Smart Watch Vs Bike Computer | Which Is Right For You?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2024
- If you want to use GPS for cycling, there are generally two options; a dedicated bike computer, like the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, or a sports optimised smart watch, like the Wahoo Elemnt Rival - but which one is right for you? Conor shows you the pros and cons of each, to help you decide!
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Leave us a comment below! - กีฬา
we need a video of connor in the skatepark please
I'm impressed that Conner can drop-in.
I was looking at his drop in thinking about where his center of mass is, given his height. That made it even more impressive :)
Yo Conner, let's go shred!!!
RIGHT?? that's not a thing you pull off without knowing how to skate. Lets take a minute to appreciate that
word, dropping in is one of those things that looks super fucking easy until you actually try it lol
@@GotDamBoi hence why it's called dropping - right? haha hurts like a b...
The tracking feature allows the person following you to see more than just your location. My wife loves it because I was hit by a car several years ago and then two years ago I was diagnosed with an autoimmune diseases that was effecting me. A couple of times I had to call her to come get me because my heartrate was not recovering. It was staying really high even while stopped. So, she can track to see where I am and see my speed, heartrate, and how long I have been stopped if I make a café stop. It gives her piece of mind when I am out by myself.
I need a wife
I love my Garmin fenix , owned it 3 years , does my road, mtb , swimming , golf , walks and all the other life metrics . Such good value and incredible battery life( can do all of the above in a typical week on one charge !!!).
If I lost today , I’d buy another tomorrow, it’s that good .
Connor is a great presenter. Clever, not too serious, and a beast on the bike.
exactly the beast on the bike, for sure!💪💪💪
I've been in camp Garmin for sometime now (mostly because Wahoo didn't have a watch 5 years ago). I'll use either the Fenix 3 or the Edge 830 depending on the ride. The watch is great for a commute, and obviously the head unit is better for longer rides on the weekend.
The thing I want to note is our dependency on screens. As much as I love watching GCN on TH-cam and on the app (if you haven't already - get GCN+, it's great!!), think about how much time, in a day/week, you spend looking at your phone, computer, a TV, etc. It's because of this that it's sometimes nice to not have a screen in front of me when I'm out trying to enjoy a bike ride.
Now that we know that Connor can skate, send him over to GMBN to do a dirt jump video with Blake.
Conor, I bloody love you mate. Your presenting style is so warm and natural and the interjections of humour are perfect.
Back to which would I choose? Both! Can’t beat the computer for on the bike, but it’s rubbish for recording where I’ve gone for a run, walk or when it’s still been recording when I’ve cut the lawn!! 🤣
I use a watch for recording and a bike computer as a display (when I feel that I need one!).
If I need navigation, I use the phone, in a pocket with the screen turned off and listen for the voice commands... don't run out of battery that way.
any chinese phone with battery of 6000mah which cost around 80 usd and you dont need to worry about battery ever again. 12h ride without issues...I use Poco M3 as full gps and cyclomenter dedicated device...never had sim card in it.
A week ago I decided to go the Smartwatch route. Even though I'm not much of a runner, there are some more advantages that suited me: on one hand, I have 4 bikes and ride them all. Getting mounts for all of them is just annoying, and I wouldn't trust them in the gnarlier trails when MTBing. Another reason is that it shows me notifications on the go. Checking notifications on your cellphone can lead to spending more time in front of the screen. Ironically, having yet another screen in my life has made me less dependent on the phone screen. Other features like Sleep tracking, calorie counter, controlling Spotify remotely and others are a good bonus. For those who want to know, I've got the Garmin Vivoactive 4. Great balance of fitness computer and daily usability. It looks good too, unlike those huge, button-ful runners' watches...
Hey, is it comfortable to cycle with a smart watch? Looking into getting one, but wondering if it's comfy enough, as most smart watches tend to be bulky. Thanks.
@@pauliusd6505 Hello!
Yeah, I don't feel it really. I guess getting a comfortable band is a must. I don't use the metal one when cycling, just canvas or silicone bands.
@@pauliusd6505 It is great. You don't have to worry putting it on/off when you enter a convenience store on your bike rides.
what app you are using on your vivaactive4 when cycling ?
