Sprenzy Shopping Blog: Tag cycling

Garmin Edge 605 and 705 Cycling Computers

Chuck — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:14:00 -0400

Garmin is on a roll these days. Today, they announced two new cycling computers, the Edge 605 and Edge 705, scheduled for a December 2007 release. From the Garmin blog…

“Cyclists, you spoke up and we listened. You wanted color, you got color. Mapping and more navigation? Check. What about being able to monitor power output on the same device? Impossible? Hardly. And try this on for something completely new: Wireless, unit-to-unit data transfer. No, we’re not pulling your chain. We proudly present the Edge 705 and the Edge 605.

The Edge 705 represents several breakthroughs in cycling technology, including power compatibility and wireless unit-to-unit connectivity. Through collaborative efforts with SRM, Quarq and other experts in mobile power diagnostics for bicycles, Garmin for the first time gives cyclists the opportunity to monitor GPS position, power, heart rate, speed, cadence, altitude and gradient on the same display. And Edge 705 users will be able to share their information – including saved rides, waypoints and workouts – with each other through ANT+Sport wireless technology.”

I’ve been using the Garmin Edge 305 for over a year and I love it. There were only a few features (navigation and power output) that I wish my Edge 305 had. It looks like Garmin granted my wishes with the Edge 705. Comparing the specs, the improvements of the Edge 705 over the Edge 305 are…

Improved battery life, up from 12 hours to 15 hours
Larger screen size and resolution (176 x 220 pixels) along with a color screen
Mapping and turn by turn navigation
MicroSD card slot for adding map detail and storing workout data
Power output with third-party ANT + Sport-enabled power meters
Wireless unit-to-unit data transfers

Unit-to-unit data transfer is interesting, but I would prefer to wirelessly transfer my workout data to my computer. It’s strange that this feature is included in the Forerunner 50 but not the Edge 705. However, I am really excited about the third-party power meter integration. Power output is by far the best training method on a bike. And I am curious about the size of the power meter solutions and how they will mount to a bike.

With the larger screen size, the Edge 705 is slightly bigger and heavier (16.9 g more for the weight weenies) than the Edge 305. The new units are also more expensive. The list price for the Edge 705 is $540 - $709, depending on accessories. There is currently a $75 rebate on the Edge 305 and expect the price to drop further with the release of the new Edge units.

I’ll report more on the new Edge models as it gets closer to their release date. GPS position, navigation, heart rate, speed, cadence, altitude, gradient and power, what more can you ask for in a cycling computer?!?!

Garmin Edge 305 and Forerunner 305 Rebate Offer

Chuck — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:03:00 -0400

If you are thinking about buying a Garmin Edge 305 or Forerunner 305 but are hesitant due to the price, you can now get a $75 rebate on an Edge 305 or $50 rebate on a Forerunner 305.

Just sign up for the PowerBar newsletter and you’ll get the rebate form. The rebate offer is good if you purchase a Garmin Edge 305 or Forerunner 305 between June 1, 2007 and November 30, 2007. The rebate paperwork must be postmarked by December 30, 2007.

I’ve been using an Edge 305 for the last year and love it as a cycling computer and training tool. Here is my previous post on the Edge 305. An added benefit of owning a Garmin fitness product, is the ability to upload your training data to MotionBased (MB), where you can further analyze the data. I am completely addicted to MB and can’t wait to upload my data after each bike ride.

Over the last year, the cost of an Edge 305 and Forerunner 305 has dropped almost $100. With the $50 Forerunner 305 rebate, I’m seriously considering getting it to track my running workouts.

Although the current Forerunner is a big improvement in form factor over the previous models, I still think the Forerunner is a little large for a wrist-mounted device. I have to remind myself that it’s a GPS fitness device, so a size comparison to a normal running watch isn’t appropriate. I’ll probably end up getting a Forerunner 305 because I love uploading and tracking my workouts in MotionBased so much.

Road ID - Don't leave home without it!

Chuck — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 02:50:00 -0400

Do you run, bike or workout alone? If the answer is “yes”, do you carry emergency contact information in case you get injured in an accident? What will happen if you are seriously hurt and can’t communicate your medical conditions? The solution is to wear a Road ID. From RoadID.com…

“If you are a runner, cyclist, triathlete or just a person who doesn’t sit on the couch all day, Road ID is for you. This awesome piece of gear not only looks good but it could save your life. In the event of an accident, if you can’t speak for yourself, your Road ID will. Available in 5 different styles. It’s not just a piece of gear - it’s peace of mind.”

