Suggestions for MTB computer
Suggestions for MTB computer
Author
Discussion

Louis Balfour

Original Poster:

28,176 posts

238 months

Sunday 26th July 2020
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My wife has £300 to spend on a computer for her bike. He main requirement is merely logging distance, but I am sure that she will find other uses.

Is Garmin the way to go or other?

LimaDelta

7,418 posts

234 months

Sunday 26th July 2020
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Louis Balfour said:
Is Garmin the way to go or other?
Not at the moment...

Louis Balfour

Original Poster:

28,176 posts

238 months

Sunday 26th July 2020
quotequote all
LimaDelta said:
Louis Balfour said:
Is Garmin the way to go or other?
Not at the moment...
Ha, I saw that. I assume that once it's fixed they'll be bombproof.

campionissimo

591 posts

140 months

Sunday 26th July 2020
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Wahoo Elemnt. Any variation thereof.

Ares

11,000 posts

136 months

Monday 27th July 2020
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Wahoo every day of the week.

Garmins are dire. I went through 5 in 8mths. Always failing, always buggy, always problems. This latest is just yet another failure.

Wahoo are designed by cyclists, for cyclists (rather than Garmin where cycling is just a small offshoot).

Battery power, reliability, ease of use, everything...Wahoo is a world ahead of Garmin.

CharlieAlphaMike

1,182 posts

121 months

Tuesday 28th July 2020
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Why would you want a computer to analyse anything? Just enjoy the ride smile

Ares

11,000 posts

136 months

Thursday 30th July 2020
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CharlieAlphaMike said:
Why would you want a computer to analyse anything? Just enjoy the ride smile
Why does a computer stop you enjoying the ride?

Louis Balfour

Original Poster:

28,176 posts

238 months

Saturday 1st August 2020
quotequote all

Okay. I've looked at the Wahoo and both the Bolt and Element look ideal.

I am tempted to point her towards the Bolt, because I don't think she NEEDS colour. But I am happy to be persuaded differently.

Any pointer chaps please?


breamster

1,090 posts

196 months

Saturday 1st August 2020
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Will she want to use it for navigation? I've been told the wahoo for off-road navigation is poor compared to the Garmin. Can anyone confirm this?

I have a Garmin 820 and it's quite good but I am on my third warranty replacement!!

Louis Balfour

Original Poster:

28,176 posts

238 months

Saturday 1st August 2020
quotequote all
breamster said:
Will she want to use it for navigation? I've been told the wahoo for off-road navigation is poor compared to the Garmin. Can anyone confirm this?

I have a Garmin 820 and it's quite good but I am on my third warranty replacement!!
She'd quite like a system that hasn't been taken down by hackers. wink

seyre1972

2,982 posts

159 months

Saturday 1st August 2020
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Apple Watch SJD an alternative perhaps ?

smn159

14,269 posts

233 months

Sunday 2nd August 2020
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I traded an Elemnt Bolt for a Garmin 530. The Elemnt was really good, but the Garmin is a significant improvement IMO, due to the Climb Pro feature, better navigation and much better implementation of Strava Live segments. Plus I run as well with a Garmin watch and the training load feature works well between the two devices

Have a read of the DC Rainmaker reviews and decide whether the Garmin features are important to you.

Can't comment on reliability as it's my first Garmin bike computer and it's been fine - as was the Bolt.

Ares

11,000 posts

136 months

Monday 3rd August 2020
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Louis Balfour said:
Okay. I've looked at the Wahoo and both the Bolt and Element look ideal.

I am tempted to point her towards the Bolt, because I don't think she NEEDS colour. But I am happy to be persuaded differently.

Any pointer chaps please?
ROAM. Small price premium. Big benefit premium.

Otherwise, go original Elemnt.

Ares

11,000 posts

136 months

Monday 3rd August 2020
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breamster said:
Will she want to use it for navigation? I've been told the wahoo for off-road navigation is poor compared to the Garmin. Can anyone confirm this?

I have a Garmin 820 and it's quite good but I am on my third warranty replacement!!
No, it is seamless with every mapping software around.

Wahoo....unless you like a 'will it survive the ride' thrill of the Garmin wink

lufbramatt

5,493 posts

150 months

Monday 3rd August 2020
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The larger case/screen of the Roam seems to be a bit fragile for MTB, I know two people that have broken them (one guy broke 2 in 3 weeks, wahoo replaced them though with no issues) after relatively minor spills.


nosuchuser

837 posts

232 months

Wednesday 5th August 2020
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I'd like something that can load trailforks maps and show the trail heads etc. Read the 520 plus was a good shout but is there a wahoo that does the same?

alolympic

700 posts

213 months

Thursday 6th August 2020
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Well, if it is just about logging distance you don’t need a computer at all. I’d start just with Strava on her phone, record the rides, done.
IF she feels the need for navigation then start looking in to one, but you may be surprised how effective a smart phone and the plethora of native apps are.
I often ride with a friend who has a Wahoo and they serve no real advantage in real life riding as I can tell.

Louis Balfour

Original Poster:

28,176 posts

238 months

Thursday 6th August 2020
quotequote all
alolympic said:
Well, if it is just about logging distance you don’t need a computer at all. I’d start just with Strava on her phone, record the rides, done.
IF she feels the need for navigation then start looking in to one, but you may be surprised how effective a smart phone and the plethora of native apps are.
I often ride with a friend who has a Wahoo and they serve no real advantage in real life riding as I can tell.
She tried a phone app, it didn't work.

She has bough a Wahoo Bolt.

CharlieAlphaMike

1,182 posts

121 months

Thursday 6th August 2020
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Ares said:
Why does a computer stop you enjoying the ride?
My comment was said slightly tongue in cheek. But don't we have enough technology in our lives already?

It's a personal opinion of course but getting out on my MTB is a great way to escape the technology and just focus on the ride, the fresh air, the wonderful views. My memory is enough analysis for me. It doesn't matter if I beat my PB, burned 10 more calories or rode for an extra 1/2 mile. Sometimes I have no plan at all, I'll come across a junction on a forest trail and sometimes I'll go left, sometimes I'll go right. It's all part of the adventure. I just enjoy the ride!

Each to their own though. I accept it's a free world smile but believe it could be 'freer' without technology controlling/dictating/analysing what we do getmecoat

Ares

11,000 posts

136 months

Thursday 6th August 2020
quotequote all
alolympic said:
I often ride with a friend who has a Wahoo and they serve no real advantage in real life riding as I can tell.
Except it's all there, in front of you, in a small purpose designed unit, that doesn't rely on third party software to work?