@@shorthliGarmin has its own fitness & sync app called Garmin Connect.
Garmin Connect syncs with any other activity app you have.
I finish a ride, press stop on my Garmin watch, then the entire ride pops up on Strava like 10seconds later. 👍🏼
Use your watch around the handlebars and connect it to your HR monitor. In that way you can still see all your info and then just take it off and wear it when you get to the cafe.
I personally rock a Garmin watch when im out mountain biking, it keeps track of time and distance and also different segments of the trail and it uploads it directly to my strava
So is the watch useful for navigating off-road trails. (Usually not that many turns I guess, and not a very high speed in my case. 😄)
Love how Conor pronounces Wahoo as Woo hoo !!
I've been quite pleased using my iPhone with a Quad Lock Pro mount and case. Quad Lock produces very impressive hardware that allows your phone to serve as a cycling computer. I use the app Cyclemeter on the iPhone and it is teaming with as much data and map/navigation info as anyone could want. Plus, there's no cycle computer on the market with a screen that comes close to the beautiful screen on the iPhone. The one issue is battery life. If you are going to go on a whole day ride, the battery on the iPhone will not make it. But I have an Anker "lipstick" battery charger in the end of my handlebar and run its USB cable under my handlebar tape up to the phone in case I do go on a longer ride. And best of all, the price is right!!
P.S. I do have an Apple Watch and use it to provide heartrate metrics to the Cyclemeter app.
I use Garmin Edge 530 with remote on my Trek Roscoe 6 & Love it.. Thanks Garmin (also wear the Fenix 6X pro solar).. Great Video…
I use a Garmin Fenix 6. Pairs with all my sensors (cadence, power, etc), has a built in heart monitor, and I can use it when I am running the trails or participating in any other sport (swimming, resistance training, etc).
But Garmin 7 trillion price tag is crazy for that fenix. I do like it.
Yeah I’ve got the same fenix 6 pro, benefits of sleep tracking, blood oxygen, body battery and battery life make up for the price considering the wahoo watch doesn’t do any of that, its basically a watch that has gps.
Fenix 6x best thing I've bought
I got the Forerunner 945 bundled with the heart rate band and handlebar docking, and then just added cadence and speed and it gets the job done in a perfect way as you said. I think of a computer as a nice to have but certainly the Garmin Smartwatch is good value for the money
Almost any watch can be used on the handlebars with a suitable mount accessories.
Or with unsuitable mount accessories. I just have a chunk of pipe insulation.
Love it!!!
@@marre1 I keep meaning to send it in for hack/bodge. This might have tipped me over the edge.
Agree. And the Suunto Peak 9 watch has a mount specifically for it for the handle bar and can customize the metrics shown on the watch during a bike ride. I hate the limited scope of this video.
I am happy with my edge 530+senser+HR band, very precise.
Thanks guys. I've been using a GPS computer for a long time, but thinking about a smart watch, just as a watch too, and for computer backup, which plays up occasionally
I use my Garmin 645 and with a adhesive adapter for the Garmin mount. It was a pretty easy DIY rig and works great.
Without watching the full video (which seems to be sponsored by Wahoo :) )
I have recently changed to a Elemnt Bolt (v2/2021 of course) from my Polar M400 (Multi-sport watch) and the main things that make me wanna transition are:
- Long battery: Now I can take rides longer than 6:30h or so (before I could only ride a century and almost immedialtely the battery died)
- Map: Finally I don't have to rely in my phone for going to new places.
- More sensors: I don't have a powermeter yet (you know how expensive are they :) ) but will do in the future so it's a must.
- Others:
Bigger and colourful screen is great but not an extremely must.
Easier to customize and review values within the new screen.
Bro, you'll miss the socks jokes
I used both, linked to the same Garmin account. For rides, I mainly use the bike GPS, but watch to track most other activities, including some MTB at trail centres, where there's more than a chance of an off
While I use a Fenix 6 for hiking, skiing, casual riding and overall fitness tracking, I found it does not reliably track heart rate and GPS occasionally.
I had a peak speed of 41 km/h just today while hiking - and no, I did not fall off the mountain I was walking up, I was traversing a ravine, which means GPS signal reflection fritzing the thing.