The 5 different Road ID styles are the Wrist ID, the Shoe ID, the FIXX ID (dog tag), the Ankle ID and the Shoe Pouch ID. I’ve seen many magazine ads for Road IDs over the years and I always thought it was a brilliant product, but I only recently bought the Ankle ID. Road ID products are very well made and are extremely convenient to use. It definitely beats the plastic bag which contains my driver’s license and business card with emergency contact information. The major problem with the plastic baggy approach is it’s hidden in a pocket and may not be quickly seen or accessed by emergency personnel, whereas, a Road ID can be seen easily.

Getting injured on short run or on your daily bike route can happen suddenly and unexpectedly. I’m sure you’ve seen or read tragic news stories of people being injured whose identity is unknown for several days. There are many testimonials on RoadID.com about the effectiveness of Road ID products. Here is one example…

“I never thought that I would be hit by an automobile while cycling. I was wrong. The accident occurred when I had to exit a riding trail due to construction. A driver of a truck failed to see me and struck me on my right side. I was unable to effectively communicate and answer the paramedics’ questions. Fortunately for me, I was wearing my Road ID. It gave them the information they needed to contact a family member and to get my medical history.”

If you know a runner, cyclist or an active person, tell them to get and wear a Road ID. Better yet, buy the person you care about a Road ID. If you don’t know which Road ID style is right or what information to place on the ID, you can get a gift card and let the recipient choose the right one.

I hope I will never have to put my Road ID to use, but it’s peace of mind for me and my family that they will be contacted in case of an emergency. It’s such a simple but effective product. One that could save your life, so don’t leave home without it!

National Bike-to-Work Week - May 14 to May 18

Chuck — Sat, 12 May 2007 00:35:00 -0400

May is National Bike Month and May 14th - May 18th is Bike-to-Work Week. So save some gas next week and burn some calories on your bike. If you aren’t a regular cyclist, here is some good advice from California Bike Commute…

Determine your route to work - The route you drive to work may not be the same one to bike to work. First, choose roads that have wide outside lanes or paved shoulders. Collector streets (those that are at the half mile mark between major streets) are often a good choice. Second, drive the route during your normal commuting time to determine potential traffic problems. Third, bicycle the route on a weekend to examine the road surface for potential problem intersections and the approximate time it will take you.
Talk to your employer - Inform your supervisor that you will be commuting by bicycle. Ask where the bicycle can be parked during working hours, and what, if any, advance arrangements need to be made.
Check out your bike - Make sure your bicycle is in proper working order. Not only should all the mechanical parts be in good repair (e.g. brakes, tire, gears) but the bicycle should be adjusted properly for seat height, handlebars, etc. If you do not have a helmet, borrow one or buy one. If you will be riding at night, you need and must have a light.
Dress for the Occasion - Wear a helmet. It’s also a good idea to bike in comfortable cycling clothes; either pack a bag with your work clothes, or bring your attire the day before you cycle (so they won’t get wrinkled). Also make sure you have a place to change and freshen up, and keep a “kit” of toilet articles and a towel at work.
Pump Up - Make sure your tires are properly inflated. If they are low, it will make riding more difficult.
Don’t cycle on an empty stomach - You will need energy for your ride, so eat a good breakfast and take along something to eat along your way.
Get an early start - The first time you bike to work, allow yourself a little more time than you think you will need. If you tested the route on the weekend as suggested you will know the approximate time it takes. BUT remember, rush hour traffic may slow you down.

Here are some key pieces of equipment you should pick up if you don’t own them already…

Bike Helmet - Please don’t get on your bike without one!
Commuter Bag - I prefer bringing in clothing the day before you ride to work, but check out one of these bags if you need to carry clothing and gear.
Cycling Vest - Bright colors are best. Be seen to be safe!
Bike Pump - Properly inflated tires will prevent flats and reduce rolling resistance. Also, a mini-pump is useful if you flat on your ride.
Bike Light - If you are commuting in the dark, lights are a must have.

If you need specific advice on gear or equipment, leave a comment or submit some feedback. Also, check out the special events during National Bike-to-Work Week in your community. If you commute in the Bay Area, Thursday May 17th is Bike-to-Work Day. You can win a bike or other prizes by registering at 511.org. More importantly, find out where the energizer stations are that offer refreshments and giveaways.

