stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Galaxy Watch 4. I use the HRM/steps when doing beach walks. On the bike I wear a Tickr on a Garmin strap.
Do You Wear a Wristwatch When You Ride?
- Thread starter 6zfshdb
- Start date
BEC111
Well-Known Member
I may have already posted that I ride with my Apple Watch using it for heart beat tracking and using it for workouts while riding. Recently, the watches battery was getting fully drained on rides of only 60 to 90 minutes. I was struggling with finding a solution. I bought a heart monitor band with the intent to use that with Strava on my iPhone. If that didn’t solve the battery life problem I was considering getting a cycling computer.
Well, last weekend I crashed my bike which resulted in some scraped knees, elbow and shoulder plus a broken kickstand and heavily scratched eyeglasses. My Apple Watch was also totaled. This was a very expensive crash. Kickstand was cheap. I bought it on closeout from my LBS. I needed to replace the Apple Watch, a quick $475 with taxes. I was due for an eye exam anyway, but that was planned for next month. So another $600+. Total almost $1100 and I haven’t even checked the bike out thoroughly yet.
So, I ride with my watch on, but now I have the new conundrum of whether I use the heart monitor plus Strava or use the new watch that has a brand new battery that might last for three or four hours during a cycling workout. The latter will probably be ok for a while, but ultimately, if I try a really long ride, I’m ga k to needing the cycling computer. And spending a few hundred bucks more.
Suggestions?
Well, last weekend I crashed my bike which resulted in some scraped knees, elbow and shoulder plus a broken kickstand and heavily scratched eyeglasses. My Apple Watch was also totaled. This was a very expensive crash. Kickstand was cheap. I bought it on closeout from my LBS. I needed to replace the Apple Watch, a quick $475 with taxes. I was due for an eye exam anyway, but that was planned for next month. So another $600+. Total almost $1100 and I haven’t even checked the bike out thoroughly yet.
So, I ride with my watch on, but now I have the new conundrum of whether I use the heart monitor plus Strava or use the new watch that has a brand new battery that might last for three or four hours during a cycling workout. The latter will probably be ok for a while, but ultimately, if I try a really long ride, I’m ga k to needing the cycling computer. And spending a few hundred bucks more.
Suggestions?
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Don't you have a Vado SL 1? If you're willing to run the Specialized app while riding, it can record your HRM along with your ride, and if you like, pump all that data straight into Strava. This might take some of the load off your watch battery.
If your phone has an OLED screen, and you run the app in dark mode (black background), the app uses amazingly little phone battery.
BEC111
Well-Known Member
I had looked into the Specialized app. It doesn’t connect to the watch for Heart Beats, which is my main statistical interest. The other riding and bike details are just for fun. Since I now have a separate heart monitor I should check it out.
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Got a cheap chest-strap HRM from iGPSPORT just for kicks. The Specialized app connected to it right away — via ANT+ I think.
JimFMB
Active Member
I have an Apple Watch Ultra. It has the larger battery and have no issues so far as the battery running low. I use it for HR while riding and the fitness app. I also us the ecg app and the pulse oximeter. I have worn a watch since high school So that would be about 130 years.
Chazmo
fat-tire biker
- Region
- USA
- City
- Central Massachusetts
Nope. Haven’t worn a watch since the early 20-teens when I started carrying an iPhone. Honestly, I think I use my iPhone more to know the time than I do as a phone.
On my bike I have a phone mount and mostly that’s for RideWithGPS. Both my watch and my bike display have the time.
I actually used to like watches as jewelry, and I’ve got a few beauties at home, but no… No watch for me.
On my bike I have a phone mount and mostly that’s for RideWithGPS. Both my watch and my bike display have the time.
I actually used to like watches as jewelry, and I’ve got a few beauties at home, but no… No watch for me.
For notifications and alerts without pulling your phone out, Apple Watch if you have an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy Watch if you're on Android. Both mirror texts and alerts to your wrist seamlessly. If you also want GPS routing and bike sensor integration, a Garmin Forerunner hits the sweet spot without the Fenix price tag. Most riders who switch say wrist notifications alone make it worth it.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Since retiring I dont look at the time outside of meeting up with people.
Im constantly asking Alexa what day it is..
Im constantly asking Alexa what day it is..
LandoftheGiants
Member
- Region
- Australia
Just this. I have enough digital technology in my life as it is, probably too much! I like a bit of simplicity from time to time.
LandoftheGiants
Member
- Region
- Australia
That's why I keep a logbook of my cycle rides, so I know what day it is.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
I make videos so I can go back and keep topping my memory up.
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
I finally bit the bullet and sprung for a smartwatch.
I chose the new Garmin Fenix 8 Pro 51mm, mainly for it's ability to pair with the Garmin Varia Rearvue radar.
It also receives alerts from my iPhone 14, so I can keep the phone in my pocket.
The watch has so many other features, I may not live long enough to figure them all out.
I chose the new Garmin Fenix 8 Pro 51mm, mainly for it's ability to pair with the Garmin Varia Rearvue radar.
It also receives alerts from my iPhone 14, so I can keep the phone in my pocket.
The watch has so many other features, I may not live long enough to figure them all out.
Darth_Vado
I Find Your Lack Of Faith Disturbing
- Region
- USA
- City
- Huntington Beach, CA
Apple Watch Ultra, have the action button set to "Outdoor Cycle" to record my ride. A bit redundant since i also use the Specialized app, but it's what it is
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I now wear this lightweight watch on my rides. Gives a perfect understanding of the time flow.
RunForTheHills
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
I don't currently have a bike computer. I record all my activities (run, walk, ride) on my Garmin Fenix E. Actually, I probably still have a very old Garmin Edge in a drawer somewhere. I think it was/is an Edge 1000?
DaveMatthews
Dave's not here. Cheating since 2018
- Region
- Canada
Been there, done that, and I didn't even need a kickstand to help me out...I’ve noticed that RideWithGPS is a great “logger” of my rides. Of course you have to remember to turn it on to record your ride. And, it’s also best if your don’t have your kickstand down when you do.