For biking, I stay with my Edge 1030+, sensor bundle, and heart rate strap.
I still use my Tom Tom Spark3 and an iGPSPORT iGS50E on my bike. They fit my needs and are way less expensive than Garmin or Wahoo. Both connect to the Heart rate monitor, speed and cadence sensors, and of cause tracking via GPS. Both also upload to Strava from the App or PC. For a bit more money you can get the iGPSPORT iGS620 which has Navi and connects to a powermeter
What do you think about the Apple Watch? Workout app or another app? Also you can now get navigation through the maps app
I really love my Apple Watch. In some ways it is the better sports watch (Heart Rate Monitor is quite good, GPS is better than in most of the dedicated sports watches) … and it can do so much more. But the downside is: It does not broadcast the heart rate to my Wahoo or my Sufferfest. That‘s odd.
@@bikesndrones yeah I completely agree! I don’t have have those pieces of equipment so I wouldn’t know unfortunately
i use a Karoo2 with my Apple Watch as a back-up HRM just in case my Wahoo Tickr dies. Nice and informative video. Thanks Conner
Connor can skateboard, I am very impressed.
Nice informational video bro
Garmin Edge on the bike for navigation and visibility (also a lot more information available in a glimpse) and the Garmin Forerunner around the wrist to keep registering general functions.
And yes, I intensionally mentioned Garmin twice....
I use apple watch workout app. Included with the watch, does GPS tracking, HR, elevation really well.
I do miss being able to just look down at this but so far not found many tracking apps that aren't more about bragging online and social competition with people I don't care about. Wahoo in fairness is the best of them in this regard.
Because what I want is so basic and I don't really want to be buying kit to carry as well as phone and watch I already have, it's the watch. Best for all round basics.
you can also mount a watch to a bike mount if you prefer to have it fixed infront of you. This them cover 99% of features plus you can use it for other sports aswell, making the watch better for the money. Most smart watches have turn by turn navigation also.
I use my apple watch for most things it even has directions using haptic feedback to say right or left turn.
I have a Roam bike computer and the Rival watch. I wouldn't want to have to keep looking at my watch for data whilst riding as it's too distracting for me. As mentioned in another comment the heart rate on the watch isn't very accurate under load so a chest strap is a good extra to get is looking for accuracy whilst running (watch was reading around 110BPM the chest strap was ready 175BPM). The mapping function on the Roam is great, especially whilst out night riding over winter (might of had to rely on this whilst out in heavy fog last winter)
Edge on the handlebar, Instinct Solar on the arm plus Smartphone in the back pocket. Never use the Smartphone for navigating or collecting data while riding as I like to have it with full battery power in emergency situations.
This is the correct solution. Having to use an external battery so that your phone will last for a mere sixty mile ride is a bodge. In fact, just having a phone on your handlebar or stem is a bodge.
Not sure what phone you guys have but my phone is merely down to 78% after a 6 hour ride using Strava.
Similar here, i need the Garmin on the bike as i mostly follow a route.
Got a cheap heart rate monitor watch (Xioiami).
Never use the phone for recording, just upload it from the Garmin.
I use a Garmin Fenix 5X Plus watch on my handle bar and a heartrate strap. It does all, including navigation. But a bike computer has a larger screen which is better for navigation.
This goes along a similar line of thought I've had recently. My buddy has a Wahoo, I have a Lezyne.
We can ride the same segment together and there is a difference between our Strava segment times. This doesn't happen all the time, but it is noticeable.
Is the a KOM to be gained with a different head unit ?
Not that we go fast enough, but you never know.
Both have benefits. I use both a Garmin watch and the wahoo element bolt depending on what I am doing.
Seriously impressed with the skateboarding dude. Awesome review.
As a triathlete I have been using both for a very long time. For training swim and run I use a watch and the computer for my bike. For races I track the whole race on my watch but still use my computer on the bike because I don’t want to have to do anything more than glance down at the screen without moving my hands. Way easier to track power, cadence, and speed, HR and time that way.
How do you go about having both working simultaneously?
