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EB15: Canyon Brings Connected Concept to Life with Android Smart Bike Computer

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Canyon_Smart-Bike-Computer_V13-faceplate-mount_time-speed

At last year’s Eurobike show Canyon had a project bike developed around the concept of integrated and connected electronics. This year they’ve taken a couple of big steps towards making that concept real with a brand new first-of-its-kind App-based cycling computer and further refinement of the connectivity hardware. Given the name Smart Bike Computer, Canyon worked with electronics heavyweight Sony to develop an open-platform solution that will deliver Android Wear app functionality to cyclists this spring, and offer a future-proof product that can be updated as new apps are developed.

Connect with us after the jump to take a closer look at the computer, a video of its integration, and the apps that are already ready to go…

Canyon_Smart-Bike-Computer_Android-Wear-OS-powered-Apps Canyon_Smart-Bike-Computer_V13-faceplate-mount_Strava-App_time-speed

With the Android Wear OS powering the new computer, typically used in the recent growth of smart watches, there are already thousands of apps available in the Google Play store to get the most out of the upcoming SBC. Everything from mapping and navigating to weather updates and messaging is already ready, and with the open source style of Android, there are sure to be more and more cycling-specific apps developed. Right now Canyon is already highlighting three apps that have really been optimized for the computer, including a Strava Wear app with live updating and live segments, when paired with a smartphone.

The Smart Bike Computer gets a sharp 1.6″ LCD touch screen with a trans-reflective finish for bright light visibility, and claims to be far sharper than anything existing on the market. We didn’t get to take one out to play with it in direct sunlight, but visibility was pretty impressive under the harsh trade show lights even at pretty extreme angles. The display is full color, but does seem to maybe sacrifice a bit of color rendition. Text and colors were crisp, but slightly muted, likely as a result of the anti-glare screen.  The computer combines Bluetooth LE and onboard GPS chips to communicate with heart rate monitors, power meters, and other training sensors, and to be able to function as a standalone device with a conservative estimate of 8-10 hours of rechargeable battery life.

Canyon_Smart-Bike-Computer_V13-faceplate-mount_Google-Maps-Navigation-App_turn-by-turn Canyon_Smart-Bike-Computer_H11-Aerocockpit-integrated-bar-mount

A Google Maps app provides turn-by-turn road navigation on a set of familiar backgrounds. Pairing with a smartphone (Android and iOS connectivity are both in the works), the Google Maps app will let users search for a destination or POI on your phone and then let the SBC take over and navigate you there. A Komoot app will let riders plan routes across all terrain, and includes offline mapping and navigation for use on trails off the beaten track (and out of reach of a cell tower.)

Canyon developed two basic ways to integrate the computer into their bikes, via a solid slide-on interface that locks in the computer on either style. The first is a simple replacement faceplate for their standard road, mountain, and urban stems. The more integrated alternative will be a special version of their Aerocockpit bar/stem combos that will seamlessly transition from computer to stem for the most aero solution.

Canyon_Project-Connected_concept-bike_for_Smart-Bike-Computer-integration

The computer arose out of Canyon’s MRSC Connected bike, which got simplified in its concept guise this year to showcase the advancement of the electronics. Paired with mobile communications functionality from T-Mobile, the modified Aeroad takes advantage of the oversized downtube to house the electronics.

Canyon_Project-Connected_concept-bike_downtube-detail Canyon_Project-Connected_concept-bike_electronics-detail

Canyon wasn’t ready to set a date or get too deep into the full functionality, but they did say the the hardware in this bike was finalized and working. What they would say is that the standalone hardware would talk to other sensors like heartrate, cadence, and power meters and collect all of the data, but more than just store it, it would regularly update it to the cloud for realtime tracking. That also brings with it security features, like letting riders track a bike if it were stolen and notifying an emergency contact in case of a crash. Expected battery life wasn’t available, but without a screen it should be measured in days not hours. It will also connect to the SBC and use specific apps to display data collected freeing up the computer for other functions.

