The sensor support added to watchOS 10 is really nice and the live displays of cycling stats in iOS 17 has made it so I can use my phone for stats and feedback while on bike rides
I mean, ok? It's a weird move that doesn't seem to have much of a market, IMO.
I don't know any serious cyclist who uses a phone as a head unit, though.
People just starting out often do, and are mostly using an app like Strava to display speed and track the ride, but once they get into the hobby much further they'll buy a Garmin or Wahoo or Karoo and use that. This purchase seems to come soon after the tight pants and clipless pedals, but not LONG after.
A purpose-built device is a better choice for plenty of reasons.
- Phone batteries are better now, but keeping your screen on for 60 miles is not a great move IF you also want to be sure you can use your phone for calls.
- Device screens are optimized for the kind of direct-sun, off-angle reading you're doing on a bike. Phones work less well.
- Phones are big and awkward compared to even the largest bike computers, which makes for a goofier mounting situation.
Using a phone for navigation on a motorcycle makes a little more sense, because you can have a power feed, and there's more room in the cockpit (typically).
ubermonkey|2 years ago
I don't know any serious cyclist who uses a phone as a head unit, though.
People just starting out often do, and are mostly using an app like Strava to display speed and track the ride, but once they get into the hobby much further they'll buy a Garmin or Wahoo or Karoo and use that. This purchase seems to come soon after the tight pants and clipless pedals, but not LONG after.
A purpose-built device is a better choice for plenty of reasons.
- Phone batteries are better now, but keeping your screen on for 60 miles is not a great move IF you also want to be sure you can use your phone for calls.
- Device screens are optimized for the kind of direct-sun, off-angle reading you're doing on a bike. Phones work less well.
- Phones are big and awkward compared to even the largest bike computers, which makes for a goofier mounting situation.
Using a phone for navigation on a motorcycle makes a little more sense, because you can have a power feed, and there's more room in the cockpit (typically).