@@danielvalenzuela7 I use Garmin products. I use the run and swim settings individually when I train those and it syncs with my Garmin account so I can look at the data again later. My bike computer syncs with the same account. When I only train bike I sync the the bike computer data. If I do a brick I sync the watch data which has both bike and run data and delete the the bike computer data. When I actually do a triathlon I use the multi sport mode on my watch. I start it when I start the swim and then I press a button when I enter and leave the transitions so it tracks the transitions and my data for each leg. When I get on bike I hit start on the bike computer so I don’t have to look at my wrist in the aero position. When I get off the bike I’m back to the watch. When I’m done with the race I only sync the watch data to have the whole race in one file and delete the bike computer data. During a race the bike computer is only to see my speed, cadence, time etc during the bike leg so I know I’m on pace. I hope that makes sense
@@tridoc99 thanks a lot for the detailed reply! Yeah that makes a lot of sense and it is how I imagine it. I imagine you have sensors on the bike for cadence and other things, right? Possibly including a powermeter? All sensors connect to both your bike computer and watch then, right?
Garmin 945 + garmin run/power pod and wahoo HR strap. used daily. works perfectly
I use a watch. Mainly because I'm not just about cycling. I run, play discgolf etc. plus the everyday use as a watch. A HR chest strap was needed though, since HR monitoring in the wrist is inaccurate if the hand squeeses something or leans firmly on the handlebars.
The watch would be my pick as I enjoy triathlon, but the computer would be great for my next cross state bicycle tour.
I have the garmin edge 130 and garmin fenix - i can use the fenix for tracking the stats and use extended display to see all the stats on my head unit. This means i get recovery and load on my watch but still see what i need to know easily and dont need to spend hundreds on the better garmin.
Got into cycling last year (2023) currently using my iPhone 11 and Apple watch series 4 for heart rate zone monitoring. New update shows the information on screen with heart rate zones, average speed, elevation gained. Attached with a quadlock mount
Connor not wearing socks makes me concerned Si has started a trend. Make It Stop!!
of all people to show off his ankles. Si is just full of self confidence. Good on 'em
He's just showing off his new triathlon socks!
Zoidberg: "why not both?"
Thanks Conor
I use both. Wahoo ELMNT Bolt and Garmin Fenix 6X.
Garmin Instinct Solar + Garmin Edge 530. And I'm not even a cyclist, but having a separate bike computer is reasonable if one can afford it. (Previously I had Edge 200 and Edge Explore for cheaper options)
good to know , thank you very much, seem like i use my smartwatch often then 😅
The two most unpleasant things to me with a smartwatch when on a road bike: heavy sweat at the arm wrest and bad readability when keeping the hands at the bar. So you need to basically ride one-handed and need to lift your arm to be able to read the smartwatch. So looking at any data on the smartwatch during a fast descent I would not recommend ... while with a computer a quick glance is easily possible.
You can buy accessories that will benefit you in those cases. Mounts on the handlebar!
I just strap mine to the handlebar - no accessories needed.
@@Finnspin_unicycles I was a little bit worried it would mess up the optic HR. But hey, for around 8$ I got something that eased my mind 😉
For me I find using the Garmin varia radar with the head unit is a great safety feature.
6:58 i like it when they still talk about the relay versus Andrew Feather
I will buy both for maximum versatility and probably HR strap as well. Not sure if i go garmin or wahoo. I love the garmin forerunner 945 lte. Dunno what computer to buy. I use strava as well. You guys recommand?? All the way garmin ? Mix of both or all the way wahoo. Thank you
you forgot the watch can be on the steering wheel as well - at least this is how I use my watches for last couple of years ;-)
I use a Garmin watch for more than 10 yrs now. On the bike I tied it on the handle bars, for easier view, on my hand the rest of the time. :)
I've just attached an old phone to the stem of my bike and use that as bike computer. Almost no costs and you can use it for a lot more things on your ride. Plus, it's a far better screen than any other bike computer.
Thanks Conor. Peace
I have both. I do use the bike computer most of the time. I do however transmit my heart rate to the computer. Also If I forget to charge, or forget the head unit or I lose the head unit. I can still record the ride.
What about the handlebar mount for the watch? Not as good as a bike computer, but much easier to see than the wrist while riding.
Hey guys,
I’m pondering buying this Wahoo computer.
