MTB GPS?

[dr_gn]

Guys,

What's a good GPS for Mountain Biking?

I want it mainly to download a record of my rides (in terms of gradient profile, time, speeds etc, and to overlay onto an O/S map if possible) rather than navigation.

Want it to be as compact as possible.

Don't want to spend a fortune because I only get out a couple of times per month.

Any ideas?

Cheers.

[itsnotarace]

If you have a smartphone you can use something like Cyclemeter or MotionX GPS to record your rides for later analysis with mapping. If you don't have a smartphone then the Garmin 200 is good value for money.

[Watchman]

Endomondo on one of the smartphones is my choice.

Mate has a nice compact Garmin with a colour screen which is nice too.

[dr_gn]

No smartphone I'm afraid...

ETA Garmin 200 looks just the thing, thanks for that. Anything similar from other brands?

Cheers.

Edited by dr_gn on Thursday 14th June 19:02

[S6PNJ]

Get a second hand Garmin eTrex Vista (or similar) from any well known auction site. If you look at the Garmin website for these older models (under support) it will explain what each one can and can't do. Circa £50 I'd guess.

[P-Jay]

Shame about the no smartphone.

Been using the Runtastic Mountain Pro app for about a month now. Really good.

The max speed function is a dangerous thing though, 40.6 mph is my record so far.

[Silver940]

Don't try Strava.... it will consume you!

[sjg]

The Forerunner ones are worth a look, especially if you might use them for other sports. They strap to the bars just fine, either with the Garmin mount or a bit of pipe lagging.

Have had a Forerunner 305 for a while and it's great for that sort of use.

[dr_gn]

So, I've been looking at the Edge series. The 500 says you can

"add an ANT ™ compatible heart rate monitor"

I have an old Sigma HRM (with a chest band transmitter) - might this be compatible? Is it just a case of synchronising the transmitter with the Edge 500 computer, or do you need an add-on?

[daz3210]

Sorry for the hijack but....

Can you link a HRM with a smartphone? I just downloaded Strava onto the Iphone, and it mentions heart rate in some of the bits I have seen.

[esuuv]

daz3210 said:

Sorry for the hijack but....

Can you link a HRM with a smartphone? I just downloaded Strava onto the Iphone, and it mentions heart rate in some of the bits I have seen.

I dont think so directly - Garmin do an adaptor though so their ant+ interface items (hrm / cadence etc) will work with your iPhone, its about 40 quid, plugs into the port on the bottom.

[P-Jay]

Lots of bluetooth HRM's on eBay (better ones no doubt available) that claim to link to iPhones and Androids for use with training aids.

My GPS app allows you to enter max and average heartrates to add to calculations, but obviously it's not as acurate that way.

[shouldbworking]

I have a polar HRM that has bluetooth, that links to my phone fine.

[dr_gn]

So I'm going for the Edge 500 - LBS is giving me a bit of discount.

With the cadence/wheel sensor, can you configure it to show which gear you are in during a ride?

[lotusandy]

dr_gn said:

With the cadence/wheel sensor, can you configure it to show which gear you are in during a ride?

I have also just purchased an edge 500, very pleased with it, I dont bother with the Garmin connect website for uploading to though as I find Endomondo far better & just as easy to use.
I only have it with the heartrate monitor, but as far as I am aware it is not possible so have it know what gear you are in.
I got mine from www.handtec.co.uk for a really good price, it might be worth checking thier price as well as your lbs.

Andy

[itsnotarace]

dr_gn said:

With the cadence/wheel sensor, can you configure it to show which gear you are in during a ride?

No mate

[dr_gn]

itsnotarace said:

dr_gn said:

With the cadence/wheel sensor, can you configure it to show which gear you are in during a ride?

No mate

Hmmm, wonder if it'll be in a software update? If you know wheel r.p.m. and crank r.p.m. then I'd have thought displaying gear ratio on the uploaded data would be fairly easy.

[dr_gn]

Got it today - seems great, but...

What is the wheel sensor actually for?

[Jimbo.]

dr_gn said:

Got it today - seems great, but...

What is the wheel sensor actually for?

Slightly more accurate distance measurement, and therefore speed

[Jimbo.]

dr_gn said:

Hmmm, wonder if it'll be in a software update? If you know wheel r.p.m. and crank r.p.m. then I'd have thought displaying gear ratio on the uploaded data would be fairly easy.

Not so: if you're "glass cranking" f' instance, it'll be all over the shop readout-wise. There's no real need for a gear display, much like there's no need for one in a car: use the cadence readout like a rev counter, and go by how you feel/your speed. Spinning too fast? Change up. Grinding too slowly? Change down.