Bike related Christmas gifts

[Stefan Mikes]

Yes, this is true with some apps. However, the map data has errors too and isn't precise for every point along your route. The bubble gauge will give you an exact real time readout of the slope on the spot where you are standing. The only error is the calibration of the device itself. It is easy to recalibrate if necessary, using a simple carpenters level.

Keep in mind, we are talking about minute differences. I doubt the error between the digital and analog devices would be noticed by someone riding a bike.

Well, I have several overpasses in my neighbourhood. These can be rather steep or mild. I can see reasonable grade figures on my Wahoo. Moreover, we have several known climbs in Warsaw, and several other outside. According to my observations, the grade figures are quite reasonable, and these properly vary as you are climbing.

I can understand someone might want having an analog gauge. There are Bubble Level apps for smartphones. Once you are on the flat and you levelled your phone on the handlebar mount, you can use the app to get a grade reading as you ride

You can see an interesting short video in which I busted so called "gravitational anomaly" in a known location of West Pomerania. All I needed was a Bubble Level app

 

[6zfshdb]

I'm not familiar with RideWithGPS. When you first boot the app, does it indicate slope on the spot where you're standing without moving? How does it know which direction you are going to go? does it use a compass?

For example, you're standing next to your bike at a 4 way intersection. The road going North is uphill and South goes downhill. East and West is dead level. With the bike facing uphill, the the bubble gauge will show a positive slope. Turn the bike so it faces South and the gauge will show a negative slope. Facing East or West the gauge will show zero slope. All this without moving the bike off that spot. Will RideWithGPS do this?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I'm not familiar with RideWithGPS. When you first boot the app, does it indicate slope on the spot where you're standing without moving? How does it know which direction you are going to go? does it use a compass?

Neither the app not a computer know what direction you are heading to until you start riding. Yes, the computer knows everything about the climbs expected on your route. If no route in use, the computer will determine the incline during the ride.

That's what Wahoo computers can do about the climbing (all current computers are v2).

I was briefly considering making a Christmas gift to you, Jeremy. Then I realized that would deprive you of your precious privacy (delivery address!), and I would also ask you for exporting your ride data to free Strava, so better not!
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@6zfshdb, you are talking about an analog inclinometer. When it was a time I asked EBR users what they thought of buying a small anemometer to understand the wind direction and speed on my rides, everyone laughed. Now, the latest Wahoo ACE (which I do not recommend to anyone!) can measure the Indicated Air Speed and convert it to the wind speed acting on the bike and rider...

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I'm not familiar with RideWithGPS. When you first boot the app, does it indicate slope on the spot where you're standing without moving? How does it know which direction you are going to go? does it use a compass?

No, you only get to see grade after a ride is finished in the app. You can then overlay a plot of grade on the ride profile or slide a cursor along the ride profile to see grade at a particular point.

For example, you're standing next to your bike at a 4 way intersection. The road going North is uphill and South goes downhill. East and West is dead level. With the bike facing uphill, the the bubble gauge will show a positive slope. Turn the bike so it faces South and the gauge will show a negative slope. Facing East or West the gauge will show zero slope. All this without moving the bike off that spot. Will RideWithGPS do this?

No.

 

[6zfshdb]

We are really comparing two different devices here, each designed for different purposes. I find using both is the ideal solution.

Since we're talking about bike inclinometers, here's another one to further complicate the issue:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L5GL3A8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I find it to be more accurate than the Sun Company model and a bit easier to read, but it only reads % slope and not degrees. The mount is also less flexible.

The Sun Company model uses a GoPro type mount on the handlebar clamp.

The gauge can be separated from the clamp and used with this GoPro mount which will attach to many bike stem caps:

Amazon.com

The problem with these bubble gauges is they need to be viewed from directly above to get an accurate reading. This is easier to do when mounted on the stem.