Bike Accessories

SarahAnna87
SarahAnna87 Posts: 65 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Does anyone know of any good methods or accessories to estimate calories and distance on a bike outdoors? I am going to be commuting by bike when the weather starts getting nice and I would like to see how far I go and how much I burn.

Open to any suggestions. (Under $300 would be nice though....... Thank you tax return.)

Replies

  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    If you have a smartphone then something like Runkeeper, Runtastic, Endomondo would give you the performance metrics and a calorie estimate.
  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
    Yep, just get one of those cases that lets you attach your smartphone to the bike. Then you can see how fat you're going, how far you've gone, and how many calories you've burned while you're biking.
  • grrrlwonder
    grrrlwonder Posts: 59 Member
    I commute by bike year-round. I have yet to find an app that I like. I have tried all the ones listed, but it was just too much of a guessing game for me. I went with an hrm for burn and a bike computer for distance. You can get decent versions of both on amazon for about $100 total. If you do find an app that works well, I'd love to hear about it.
  • tyunker9703
    tyunker9703 Posts: 3 Member
    Most of the smart phone apps listed by others will also work as a HRM now with a chest strap. They will also link with MFP, so the data will log automatically. I have not tried any of the apps as a HRM, so maybe check some app reviews to verify they work good.

    If you don't want to go the smart phone route Polar has several cyclo-computers less than $300. Polar RCX3 is less than $200 and watch style so it can be used as regular HRM at the gym as well. I have an older Polar CS300, which is similar, that has worked well for me for many years.
  • jim180155
    jim180155 Posts: 769 Member
    I use MapMyRide app. I don't know that it's any better than the others listed, but I like it. It's free, and it works even if you have it tucked away in a pocket or bike bag. An app like MMR is the easiest and cheapest way to get started. It can also help get you unlost if you get a little carried away in your exploring.

    I don't think you should go cheap on the next step up, which is a bike computer. They all give speed and odometer readings and most will compute average speed. The next step up includes a HRM. You'll want current, average, and maximum HR. The next step up from there includes cadence which tells you how fast you're pedaling which is good for maintaining the most efficient cadence and learning when to shift.

Categories