Ditch Garmin for phone based Cadence App?

54and56

Hi all,

I've a 7-8 year old Garmin Edge which is working fine but the battery is slowly degrading and sometimes doesn't last a longer spin so I end up carrying a charger in my top bar pouch to connect to it when it's on it's last legs.

I saw a few impressive review videos like this for the Cadence app.

As I bring my phone with me on all spins any way and the max weekend spin I typically do is 120k - 150k I'm thinking even if I pay the $40 annual fee for the full elite version (gives turn by turn navigation, radar integration for Garmin Vario etc) I'd be far better off switching to this Cadence app rather than spending €500 - €700 to buy a replacement Garmin device.

The only concern I have is whether exposing my IP68 rated phone to the Irish elements where it often rains for an entire spin will affect the phone or not.

Anyone using Cadence instead of a bike computer? How is your experience?

fiacha

Have you looked into replacing the battery in your Garmin ?

Unless you have a waterproof phone or case, I'd imagine the Irish weather (and dust etc) wouldn't be long causing issues.

I'd also be paranoid about the phone getting destroyed if I drop the bike.

54and56

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123385649#Comment_123385649

Thanks @fiacha, no I'll look into a battery replacement.

I'm not so worried about damaging the phone as I carry it in my jersey pocket as is so if I have a spill it's likely to sustain more damage as 100kg of me lands on it or it gets thrown out of the pocket than if its in a quad lock mount on the bike!!

The IP68 rating my phone has enables you to actually swim with the phone so it should handle the odd shower no problem but if it's torrential (I'd rarely venture out in those conditions) then there's a "poncho" cover you can slip over the phone to protect it which is easily carried in the top bar bag for such occasions.

I actually quite like the idea of having just one device rather than bringing both a Garmin and my phone on spins. One less device to charge + the weight saving 🤔

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123385750#Comment_123385750

Can I ask what the point in the cadence app is ( I haven't seen it before) if it is in your pocket, does it do more than measure cadence?

54and56

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123387141#Comment_123387141

Hi @CramCycle, I haven't started using it yet but from the list of features and reviews I've read it seems to have a full suite of high end bike computer performance tracking features such as GPS, turn by turn navigation and Bluetooth sensor connectivity (heart rate, power meter, cadence sensor, Garmin Vario radar etc) all of which which can be customised to display over 150 data points to suit your own preference or training requirement including upcoming climb data etc

MojoMaker

Garmin Edge 530 down to 170 now - all the bike computer you'll ever need.