Wahoo Fitness RFLKT

iPhone mirror

Wahoo Fitness’ new $130 RFLKT is an iPhone mirror, like a Pebble for the bike. Its raison d’etre is simple: why spend $250 to $700 for a bike computer when much of that functionality exists in the phone in your jersey pocket? Let the phone do the heavy lifting while the RFLKT displays whatever text or images the phone sends.

So here’s the RFLKT, it’s got a forward mount or a stem/bar mount, no big whup. I wish the forward mount curved and centered the unit, and I wish the unit itself wasn’t so boxy, but still…no big whup. For the moment there’s only one app that’ll run the RFLKT, Wahoo’s own training app. Pair up the RFLKT and there’s not much else to do.

Once the RFLKT is mounted on the bike there’s little reason to remove it. Battery life is one year, and ride files are uploaded from the phone. Communication is two-way, the RFLKT can mark laps and select music tracks. Now let’s take a look at how much info you can track.

iPhone + RFLKT $130
You’ve got GPS data from the phone, which streams speed to the RFLKT. Kinda like having one of those old Cateye’s, but with GPS and you can play on Strava and hey that’s actually way better than those old Cateye’s.

iPhone + RFLKT + Wahoo Blue HR strap +$80
The Wahoo HR strap is also Bluetooth, so it communicates directly with the phone. Now you have speed, HR, and GPS, like the bad old days when buying a Polar was a big investment – you’re getting serious about your training! (Maybe that was the good old days. I agonized over that $75 purchase for days, that Polar was a big deal!)

iPhone + RFLKT + Wahoo Blue HR + Wahoo Blue Speed and Cadence Sensor +$60
Now you have speed measured from the wheel, which is more accurate than GPS. This probably only matters if you’re doing testing or messing with the Chung method. And you also have cadence.

BTW, the Wahoo SC (licensed from Bontrager) is really well made. I know it’s just a simple little sensor, but it has a couple of nice little touches, like the custom made rubber band with a pull tab to ease installation. The crank magnet is a slip on rubber band with a magnet molded in – death to zip ties! Minor details to be sure but it’s nice to see someone making an effort.

iPhone + RFLKT + Wahoo Key +$60
The Wahoo key is an ANT+ receiver that’ll communicate with all the sensors you probably already have – power meters, speed and cadence sensors, HR straps. With this you pretty much have the full functional potential of a Garmin 510 or 810.

The catch is that it’s a 30 pin connection, so iPhone 5 users will need a $30 Lightning adapter. For now Apple isn’t authorizing Lightning for accessories, so a Lightning ANT+ key isn’t in the near future. But now you’re at $220 and the RFLKT is less of a deal now.

iPhone + RFLKT + KICKR or Stages Power Meter
They’re not available yet, but Wahoo’s KICKR trainer and the Stages power meter will be both Bluetooth and ANT+. If you get them then you’re fully functional with all the data you could want with Bluetooth.

So…?
The undercurrent here is that there’s a struggle between Bluetooth and ANT+. Almost all phones are Bluetooth, almost all bike computers are ANT+. If I were a runner and had no gear to begin with, I’d buy Bluetooth HR straps and stride sensors that would work directly with the phone and keep things simple. If I were a cyclist I’d buy ANT+ stuff that works with my power meter. One of these standards might kill the other off, and there are a helluva lot more runners than cyclists. If you think Bluetooth will be the winner, then the RFLKT is your future-proof on-bike display.

Wahoo has always made their stuff open to developers. Cyclemeter is working on supporting the RFLKT, and hopefully others will follow suit. Given the capabilities of the iPhone, possibilities for future apps are endless. Turn by turn directions, friend locaters, live streaming telemetry, text and phone alerts…but this all depends on the RFLKT catching on and making it appealing to developers, or Wahoo themselves adding more functionality to their app. So for now you have a slick bike computer that can do a little or a lot, with the potential to do a ton more. 

Update 3/1:

There’s a Garmin adapter coming.

26 Comments

REAL TALK

“Its so on” What are you going to do to him Spandex Gangster. Stop typing like you are TUFF email Gangster,next time you see him you might want to pin his number on for him. Go ride your bike AVD series start next week or are you going to TALK about that ALSO… CHICK

Notorius

RFLKT? So, I’m guessing they don’t have copy writers coming up with catchy names?

I’m curious to see how this Ant+ vs Bluetooth is going to play out, since Bluetooth is ramping up more, less expensive options (since most of us have enabled phones), but athletes do love their sport-specific equipment. Did you notice any glitches in the data transfer when you used it?

More importantly, though, does the thing stream Downton from your phone?

yack

I have been waiting for the cat eye Stealth 50 to be released. It is a $150 computer that has gps and records power. I have a cycleops power cal to use with it. The set up is basically a poor mans gps/power meter. Chances are I will always have my iphone on me when riding….but having a computer that depends on the phone is a commitment. It is true the iPhone can perform every function you need on a bike…yet I’m hesitant to fuse them….The future is probably here and I’m probably just afraid to make the leap. I would prefer if someone else jumps first and reports back on how the water feels…

Mathieu Tarmac

Part of the problem is that phones are disposable, so why marry yourself to something that might not be compatible in the 2 short years? You are better off just buying a bike mount for your phone and having a big display in front of you. Spend $100 on a waterproof case with extended battery and you are all set.

Andy Shen

No glitches. You do have to start the app while the RFLKT is in range, or it won’t start receiving the stream. But once it starts it just goes, kinda anti climatic really.

The Lung

The RFLKT would be useful for training rides. However, I would prefer not to carry something as expensive and fragile as an iPhone in my jersey during races. If I crash, it’s one more expensive item I would have to replace.

Andy Shen

I race with the phone in a Lifeproof case. It won’t get stolen from the pile of bags, and god forbid I go to the emergency room, I want the phone with me.

mrvelro

How long does iPhone battery last with Bluetooth on, connected to RFLKT gadget? Do you have to pair iPhone every time it gets back to RFLKT’s range?

Andy Shen

Forgot to mention that. With the screen off the phone lost about 60% on a 4 1/2 hour ride. You shouldn’t need to re-pair it each time, though I had to do it once.

Asshat Kornhole

Or.. hear me out… Just get a Garmin 500. I’m sure they are on sale right now with the release of the 510. This device is cool but totally unnecessary.

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Morelli Rim

Seems the RFLKT could be worn on one’s wrist and slaved to a iPhone running app. Is there a way to adapt the stem mount to live on a wrist strap?

Ransom

FYI aside from Wahoo’s own app, iMobileIntervals now supports RFLKT. iMobileIntervals supports display of HR, speed, watts and cadence, and control of music and intervals. http://imobileintervals.com/app

IMobileIntervals will soon also have support for the RICKR trainer, meaning you can do “Computrainer” style variable resistance ERG workouts right from your phone.

Also, on the subject of “Peak iPhone”, Wahoo has an Anrdoid API that will be released soon. The problem there is that Bluetooth LE support is not in the general Android kernel. Its supported by the independent hardware vendors to a varied degree using different drivers. So Wahoo is working directly with Samsung to get this working on phones like the Galaxy S3. When that’s available then we will see android apps that can work with RFLKT and Bluetooth LE HRMs,, S/C and power sensors. Maybe also ANT+ if the phone supports it.

yvrgasman

Anyone tried seeing how long the iPhone 5 battery lasts, running Strava + RFLKT + receiving from a HR monitor?

Amyajskb10

The products from Wahoo have always set a trend in the industry. I am very much impressed with the way the Wahoo Fitness RFLKT works. It has got a number of advanced features when compared to similar products from other brands. Telestep ladders

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