As someone who logs more mileage on my bike than in my car, I encourage you to bike to work. You’ll be able to save some gas/money, burn some calories, reduce traffic and CO2 emissions by simply pedaling your bike to work!

MotionBased - Save and Analyze Your GPS Workout Data

Chuck — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 01:57:00 -0400

If you read my review of the Garmin Edge 305, you know that I love my GPS cycling computer. Whether you own a Garmin Edge or Forerunner, the Garmin Training Center (GTC) is the supplied software to download and analyze your workout data. While GTC is adequate and a necessary evil, it’s pretty bland and boring. I can only look at squiggly lines for a short time. The GTC graph below is from a recent bike ride, which shows heart rate, elevation and grade over distance.

An alternative and more useful storage and analysis tool is MotionBased (MB). MB is a web application that allows a member to upload GPS track data and mashes it up with Google Maps. Let’s take a look at the free version, MotionBased Lite. After creating an account, workout data can be directly uploaded from a supported GPS device with the use of the MotionBased Agent. The uploaded activity is then sent to your MB Inbox where you can name the activity, categorize it by type and add a comment. After submitting the activity, it is stored in your Digest, which is a listing of all of your activities.

Activity Dashboard

From the Digest, you can access the activity dashboard, which displays a summary view of your workout. The summary shown below is a road bike ride with high-level data, Google mapping and elevation profile. This ride can be viewed publicly. You can then drill down and analyze the data by time, distance, speed, elevation, heart rate and laps. MotionBased also retrieves the weather from the nearest airport during the activity. It may not be the exact temperature or wind conditions experienced during a workout, especially with many micro-climates like the Bay Area, but it’s beneficial data provided by MB.

Map Player

The map player “replays” the route taken during an activity showing time elapsed, distance, speed, altitude, grade and heart rate at each location on the route. Currently, it only works in Internet Explorer with Adobe SVG viewer. The functionality could be very useful and entertaining, but there are many usability issues that render it ineffective. However, the new beta player, which shows up randomly, is a much improved version that works across browsers. Here is the MB Player for the ride shown above. There are still several UI/usability issues, but it’s a big upgrade.

TrailNetwork

From MB, “the TrailNetwork is the community-oriented section of MotionBased where customers can access activities posted by other members. It’s a growing database of activities and routes created by MotionBased customers. The TrailNetwork may be used to discover new activities or to review results of activities for virtual competition.” Unless an activity is marked private, all of your workouts will be displayed in the TrailNetwork. Additionally, each user has a public activities page. Here’s mine: public activities - Chuck415.

The community feature is the best part of MB. You can view and download route information from other members in your area or get new courses while visiting other cities or countries. It’s a great way to find the routes that are popular with the locals. Additionally, you can share your public page and XML/RSS feed with friends to keep them up to date or to simply motivate each other.

Google Earth

If you have Google Earth, you can export an activity and re-live it with a bird’s-eye view. I don’t know how helpful this feature is, but I definitely enjoy it. It’s a great way to share a run or ride with friends. And on days I’m suffering on my bike, I have more fun watching the replay on Google Earth than the actual ride.

Pricing

With the free version, MotionBased Lite, an unlimited number of activities can be uploaded or accessed, but only the 10 most recent workouts have the dashboard. Upgrading to MotionBased Standard allows dashboard access to all activities, sorting/filtering of the Digest, Saved Reports, the Analyzer and no ads. Check out the MB product features for a description of all MB features. MotionBased Standard is $11.95 a month or $95.40 for an annual plan.

Summary

MotionBased is a great web-based service to store, track and analyze your GPS workout data. With MB, you are able to:

Upload activities and store your history on MotionBased where you can remotely access it from anywhere
Perform more post-workout analysis than the Garmin Training Center software
Visualize activities on Google Maps or Google Earth
Share workouts with friends or view activities from other MotionBased members
Export any public activity in GPX or CRS file format, which can be loaded as a course on your GPS device

My primary issue with MB is the UI of the site. I think MB can make major changes to improve the site usability. Still, it’s a wonderful service for anyone with a fitness GPS device. The free service, MotionBased Lite, provides all but a few features that paying members receive.

I upgraded to MB Standard because I want to analyze all of my previous activities. Now, I’m addicted to MB and I can’t wait to upload my GPS data after each ride. Between my Garmin Edge 305 and MotionBased, my training is absolutely blissful.

