Camera damage in handlebar-mounted phones?

Further impressions of the Wahoo ACE

o As @Stefan Mikes suggested, the screen's more legible in light mode. Easy to read even in bright sun, and much easier to read in sun than the Specialized app, which I had to run in dark mode to conserve phone battery.

o And speaking of batteries, excellent Wahoo battery life so far.

o The gradient readout was a pleasant surprise. Readings seem pretty accurate on uphills where I have reliable gradients by other means. The max reading shows up 30-50 m after I've passed the max gradient.

On downhills, the harder you brake, the less steep the gradient readings become. On one known -10% descent, heavy braking shallowed the reading to -3%.

o Vastly prefer the final ride data summaries and analyzes presented in the Specialized app and RideWithGPS over what the Wahoo app provides. Easy to transfer Wahoo rides to RideWithGPS, but I'd really like to collect all SL rides in the Specialized app as well.

Somehow got the Specialized app to record the SL's very first Wahoo ride simultaneously. Will have to figure out how I did it.
 
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Somehow got the Specialized app to record the SL's very first Wahoo ride simultaneously. Will have to figure out how I did it.
Specialized App works via a Bluetooth connection while Wahoo uses LEV ANT+ for the connection with the e-bike. Shouldn't be any issue.
I can myself record my rides both ways if I want.

Perhaps you did something wrong while fighting with your HRM?
 
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Everything fine with you Jeremy? I'm asking since your RideWithGPS profile seems to have disappeared?

I got my hands on Garmin 540 again. Tried to configure it (nice! All settings have been restored from Garmin Connect cloud, and a firmware update was installed, which took ages...) After having used to the Waharmin :) or Wahoo ACE, Garmin does not look as nonsensical as it seemed before :D For instance, Garmin Connect and Wahoo App are indeed very similar to each other. Well, Garmin 540, the smallest and button only operated device is too small for my weak eyes.

Comparing both systems, Wahoo ACE feels decidedly better, especially the way it presents the route on the map, and the non-glossy screen is better, too. For night riding, the Garmin Dark Mode is a no go. Also, Garmin sets the Auto backlight for the night at just 10%, which is unacceptable for me (manual 50% is okay).

Perhaps, I would feel better about Garmin 1050 but as it is not, I perceive the ACE as an excellent GPS bike computer.

My friends who used older Wahoo Bolt or Roam and upgraded to version 3 are totally disappointed though. The screen in these devices even if it is bigger feels a way smaller to my mates. They hate the Wahoo App as well.

I'm glad you chose the ACE Jeremy. A good thing, and possibly the only enjoyable new Wahoo computer nowadays!
 
Everything fine with you Jeremy? I'm asking since your RideWithGPS profile seems to have disappeared?
Fine here. No idea why you're seeing that. Just checked the RideWithGPS app. Everything looks OK.

I'm glad you chose the ACE Jeremy. A good thing, and possibly the only enjoyable new Wahoo computer nowadays!
Thanks for all you help in the switch to the ACE. Still getting used to it and the Wahoo app.

I'm sure they'll work out in the long run, but still prefer the Specialized app in many respects. Unfortunately, the credible phone camera damage risk leaves me no other choice.

Need mapping and certain data visible while I ride, so just running the Specialized app on my new phone in my pocket without a bike computer out front won't fly.

Will test my new Wahoo HRM tomorrow.
 
Need mapping and certain data visible while I ride
You have it all on the Map screen of the ACE... Additionally, you can add/replace the metrics such as Cadence or Power 3s or whatnot to the Map screen (up to 6 fields). What you only cannot add there are the motor data. However, you can have anything else relevant on your TCU! (The phone running Specialized App can reside in your pocket; I even stopped using BLEvo when I got my first Roam!)

No idea why you're seeing that. Just checked the RideWithGPS app. Everything looks OK.
I think these are your restrictive Privacy settings (cannot help with that). For one, I can see all activities of Rab on RWGPS.
 
A surprise: Wahoo app has synchronized my Garmin 540 ride (from Strava, I guess). Meaning, I will have all my rides in Wahoo History disregarding what device it was! A nice touch. Garmin would have never picked up a ride recorded with another device in Connect!

Screenshot_20251107_081058_Wahoo.jpg
 
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You have it all on the Map screen of the ACE... Additionally, you can add/replace the metrics such as Cadence or Power 3s or whatnot to the Map screen (up to 6 fields). What you only cannot add there are the motor data. However, you can have anything else relevant on your TCU! (The phone running Specialized App can reside in your pocket; I even stopped using BLEvo when I got my first Roam!)
It's not just about the device. The Wahoo app is no replacement for the Specialized app after the ride. I was quite happy without a bike computer till this phone camera issue came up.

I think these are your restrictive Privacy settings (cannot help with that). For one, I can see all activities of Rab on RWGPS.
No recent changes in my privacy settings. Still no interest in sharing my ride data on any platform.
 
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Bottom line: The Wahoo and Specialized apps are by no means equivalent post-ride, and I much prefer the latter. Simple as that.
Performing cyclists would certainly not agree with you 😊 Specialized App is only good for the e-bike info. Is the workout meant for the e-bike or for the human?

Does the Specialized App give your leg torque, for instance?

Wahoo:
Screenshot_20251107_102516_Wahoo.jpg


Screenshot_20251107_102545_Wahoo.jpg


Screenshot_20251107_102626_Wahoo.jpg

Screenshot_20251107_102651_Wahoo.jpg

Determine FTP.

Screenshot_20251107_102712_Wahoo.jpg

Light tailwind on most of the ride.

Screenshot_20251107_102740_Wahoo.jpg
 
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Performing cyclists would certainly not agree with you 😊 Specialized App is only good for the e-bike info. Is the workout meant for the e-bike or for the human?

Does the Specialized App give your leg torque, for instance?

Wahoo:
View attachment 202036

View attachment 202037

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View attachment 202039
Determine FTP.

View attachment 202040
Light tailwind on most of the ride.

View attachment 202041
Really don't care what performance cyclists do or think. I know what I personally want to know after a ride, and I prefer the way Specialized presents it. Period.
 
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Replacement phone in place
Moved into the Note20's successor last night — a Samsung S25 Ultra. Tests of the new 5x telephoto camera (same as the longest on the old Note20) reminded me just how sharp a good phone telephoto can be. The new phone's 10x telephoto option seems just as sharp.

20251107_120903.jpg

Sure wish I'd had that 10x up and running when the Goodyear blimp went by at the beach yesterday! This was the best the old phone's blurry 5x telephoto camera could do.

Less pain changing phones this time — but even if money were no object, still enough pain to take no chances: Keeping the new phone off my bars.

Now to learn the ins and outs the new Wahoo and phone. Looking forward to the day when I can stop futzing with all these devices and just use them.
 
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Now to learn the ins and outs the new Wahoo and phone. Looking forward to the day when I can stop futzing with all these devices and just use them.
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A riding mate (who owns a Roam 3) was very interested in my ACE. Visible are the map, the route and the distance ridden so far. The device showed we were 50 metres off course.

Any rider of the group but one had a GPS bike computer on the bars. The man who didn't own a navigation aid was unable to ride in the group front.
 
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