Some key features of the iBike Dash

[Velocomp]

It is the wireless mount all of you have been screaming for. 'Nuff said for now!

[MikeL5267]

I see that the ibike dash is shipping now--but is the app available through the Itunes store currently?? It seems as if this app is needed in order to use the ibike dash.

[Velocomp]

The app will appear shortly. We are providing custom apps to people participating in our Early Shipment Program

[steveoc]

Curious about this one ...

Just wondering, does the iBike Dash accumulate data in the exact same format on the iPhone as the Gen III unit ? If so, that would go straight into GoldenCheetah without issues.

[rcmaps]

The same Phone Booth works for all models.

We use different foam spacers for different models of iPhone/iTouch.

So, shifting from one product to another is as simple as changing spacers.

As a convenience we are installing the correct spacers at the factory but it is extremely to change spacers at any time.

Hi John

Today, Apple announced the new ipod lineup.

Latest 4G ipod Touch now has the same processor as the 4G iphone but is much slimmer than the current 3G ipod Touch, any chance of a new spacer for the 4G ipod Touch in the works.

Thanks.

[Velocomp]

We won't know until we purchase one but most likely it will work.

[racerfern]

Just wondering, does the iBike Dash accumulate data in the exact same format on the iPhone as the Gen III unit ? If so, that would go straight into GoldenCheetah without issues.

The iDash accumulates data in a binary format so the file transmitted is extremely small compared to typically recorded iBike files. The iB4 software automatically converts it to a typical iBike file which of course will be read by GC.

[jaye]

Just found the iBike App on iTunes.

[racerfern]

Yup, I just installed it over my beta version. It looks awesome.

[jaye]

App is no longer on iTunes.

[Velocomp]

Updated version coming hopefully tomorrow.

[JPCH]

Hello,

I'm considering the purchase of an iBike Dash which looks like an ideal training tool for me.

However, I'm quite afraid of the battery life.
For most ridings, 4 hours would be OK, but for some it would be a big penalty.

I intend to participate to the cyclo version of the "Etape du Tour" this year and I would not like to carry 2 spare batteries for such an event.
For such events, 3G is useless, GPS is not mandatory, all other recorded parameters are important.

@ Velocomp: Do you foresee a configurable minimum consumption mode?
When do you intend to make this mode available and publish battery test results ?
Apple claims 10h of Web Browsing on WiFi with the iPhone4.
10 h without having to carry extra batteries looks like a sound value (I'm happy with the 15 hours of my Edge 705).

JP

[Velocomp]

There are four big battery eater factors:

1) WiFi

2) GPS

3) Bluetooth

4) Screen brightness

All of the above parameters are user controllable right now.

I get about 7 hours with my iPhone 4 battery fully charged and one iBike spare battery, fully charged, screen on maximum brightness, GPS and bluetooth on, WiFi off.

I haven't done any tests with GPS and bluetooth turned off. However, I am aware of an iDash user who uses the iPod touch, which has neither GPS or bluetooth. With one spare battery he reports about 50% battery life remaining after 6 hours.

We haven't done any battery life optimization yet. That will probably happen some time this winter.

The spare batteries weigh one ounce.

[racerfern]

FWIW, if you can bear turning down the screen brightness to about 1/3 you will extend the battery life tremendously, even keeping the brightness at 50% makes a huge difference.

For example, I was running my iDash with a Gen 1 iTouch and got a low battery warning. I turned the brightness down to about 1/4 and 90 minutes later still had 20% battery remaining. In bright sun it's tough to turn way down but in most situations there's no need for full brightness.

[rcmaps]

Hi John

Can you please advise whether the calibration settings once done are stored on the memory of the unit in the booth or is it stored on the iBike APP.

I had a problem with the APP as another user reported in that going into Customise Screen option would reset the app back into the iPod's home screen, so following your advice, I deleted the APP and reinstalled it which fixed the software but I had to re-enter the setup and did a Calibration Ride again just to be safe.

Secondly, is it possible to do Coast Downs like the iBike for the unit to calculate Aero/CDa and Crr ? Can't seem to find the option to do so.

I know the default Crr value of 0.0055 are way too low for our roads in this country having calibrated my iAero this earlier which came up with something in the range of 0.0067 to 0.0080. I suppose I could override the default values with this and also the default CDa values with the earlier iAero figures.

