Cheap smart phone v Cycle computer.

[Mikeyjae]

With some android based smart phones now cheap enough to class as throw away money, does anybody use them attached to bikes instead of dedicated cycle computers?

They have Google maps for Navigation, Strava and i'm sure you can get apps that will display all the info you need like speed, distance and possibly cadence. Also the added benefit of calling the emergency services should the worst happen. Size may be a problem and mounting it to the handle bars but they are a lot cheaper then most cycle computers.

[pauloroberto]

I bought a computer (lezyne) but didn’t get on with it so just use my phone. I know all the local roads now so don’t need navigation and Strava gives me enough data. The main downside is having to keep the screen off to save the battery.

[supersport]

I got a cat eye computer that connects Bluetooth to my phone. Does just what I need and my phone is tucked away safe. Uploads to Strava when I get home.

Nice and cheap at £38

[njwc]

pauloroberto said:

The main downside is having to keep the screen off to save the battery.

This.

I tried using my phone to navigate with for a while but found the battery drain quite high so ended up with a Garmin, which I much prefer. It depends what you want though, if you just want to track your rides on roads you know then a phone is fine but for navigating the Garmin is so much easier

[tr7v8]

I have two computers a Trywin D3 & an iGPSPORT 20. Both from Amazon Not used the second one yet but have had the D3 for 2 years & works well. The software is errr interesting & comes on a cd. But uploads OK to Strava & Endomondo OK.
Only issue is the D3 used with a heartrate belt produces a corrupt GPX file. It is OK with its own app but won't then export to GPX.
Battery life is fantastic probably 5 hours plus which a phone won't do.

[bagusbagus]

Not sure what kind of phones you got, but I use 1st gen Moto G for this purpose.. turn the screen brightness down and the battery lasts for 7-8hours..

[TwistingMyMelon]

If you use a phone you can get usb battery backs to keep battery going

[Barchettaman]

+1, a battery pack tucks in nicely behind the stem, in one of those cheap Bento box thingys from eBay.

[Runes]

supersport said:

I got a cat eye computer that connects Bluetooth to my phone. Does just what I need and my phone is tucked away safe. Uploads to Strava when I get home.

Nice and cheap at £38

Which model did you get?

I'm looking for something that I can use to start and stop Strava recordings without having to get my phone out of my backpack. Sounds like your solution works for that.

[mickymellon1]

Google maps is absolute rubbish for cycling - the number of times it's taken me on random loops, into an airfield etc drove me nuts!

I've had a Garmin 1000 for a while and love it, would also consider a Wahoo Bolt, I would not go back to just using a phone and it sits in my pocket for emergencies or music

[tr7v8]

This is what I have:-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=t...