Garmin Edge 305 And MotionBased Equals Training Bliss

Chuck — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 01:09:00 -0400

Since May 2006, I’ve been using the Garmin Edge 305, a GPS-enabled cycle computer, on my road bike. I also have the heart rate monitor (HRM) and the speed/cadence sensor accessories. As a data junkie, I absolutely love my Edge 305.

But I have to admit, I hadn’t used the full capabilities of the 305 until recently. At the end of May, a friend and I are going on a Giro biking trip through the Italian Dolomites, which means there is a ton of climbing. My friend lives in New York City, so I’ve been training All By Myself.

Thankfully, the Garmin Edge 305 has been a great training tool and has really helped me to stay motivated. I’m finally using the training features (workouts and courses with a virtual partner). Additionally, I’m using MotionBased, a web application that allows you to upload, analyze and visualize your ride data. MotionBased (MB) is a much superior post ride analysis tool to the Garmin Training Center software that comes with the Edge.

After each ride, I upload my ride data to MotionBased and I’m able to conduct post ride analysis, keep motivated to train and improve my performance. I want to point out that MotionBased is not limited to just cycling and supports many GPS devices (Garmin Forerunner 205/305, Garmin 60CSx, eTrex Vista Cx and more) to upload and analyze running, hiking, Nordic skiing or any activity you track with a GPS device.

Instead of writing a review on the Edge 305 and MotionBased, I’m going to provide a review roundup and highlight key features of the 305 in the remainder of this post and MB in a follow-up post.

Garmin Edge 305 Review Roundup:

Garmin Edge 305 cycling GPS system review from PocketGPSWorld.com - by far the best and most detailed review; covering specs, installation, features, user testing and analysis software.
Garmin Edge 305 Review from Arena Red - a good overview of the Edge 305 with comparison pictures of the 305 next to iPods and a Moto Razr.
Tech Review: Garmin Edge 305 by Jeremy Bostron - a list of positives and negatives comparing the 305 to the Polar 725 bike computer.
Mini-Review: Garmin Training Center for Mac from Arena Red - short review of the Garmin Training Center Mac version.

If you read the PocketGPSWorld.com review, you should have a very good understanding of the features and the wealth of data captured and displayed by the Edge 305. For someone looking for a simple cycling computer, the 305 is complete overkill. However, for the data obsessed, the Edge 305 is a dream come true. Highlighted below are the features that I enjoy the most.

Key Features:

Custom Data Fields - the Edge 305 allows customization of the following displays: Bike Computer 1, Bike Computer 2, Maps, Workouts and Courses. When I’m riding, I like to see my speed, heart rate, cadence, grade, distance and elapsed time in one view. On my previous bike computer, a Ciclosport HAC4, I was able to only see two data points at a time. On the Bike Computer view, the Edge 305 can display up to 8 data fields. There are 33 data fields from which to choose. Since there are two Bike Computer views, it’s possible to display 16 data points between the two views! With the 305, I spend less time pressing buttons, scrolling thru views and more time with my hands on the bars and eyes on the road.
Virtual Partner - when training by yourself, the Virtual Partner is the ultimate pacer. Used during quick workouts or courses, the Edge 305 displays how far ahead or behind you are relative to the Virtual Partner. Since I don’t have a training partner, I’ll take a virtual partner instead of no one.
Workouts and Courses - workouts are excellent training tools. Quick workouts (Distance and Time, Time and Speed or Distance and Speed) display a Virtual Partner to keep you motivated during your workout. You can also setup interval workouts based on time/distance and rest time/distance. But the most realistic training tool is the Courses feature. You can create or edit courses based on a previously recorded ride. Then you can race against the Virtual Partner on the course and see if you can beat your previous performance.
Cadence/Speed Sensor - is a single wireless unit, which is installed on the rear chainstay. The speed sensor is used when there isn’t a quality GPS signal or when GPS is turned off. Because the sensor is attached on the rear wheel, the Edge 305 can be used on a bike trainer. Most other cycling computers have two sensors, one on the fork for speed and one on the chainstay for cadence.
Data Analysis Software - the 305 comes with the Garmin Training Center software, which allows you to download and analyze your ride data. You can overlay various data fields (distance, elevation, heart rate, speed, etc.) and analyze your performance. Unless you have Garmin map products, the map view is very limited and only shows major roads and cities. This is were MotionBased excels and I’ll cover MB in a follow-up post.

