance, speed, time etc or do I need a dedicated bike computer to do this properly?

supermurph09

Yes it can, try the Strava app. A dedicated device like a Garmin 500 is better though. I prefer to keep my phone out of harms way.

cloggsy

Yes, of course it can...

I use my iPhone 4S as my cycle computer. I use the 'Cyclemeter' app (which is brilliant IMHO), I have the Wahoo Fitness iPhone ANT+ case, Heart rate monitor, speed and cadence meters. All works very well!

Wahoo now do a Bluetooth set of kit rather than the ANT+. I haven't tried these, so couldn't possible comment.

You don't need all the additional stuff, it just makes the info more accurate, rather than just relying on GPS.

I export my routes in a .tcx file and upload them to Strava.

That's my 2p's worth anyway

amflemi

I use mine daily as a cycle computer using the Wahoo fitness app because I have the heart rate monitor and cadence sensor. I then upload to strava and runkeeper to track my ride times, hr and so on. I like the choice of several different apps and being able to choose which one is better for me rather than being stuck with one layout and method of getting the data out of the phone. Plus the apps are upgraded and new features introduced. I have a case for the phone that straps onto the handlebars and holds the phone securely. It is better when used with something like the speed and cadence sensor as GPS can be slightly inaccurate but it's no worse than a dedicated unit such as the Garmin. For the expense of a £30 case it's worth giving it a try.

With the Wahoo app you can upload to all of the common cycling apps. I have the Wahoo bluetooth stuff and can't say enough good things about it - no wires, pairs with the stuff on the bike quickly and doesn't use that much battery. The only drawback is that the bluetooth stuff can only be used with iPhone 5.

markhewitt1978

Yes it can do it and do it well. But only for 2 hours or so before your battery dies.

Chris87

I use mine with the topeak case, mount and heartrate monitor, it does everything a garmin does, admitedly the battery life isn't as good but its still good enough

cougie

I've had 6 hours plus from my iPhone and strava.
I don't use it on the bars - just keep it in a back pocket and refer to it when I've finished.
Always keep it in a ziplock bag at least.

StillGoing

A phone is for phone calls. Battery life is temperamental so some days you get good longevity others not so good. Do you really want to rely on having battery life left should you need to make that emergency phone call? Get a dedicated device from either Garmin or Bryton and use your phone for what it was primarily built for.

navrig

Turn off Data and the battery will last a lot longer. You don't need Data for GPS signal collection. You may have to be connected to Data when starting Strava but once you have hit "Record a Ride" switch of the Data.

markhewitt1978

cougie wrote:

I've had 6 hours plus from my iPhone and strava.
I don't use it on the bars - just keep it in a back pocket and refer to it when I've finished.
Always keep it in a ziplock bag at least.

Yes it can last much longer that way but the OP was asking about it acting as a "bike computer", which to me means constant speed / distance readout.

iPete

£20-40 computer vs sticking a £500 phone + case/mount on your bars

hmmm

magliaceleste

And looking particularly stupid attached to your bars...

YIMan

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Yes it can do it and do it well. But only for 2 hours or so before your battery dies.

This.....you'll be out of battery in no time from a full battery.......

Chris87

When I run mine with my HR monitor without 3g and wireless turned off I get a consistant 4 hours of battery, if I remember to turn off wireless and 3g it works just as well and lasts a couple of hours longer. Also thats with the screen constantly on, if you lock it and turn off the screen it will go pretty much all day.

As for the worry of strapping it to the bars, I dont know anyone that has an iPhone and hasnt got it insured, how many people can say that about a Garmin? I know I would rather claim on a mobile phone policy and pay the excess than on my house insurance as that would be all that would cover a garmin.

It doesnt look too bad either

StillGoing

Chris87 wrote:

It doesnt look too bad either

That's a matter of opinion. Sports insurance covers equipment too.

littledove44

Chris87 wrote:

When I run mine with my HR monitor without 3g and wireless turned off I get a consistant 4 hours of battery, if I remember to turn off wireless and 3g it works just as well and lasts a couple of hours longer. Also thats with the screen constantly on, if you lock it and turn off the screen it will go pretty much all day.

