Suunto Expands App with TrainingPeaks Powered Training Load and Recovery Metrics

Today Suunto has started rolling out a pretty expansive upgrade to their smartphone app, which adds in a slate of training load related metrics, all driven by TrainingPeaks terminology. We’ll get into all the details here, but what’s notable is | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Garmin Rolls out New Features to Forerunner 245 & 745 in Beta: Workout ratings, FirstBeat Sleep Tracking, Trail Running and more

Just a quick item to start the morning off, but it appears Garmin rolled out overnight two beta firmware versions for Forerunner 245 & Forerunner 745 users that include long-awaited features from last fall, but also more recent features from | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

A Look at Polar’s New Heart Rate Broadcasting for Apps like Zwift and Peloton

Polar starts shipping their previously announced Ignite 2 today, which was announced last month alongside the Vantage M2. Stashed away on the Ignite 2 is the beginnings of Polar’s new heart rate broadcasting feature, which enables it to broadcast your | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Strava Adds 3D Terrain Heatmaps To Site: Quick Overview

Remember the first time you used Google Earth some 19 years ago? Yup, that’s kinda like this. Except, now with all your personal Strava heatmap overlaid atop it. And yes, Google earth is really 19 years old. It was first | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Garmin Venu 2 & Venu 2S GPS Smartwatch In-Depth Review

Today Garmin announced the new Venu 2 & Venu 2S watches, the AMOLED display successors to the original Garmin Venu watch. The Venu 2 series sports two sizes now (45mm and 40mm), as well as a slew of updated health | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Wahoo Adds Track Running Mode to RIVAL GPS Watch: Hands-on Test

It’s been 5 months since Wahoo released their RIVAL GPS watch, aimed primarily at the triathlete crowd. The watch has seen a few firmware updates along the way, mostly minor tweaks though. Albeit, one of the bigger updates was adding | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Garmin Forerunner 745: 8 Months Later Review Update

 Somehow, somewhat oddly, some 8 months after I started using a FR745 last August, it’s become my daily driver – some 148 workouts in total on it. Even while testing a slew of other watches over the last 8 | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Suunto 7 Update Adds Body Resources, Advanced Sleep Tracking, Komoot Routes: Hands-on

Suunto has started a phased roll-out today of a new firmware update for their WearOS based Suunto 7, which adds in a smattering of new features – both for sports and non-sport aspects. Here’s the consolidated list of what’s in | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Peloton Power Data Broadcaster (DFC) Launches: Hands-on Details

Way back in December, I started using a tiny red box with my original Peloton Bike. That little red box did exactly one thing: Broadcast my power, cadence, and speed over Bluetooth Smart to 3rd party apps and watches – | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

DJI Air 2S In-Depth Review (with a Sports Tracking Focus)

DJI has announced it’s latest drone, the DJI Air 2S. This unit drops the long-lived ‘Mavic’ from its name, in DJI’s larger effort to simplify product naming. But, it’s gained significantly increased resolution, a bump from 4K up to 5.4K | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

SRAM Rival AXS Power Meter: Hands-on and First Rides

In the world of cycling drivetrain gear, both SRAM and Shimano have three core pricing tiers for their wares. In Shimano’s case that’s Dura Ace, Ultegra, and 105. While in SRAM’s case it’s RED, Force, and Rival. These companies release | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Apple Rolls out ‘Find My’ to Bicycles and More: Sports Tech Thoughts

Today Apple announced their Find My feature is now available to 3rd party devices, and two of the three device partners for the initial launch are sports related. There’s the Belkin’s sport headphones, and the VanMoof S3 & X3 electric | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Stryd Launches Premium Running Power Subscription Platform, Reduces Prices

Last fall Stryd announced their intention to add a subscription based service to their offerings, in conjunction with their existing Stryd running pod. That pod provides running power (as well as acting as an ANT+ & Bluetooth Smart footpod). The | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

My Stupidly Overcomplicated 2021 Bike Mileage Tracking Project

So, back on Black Friday (Nov 2020) there was a slight deal on Garmin’s V2 Speed sensors, down to $32USD, which can track and store ride data. Which got me thinking – how much does each bike in our family | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Week in Review: April 5th, 2021

