Hi so I've decided to start cycling (so excited !!!), I was wondering what is a cheap bike gps? I've look at different one and features and everything but I'm clueless and just need something to measure my distance, not get me lost or on non-cycling roads. Also, another thing that I need elaborated on would be gears and what size does what and when to use different gears. Any advice in general would be nice! Thanks!! ^.^
New Person
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Personally I use an "old smart phone" (the model of my smart phone can be picked up on eBay for £20) for sat nav, massive downsides are battery life depending on the length of rides but mine are only 20-30miles at the moment so it's fine.
I just use a silicone strap to mount it which is surprisingly solid.
Garmin Edge 705/800 I believe get rave reviews for a bike gps sat nav device but they're too expensive for my needs.
I just use a silicone strap to mount it which is surprisingly solid.
Garmin Edge 705/800 I believe get rave reviews for a bike gps sat nav device but they're too expensive for my needs.
Apollonius
Guru
- Location
- South Staffordshire
OK, I'll try.
If you just want a simple cheap GPS to tell you where you have been, try the Holux 245. A tiny gadget that tracks you accurately, tells you your average and maximum speed and works just as well for walking, skiing and horse riding. Around £50. Outputs to a PC via USB and makes nice maps of where you have been. You can just put it in a pocket and it still works fine.
As for gears, well, the higher the gear the harder it is to pedal but the faster you go. Low gears for hills, high gears for fast bits. As a beginner, the low ones will be of most interest. The bigger the front ring the higher the gears and vice versa. The opposite way round on the back. Look for a bike with a small ring on the front and a big one on the back to start with. Most bikes will have this anyway.
Try to pedal at a constant rate with the cranks turning nicely with little pushing. Change gears to keep this situation according to the circumstances. Wind, fatigue and hills will affect you speed and pedalling rate (which is called cadence.)
If you just want a simple cheap GPS to tell you where you have been, try the Holux 245. A tiny gadget that tracks you accurately, tells you your average and maximum speed and works just as well for walking, skiing and horse riding. Around £50. Outputs to a PC via USB and makes nice maps of where you have been. You can just put it in a pocket and it still works fine.
As for gears, well, the higher the gear the harder it is to pedal but the faster you go. Low gears for hills, high gears for fast bits. As a beginner, the low ones will be of most interest. The bigger the front ring the higher the gears and vice versa. The opposite way round on the back. Look for a bike with a small ring on the front and a big one on the back to start with. Most bikes will have this anyway.
Try to pedal at a constant rate with the cranks turning nicely with little pushing. Change gears to keep this situation according to the circumstances. Wind, fatigue and hills will affect you speed and pedalling rate (which is called cadence.)
Nigelnaturist
Guru
- Location
- Pontefract
The mapping comes in two different types, a breadcrumb trial you follow and it warns you if of course, or the more expensive satnav type, the cheapest would be the Garmin 200, those above this level will also feature the ability to record other data other than just the ride, like H.R. rate at which you pedal (cadence) and a more accurate speed recording from the wheel (both H.R. and Speed/Cadence require separate sensors, these may be included in the more upmarket packages) they are not necessary to get going and can be added later, in the middle are the like of the Garmin 500/10 and the Bryton Rider 40, these offer the breadcrumb trial, true mapping comes with the Garmin 800/10 or the Rider 50/60.
Garmin do a touring unit that doesn't feature the cad/sp.hr but has true mapping
Prices approx
Rider 40 £130
Garmin 500 £160
Garmin 510 £200
Rider 50 £200-230 but the 60 is about the same price and the 50 can be got for less
Garmin 800 £220
Garmin 810 £300
Garmin £190
These are just quick prices on ebay for new.
Gears the bigger the gear on the front the higher the gear (harder to pedal) the same on the back but the other way smaller is harder, so big front small back = harder, small front large back=easier, the idea is to use a gear that is easy to keep a constant rate of pedalling (cadence), try not to use the combination of large front and large rear, or small front small rear, this is known as cross chaining and leads to premature wear of the chain and gears.
And finally
Garmin do a touring unit that doesn't feature the cad/sp.hr but has true mapping
Prices approx
Rider 40 £130
Garmin 500 £160
Garmin 510 £200
Rider 50 £200-230 but the 60 is about the same price and the 50 can be got for less
Garmin 800 £220
Garmin 810 £300
Garmin £190
These are just quick prices on ebay for new.
Gears the bigger the gear on the front the higher the gear (harder to pedal) the same on the back but the other way smaller is harder, so big front small back = harder, small front large back=easier, the idea is to use a gear that is easy to keep a constant rate of pedalling (cadence), try not to use the combination of large front and large rear, or small front small rear, this is known as cross chaining and leads to premature wear of the chain and gears.
And finally
Leaway2
Lycrist
- Location
- Manchester (Sale)
- Location
- Glasgow
