All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

I didn’t like the size of mine when I first got it, it’s not an issue at all anymore. I have the 47 mm case though. Not sure if I would want the larger case. It’s a tick watch also, you’re welcome to borrow mine next ride to see if it bothers you.

 

I have the Fenix 6 Pro Solar. Size took some getting used to but I did. A little bouncy on the bike if not tight but don’t notice it at all when running.

It’s a great watch. Wife has an Apple series 6 and no way would I want to trade her. Garmin wins for all the things I want a smartwatch to do: activity tracking, occasional route planning/nav, health stats over time. She’s constantly complaining about some shortcoming related to those things. As an extension of your Apple phone? Yeah, obvious choice but I don’t care about that.

That said when looking at the newest offerings the Fenix 6 series is a little dated. Hence the deals out there right now. Not planning to replace anytime soon but a newer version is on my radar.

 

Appreciate the offer! May take you up on it for a downhill run to see how much it bounces around.

The apple watch is a really well integrated extension of my phone on the wrist, and that is almost the downfall - can't ever get away from it. I'd rather see I got a text or call from someone and decide to either stop and deal with it or ignore it. To be able to talk into the watch and send a reply on the spot is too easy with the apple watch; honestly its the last thing I want to be doing when going for a ride. I use a Garmin 530 GPS, have a dedicated heart rate strap, and between those two there is really no reason I need any other data tracking (other than the health stats over time). Ideally all I need to see is the time when riding. The battery life is one of the biggest factors - can go for a week long camping trip and not need to bring another charger. Go for a hike and have everything right there on the watch without worrying about chewing through battery - including map navigation.

Through Garmin, I can get a new Fenix 6X solar for a total out the door cost of $350 - really tempting to try it for that price.

 

If the bold is accurate, why are you trying to convince yourself to spend even $350? Get a cheap Casio from Walmart and call it good.

Not trying be a goob. Honest question.

 

Because Strava stats, obvs!

 

For the other aspects of having a smart watch in the day to day life. There are a lot of times I will record an event without having my phone on me (or do not want to burn the phone battery while recording). You are right and I may try to start using my cheap g-shock on a ride to see how it goes, but when around water on a vacation or out and about, it becomes a bit of a pain to monitor.

And as @Pugga said, gotta log those strava activities!

 

I use the forerunner 245 got it for like $200 on black Friday or something. Does way more than I need. I think it's the smallest that has trailforks integration? Definitely prefer the small size as I tend to smash watches and this one is goin on its 2nd season? Garmin for sure unfucked thier software from the past. I'd rebuy fore sure.

 

This thread needs more ride reports. *wink*wink*

This was a couple of days ago. Hit my local go to, nice weather for the first half of the day, rain predicted to hit at 1:00pm. I planned on an early ride, as luck would have it I got out later than expected. Halfway through my ride thunder and lightening off in the distance with ominous black clouds. I looked at the time and the clouds and decided I better flip a U-Turn and head back. Just as I was loading the bike in the truck the skies opened up. I couldn’t believe the timing. A great ride at 73° and Velcro like dirt. This trail drains quick and even though we’ve had a moisture event almost daily for a month it only rains for 15 minutes to a half an hour mid day so the trails do have time to dry out, makes for perfect dirt if you time it right.


This photo was taken with the black storm clouds to my back. Wish I had taken a photo of that for contrast.

 

I have the fenix 6 pro solar. I’m a really big fan. For me the biggest appeal was the battery life. Mine gets 10ish days out of a charge. I don’t need the integration of the Apple Watch that I used to use. The health stats are nice to have but it really comes down to not having to charge every night for me.

 

10/4
Guess I misinterpreted the overall post.

 

I had the Fenix 6 Sapphire for about 3 years, which replaced an Apple watch. It's a hell of a watch. It was built like a tank, absolutely bomber and did so many amazing things. I'm a bit of a data geek so I loved all its features. After all that time of wearing it daily it didn't show any wear.
That said, I traded it in for a 965 about a month ago and I'm really glad I did.
Here's the thing. That watch is HEAVY. My wrists would get sore spots on the wrist bones after particularly janky rides. It's made for adventuring, not riding.
The Forerunners are SO much lighter. You trade some of that durability (as in scratch resistance and case strength) but the watch is extremely light. Plus the new AMOLED display looks amazing by contrast.
If I were in the market, especially for your price range, I'd be looking at the new 265. It's higher priced than the Fenix 6, but it's (likely) better suited for what you're after. Plus is WAY lighter which means much more comfortable to wear.
REI has a 90-day return policy on Garmin watches. You can try it out, and if you don't like it you can return it without hassle. That's what I did. I tried the 955 solar and 965. Stuck with the 965.

 

Sounds like I need to check these two out. One question; how is the text/call integration with your phone? I don't often respond to texts/calls on my watch but I do like to easily see who it is and occasionally quick reply.

I've been using a Galaxy Watch 4 for a bit. I like it overall for a quick glance to check who texted/called while I'm biking/skiing/whatever but I'm a bit disappointed in the Strava integration. I'd really like to track rides and potentially check trailforks without taking my phone out. Sounds like these Garmins may be the ticket.

 

And here's a ride report from the backcountry trails around Purgatory!

I rode from a camp spot near the top of Purgatory resort and did this backcountry ridgeline trail called Big Lick. It was quite overgrown but still rideable and absolutely stunning! It got pretty steep towards the end, descending in to Hermosa Creek but nothing too wild or scary. Once down at the creek, there was a double track that followed the creek and it was actually quite fun to ride out to the Bolam Pass Rd. Finished off with a service road pedal that was brutal but totally worth it for the solitude of the area. The whole loop from our camp spot was 23 miles and 2800 feet. There are two other trails in that area (Corral Draw and Stagecoach) which we heard really good things about. I'd highly recommend checking this area out for some backcountry rides, as well as doing a day at Purgatory Bike park if you're in to steep trails.

Some shots from my backcountry loop from Purgatory. E














Rock waterfall feature on Links (Purgatory Bike Park). This was part of one of the BME race stages!

 

Some amazing back country stuff out near Purgatory and Durango. I’ve ridden Purgatory a few times, but I’m not a daredevil so only the blues! The blacks coming down the chair lift are freakin insane! Ha….it’s always fun to see people catch drops as you ride up the lift.

Thanks for sharing the photos! I Need to get back up there to ride and see my daughter.

 

Nice! I heard about big lick and some of the other backcountry stuff there. would be pretty cool eventually to ride there.

I saw a video of Asa going down that waterfall garden. he made it look like a blue flow trail the way he was smooth and controlled through it. insane.
saw a good number of crash videos on that section too. lol. one of the yeti guys crashed and then literally threw his bike down the waterfall. hahahahaha.

World cup DH is no joke and would actually be pretty fun if you weren't racing it. So crazy to see the trails though. daredevils only need apply. hahah.

 

Any good Amazon prime deals for bike stuff?

 

Garmin instinct here. No issues durable good battery fine GPS and sends beacon don’t notice it on my wrist .

 

Long story short I blew up my rear hub and my bike sat outside a few days in disrepair. Considering it is a raw steel bike this resulted in surface rust. But to be honest I don't hate it - looks kinda cool. I'll probably leave it until this winter and refinish the whole frame

Also, unexpected carbon wheel carnage; I have now sliced 3 tires at the bead over 3 months - with an insert! It's getting expensive

 

that looks sick! I feel like I remember you mentioning getting it built but don't think I ever saw pictures of it. how does it ride? Also, how do you like that MRP ribbon?

 

I’m surprised they didn’t clear coat it. This winter upon removing the rust I’d be clear coating as the final step.