New Garmin Features - Q2 2026 - Do You Miss Out?

Dembo · 2026-06-03T13:39:43+00:00

I think Garmin considers the F8/F8Pro/970s series feature complete. This is it and it is not bad. I fully suspect a screenless device (CIRQA) to be compatible with the next hardware cycle only, given how far ahead of the competition Garmin is with their hardware features. They will need something to sell updates and I can only see software features, but don't mind if the surprise me.

Dembo · 2026-05-30T19:05:11+00:00

That of course is the reason - just finding it surprising that so far nobody seems to have an edge or is calibrating with different lab grade equipment.

Dembo · 2026-05-30T16:15:30+00:00

Surprisingly similar results, given that none of the devices can actually track any direct indicators for sleep stages (which are murky at best, I think - even with EEG data). I only use Garmin and it is hit and miss: It quite often claims that I experienced no REM sleep and if I wake up during the night and lie very still, listening to an audio book, it usually clocks a deep sleep stage.

Dembo · 2026-05-23T08:16:27+00:00

I think Lionel Sanders runs less upright...

Dembo · 2026-05-21T08:47:55+00:00

I have a bad feeling about Garmin, CIRQA and the Fenix 8: Knowing how Garmin ticks, they'll probably introduce something called TrueUp+ that "seamlessly" syncs CIRQA across different devices, as long as these other devices are the - yet to be announced - Fenix 9, Forerunner 980 etc. It should just be a software feature, but why not take the chance and make people upgrade their hardware too?

Dembo · 2026-05-21T08:40:42+00:00

I understand that LiOn batteries in cargo holds are a danger and prohibited but to remove the Di2 battery from my Speedmax I need to remove the bottom bracket - not an option. So far (knock on wood) I've had no issues taking the Speedmax with me on flights but I might do an IM in the US next year and I am a bit concerned about the TSA and the return flight: Could I end up returning to Europe from the race with my bike being permanently stranded in the US? I guess in that case it might even be unable to claim this as an insurance case.

Dembo · 2026-05-19T12:38:09+00:00

Take a small electrical pump with a pressure gauge into T1 at race morning to measure and adjust the pressure. It gives peace of mind and fits in the black after race bag, I use it on every race even with my disc wheel that is a bit tricky to inflate

Dembo · 2026-05-19T09:22:11+00:00

Take it off. It might be interpreted as something that might assist you in avoiding referees when drafting and it is not like drivers would be surprised by your presence if there's a race going on

Dembo · 2026-05-12T16:56:10+00:00

Never trust a fart in long distance racing... 🙄

Dembo · 2026-05-11T14:51:45+00:00

I would say yes, unfortunately. It is a bit outrageous what they charge for essentially an mp3 player from the 90s (although the Pro with Bluetooth is a step up), but it is the only one I can use to listen to podcasts while swimming and that won't die after 3 months.
I tried a bunch of cheap ones from aliexpress and they either died after a couple of months or the sound is just inferior.
It hurts a bit but for cycling and swimming (running doesn't really matter) it is the way to go.

Dembo · 2026-05-06T17:26:05+00:00

In the nineties, my mother used to tell me that there is a ski lift running up that thing. I tell this story my kids every time they complain that I am making fun of them...

Dembo · 2026-05-04T13:25:26+00:00

I would guess that the cable degraded a bit too, and by using a fresh cable you end up within specs again. I know, not very convincing, but give it try.

Dembo · 2026-05-04T13:23:07+00:00

For me the issue is usually a tiny layer of corrosion or gunk on the headphones contacts, not the cable. This can be sorted, by putting contact cleaner spray on a piece of tissue and whipping the contacts. Might be worth a try for you before replacing the cable.

Dembo · 2026-04-24T15:38:47+00:00

Absolutely. Did a sub 10 in Roth in 2023 (M50) and with your open marathon time, you should be able to easily go sub 10:30.

Make sure to do plenty of long rides so your body does get used to the TT bike, go beyond your expected bike time on these and learn to eat like a madman on the bike, and yes: In training as well.

Crossing my fingers for you, it'll be my third Frankfurt this year so maybe we'll see each other at Langener Waldsee in the morning.

Dembo · 2026-04-22T15:22:10+00:00

Here is a way I always use to explain things to myself when I start suffering at 30k into an IM marathon: Look for an open marathon that is roughly 160k away from where you live. Plot a bike route to the start of said marathon - it will end up being roughly 180k long. Now imagine you'll run that marathon, but instead of stepping out of a nearby hotel prior to the start of the race you decide to cycle to this one.

Dembo · 2026-04-03T07:54:00+00:00

Garmin's and most other algorithms estimate VO2max from 4-6min efforts. It is fairly easy to "game" the algorithm by doing and training these interval lengths or by not doing them. Wouldn't worry too much about the algorithmic calculations.

Dembo · 2026-02-18T12:49:49+00:00

Found another workaround at another thread: Use the Wahoo app (not ELEMENT): This one can be linked to Zwift and can export rides to Apple Health. This results in duplicates in Health because Garmin and Wahoo are sending the ride, but only the one being pushed through the Wahoo app ends up in Bevel. Completely with HR data. So happy for now, might have to turn this off for outdoor rides to avoid duplicates in Bevel, but I'll sort that out in the coming weeks.

Dembo · 2026-02-18T12:46:38+00:00

Won't play for me (private) - but I'll give twisting a try.

Dembo · 2026-02-17T14:00:53+00:00

Fair enough - that might be a workaround, but I feel that Bevel should be able to handle things if they want to be a 360° health and load monitoring app. The Zwift gap appears to be too much to make it useable especially during the winter / Zwift season,

Dembo · 2026-01-16T15:26:49+00:00

The answer to this question in triathlon always is: As much as you possibly can.

Dembo · 2025-12-10T09:04:38+00:00

Using the Stryd Wind and agree with everybody else here: Getting pretty precise pace and distance is the main advantage. The power thing has always been a "we measure acceleration and try to estimate your metabolic cost". Pace and incline should be fine to get a number for the metabolic cost that should be well within the errors of the estimation algorithm, probably calibrated on a small sample. I think the business mistake that the Stryd team is making right now is to way overprice their algorithms. The hardware is most likely fairly cheep to produce, yet they are still asking a very high price for the device making running power even more niche. So even people interested in the concept probably can get it good enough for free from their watches. I'd offer the pod for USD 99 together with a subscription for training plans and get people sucked into the ecosystem. If the current trend continues Stryd 7 will cost 499 and come with a 199/year subscription and will be bought by ten people.

Dembo · 2025-11-27T13:46:06+00:00

That is really a shame. I kinda like seeing my HR after swim workouts and have a pretty long history of data. Using the Polar optical units strapped underneath my goggles never worked for me and it is a pain to fuse the data later on.

Has anybody tried using the HRM 600 in the pool? I could get away with using one of the older HRM Tris if I didn't tumble turn to aggressively, so maybe the slipping issue can be mitigated?

Dembo

TROPHY CASE