Output Specialized e-bike power/cadence to Apple Watch via Bluetooth

[BEC111]

I’m curious about this Apple Watch/iPhone vs dedicated bike computer comparison. I’ve been using the TCD on my Vado SL 4 to monitor charge level, cadence, speed and distance which is all I need during the vast majority of my rides. This is because the vast majority of my rides are on a Rail Trail with occasional trips on local streets. I don’t need the mapping/route planning for these rides. On my occasional group rides, we use Ride with GPS, and though I have it on my phone I don’t really need to do so since most of my fellow riders are using it.

I’ve been using my Apple Watch with my phone in a pocket for data capture. I was running Strava and occasionally Ride with GPS through the watch and my phone for this. Lately, I’ve been using the Apple Workout feature instead. Whichever my source, the data is transferred to Strava and Apple Health. I use Apple Health and the Workouts App for health related analysis and Strava for accessible history.

What would a bike computer offer me other than lower likelihood of damaging my phone?

 

[mschwett]

I’m curious about this Apple Watch/iPhone vs dedicated bike computer comparison. I’ve been using the TCD on my Vado SL 4 to monitor charge level, cadence, speed and distance which is all I need during the vast majority of my rides. This is because the vast majority of my rides are on a Rail Trail with occasional trips on local streets. I don’t need the mapping/route planning for these rides. On my occasional group rides, we use Ride with GPS, and though I have it on my phone I don’t really need to do so since most of my fellow riders are using it.

I’ve been using my Apple Watch with my phone in a pocket for data capture. I was running Strava and occasionally Ride with GPS through the watch and my phone for this. Lately, I’ve been using the Apple Workout feature instead. Whichever my source, the data is transferred to Strava and Apple Health. I use Apple Health and the Workouts App for health related analysis and Strava for accessible history.

What would a bike computer offer me other than lower likelihood of damaging my phone?

are you using the data while you ride? if not, all you really need is anything that can record the data coming from the bike reliably. i'm guessing since you're using the watch for this is that what you're capturing now is just your heart rate and position/speed. the advantage of using mission control, a cycling app with a bridge, or a bike computer is that you'll also be capturing your power output and cadence. if that's not of any interest to you, then no benefit at all!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

nah.

spider based power meters are <$400

one sided crank <$300

pedal based starting around $500.

unfortunately the specialized power meter type isn’t really as accurate as the analog bike types, but i do think it’s really cool that it’s built into every specialized e bike

Interesting.

It is a SRAM power meter crank integrated with chainring. The price is over US$1,000 (it is PLN4,500). Once you have worn the chainring, you can throw the entire assembly into the dustbin.

Welcome to the SRAM world.

 

[mschwett]

Interesting.

View attachment 163916
It is a SRAM power meter crank integrated with chainring. The price is over US$1,000 (it is PLN4,500). Once you have worn the chainring, you can throw the entire assembly into the dustbin.

Welcome to the SRAM world.

this is an unusual design even for SRAM, allegedly with some advantages in weight and stiffness. the chainring and power spider are integrated, as you note. the crank arm is not. the price is a bit under $800 without the crank arms, which of course come in many lengths. it is not more expensive than a similar shimano or campy offering.

at the very highest performance levels, both shimano and sram compromise durability for the absolute lightest weight and highest performance. red, dura ace, xx1, super record (campy) and the like are not really meant for anyone who cares about the cost, durability, etc.

for most SRAM group levels, the power meter spider is separate, ranging from $350 to $500.

all that said, chainrings last a very long time on the bikes these are meant for. i have 16,000km on my 12 speed dura ace chainrings, and i don’t think they’ll need to be replaced any time soon. as long as you maintain and replace the chain well, the rings are not really a frequent wear item. of course, you might want to change gearing

 

[BEC111]

are you using the data while you ride? if not, all you really need is anything that can record the data coming from the bike reliably. i'm guessing since you're using the watch for this is that what you're capturing now is just your heart rate and position/speed. the advantage of using mission control, a cycling app with a bridge, or a bike computer is that you'll also be capturing your power output and cadence. if that's not of any interest to you, then no benefit at all!

You response mirrors my thinking. You’ve also reminded me about why I ride a bicycle. Mostly exercise and recreation plus the contradictory opportunities for socializing or for being alone.

I don’t have athletic aspirations other than coronary health as I’m 75, have arrhythmia and am otherwise sedentary. So I monitor my heart rate for health reasons and whatever other data captured for fun.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You response mirrors my thinking. You’ve also reminded me about why I ride a bicycle. Mostly exercise and recreation plus the contradictory opportunities for socializing or for being alone.

I don’t have athletic aspirations other than coronary health as I’m 75, have arrhythmia and am otherwise sedentary. So I monitor my heart rate for health reasons and whatever other data captured for fun.

Everybody has own reasons to ride an e-bike. My reasons to use a Wahoo computer for my rides are:

• To navigate. Adventure rides, gravel group rides, or even not to get lost in more and more complicated suburbs of Warsaw (!!!) are my reasons to use the GPS navigation. I often ride with the map on and navigation off to make use of the map while I'm riding!
• Workout data are vital for me because of my fitness purposes. These data also help me determine necessary assistance levels and e-bike performance to be able to complete planned rides with the least number of batteries taken on the ride. Even such a banal thing as the average speed at given assistance and riding conditions help me plan the trip so I could complete it before the sunset!
• Ride recording. Funnily, me and friends look at one another performance, routes and distance ridden on Strava. We, like, "are competing", that is, each of us is an inspiration to the others to ride more. My closest riding friend is 76 and he rides an old analog bike.