As for the worry of strapping it to the bars, I dont know anyone that has an iPhone and hasnt got it insured, how many people can say that about a Garmin? I know I would rather claim on a mobile phone policy and pay the excess than on my house insurance as that would be all that would cover a garmin.

It doesnt look too bad either

Nice......

What do you recommend as the best stuff to get heart rate and cadence data?

iPete

My iPhone isn't insured, nor is my Garmin but I'd be cringing for the insides of the phone riding the roads around here. It's not much of an all year around solution either?

Chris87

I've ended up settling on the Wahoo app, has a decent range of options for what data you want to view and you can set it to export to strava, training peaks and a few other sites so you can have a good look at your stats online.

The endomondo app is good for things like interval training as well. Unfortunately the topeak app is really functional and clear but seems to stop other apps picking up the HR data which is a bit annoying if your running strava in the background.

I've been using the phone on my bars since April and it's still working fine, the silicone cover that comes with the topeak mount holds up well in the rain too, Survived a miserable wet and windy sportive in Nottingham a few weeks ago though if your really worried you can get a dry bag that attaches to the mount.

nternal1

iPete wrote:

My iPhone isn't insured, nor is my Garmin but I'd be cringing for the insides of the phone riding the roads around here. It's not much of an all year around solution either?

This is (a year round solution): http://www.ibikeconsole.com/detail.asp? ... 6&private=

nferrar

I don't use mine as I have a Garmin but lets be honest Garmin's are shite for the money you pay and equivalent tech to a smartphone from 2005. Assuming you get a piggyback battery then battery life shouldn't be an issue, cases should protect it pretty well in a crash (it's not like Garmins are cheap anyway so I don't buy that argument...) and it has a lot more potential than anything Garmin or Bryton are selling. The big negative for me is the sheer size of the current generation of smartphones, they are really getting a bit too big to want to have on your bars - unfortunately it's unlikely Apple are going to release an iPhone Mini any time soon.

rolf_f

Chris87 wrote:

It doesnt look too bad either

No, it looks ridiculous! I wonder when the first person on here is going to ask about how to mount a tablet to their bars........

nferrar wrote:

I don't use mine as I have a Garmin but lets be honest Garmin's are shite for the money you pay and equivalent tech to a smartphone from 2005.

This isn't really fair. AFAIK, smartphones aren't free to run. Most people seem to pay extortionate monthly fees to run a smartphone. With a bike GPS, the only profit for the manufacturer is in the initial sale. But, even if the smartphone was free, the sheer bulk kills them for me. Even the Garmin 800 looks a clunky thing on a bike.

slowondefy2

Yes, definitely.

Battery life is fine for most normal rides. If I'm planning over 4 hours I tend to turn the screen off when I don't need it, anything less than that I have the screen on 100%.

I use the Wahoo Blue SC sensor which will connect directly to the phone for wheel speed and cadence (i.e. no ANT+ case required). I use MotionX for route tracking and recording - a bit more complex than the Strava app but more flexible. The Strava app is good though.

I use a 4S, which a bit smaller than a 5. The bulk isn't so good aesthetically, but the large screen is great to have when your following a map on the move.

StillGoing

nferrar wrote:

I don't use mine as I have a Garmin but lets be honest Garmin's are shite for the money you pay and equivalent tech to a smartphone from 2005. Assuming you get a piggyback battery then battery life shouldn't be an issue, cases should protect it pretty well in a crash (it's not like Garmins are cheap anyway so I don't buy that argument...) and it has a lot more potential than anything Garmin or Bryton are selling. The big negative for me is the sheer size of the current generation of smartphones, they are really getting a bit too big to want to have on your bars - unfortunately it's unlikely Apple are going to release an iPhone Mini any time soon.

