On-bike smartphone display?

JoeLee

JoeLee

Well-Known Member
OK geniuses - because I don't want to hang my Smartphone off my handlebars but neither do I want to spend a small fortune on a Garmin I am looking for a bar-mounted bike "computer" that really just needs to be a display (mirror?) for an App running off my phone in my pack or pocket.

I found the Cateye Padrone Smart ( http://www.cateye.com/en/products/detail/CC-PA500B/ ) but are there others?

The Lezyne Mini-GPS is intriguing as well, alternatively. It's a very reasonable $140 msrp but I don't see it actually available anywhere. ( http://www.lezyne.com/product-gps-minigps.php#.VX-KtUaBkYM )

Help?
 
bike mount for watch? and an inexpensive forerunner?
 
In the same boat as you, I've been running the cycle meter app, which I really like, but would like a dedicated device to stop using iPhone. There's the wahoo fitness "rflkt" which mirrors the app running on iPhone.
http://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/rflkt.html about $130.00
Considering the used route for a Garmin 510 or 810, but buying electronics concerns me a lot
Saw that lenzyne gps computers, think they are to be released this summer. Polar also releasing a gps computer, m450 retail $169.00
Check out this website, like the reviews he does. http://www.dcrainmaker.com
Good luck
 
i wouldnt buy anything from lezyne again, not after my experience with their customer (dis)service.

i bought a pump from them, and within the warranty period it started leaking from the valve end of the hose (where the tire valve goes in), not a huge leak and i could still pump up all my tires, but annoying none the less, i go online and it says to take the pump back to a retailer, so i take it back to the shop i bought it from and they spent 5 weeks ATTEMPTING to get in touch w/ the company, no dice, the shop was good enough to take the pump and give me a new one (different brand this time), and deal with lezyne some other way, however i will NEVER buy another product from lezyne and i will warn everyone i can to stay away from them for a company that wont stand behind their product doesnt deserve my business.
 
Are you looking for Mapping or just to record what you're doing? The Garmin Edge Touring is a great little unit that won't break the bank.
 
I don't need live mapping per se - I only run Strava on my Ip6 while it's in my bag but it would be nice to have the display on the bars. I figure I always bring the phone anyway so why buy another whole GPS device?
 
HiFiGuy said:
In the same boat as you, I've been running the cycle meter app, which I really like, but would like a dedicated device to stop using iPhone. There's the wahoo fitness "rflkt" which mirrors the app running on iPhone.
http://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/rflkt.html about $130.00
Considering the used route for a Garmin 510 or 810, but buying electronics concerns me a lot
Saw that lenzyne gps computers, think they are to be released this summer. Polar also releasing a gps computer, m450 retail $169.00
Check out this website, like the reviews he does. http://www.dcrainmaker.com
Good luck
Click to expand...

Ooh - a good review site - thanks. I'll be spending some time there when I should be working.
 
doing the same research right now. havent found a handlebar mount for the iphone that I could trust. the padrone smart seems like a good idea but it's not cheap at $90 (hell I could just get the base Garmin for a few more bucks).

I guess nothing comes cheap.

I love the Strava but I REALLY like having something to look at while I ride (what's my distance, travel time, etc.), where i dont have to reach for my phone out of my pocket.

I think I'll keep doing the phone in the rear pocket thing for a while and see if i can get by without looking at it every few minutes. If I cant I'll probably just pick up the basic garmin (http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Edge-GPS-Enabled-Bike-Computer/dp/B005HN1UJ0). displays what i want. the only downside is that you have to manually upload after youre down and I'll have to take it off the bike to charge it (which is a problem for me since I KNOW that will lead to me leaving it at home.

no easy (cheap) solution
 
I have a toe peak bar mount now for about a year and love it. Water proof dust proof shock proof, and yes I do crash acassionally and no problems. 40 dollars
 
Robson said:
Garmin 500
Click to expand...

I Love my Garmin 500!
I met some Pro riders from Team Campmore in the woods, we stopped and talked and they asked " is that a Garmin?!". They said "we're not making fun, it's just so unusual! It is pretty funny.
 
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fidodie said:
quadlock - http://www.quadlockcase.com/
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Funny you and madman ID'd my two finalists. So I guess my research was solid ;) There are literally DOZENS of them on-line. 98% of which I would never trust to hold my phone on an Mtb trail.

The quad case was one that looked the most solid. Seems far and away the best. But I just spent $80 or so on a bombproof case for my phone and, being the cheap bastard that I am, didn't wanna spend another bunch of clams on a system involving a new case.

Was ready to pull the trigger on the topeak but saw some reviews that gave me pause. Will give it another look.

Thanks for the input. I should just stop being a cheap bastard and get the quad case. Looks like a winner.
 
madman said:
Good luck with what you buy, my only concern is the way the quad lock mounts to the bike
Click to expand...

use zip ties rather than the rubber bands....
also, like handlebars, and shifters, it should not be locked down, but move if it takes a direct hit, without coming off the bike.
 
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