The new Wahoo Elemnt/Rllkt+ paired with BlueTooth cadence, HR, and power begs the question, if I’m carrying an iPhone, why even buy a cycling computer?
Is there anything an iPhone can’t do that a Wahoo and Garmin 520 can?
Which app?
As above, battery life is a big one, and is a game-ender if using phone GPS.
And if not using phone GPS, mounting your phone on your bike for hard training can be dicey if you drip sweat onto it or get caught in some rain.
For those that say they’re using their phone on-ride, but keeping it in a pack pocket (presumably for the GPS or Bluetooth functionality), you’re then lacking a device for real-time display.
I do think that ones phones are routinely waterproof (they gradually are going this way it seems), and get GPS + display battery life to 5+ hours reliably, nobody will buy these bike-mounted computers anymore.
I’ve got an iPhone 6S, so, plenty of battery life. A Ziplock has protected it through a full range of weather conditions. With the bluetooth accessories, all of a sudden ANT+ is no longer an issue.
For such a geeked out sport, there is an amazing amount of fashion/“Did you come correct?” in triathlon. Not pointing fingers; I’m right there with you. Like I really need a power meter? But I’m drawing the line at yet another Garmin.
So, the race ban is the only make-or-break argument. Similar to the previous post, is there anything important a Garmin 520 can do my 910XT can’t?
Battery life is still a bit of an issue for longer rides, and there is always the issue of having your $1000 phone is a crash-vulnerable position.
TBH, it’s a lot more doable than it was even a few years ago. You can get a garmin mount that sticks onto phone (or to a case) for $5-$10, so mounting is quick and easy. Seems like a good option as a 2nd life for your last phone (ex. the 7 that’s sitting idle since you upgraded to the 11). Without a SIM card it’s not a phone and should be USAT-legal.
I have an iphoneX and run TrainerRoad off of it while it’s attached to my bars with one of those exact garmin mounts. Been doing it this way for years and wouldn’t change it.
Although, I wouldn’t do it on the road. It’s way too flimsy. When I’m doing super easy rides I’ll sometimes stick it in my normal mount where my garmin would go, but it flops off once I hit some bumps.
I use the Wahoo Bolt for all of my rides for quick access to my ride data, but I also take my iphone. For the phone, I’ve been using this mount for at least a year on every ride. It’s not the most aerodynamic, but it is bomb proof, fits several size screens, and even works with the battery case I use, which knocks out the battery life issue on cellphones. I could do without the cadence sensor but not having the HR monitor would suck if I left the Bolt off.
I don’t mean to derail the topic or anything, but would a garmin 920 or fenix 3 be an appropriate bike computer replacement?
Yes… I use this combo. The downside is the size and of course the display. But with the connect IQ Store and apps like https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/93858c08-0158-4848-805c-a3563efa5f94 It serves it purpose. And even if you have a Varia Radar, it also can be viewed on the watch.
again - downside is the screen size but i’m (eyes) still ok with it. (oh… and of course you use it as an out front display instead of on the wrist)