I have an Apple Watch but I’d like to have something to pre map my rides without draining my iPhone.
I can’t seem to find a video to how to create a route before loading on the GPS
I’m mounting my watch to my handlebar and it also has navigation. The only downside is that its screen is a quite smaller than a head unit.
I used Polar S7xx watches back in the day. Put in a coin cell and use it for a whole year. Took me a while to accept these days are gone because everybody wants GPS and colour screens. Now it‘s bike computer for me. Half-decent runtime and easy to use.
You guys should do a cheap bike computer round up. Determine if it is worth it
Watch. Multifunctional and always with you.
I wonder if Conner has to clip in to his skateboard?
Connor skating ability is actually quite good considering his size. It's like a normal person trying to rollerblade on one wheel 🤔😉😂
For training, heart rate monitoring is a big deal. My smartwatch doesn't do well with that while riding (Not sure if Wahoo watch does it much better). Chest band is better because it is very robust against body motion. I use cheap cycle computer (compatible to cadence/speed/HR) and generic chest band.
(I use my watch mainly for other activity tracking and payment)
7: 25 Hope the cameraman remembers to pick up the cameras left on the cafe table 🤭 I'd probably go for the watch for the multi sport features.
Great video
I use both. The head unit for cycling and the watch for everything else. I love my Garmin watch but as mentioned, it is hard to look at while riding and it doesn't have an altimeter for accurate elevation change.
I use my watch and a heart rate monitor so I can put the watch on the handle bars while keeping track of my HR.
I have the Garmin Descent MK2i - primary reason to splurge? It's my dive computer c/ air integration on my tank. My spouse borrowed it for a 50mile Gravel Ride and it "saved his bacon" twice when he got off course. Also, live 20 miles from Garmin headquarters and as the saying goes in Kansas City "If you pay retail for Garmin, you need to make some local friends" - don't hate me :) Anyway - diver computer has a really good altimeter. Cheers
amazing video
I use a smartwatch with gps and hearthate to register everyday trainings and errands and a simple gps bike computer for long rides.
On the subject of parameters, here's an idea for a GCN does science. Do lower cadences for a similar power output translate to lower or higher heart rate compared to higher cadences? In my case, surprisingly lower cadence tends to produce higher heart rate and I wonder if it varies from person to person (or presenter to presenter!).
impress me by your skating XD
Love my Garmin 250! My old Garmin watch dies after short events now
What about smartphones used like mounted on a quadlock case compared to a bike computer? Thaanks
I’ve had a problem with the vibration messing up the camera. Also the battery can get drained very fast due to cold, lost signals and over temping in direct sunlight.
They already did that :
th-cam.com/video/GjeEMZSrPsI/w-d-xo.html
Though let me add my personal opinion. To me, less distractions made your riding better, bike comp makes you focus on the road better. Also, since your phone is exposed to the sun and the display is (I'm assuming) always on, you can damage your battery and display (if you use LED screen), the 2nd point I experienced myself. Collin Hamlett also has mentioned that it could ruin your camera stabilization, especially with flagship phones like iPhone & Samsung S series. To me, cheap bike comp such as Garmin edge 200, bryton rider 15, or the super cheap XOSS G+ does enough. But if you need map and all the (to me) unnecessary stuff, you might need to spend a bit more for like garmin *520.
I think GCN had a video about that already!
@@razaninaufal thanks! So i wont be buying the quadlock kit😁
I prefer a watch (Garmin 945) because I do so many different activities. I prefer RWGPS on the phone for navigation because I want a big screen and spoken turn-by-turn, which no bike computer offers.
Cheeky misspelling of our friend Oliver and that text message👀😂
100% watch! CX 👌. Clean cockpit, stop looking at your computer
This is my first time so early 😊
Anyone with experience navigating with a watch? Which model do you use? Also, is there an option to link up with strava routes and see the map from there? For me, planning on Strava works great and I would only need to check my map on a crossroad occasionally.
Garmin Fenix 5 plus. Honestly the best investment I could make plus it tracks my heart rate all day and gives recovery suggestions. Brilliant!
I use both the wahoo & the Apple Watch however on a 100 miler the watch can sometimes die before finishing
Picked wahoo watch rival with wahoo sensors. Lets see how this goes!
