Did most of the Oregon Timber Trail with my trusty navigator, Lieutenant Garmin van Buuren, a cranky and, at times, mercurial Garmin Forerunner 945. We survived, but not without pain (try looking at your wrist while bombing downhill on a fully loaded rig). Now I have an old and faithful eTrex 22x, which will never disappoint.
Love the MTB content, dirt is just so addicting. As for navigation, we do both, I've got a Wahoo Element Roam and my wife has a Garmin Instinct Solar, best of both worlds
I’ve had a Garmin watch for a while. Only recently got a bike specific Edge computer. It’s way more convenient having the info on a larger screen on the handlebar. If I was trying to navigate by the map on my watch I’d need to stop to actually look at it. I can read data at a glance but figuring out a map while actively riding isn’t doable. The bike computer’s map display is perfectly usable while riding though. Also one cool thing I didn’t know the Edge would do over the Fenix watch is it detects jumps on the bike and gives you metrics on them.
I find that it is much easier to look at a head unit during the ride than having to keep looking at my wrist. For me, its awkward to keep looking at my wrist. My son is a runner, he has the Forerunner and it is great for running.
I own a Garmin Venu. A known problem is the touch screen stops working. Garmin charges you $150. For a refurbished pos. I heard stories people have top of the line Garmin with all the bells and whistles, and Garmin only replaces that watch with a bottom line refrb. Screw Garmin.
Most Garmin watches can connect to an external HR monitor. So you don’t actually lose HR functionality by strapping the watch to your bar if you invest in a separate HR strap.
OMG 🤦🏻♂️ you are totally RIGHT! I even mention it connects to sensors, I didn’t put 2 and 2 together. I can’t believe I missed that. Thank you for this!
and investing in a HR strap is basically required if you want accurate heart rate info because the optical sensors used in watches only work if your wrist is dry and the watch is really tight to the skin
Pairing with a Garmin wheel speed sensor is really helpful for mountain biking. MTB tends to have tight switchbacks, rapid speed changes, and thick tree coverage or areas in valleys/canyons where GPS is spotty. A speed sensor helps correct tracking so you don’t get weird post ride routing on maps where GPS draws straight lines between two points or your shown riding off trail.
That's what I do. FR955 on my bars(designed and 3D printed a mount) and HRM-Pro for my HR. I also have the Garmin Wheelspeed sensor for better distance/speed accuracy(measured the true wheel size). Love the setup!
As always, the Best Reviews On The Internet. And a great ride to boot 🙂! Personally, I'm a Garmin 830 kinda guy, but a lot of my friends are moving to Smartwatches for hiking, biking, backcountry skiing, etc. Being an older guy, the Smartwatches are too hard to read (haha). But keeping my eye on them (esp the new Apple Ultra) especially for hiking and skiing. Thanks again, and btw, Ron is correctamundo on Starbucks - love a lot of their food.
Paul, Appreciate the good words! I wonder if you are able to adjust the text size on these Garmins. Ever since I started using a garmin smartwatch it has honestly changed the way I exercise, which was completely un expected. Great for all the other activities we do(sleep included) in addition to cycling. Curious to see where you end up with it, Apple Ultra or other.
I like that with head units you just had to choose between Garmin, Wahoo and Karoo (or Polar if that's your jam, and also the recent influx of Chinese-origin ones like Magene and iGPS), but the fitness/smart watch world is so saturated it's hard to narrow down the choices for your specific use case, even just in Garmin's lineup. I was looking at between the Fenix and the Forerunner then now I have to consider the Instinct series then find a model in that series within my budget.
I completely understand your pain on this one. There is a lot (to much to choose from). That is why I wanted to make this to attempt to help people like you navigate all the options.
Good stuff! So I have the Garmin Fénix 5. I’m all about the watch but it’s because I also trail run, hike, kayak and do cardio workouts with it. Love the maps!!! I’ve thought about using the head unit mount for rides with the heart rate monitor, arm bands aren’t too bad but honestly just haven’t really needed it. So used to looking at my watch, but I study the routes beforehand too. Part of the fun for me. My biggest issue with mine is proper altitude readings. Started having issues with the altimeter pretty quickly. I just use the adjust feature on Strava once I load it, but yeah it’s pretty annoying. Ready to buy the 7 soon hopefully 😁 that forerunner looks sweet though!
I had bought an Edge 530 head unit earlier this year to supplement the low-end Forerunner 45 I already had. Then the Forerunner died, and I upgraded my watch to an Instinct 2. Kinda made me regret getting the Edge, since the Instinct does pretty much everything I want.
This appears to be the beautiful and scenic Columbia River Gorge on the Washington State side near White Salmon Washington. Oregon is on the opposite side of the Columbia River.
I don't really understand the idea to be honest. Would much rather my route was front and central! And the fact that smart watches are still pretty clunky on the mapping, UI, and are bulky as hell... Not yet for me
Love the idea of this but I'd need to wear my reading glasses to see these things. I like the head units. Call me old-fashioned? Damn, pretty bad if the latest head units are now old-fashioned. That's like Coldplay being played on classic radio stations. Shit...