He is just 800 km behind me, and man, how much time he spends on his bicycle! We are motivating each other! He uses a Wahoo only for his ride recording, stats, and ride maps! He started riding more after he bought the computer very cheaply from me, and he loves the device beeps on his rides!

@mschwett: I have a question for a friend. Could you name several good power meters from very well known brands that would be rather inexpensive and could be installed on rather simple road bike? Thank you in advance! ("Thank you from the mountain" is a popular Polish joke, a direct translation of the sentence from Polish!)

 

[mschwett]

…

@mschwett: I have a question for a friend. Could you name several good power meters from very well known brands that would be rather inexpensive and could be installed on rather simple road bike? Thank you in advance! ("Thank you from the mountain" is a popular Polish joke, a direct translation of the sentence from Polish!)

what groupset and pedal preference? road power meters are specific to either the crank, spider, or cleat type in most cases!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It is a Shimano SORA R3000 groupset (including the SORA crankset). The pedals could be cleated (I will have to ask).
I have asked the friend additional questions, let us hear the answer. The friend rides a very inexpensive Decathlon Triban 500 bike but that bike was heavily upgraded since the purchase.

 

[mschwett]

It is a Shimano SORA R3000 groupset (including the SORA crankset). The pedals could be cleated (I will have to ask).
I have asked the friend additional questions, let us hear the answer. The friend rides a very inexpensive Decathlon Triban 500 bike but that bike was heavily upgraded since the purchase.

i would probably replace just the left crank arm, all shimano hollowtech cranks use the same interface afaik. 4iiii is simple and reliable, bluetooth and ANT+, there are options ranging from $275 to $400 or so from 4iiii but the precision 3 has great battery life, adds apple “find my” to the bike which is cool, virtually no weight.

another good manufacturer of very similar products is stages. i have more hands on experience with 4iiii. it might interest you that the company was founded by the couple who developed the ANT+ radio standard.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you Mark! It's very enlightening! The friend looked at the options some 2 years ago and thought a power meter would cost as much as US$900-1600.
What about a power pedal? Is it not even simpler?

 

[mschwett]

definitely simpler, but only if you want to clip in. your friend didn’t necessarily sound like a clipless rider! if so, which cleat interface?

Thank you Mark! It's very enlightening! The friend looked at the options some 2 years ago and thought a power meter would cost as much as US$900-1600.
What about a power pedal? Is it not even simpler?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

definitely simpler, but only if you want to clip in. your friend didn’t necessarily sound like a clipless rider! if so, which cleat interface?

Oh well, my friend seems to be riding platform pedals for commutes but I think she wears cleated shoes for her road bike! (I have never watched her in detail but she started with a road cycling club and told me she loved the click of the peloton clipping in!)
A person who can accelerate to 40 km/h onto an overpass must have enormous leg power, so she's interested in a power meter but the price was putting her off so far.

I will ask her if she rides MTB or road shoes/pedals.

 

[mschwett]

Oh well, my friend seems to be riding platform pedals for commutes but I think she wears cleated shoes for her road bike! (I have never watched her in detail but she started with a road cycling club and told me she loved the click of the peloton clipping in!)
A person who can accelerate to 40 km/h onto an overpass must have enormous leg power, so she's interested in a power meter but the price was putting her off so far.

I will ask her if she rides MTB or road shoes/pedals.

for pedals, the assioma uno is a great, simple, budget offering. many friends with them and zero complaints. look keo cleats, which are included. i prefer speedplay but as you know my preferences are very particular and the speedplay power pedals are newer, less tested, more expensive.

what you will see with any of these is the beauty of standards - they all support totally standardized power and cadence over bluetooth, which paired with a HRM strap (which also all are bluetooth or BLE) means she gets complete data with her existing smartphone - in any app - or any bike computer out there. there will be no fooling around with connections or modes or compatibility

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you, Mark! I will investigate further!

Interestingly, the friend has recently bought a Wahoo Bolt v2, so she could really make use of the power meter. Only she is not technically inclined but her boyfriend could certainly help her configure the Wahoo

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Mark, no need for any further study The friend told me she was as technically backwards as she used her Wahoo for GPS navigation only Yes, she was interested in power-meter options as I have been but rather for a general knowledge. You have satisfied my curiosity: thank you very much for that! Now, I know the power-meter crank seems a viable option. Regarding the pedals, the friend used to ride in MTB-SPD but she recently rides more and more in the sands, so she has to pedal the flat side of the pedal

Again, thank you very much! It is good to know more!

 

[GrayFox]

First time login in a very long time… I found this thread initially about Apple Watch. I use a Garmin 830 AND an Apple Watch every time. Some of my reasons for the watch.

1) I can make/receive phone calls and texts on the fly. ( because ‘stuff’ can happen).

2) the watch announces my 5 mile splits and timings. My first split announcement gives me a good indication of how my day is going to go.

3) I can open/close check the state of my garage door via my watch, a nice feature that works anywhere I have internet connectivity.