Yep.
I don’t want to sound too biased or hyperbolic but using the AWU as a cycling computer (and all-round activity/sleep tracker) is a game changer! I can’t foresee using my Garmin anymore with how well this test went.
Firstly, it only takes ~10 seconds to remove the strap and place it in the case.
I went out for a little over a 2 hr mtb ride on my local trails with the AWU in my case (I think I’m going to call it Magneto in reference to the 8 magnets that will hold the clamshell together) mounted to my K-Edge stem mount. This prototype didn’t have the magnets. It was held together with some posts that are stand-ins for the magnets and a couple pieces of gaffer tape.
The trails are pretty technical XC/enduro lite. Sections can get pretty choppy and there are some decent jumps and hucks. This would be a good setting to test see how it would perform in what I’d say is the toughest environment I’ll ever ride. Well… not much to talk about actually. It performed flawless. No issues whatsoever. The watch was 100% secure.
I’ve also been testing various AW cycling computer apps. This time I used WorkOutdoors and it’s an excellent app as a cycling computer. Super legible and responsive. Setting it up to work with my Quarq powermeter was dead simple. Customizing the data screens was extremely easy. Literally set it and forget it. Auto-pause works better than the Garmin too (it auto-pauses on mtb rides when it loses GPS signal). The GPS track is also improved over my 530 which would intermittently lose signal on this trail.
As for battery life, this 2h15m ride used ~10% battery. This was at default display brightness. The only thing that was modified was wrist detection was disabled which turns off the HR monitor. The AWU was also connected to my phone in my back pocket so I’m not sure if it was pulling GPS off it. I’ll go out without my phone on a road ride tomorrow and see if there’s any difference.
Someone mentioned getting their watch connected with your Varia radar light. The AW has you covered. A couple apps that I can think of that will connect with your Varia are ARadar and Navigr8 (which I’ll be checking out soon).
The next step is to test the magnets to see how that works. Stay tuned!
3 Likes
A buddy of mine had a first-party mount for his Garmin sports watch so that it doubled as a cycling computer. The idea definitely is not new.
1 Like
I had an early fenix watch, and Garmin sold their own mount for bikes, and I had one. I had a hard time seeing the watch face, but it was there. I started wearing it, and that lasted a couple of rides before I bought the next version of the Edge and sold the fenix on ebay, with all the goodies.
1 Like
I like the idea of using my ultra as dedicated bike computer, how to you work around the fact it goes to sleep when not on your wrist?
It’s super simple and quick. Takes about 10 sec once you know what to do.
Go to Settings → Passcode, scroll all the way down to Wrist Detection and disable it when you want to use the watch off the wrist. You’ll have to enter your passcode to disable and re-enable it.
Did a 2 hr road ride with the Magneto case using the WorkOutdoors app again. I didn’t bring my phone this ride to see how that would effect battery drain. Battery life at the start was 60% and after 2 hrs was 42%. So about 9%/hr. Theoretically, you’d be able to get 9hrs of riding in on an AWU. This was with display brightness at default, Wrist Detection disabled so display was always on, and just a powermeter connected.
Again, using the AWU in the Magneto case was just as good if not a better experience than a Garmin. The interface is so much more intuitive and responsive (at least compared to my 530).
1 Like
Nice work on this! I have a Garmin 540. It’s a great little device, with a lot of positives - but the thing I like least about it is the display resolution, and it’s hard to see screen in the shade. Can the Apple Watch do turn by turn navigation for MTB trails?
Get the IQShield matte screen protector……solved that issue for me w/ my 840.
Not sure if it’s turn-by-turn (TBT) but WorkOutdoors has the ability to import GPX routes
http://www.workoutdoors.net/Maps.html
I know Komoot does TBT but I don’t think you can do power. Komoot’s routing and route guides are really good. I used it in New Zealand for a couple rides and it was spot on and had some great suggestions.
Does anyone know if apps run in the background on the AW? Like could you have Workout app open and Komoot running in the background and it feeding TBT notifications. Seems like that would be feasible.
It works! Do you know how many times I’ve asked this question in other forums with no one able to answer. Now I can wear it over winter clothes too! thanks!!
also, love this case you have made, have you thought about adding a tab you could attach a lanyard to?
Apple really needs to build a feature into Focus modes that can disable Wrist Detection. Its a pain to go into the settings and disable it anytime you’re using the watch not against the skin, whether its using the watch as a bike computer or wearing it over winter clothing/wetsuits.
I’m sure there’s some security concerns with doing that, but at the least they could put that setting in the shortcuts menu.
1 Like
Yeah I looked into trying to put together a Shortcut but doesn’t look like it’s feasible.
I think the quickest way is to have Siri open Settings and just scroll down.
I’ve actually never used the lanyard on my Garmin. Never had one fall off. And I transfer my computer from bike to bike frequently and found it to be a faff.
The magnets should take about 8.5 lbs to open the case which is over 50x the weight of the AWU (61 g/2.2 oz). If you’ve experienced something with this high of a g-load, my thought was that you’d have bigger problems.
Would a lanyard mount be something you guys would want?
1 Like
I’ve never used a lanyard on my garmin too, my wife does and she shakes her head at me. Given she is the smart one, I’d say it would be an easy add to the design. Though I know less then nothing about 3d printing.
do you use workoutdoors to record rides?
I’ve had a KEdge mount break on me. But even then I had some warning and the lanyard didn’t really help much.
I’ve got no use for this gadget, but I think it’s pretty cool.
I designed the case to be as minimal as possible and didn’t even think of a lanyard since I’ve never used it. The case walls are 2-2.5 mm thick so adding an internal hole wouldn’t be possible. Adding a tab extension would kind of ruin the aesthetic. I guess I could make it an option. The brilliance of 3D printing is that it’s easy to customize.
I’ve used WorkOutdoors a few times. Great app! It’s probably the closest to having a Garmin/Wahoo with all the data screen options. There’s a few quirks. I’d love for the power meters to auto switch. You also can’t use a Varia with it (this is in the works per the developer). My work around for this is to use WorkOutdoors for mtb rides (paired to my Quarq). When I go out on the road bike, I use Navigr8 (paired to my Garmin pedals) since it has Varia support.
I had the elastic lanyard on my Edge riding my MTB, and ended up straddling a tree with the handlebars and the Edge popped off the mount. The only thing that saved it was that elastic lanyard. I know people who will refuse to use one, just like there are surfers that refuse to wear board leashes too. (Yeah, I get that one, but that board can really get away from someone quickly)
I’d say make it an option, make it sturdy: because you never know when your bike could have a ‘rapid unscheduled disassembly’ after testing the laws of physics, and common sense. 
Beware of Navigr8. It’s more like Navi-meh. It doesn’t output power data
Looks really good, congratulations!
Not a big fan of the AW Ultra as a bike computer, but it’s nice to have as a backup when the primary units fails, dies or is forgotten at home.
Would you share the files, do you have them posted on some 3D printing sharing platforms. I’d really like to try the magneto design and see how that works.
Also… a version with the Wahoo compatible mount, rather than Garmin?
Cool stuff!