My Fenix does navigation too. And not bad either
I made a choice recently to get a Garmin Fenix 5X plus my first sports watch instead of getting an Edge 530 even though I mostly do cycling. I've chosen the Fenix because it can do it all including navigation. I can go on hikes and have HR data saved to Strava.
I'm a little disappointed in the video because it seems to be sponsored by Wahoo and I was expecting more of a shootout with other brands included.
I wonder of the possibility to charge the computer using a dynamic hub. That'd be great for bikepackers but I'm not sure the mount allows enough room for a cable.
Yes, you can, or via a battery bank
I have a Garmn 245 music watch.
I just purchased a)Xoss Cadence Sensor and b)Xoss G+ display.
May I ask, can I add the sensor into my Garmin watch and concurrently display the output in The Xoss G+ Display?
Can you teach me how to do so? TQIA.
I have a watch amd a computer but if to choose one I would get the computer I think it is much harder to see the data on your wrist and dangerous really compared to just glancing down
I use an old Garmin Edge 500 for basic visible activity data on the bike. And then I use my Garmin Fenix for actually logging the ride. And generally wear it all the time otherwise to capture hikes, runs or swims. Or sleeping. Or notifications. If I did bike touring or moved somewhere I didn't know every road, I'd invest in a good bike computer.
Summary; get a cheap bike computer and a decent multi-sport watch!
If you're only into cycling than the bike computer wins everytime. If you're into running, simming, or other sports too, than you might want to go for the watch.
Edit: The best combo is bike computer for cycling and than a watch for others sports but that's pretty expensive
I have both but find myself rarely using the computer at all these days. I often attach the watch to my bars. As an fyi to others, wrist based HRM's aren't nearly as accurate as chest straps under load.
@@General_Crock you can use a chest strap with a watch.
@@cedricgrandseigne Exactly, that's what I typically do with my Garmin Fenix. I should have mentioned that.
I have a Garmin bike computer and a Garmin watch, I like them both.
But when I have to read a map the screen is too small on both my Garmins. So I have to get my phone out because any screen small than a smart phone is just not suitable for trying to read a map.
As for reading my heart rate from my wrist. I did a test, I didn't pair my watch with my chest strap. So my bike computer displayed my heart rate from my chest strap at the same time as my watch displayed my heart rate from my wrist. There was always about 25-30 bpm difference between the two.
If you are even slightly serious about biking i dont see how you cannot use a bike computer. I know you can fix the watch to the handlebar but you never going to have a large enough screen size
I use a watch mounted on my handlebars and the only downside I can see is that it has a smaller screen and doesn't have full street maps. But it has better battery life, I can use it for other sports and every day wear and it pairs with my HR belt and cadence sensor. I've never had an issue with the screen being smaller either
I use both depending on my ride. Sometimes I wanna track a ride but don’t wanna have all the data in front of me on that ride and don’t need the map for a route because it’s one I’ve done numerous times.
Sold my Wahoo Bolt and got a Garmin Tac D. Way longer battery, a lot more uses, still has full mapping and nav on a color display 🤷🏻♂️ Definitely still serious about cycling
The computer is so smart that when Ollie calls, the only option it gives is 'dismiss'.
a capable watch and a "dumb cycle computer" (with years of lasting battery) is the best option for a versatile simple life specially if you are also a runner
A 9 minute advertisement for Wahoo...got to keep the sponsors happy
what about adventure dedicated GPS? Between cycle computers and dumb watches i prefer adventure GPS (like Garmin Oregon series)
Garmin Edge830 on the bars. Garmin Descent Mk2 on the wrist. Garmin HRM Pro on chest.
iPhone in the pocket
Oh and Garmin Speed sensor2 on the hub.
Question for the GPS wizards. I use both a Strava and a Wahoo App on my iPhone 6SE. Why does the total trip distance indicate slightly different from one app to the other? presumably both apps would use the phone gps, but the wahoo consistently shows a slightly longer distance, maybe .5km in a 70km ride. Can anyone knowledgeably answer this? Thanks in advance
I ask this same question and why does Strava never report the power from the actual power meter???