Common Concerns about Using Your Phone as a Dedicated Bike Computer

Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, you might wonder if your phone can really double as your bike computer. Below, we address the most common concerns—covering everything from battery life and weather resistance to accuracy and crashing—and show why a modern smartphone paired with a well-designed app like Cadence can often be a perfectly practical (and powerful) choice.

Battery Life

Battery life is a valid concern. If you typically do all-day rides, a dedicated bike computer may be a better solution.

However, Cadence only averages 10–20% battery use per hour (some iPhone Max users report closer to 8%), which is sufficient for the vast majority of riders.

If you occasionally ride longer, you can dim or turn off the screen—Cadence’s Auto Dim feature helps with that—or carry a small battery pack to top off your phone.

Crashing

Some riders worry about phone damage in a crash, but consider whether it’s really safer in a back pocket than in a secure mount. A quality mount and a protective case can often keep your phone just as safe—if not safer—than stowing it away in your pocket.

Screen Visibility

Screen visibility can be harder on older or lower-end phones without bright displays. But any screen struggles if the sun hits it at a certain angle. Also, many high-end bike computers are moving to screens similar to modern phones anyway.

Vibration Camera Damage

This is maybe possible but is increasingly unlikely. Apple even markets the iPhone as being a bike computer via Apple Watch on their website—they wouldn’t be doing that if they had to deal with warranties for vibration damage. They also have a support document about vibration damage, but it’s only for motorcycles.

Weather Resistance

Many modern phones are water-resistant, but a dedicated bike computer is often built with harsh conditions in mind. A solid waterproof case or weather-sealed mount can give your phone similar protection for most riding environments.

Data Accuracy and Sensor Pairing

Dedicated cycling computers sometimes claim better GPS accuracy or broader sensor compatibility. However, modern smartphones are typically on par or more advanced when it comes to GPS, and Cadence supports virtually all modern Bluetooth sensors.