I don't get your logic or reasoning there? How are Garmin shite for the money and what do you expect it to do over what it does already? Even the 810 doesn't cost as much as an iPhone 5 or other top tier smart phone. It will measure and record, cadence, speed, elevation and heart rate in various modes, does mapping and gives your position via Livetracking so spouses can be sure you're safe. It's data is compatible with Strava for those who want it and rides saved as GPX files can be downloaded to Tacx VR trainers. On a 100+ mile ride there is no hint of an issue with battery life and let's be honest, the most common reason for issues with Garmin devices is the user not doing things properly. But you won't get the owners putting their hands up and saying that when it's all too easy to whine about Garmin. They're the market leaders for a reason and it isn't because they're shite. Same goes for Bryton. Mind you, as the latest generation of Apple iPhone has bugger all use as a phone according to reports, the OP may as well use it as cycling aid if they have one.

nternal1

All I need is time, distance and speed. The iPhone is hard to see in bright sunlight and the added weight of waterproof case (and a battery if you go that route) is prohibitive. I'm just going to try a Garmin Edge 200 and see how that works out.

navrig

Chris87 wrote:

It doesnt look too bad either

That looks wrong, just very, simply and plainly wrong, ugly, spoils the bike wrong.

markhewitt1978

Agreed and it's a nice bike too. Mind you I think the computers used by the pros look daft too.

iPete

nternal1 wrote:

All I need is time, distance and speed. The iPhone is hard to see in bright sunlight and the added weight of waterproof case (and a battery if you go that route) is prohibitive. I'm just going to try a Garmin Edge 200 and see how that works out.

Great choice because frankly that unit below is seriously fugly! As someone who likes to ride hands on the tops in various positions, these beasty units would drive me up the wall.

nternal1 wrote:

This is (a year round solution): http://www.ibikeconsole.com/detail.asp? ... 6&private=

nferrar

philthy3 wrote:

I don't get your logic or reasoning there? How are Garmin shite for the money and what do you expect it to do over what it does already? Even the 810 doesn't cost as much as an iPhone 5 or other top tier smart phone. It will measure and record, cadence, speed, elevation and heart rate in various modes, does mapping and gives your position via Livetracking so spouses can be sure you're safe. It's data is compatible with Strava for those who want it and rides saved as GPX files can be downloaded to Tacx VR trainers. On a 100+ mile ride there is no hint of an issue with battery life and let's be honest, the most common reason for issues with Garmin devices is the user not doing things properly. But you won't get the owners putting their hands up and saying that when it's all too easy to whine about Garmin. They're the market leaders for a reason and it isn't because they're shite. Same goes for Bryton. Mind you, as the latest generation of Apple iPhone has bugger all use as a phone according to reports, the OP may as well use it as cycling aid if they have one.

I expect it to have a higher resolution screen for starters, it's functional as it is but it's far from impressive and leagues behind a modern smartphone. The most expensive component in an iPhone is the screen, yet the Garmin is almost as expensive and has a bargain basement screen. Add into it all the other stuff a smartphone can do and the Garmin is a rip-off for what you get.
It's the market leader as it has virtually no competition, Bryton is about only serious contender and they're still playing catch-up. Garmin are lucky the market size doesn't appear to be big enough to attract the major tech companies.
No doubt Garmin have improved the user experience in the latest generation but it's still poor and the QC over firmware updates is woeful - the 810 was riddled with bugs on first release and there's no excuse for it on such a simple device.
Roll-on Google glasses and I'll be ditching my Garmins

Courage Monsieur

I think it looks OK on the bike.

But dude, you have Love Actually on DVD? Seriously?

So maybe it's not yours but even so. Get thee to a charity shop.

springtide9

philthy3 wrote:

Chris87 wrote:

It doesnt look too bad either

That's a matter of opinion. Sports insurance covers equipment too.

My god, and people complain that the Edge 800 looks silly.

Given that we live in the UK, that solution must useful for 2 weeks out of the 52 weeks we have in our year!
Two Edge 800 have failed due to them letting in water even though they are IPX7 rated... [solution - tape over the seals], that looks like the poorest and most expensive solution I've seen to date for a cycle computer.

DrLex

I've been using Cyclemeter on my iPhone 4 for over two years, and bar-mounted like Chris87's since last April. No issues with doing such; the Topeak rain cover has kept it working fine and the buttons haven't shaken free.
A TomTom app has been used on occasion to give en-route directions; the bike route setting helps in route choice. There are obvious advantages to a discrete unit like a Garmin, but the cost and the frequent threads about reliability/use on fora like these put me off purchasing. Should I upgrade to a iPhone 5, I'll be getting the Topeak case the same day.