Ideal Bike Computer Functionality

RapDaddyo

I'm curious. If you could wave a magic wand and create a dream bike computer, what sorts of information would it give you? Forget about whether it is even feasible. What would you want to know if it was possible. Before GPS, a cyclist might have thought he was wishing for the impossible if he said he'd like to know position, altitude and climb grade. Before PMs, a cyclist would have thought he was wishing for the impossible if he said he'd like something that would tell him how hard he was turning the cranks. This is the age of micro sensors and very small yet powerful computers. So, what kind of functionality would your dream bike computer(s) have?

Eldrack

Check out this 'little' gadget:

Global positioning satellite (GPS) systems are all the rage in electronics these days in a wide range of consumer markets. To date, though, the technology hasn’t hit the cycling community too hard but that may change with Garmin’s new Edge line of cycle computers. Both the 205 and 305 calculate your speed and distance without using wheel sensors of any sort or even any calibration. Hook it up and let the satellites figure it out. Heart rate and cadence functions are available as well.
The true coolness of this thing doesn’t really show itself, though, until you start playing with the computer functions and software. The large LCD displays a bunch of info, but also can draw you a little map of your current journey. If you’ve done a particular ride before and have it stored, you can even “race” against yourself on the screen!

Uploading your ride to your computer allows you to mate your ride data with Garmin’s MotionBased software which pairs your route with various topological and satellite image maps for a true record of what you did. They’re not cheap at nearly $400 for the top model, but I can’t think of another cycle computer that offers this level of functionality is this elegant of a package. Gimme.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech/200.../interbike0525a

frenchyge

Hmmm.... how about telling me how close to FT the other guys are?

The device could come with a nanotech robotic mosquito which lands on your designated competitors and delivers a bite, sampling their blood lactate levels and eletronically transmitting the data back to the head unit. Sounds like cheating, I know, but fortunately the UCI rules are completely silent on the issue of on-bike data available to riders.

Spunout

I'd like to see a PT head where I can get average watts and instant watts displayed. This will play into your VPP pacing project! Actually, could be taken care of in a software update in current hardware.

You know your average wattage target, but need to pace instant watts over hills, into wind, etc. Computers have a pace arrow (increasing average or decreasing average) and even that would be helpful.

RapDaddyo

Interesting. Would NP factor into the wattage targets?

RapDaddyo

I love it. But, you don't want to know your own lactate level?

RapDaddyo

I agree. I plan to get one as soon as they are available. It's not a PM, but for course information it's awesome. I plan to ride all of my cycling club's normal routes and post the ride files on our website.

Flatscan

I thought the blurb at cyclingnews was great, but don't regular GPS devices offer the same recording and downloading capabilities? Anyone know what a comparable non-bike-specific GPS would cost? The derivation of speed/mileage and racing against your "ghost" is neat, but unnecessary with a PM.

RapDaddyo

The biggest difference in the new Garmin is the GPS receiver, a quantum leap above current models. I view a GPS device such as the Garmin as being in a different category from a PM. I want the GPS computer to develop detailed course "maps" from the GPS 3-dimensional tracking files.

Dini77

well that's settled then. The ideal computer for me would have to be an all in one system - GPS/PM/HR/Cadence. Power measured via crank a la SRM would be preferred. It would have to have multiple data storage capacity, coded HR. I'd also like a separate rear wheel mounted speed sensor, for when your on trainers (since GPS won't measure anything here). Actually, it would be cool if you could pre-program the unit for say, target Power output for a certain course. As soon as you hit the pre-determined spot, the computer tells you to up power/drop power etc based on your program (RD, this would have to helkp VPP??). Actually, a real-time blood lactate unit would be quite handy - maybe a little pin-prick system mounted on the brake hoods? Lactate levels are the real determinant of any pacing/racing strategy right? Imagine downloading the data - full suite of lab results!! If someone develops this for the cost of say, an SRM unit, i'd buy it (er, maybe i should look into this )

BTW - the mosquito lactate sampling thingy is quite nice as well

Spunout

http://intellicoach.ca/

Designed by a coach of mine. Develop 3D modelling from GPS files, file it into your Tacx or Computrainer 3D, go to town.

Flatscan

I meant, "why wait for this unit when you could get a non-bike GPS now for probably less?" Answer just provided: new GPS receiver.

Sweet. I've been trying to figure out if Tacx terrain files were editable. I'm now getting dangerously close to buying an "interactive" trainer.

robkit

SRM Pro

+ GPS with decent navigational functionality
+ barometric altimeter
+ grade guage
+ windspeed guage
+ algorithm to computer realtime a VP power recommendation based on the above inputs
+ color screen

+maybe something that can be set to send an SOS call with your GPS position if the bike remains static for a given amount of time
+ something that can log personal emergency details - blood group, etc

+ bluetooth for wireless connectivity to PC without removing from bike
+ onboard Mp3 player with bluetooth earbud

+ on board digi cam
+ real time tyre pressure info

+ built in telemetry for all of this

+ something that blows the bo11ocks off of any arse on the saddle that isnt biometrically identified as yours (ie a thief)

__________________
I am my favorite rider.

RapDaddyo

Cool list. What's this for?