My only complaint with the Edge 305 is the short battery life (less than 10 hours with a good GPS signal). It’s a rare event that I’ll ride longer than 10 hours, but that’s the one I’ll definitely want to record and review post ride. A current solution is a DIY battery charger, but that’s a little clumsy for this high tech cycling computer.

Furthermore, a great feature enhancement would be a low cost power meter, which would make the 305 even better and provide more data to geek out on. I would also like to see compatibility with Polar’s Wearlink transmitter and strap, which is the most comfortable HRM I’ve ever used.

Overall, the Garmin Edge 305 is an amazing GPS cycling computer. With GPS functionality, an HRM and a speed/cadence sensor, it provides more than enough features and data recording to blow away the competition. It’s also a great training tool, which keeps you motivated to ride farther and faster.

Bike Trainers - Ride Your Bike Year Round

Chuck — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 02:00:00 -0500

I have been really motivated to get on my bike this year. First off, the Tour of California rolled through Northern California a few weeks ago. Getting up close to professional cyclists is always a thrill and an inspiration.

I also signed up for a cycling trip through the Italian Dolomites at the end of May. It’s an 8 day trip with 6 days of biking (only 360 miles but 41,000 ft of climbing). We’ll get to watch two Giro D’Italia (Tour of Italy) mountain top finishes and actually do the stage 9 race route. So I’m super motivated to ride my bike and train for the Giro trip.

When the weather is bad or when it’s dark outside and I can’t get a ride in, I usually take a spin class. But riding a spin bike with a big flywheel isn’t the same as training on a real bike. Fortunately, last November, I picked up a bike trainer to log miles on my bike during the winter/rainy months.

My requirements for a trainer were a quiet unit and a road like resistance feel. After conducting research, it came down to two fluid trainers, the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine and the CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer. I was able to find a really good review of the Road Machine…

“Riding the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine is the nicest experience you’ll have on an indoor trainer. The stable base inspires confidence. You know you can concentrate on pedaling. The variable resistance does feel like the road. It is easy to do a light, spinning workout or you can shift to your harder gears for much more difficult resistance including hill simulation with out of the saddle efforts. Riding the trainer is the best place to learn skills like leaving your shoes attached to your pedals for faster transitions if you are a triathlete. You can practice these techniques without fear of tipping over. The trainer is quiet enough that you can watch TV or movies with the volume at a moderate level. If you wear headphones with a MP3 player you will never hear the trainer even with your music at low volume. Because the trainer grabs only the quick release spindle of the rear wheel there is less stress on your frame riding the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine than there is riding your bike outside.”

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a review of the latest CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer. Cyclingnews.com has an in-depth review of the Fluid 2 but it’s an older model. There were improvements to the Fluid 2 last year, most notable, a fix to prevent fluid leakage and a quick cam lever for easy resistance engagement. The latest and greatest CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer is a gray color and not black like the one from the cyclingnews.com review. Thor Hushovd is warming up on the CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer in the picture above.

I don’t think you can go wrong with either the Road Machine or the Fluid 2 trainer. I believe the Fluid 2 trainer is slightly quieter than the Road Machine and the quick cam lever beats the Road Machine’s resistance dial knob. However, I chose the Road Machine because of its larger resistance curve and its leak proof design.

After using the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine for several months, I am very happy with it. It’s not whisper quiet but I only have to turn up the TV volume slightly to hear it. And the resistance definitely feels like riding on the road. On rainy days, it’s been really nice to train on my bike instead of a spin bike with a completely different geometry. And most importantly, I get to sit on my bike saddle, which some people have called a wood plank, instead of an overly padded spin bike saddle.

Because of my Road Machine, it’s been easier to get back my biking legs this year. Best of all, my bum is thankful it doesn’t have to re-acclimate itself to my minimal saddle when biking season starts. I should have bought the bike trainer sooner. Each fall, I spend a lot of time watching college football on the couch. This year, I can get a good workout while watching Penn State play and not feel guilty about missing a ride.

Useful Links:

Indoor Bike Training? - bike trainers 101

Fluid Trainer Shootout - comparison of CycleOps Fluid 2 and Kurt Kinetic Road Machine trainers

Wattage Trainers - three wattage computer options including a $50 Kurt Kinetic computer

Power Curves from various trainers

Up-close photos taken at the 2007 Tour of California Prologue…

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