Pricing for the Smart Bike Computer was said to be right around 200€. And it will be available from early Spring 2016, both with new bikes or as an aftermarket item. The fully connected bike looks like it is probably one more year off.

Canyon.com

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RobertW
RobertW
8 years ago

Why can’t I just attach my phone to my stem and have an app handle all this? Buying a whole new computer just so I can keep my phone in my pocket is a waste of money.

Pistolero
Pistolero
8 years ago
RED
RED
8 years ago

Great, more muppets looking down instead of watching where they’re going…

Kenny
Kenny
8 years ago

@robertw I can out ride my phones battery. With the screen on, gps on, and a ANT+ antenna going so record my powermeter the batter will only last about 4 hours.

I also think its great to put my phone away (in my back pocket for emergencies) and not be bothered while I am out riding. Im all for integration, as long as they keep it simple and the price competitive its a great idea. Not to mention it could give Garmin some competition.

Tom
Tom
8 years ago

They should make it with e-ink like the Pebble Time to save battery power.

Antoine
Antoine
8 years ago

It just makes sense. Company like garmin can’t keep up with a platform developed globally. However my android phone with quadlock does the job perfectly outside racing and an old garmin is fine for races.

Greg
Greg
8 years ago

Bring it to the States, damn it!

Antipodean_eleven
8 years ago

There was a day people rode bikes….

Antipodean_eleven
8 years ago

And now that I’ve said my ‘bitter, jaded, old man’ bit…

That’s some really, REALLY nice product design going on there. All this junk strapped to stems and bars is so ad-hoc but this looks like it’s just meant to be there. Props to Canyon for doing a really nice job.

Bas
Bas
8 years ago

winner. the end

John
John
8 years ago

@Tom, e-ink is far too slow to update for realtime data.

mario
mario
8 years ago

awesome, please provide an iOS version

Milessio
Milessio
8 years ago

Awesome, please provide a Windows version.

@Pistolero, good luck using a Finn with 31.8 bars and/or current generation (larger) smartphone (unless they’ve recently updated the design).

DRC
DRC
8 years ago

Great idea. Hopefully other companies will go the way of Android wear for cycling products. I wouldn’t mind a smartwatch I could strap to my bike to use as a bike computer. No sense in buying a garmin anymore.

@Mario – android wear just got iOS support, so this should eventually have the same thing. Now developers can build apps for everyone on android wear instead of building apps for a single watch made by a single company.

Eric Hansen
Eric Hansen
8 years ago

e-paper works fine for real time data. Pebble proved that in 2011. This device is fine as is, though, and IMO it should be considered Device Zero. Everything prior to this is a hamfisted piece of crap in comparison.

Pistolero
Pistolero
8 years ago

@Milessio

yes, they have updated the desing for current large phones.

Colin M
Colin M
8 years ago

Very cool product with a beautiful design.

Hey bikerumor…can you please stop linking YouTube videos where we have no control of the VOLUME? I have to click the link to get to the Youtube site to adjust. Is that intentional?

Kristi Benedict
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  Colin M

M
Sorry, not intentional.

Biff Tannen
Biff Tannen
8 years ago

So its basically a Garmin that’s built into your bike, that requires you to ride w/ your phone on to get its full functionality. Makes total sense……

Dylan
Dylan
8 years ago

Nice design, but “future proof”, hahahahahaha! A device like this is only ever one Android/Android wear update away from obsolescence…and that’s before you add in the miniscule market size for this, and Sony’s reputation for support or firmware updates on superseded products…

SurlyWill
SurlyWill
8 years ago

Yeah? A stem that
1) locks you into one computer vendor,
2) doesn’t allow change the viewing angle of the screen
3) Requires a smartphone to operate …

Oh yah, that will be a winner \sarcasm.

Colin M
Colin M
8 years ago

@Kristi ok thanks, should be an easy fix. Cheers.

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