The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Review: Bike Mount for DJI Drones to use with Active Track

If you’re a long-time follower of the site or channel, you know I’ve got a long history of trying out drones with sports trach capabilities. This has gone back almost a decade in fact, with all sorts of drones at | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Peloton’s $120 Credit & 10X Points for Chase Sapphire Cardholders (US only)

This one is entirely for US folks, as it has to do with credit cards. But, it’s a pretty notable ‘deal’ when you start doing the math on it – and could be an interesting template for other larger companies | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Tacx & Garmin Increase Tacx App Integration, Plus Training Status Plans

Yesterday Tacx (via Garmin) sent out an e-mail to users of their Tacx Training platform that on April 22nd the world will change. Or, depending on your view – end. It’s that day that the Tacx app/platform will utilize the | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Suunto 9 adds Komoot Routes Turn by Turn Integration in Latest Update

Despite coming up on its third birthday here in about two months, the Suunto 9 received modest firmware update yesterday. This update adds the following features, and here’s the exact text from their firmware update listing:New ‘Tour’ battery mode with | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Polar Ignite 2 Hands-On: What’s New & Different

Last week Polar launched the Ignite 2, alongside the new Vantage M2. While I’ve been using the Ignite 2 for a few weeks now, this isn’t a review – mainly since the unit isn’t done yet. It’s not set to | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Week in Review–March 28th, 2021

The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Peloton Acquires Atlas Wearables: A Peloton Wearable Ahead?

Peloton has been quietly acquiring various companies over the past half a year, some three of which were mentioned in their latest quarterly filing – however, only one was by name. The rest renamed unnamed. But this week, two companies | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Garmin Rally Power Meter In-Depth Review (SPD/SPD-SL/LOOK KEO)

Garmin has launched three new power meters today, all under the new ‘Garmin Rally’ brand, which supersedes the Garmin Vector power meter lineup. The Rally series includes three pedal bodies at this point:  Shimano SPD-SL (road), Shimano SPD (typically off-road/MTB), | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Polar Vantage M2 In-Depth Review

Polar has launched two new watches today, the second iteration of mid-range Vantage offering, now called the Vantage M2, while also launching their updated Ignite fitness watch – the Ignite 2. You’ll remember last fall Polar refreshed the higher end | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Wahoo Relaunches Speedplay, Announces Power Meter Plans (POWRLINK Zero)

It’s been roughly 18 months since Wahoo announced the acquisition of Speedplay. Since then the company reduced some 50 different SKU’s down to 4 core models, moved factory locations, shutdown factories, moved factory locations again, and started building a Speedplay | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Scosche Rhythm+ 2.0 Heart Rate Sensor In-Depth Review

Back in January, Scosche announced the new Rhythm+ 2.0 optical HR sensor. This would be the next iteration from their original Rhythm+ released way back in 2014 – arguably the optical HR sensor band that started the trend of optical | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

SRM X SPD Power Meter In-Depth Review

Its been a long time since a major brand new power meter was announced, and today’s post…well…it doesn’t change that. In fact, the SRM X was announced some 18 months ago, and started shipping in super limited quantities nearly a | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Insta360 GO 2 Tiny Action Cam In-Depth Video Review

There’s a new winner in town for the smallest action camera. Or at least, the smallest action camera from a brand name you’ve probably heard of. While Insta360 has a more pronounced history in the 360° action cam market, over | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Week in Review– March 7th, 2021

The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Zwift Plans Three At Home Fitness Hardware Products

Last week Zwift posted a slate of new job positions, notably around supply chain management. Included within that, the company listed that they’ll not only be making three specific models, but that they’ve also selected their hardware production partners already.At | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

KOM Cycling $59 Trainer Desk In-Depth Review

It’s entirely plausible I might be starting to develop a bike trainer desk fetish of sorts. I mean, first there was the Wahoo KICKR Desk, then there was the KICKR desk knock-offs at half the price with more features, now | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

DJI FPV Drone Review Published To YouTube

This post is a simple heads-up that I’ve published a deep-dive review of the DJI FPV drone & system up over on YouTube, for those that are interested in that sorta thing. FPV stands for ‘First Person View’, which means | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