I bet the watch is a better solution to the computer for people who can't see the computer very clearly when it's on their bike. I just replaced my 810 with the 1030 Plus and it is AWESOME. Definitely worth it since I have a power meter.
Dustin ?....what’s happening man? You used to produce great and interestingly unique content of yourself and your buddies. Now getting more and more and more like a GCN ( product advertising) video. Aaaagh.
👕 The EBD Gear Shop: bit.ly/_EBD_Gear_Shop
Did most of the Oregon Timber Trail with my trusty navigator, Lieutenant Garmin van Buuren, a cranky and, at times, mercurial Garmin Forerunner 945. We survived, but not without pain (try looking at your wrist while bombing downhill on a fully loaded rig). Now I have an old and faithful eTrex 22x, which will never disappoint.
Garmin Van Buuren, classic 😂😂
Love to see Drew and Ron back! It's like we jumped into a time machine and went back...to two months ago.
Wahoo Roam on the curly bar bikes, Garmin Fenix 7X for everyday and strait bar bikes.
Love the MTB content, dirt is just so addicting. As for navigation, we do both, I've got a Wahoo Element Roam and my wife has a Garmin Instinct Solar, best of both worlds
I’ve had a Garmin watch for a while. Only recently got a bike specific Edge computer. It’s way more convenient having the info on a larger screen on the handlebar. If I was trying to navigate by the map on my watch I’d need to stop to actually look at it. I can read data at a glance but figuring out a map while actively riding isn’t doable. The bike computer’s map display is perfectly usable while riding though.
Also one cool thing I didn’t know the Edge would do over the Fenix watch is it detects jumps on the bike and gives you metrics on them.
I find that it is much easier to look at a head unit during the ride than having to keep looking at my wrist. For me, its awkward to keep looking at my wrist. My son is a runner, he has the Forerunner and it is great for running.
Garmin 1040 for the CX & mountain bike. Garmin Epix 2 for trail running.
Dig this combo!
I've got that instinct 2 it's awesome. But then I also have a wahoo for riding. It's the best solution.
Love those smart watches. Used to be with chest straps for HR(but getting tired using them). Thank you for sharing 🤘 🇨🇦 ❤
Fantastic work my friend, fantastic work.
Thank you TYLER!!
jealous of the ride!! Gotta make the most of the weekends these days.
Tricky with the short sun windows ;)
Recently went the garmin fenix7 solar route, amazing as a mini head unit, esp when the solar kicks in here in Texas and keeps things chargin'
Do use use a bar mount or leave it in the wrist?
@@EverythingsBeenDone out front stem mount
Solid review!!!! But yoooooo!!! The edits are🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥!!!!!!
Breadcrumbs only are for the birds.
🤣😂🐣
Great video.. I would leave home without my Garmin Fenix… sorry couldn’t make EBD,.. I’m travelling the next couple of weeks.. stay safe✌️
I own a Garmin Venu. A known problem is the touch screen stops working. Garmin charges you $150. For a refurbished pos. I heard stories people have top of the line Garmin with all the bells and whistles, and Garmin only replaces that watch with a bottom line refrb. Screw Garmin.
Great vid, ace watch 🏁🏁
Power meter support on the Instinct 2 is huge! My only complaint with the original Instinct is that it doesn't support them.
I was kinda blown away they paired up with sensors. Huge feature.
I use my 945 LTE(model before the 955) for navigating & have minimal cons using. The 955 fixes my only con with it, a lack of touch screen.
Garmin for the win! On the bike I prefer a head unit, but for hiking a smartwatch surely is the way to go 😎
I feel you on this!
I couldn’t help but notice how massive the display is that on 955 😂. It’s basically a computer on your wrist.
Head unit on the bars: Cateye Velo 7. FTW. Maps on iPhone.
Most Garmin watches can connect to an external HR monitor. So you don’t actually lose HR functionality by strapping the watch to your bar if you invest in a separate HR strap.
OMG 🤦🏻♂️ you are totally RIGHT! I even mention it connects to sensors, I didn’t put 2 and 2 together. I can’t believe I missed that. Thank you for this!
and investing in a HR strap is basically required if you want accurate heart rate info because the optical sensors used in watches only work if your wrist is dry and the watch is really tight to the skin
@@EverythingsBeenDone no problem! Garmin watches are so overloaded with features that it's really easy to miss a few of them
Pairing with a Garmin wheel speed sensor is really helpful for mountain biking.
MTB tends to have tight switchbacks, rapid speed changes, and thick tree coverage or areas in valleys/canyons where GPS is spotty. A speed sensor helps correct tracking so you don’t get weird post ride routing on maps where GPS draws straight lines between two points or your shown riding off trail.
That's what I do. FR955 on my bars(designed and 3D printed a mount) and HRM-Pro for my HR. I also have the Garmin Wheelspeed sensor for better distance/speed accuracy(measured the true wheel size). Love the setup!