Would I be correct to assume such figures should be constant and independent of the placement of the units (ie stem vs handlebar mounts) and also independent of units themselves - ie if done correctly using different ibike or idash, should theoretically give very similar figures?

Thanks

[Velocomp]

Hi John

Can you please advise whether the calibration settings once done are stored on the memory of the unit in the booth or is it stored on the iBike APP

ALL PROFILE VARIABLES ARE STORED IN THE APP, AND EACH TIME THE APP STARTS THE APP TRANSFERS THE SELECTED PROFILE VARIABLES INTO THE PHONE BOOTH.

I had a problem with the APP as another user reported in that going into Customise Screen option would reset the app back into the iPod's home screen, so following your advice, I deleted the APP and reinstalled it which fixed the software but I had to re-enter the setup and did a Calibration Ride again just to be safe.

YES, WHEN THE APP IS DELETED AND REINSTALLED YOU WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL SETUP PROCEDURES AGAIN.

Secondly, is it possible to do Coast Downs like the iBike for the unit to calculate Aero/CDa and Crr ? Can't seem to find the option to do so.

NOT AT PRESENT. WE ARE FINDING THAT THE ESTIMATED VALUES ARE EXTREMELY GOOD FOR MOST RIDERS, AND THAT MOST RIDERS LIKE THE SIMPLICITY OF SKIPPING THE COAST DOWN

I know the default Crr value of 0.0055 are way too low for our roads in this country having calibrated my iAero this earlier which came up with something in the range of 0.0067 to 0.0080. I suppose I could override the default values with this and also the default CDa values with the earlier iAero figures.

YES, YOU CAN DO THIS EASILY. GO TO OPTIONS/ADVANCED SETTINGS/CHECK IDASH SETTINGS. SCROLL DOWN TO FIND CDA AND CRR. YOU CAN MANUALLY OVERRIDE THE VALUES THERE.

Would I be correct to assume such figures should be constant and independent of the placement of the units (ie stem vs handlebar mounts) and also independent of units themselves - ie if done correctly using different ibike or idash, should theoretically give very similar figures?

YES. CDA AND CRR ARE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE RIDER AND BIKE, SO THESE CAN BE "COPIED" TO THE IDASH IF YOU'VE MEASURED THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE. JUST REMEMBER TO DO THE CALIBRATION RIDE; THIS COUPLES THE CDA AND CRR NUMBERS TO THE INTERNAL NUMBERS USED IN YOUR IDASH.

Thanks

[rcmaps]

Fabulous !

Thanks for confirming all these queries so fast John.

Am loving using the iDash - the main part is not having to acclimatise the unit and not having to do the wind offset periodically !

So far, I find the iDash reports very consistent results with my iAero based on past experience on the same routes = unfortunately, I haven't been able to test both units together as I would have to move the iAero handlebar mount - meaning I'll have to unstick my bulb shaped sticker which I'm not sure will continue to stick once peeled off! Also,by moving it, I would presumably have to do another calibration and coast down rides to get accurate results for the iAero.

[rcmaps]

John wrote:

7) The steer tube mount system accommodates odd-ball shaped stems and handlebars, and positions the iBike Dash perfectly over the rider's stem for easy viewing

Elsewhere it was mentioned that the mount suits shallow-angle stems. Would it work on a stem angled 17 degrees upwards from perpendicular to the steerer (i.e., an "upside-down" 17/73° stem)?

Thanks,

Chuan

John,
Today I experimented with a newer stem and also tried to flip my stem upside down - ie +6deg from the previous 84deg position.

I am finding this higher handlebar position a little bit more comfortable but when I tried to install the phone booth - it's a little tight. Once in though, I can't open the phone booth door enough to slide the ipod Touch in or out as the door doesn't open wide enough due to lack of clearance using a +6deg stem with an 80mm stem. The only way to get the ipod in is to remove/slide the phone booth out from the steerer mount to be able to fully open the door. I can see this becoming a real pain in the longer term.

Do you have any suggested solutions to this issue - like adding an adapter to the mount or adding a rubber shim etc or is +6deg just too much for the current mount?

I thought of cutting a hole in a piece of rubber and inserting it between the screw which holds the mount plate in place and thus adding a bit more height but unsure whether this will affect the accuracy of the unit - as it will probably affect the vibrations etc.

Thanks for any suggestions.