Cycling watch or computer

[Psamathe]

At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old fart (Ok, I am a grumpy old fart), doesn't anyone just ride their bloody bike anymore without being wired up to satellites, computers, heart monitors and power meters?

*Shuffles off muttering under his breath and dribbling down his cardigan*

It's a lot more nuanced that that, like when and why.

eg I "just ride my bloody bike" using the GPS unit as a standard'ish cycle computer (speed, distance what the time is, etc.). It's sitting at home when I might use it to record details.

Similarly, on camping tour in Europe I have no knowledge of roads and turns on what can some days be quite complex routes. So turn by turn directions allows me to "just ride my bloody bike" rather than having to continually stop to look at a paper map.

And more "tech" eg on cycle touring, on longer harder rides the GPS warns you of the harder climbs so you can make sure you have some energy in reserve eg if there are 3 hard climbs in the last few miles of you day's route, don't be pushing hard through the distance before those climbs!

 

[esoxlucius]

I'm a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to tech, but even I have a basic cycle computer which gives me the basic details of a ride.

Being rigged up to some form of tech or another is pretty much the same as the N+1 rule isn't it! You just do it.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

To be honest, I’m of an age (45) where sadly all the technological options overwhelm me

It’s not your age causing that

 

[Alex321]

Thank you for all the advice. I’m leaning towards an Apple Watch - it records the distance, heart rate etc which is all I’m really looking for. Not sure if it does Strava but to be honest as long as I know what it is I don’t need to share it with my 3 followers!

To be honest, I’m of an age (45) where sadly all the technological options overwhelm me and I end up not getting anything because I can’t be bothered ploughing my way through reviews etc. I think it’s called getting older.

No, it is down to not being particuarly comfortable with tech. Age is not much of a factor in that.

I'm 66 and still like my tech, and am still quite happy to learn about new tech and make choices between the options.

 

[CentralCommuter]

To both of the previous posters who know me better than I know myself, I was labouring under the impression that as my comfort with tech decreased and my age increased, there was a causal effect.

I am less comfortable with tech at 45 than I was at 25. Fact.

 

[Reynard]

At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old fart (Ok, I am a grumpy old fart), doesn't anyone just ride their bloody bike anymore without being wired up to satellites, computers, heart monitors and power meters?

*Shuffles off muttering under his breath and dribbling down his cardigan*

Me!

I don't have a smart watch or bike computer / GPS - my watches are older than me and mechanical, and if I'm going further afield, then I chuck a paper map into the pannier. Phone is largely used for calls / texts / WhatsApp / photos. So don't really need to worry about any techy issues or battery life etc.

I spent a lot of time in front of a computer, so it's nice to get away from the tech when on the bike and just, well, bimble.

 

[tyred]

At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old fart (Ok, I am a grumpy old fart), doesn't anyone just ride their bloody bike anymore without being wired up to satellites, computers, heart monitors and power meters?

*Shuffles off muttering under his breath and dribbling down his cardigan*

I do!

I do have a simple wired cycle computer on my touring bikes as I like to know the distance I've travelled. I have little interest in knowing anything else. I just like riding my bike. I view myself as a tourist and not a racer.

I am increasingly interested in using mapping/GPS devices that might help me find routes I otherwise probably wouldn't, and have been looking at options, but I have no interest in all the stats.

 

[Binky]

To both of the previous posters who know me better than I know myself, I was labouring under the impression that as my comfort with tech decreased and my age increased, there was a causal effect.

I am less comfortable with tech at 45 than I was at 25. Fact.

Everyone is different of course but 45 is young! If you struggle with tech then I'd recommend spending some time learning the basics as like it or not tech is not going away. I have no idea what your knowledge is so please don't take offence at the suggestion.

Quite a few of us I'd suggest are somewhat north of 45 and whilst my 20s kids are more adapt at some things, I'm still the one they come to for technical help on the hardware side of things.

Back to original topic of what to use, I have an original Bolt which is more than good enough for me but even this has features I never use so the latest bike computers have a whole raft of functions which can be bewildering at first glance. Pretty much same as anything you buy these days from a washing machine to coffee machine!

 

[Alex321]

To both of the previous posters who know me better than I know myself, I was labouring under the impression that as my comfort with tech decreased and my age increased, there was a causal effect.

I am less comfortable with tech at 45 than I was at 25. Fact.

Nobody is saying that we know you better than you know yourself. It is just that we don't see that causation. Correlation doesn't imply causation unless there is a similar correlation across a large part of the population.

It could be something like the fact that as tech hgas advanced more, it has become harder to understand, and that makes you less comfortable with it. Not saying that is necessarily the case - as you say, we don't know you, but I really don't think that in general age is a significant factor in comfort with tech.

 

[CentralCommuter]

I’d definitely say it was a me thing rather than a generalised age thing - although as I have aged I’ve got less comfortable with tech so it is more a ‘me as I get older’ thing.

I suppose also my job is more consuming, I have more pressures on my time, and I simply can no longer be bothered putting the time and effort into trying to read around tech developments and work out what is what and what to get for the best.

I long for more simpler times, and at the back of my mind I think AI will kill us all. Hence why I end up ignoring more and more complicated technology and reading a book instead!

 

[Alex321]

I’d definitely say it was a me thing rather than a generalised age thing - although as I have aged I’ve got less comfortable with tech so it is more a ‘me as I get older’ thing.

I suppose also my job is more consuming, I have more pressures on my time, and I simply can no longer be bothered putting the time and effort into trying to read around tech developments and work out what is what and what to get for the best.

I long for more simpler times, and at the back of my mind I think AI will kill us all. Hence why I end up ignoring more and more complicated technology and reading a book instead!

All very reasonable. And understandable.

But your initial post on this said you were "now of an age that ..." which was implying it was a generalised age thing, and that is what we were reacting to.

 

[mustang1]

A Garmin watch because I want HR data (moved off a wahoo bike computer which I really like btw). Unless I'm using e-bike then use the phone.

All are sub 1 hour trips with the occasional 2 or 3 hour rides.

 

[chrisleuty]

Thank you for all the advice. I’m leaning towards an Apple Watch - it records the distance, heart rate etc which is all I’m really looking for. Not sure if it does Strava but to be honest as long as I know what it is I don’t need to share it with my 3 followers!

I have used an Apple Watch for nearly 10 years now. You can record a ride with Strava on the Watch but personally I use the in-built Workout app and have connected it to Strava. Rides will normally import automatically into Strava but I occasionally have to do a manual import in the Strava app on my iPhone when I'm impatient 😁.
Tips that work for me: With the Workout app, I have enabled Low Power Mode to extend battery life: if I'm on a 6hr+ ride I've found that it's going to be dead or close to by the end. I've turned on End Workout Confirmation in case I accidentally hit the End Ride button; but note that if you use Siri to end the workout, it will end it without confirmation. Also, when it's raining and I'm wearing a jacket and the cuffs get soggy, this can "touch" the screen so turn on the Water Lock as the frequent "segment marked" announcements get tiresome.
I currently use a Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt for route mapping for those occasions when I actually plan where I'm going, and as a back-up in case I have a failure recording the ride on the Watch.