TrainerRoad Launches TrainNow as Part of Bigger Adaptive Training Overhaul

Today TrainerRoad announced sweeping changes to the platform, which they've dubbed Adaptive Training. This means they're starting to use machine learning algorithms to change workouts based on your progress towards a given goal. A workout is scored as you complete | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Kommander Review: Zwift Control For Your Handlebars

Looking for a way to control Zwift from your handlebars with dedicated clickable buttons for using PowerUps, navigation, and changing camera views? Or perhaps increasing intensity during a structured workout? The new Kommander buttons aim to solve exactly that. The | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

A Snowy Cargo Bike & Sports Tech VLOG

Back a week or two ago it got all snowy here in the Netherlands. It’s sorta a rare thing, and even more so, is the fact that it actually stayed on the ground for a meaningful amount of time. It | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Strava Adds Indoor Workout Recording to App (For all users): Quick How-To Guide

Undoubtedly, for many readers of this site, you’ve probably got a watch or twelve to record your indoor workout on. But, if you’re still narrowing down options from my recommendations guide, then this new tidbit might be applicable to you.As | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Make Everything a Zwift Ride with this Meme Generator

In the event you haven’t seen it, then let me introduce you to some solid lost productivity: ZwiftIRL.com This fun meme-like generating site to overlay the Zwift look atop an existing outdoor ride photo. Or really, any photo. Now the | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Zwift Bans Another Pro, This Time With History of Data Tampering

Today Zwift has non-announced its latest sanction, against Philipp Diegner of Canyon Esports, for falsifying data as part of their Zwift Racing League pro race series. This would make for the fifth individual in the last 6 months, but most | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

5 Random Things I Did This Weekend

And in a just a matter of days it’s gone from freezing temps with once in a decade snowstorms and ice skating here in the Netherlands, to the warmest day ever recorded for yesterday (Feb 21st). And just like last | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Strava Photo Heatmap Added to VeloViewer: Here’s how it works

I suppose exactly what to call this is a bit fuzzy, but basically VeloViewer has mashed up your Strava photos with your heatmap, allowing you to see the two blended together in photographic glory. And if there’s anything that gets | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Trying to find a trainer in stock? A nifty alerting tool for you (US/Europe)

TLDR: You can now get instant alerts when trainers are in stock, go here.You know what I’m surprisingly good at? Pressing the refresh button on the Internet. Seriously, if someone gave me a task to find something in stock, I’m | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Garmin Enduro GPS Watch In-Depth Review

Let’s just get this out of the way upfront: There’s precisely one reason – and ONLY one reason to buy the Garmin Enduro: You want really long battery life, and are OK with that at the expense of any other | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

NURVV Run In-Depth Review

There have been many running efficiency products over the years, usually designed to analyze aspects of your running technique, and then ideally provide real-time (during run) or post-run feedback on how to improve. The form of these products varies, but | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Tech Tidbits: Garmin GPS Offsets Again and PowerTap Units Discontinued

As we round out Wednesday, there’s a few tidbits of news that are definitely worth mentioning – especially this first one as a heads up for Garmin users to ensure you don’t get any wonky GPS tracks over the next | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Polar Verity Sense (Optical HR Sensor Band) In-Depth Review

Polar has launched an updated version of their standalone optical HR sensor, taking the existing Polar OH1 and adding new features and capabilities and re-branding it as the Verity Sense. For those familiar with my reviews & testing, you’ll know | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Moxy Launches Kickstarter for Training Portal Platform and Device

If you’ve been around the endurance sports tech scene long enough, you’ll know that Moxy has been around this connected sphere longer than most – even if you didn’t quite understand exactly what their product does, or how best to | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

A Quick Review: A $17 Weight Scale that Syncs to Zwift (1byone Smart Scale)

For those unfamiliar, the speed you go in Zwift is entirely based on your weight and power output – with some added trimmings including height/virtual bike/wheels/etc… But really, it all hinges on your weight. As a good citizen of Zwift | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago

Peloton Bike+ (Plus) In-Depth Review

The Peloton Bike/Bike+ (and associated platform) is by massive margins the most popular consumer fitness bike in the world, and largely for good reason: It just works. Every…single…time. But up until the Bike+, there were elements that weren’t as polished. | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 years ago