As always, the Best Reviews On The Internet. And a great ride to boot 🙂! Personally, I'm a Garmin 830 kinda guy, but a lot of my friends are moving to Smartwatches for hiking, biking, backcountry skiing, etc. Being an older guy, the Smartwatches are too hard to read (haha). But keeping my eye on them (esp the new Apple Ultra) especially for hiking and skiing. Thanks again, and btw, Ron is correctamundo on Starbucks - love a lot of their food.
Paul, Appreciate the good words! I wonder if you are able to adjust the text size on these Garmins. Ever since I started using a garmin smartwatch it has honestly changed the way I exercise, which was completely un expected. Great for all the other activities we do(sleep included) in addition to cycling. Curious to see where you end up with it, Apple Ultra or other.
I like that with head units you just had to choose between Garmin, Wahoo and Karoo (or Polar if that's your jam, and also the recent influx of Chinese-origin ones like Magene and iGPS), but the fitness/smart watch world is so saturated it's hard to narrow down the choices for your specific use case, even just in Garmin's lineup.
I was looking at between the Fenix and the Forerunner then now I have to consider the Instinct series then find a model in that series within my budget.
I completely understand your pain on this one. There is a lot (to much to choose from). That is why I wanted to make this to attempt to help people like you navigate all the options.
Good gravy that's some climbing y'all!
...and I use watches for anything on foot or on ski, head units on bicycles and 4-wheelers.
Good stuff! So I have the Garmin Fénix 5. I’m all about the watch but it’s because I also trail run, hike, kayak and do cardio workouts with it. Love the maps!!! I’ve thought about using the head unit mount for rides with the heart rate monitor, arm bands aren’t too bad but honestly just haven’t really needed it. So used to looking at my watch, but I study the routes beforehand too. Part of the fun for me. My biggest issue with mine is proper altitude readings. Started having issues with the altimeter pretty quickly. I just use the adjust feature on Strava once I load it, but yeah it’s pretty annoying. Ready to buy the 7 soon hopefully 😁 that forerunner looks sweet though!
Great intel here! Thanks for sharing
I had bought an Edge 530 head unit earlier this year to supplement the low-end Forerunner 45 I already had. Then the Forerunner died, and I upgraded my watch to an Instinct 2. Kinda made me regret getting the Edge, since the Instinct does pretty much everything I want.
That 530 should do slightly better job of navigation...If i recall. The Instinct 2 is a great watch, I loved using one.
Dope Kit Player!!
My man!!
Pair the Forerunner with your HR chest strap when riding. Simple as.
For some reason I could connect those dots at the time 🤦🏻♂️
Thanks for the tip!
My Garmin watch works great and is an excellent backup but it’s no comparison to the convenience of having your bike computer in plain view.
So, what you’re saying is the Garmin Instinct isn’t instinctual?
Drew shreds
Hey Dustin - is this ride in your Ride with GPS?
so much climbin', so little time!
Hi Dustin, where was this ride? Beautiful terrain.
This appears to be the beautiful and scenic Columbia River Gorge on the Washington State side near White Salmon Washington. Oregon is on the opposite side of the Columbia River.
In terms of hart-rate, I'm actually going the other way: mounting the watch on the bike and wearing a hr chest strap.
You're like the Flight of the Navigator, over there. Just name something Puckmaran!
LMAO 🤣
oh my! How on Earth do you know this song! Baron - Mecanic Poupée Elastic!
I don't really understand the idea to be honest. Would much rather my route was front and central! And the fact that smart watches are still pretty clunky on the mapping, UI, and are bulky as hell... Not yet for me
Love the idea of this but I'd need to wear my reading glasses to see these things. I like the head units. Call me old-fashioned? Damn, pretty bad if the latest head units are now old-fashioned. That's like Coldplay being played on classic radio stations. Shit...
I’m sticking to bar mount
Did you give/sell the Ibis to Ron?
The fore runner looks better already If you look at the route and the collours
I gotta try that!
Still riding that Exie....🤔
I prefer using my watch, one less thing to worry about charging and forgetting!
Wait, is this all go pro?
Will you please send me any of this gear if it accumulating
Next time ride with GOOGLE GLASS!
I bet your watches showed different heart rate levels
Why aren't you covered in mud dude? If I tried to pull a ride like that around here in the Pennines we would all need to be steam cleaned. Luv ya
The lady on the road was so sweet, anti Karen energy ❤
🤣 6:30
Both
I bet the watch is a better solution to the computer for people who can't see the computer very clearly when it's on their bike. I just replaced my 810 with the 1030 Plus and it is AWESOME. Definitely worth it since I have a power meter.
I'm a that's most of my monthly salary kinda guy
Welcome to the future
🤖 “ Seri climb this hill for me” 🤣
@Dustin Klein that is coming in the next ebike update. 😆
Dustin ?....what’s happening man? You used to produce great and interestingly unique content of yourself and your buddies. Now getting more and more and more like a GCN ( product advertising) video. Aaaagh.
Please, someone tell Ron that shorts and long socks is a really bad look!
Thanks for the opinion We LOVE opinions