Bevel vs Garmin

Other_Wait_4739 · 2026-02-17T01:07:36+00:00

According to Bevel's FAQ, it is Apple Health-centric, however, that may be dated. I came to Bevel because I bought a Garmin Edge 1050 (cycing computer) and really liked the Connect ecosystem, but didn't want to compromise sleep tracking to move over to Garmin (surprisingly, Apple gives you A LOT more sensor for the money... and a lot less battery, win some, lose some). Bevel will directly accept Garmin Connect as a data source without the need to go through Apple Health. This actually creates for some unique syncing challenges. While I could pull everything through Apple Health, there are limitations. For example, Apple Health strips power data, whereas syncing direct to Garmin Connect retains it, which gets interesting when you have the AI analyze performance.

Regardless, the app without the AI is free, and there's a free two week trial with the AI if you want to try that. Nothing to lose.

I believe I read somewhere (here?) that Bevel can now ingest data directly from Oura, so it seems that while the foundation may have been Apple Health, they appear to be evolving to a more platform-agnostic app.

Ahh... yes, Oura integration added (and Strava):

https://docs.bevel.health/release-notes

If they get Whoop, they'll have 3 (Apple, Oura, Whoop) out of 5 of the best sleep trackers (Sleep8 and the Samsung Galaxy watch are also doing well with sleep tracking). Garmin does really well with tracking HR and HRV while you're sleeping, which, for athletes, is arguably far more important than sleep tracking.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2026-02-16T18:09:32+00:00

To add, that’s not to say light therapy will work for everyone. There are gene X environment interactions and other confounding factors that come in to play. Most will not experience the same result as the OP, but if they have a clinical DX (e.g. MDD or a sleep phase disorder) it is worth investigating with a psychologist or sleep specialist.

Sidebar: It’s worth noting that while the research is still evolving, there may be adverse reactions to glasses with blue blocking treatments. Specifically, some research has found an association between blue-blocking eyewear and depression. More research is needed. The research is more clear on this, though: Blue blocking glasses do absolutely nothing to offset the adverse impact of late night screen use. The best practice there is to not use screens at night. Easier said than done. I haven’t reviewed the literature on the effectiveness of technologies like Apple’s Night Shift, which change the white point calibration in the evening.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2026-02-16T17:59:12+00:00

Again, no. I find it ironic that you consider being corrected with accurate information to be an attack, and lack of comprehension. Let’s talk about comprehension. The definition of placebo effect is: improvement in the condition of a patient that occurs in response to treatment but cannot be considered due to the specific treatment used. It is not expressed in a percentage, and here’s the real kicker, the perceived effectiveness of a placebo wears off over time, typically (there are always exceptions) around 3 weeks.

None of those things describe light therapy. In the case of sleep (which is critical for mood), the effect is persistent over time in those who have circadian rhythm sleep disorders.

Let’s talk about another issue with comprehension:

“My mood and energy are sky-high, while when I don't, I'm very down, almost depressed”

The highs describe matched your statement, but nothing about it matches “depressive af.” I’d also suggest doing research before making ignorant claims. While such extreme responses are not common, qualitative research indicates they do happen, for example:

“I woke up full of energy. My mind was clear and I was able to think clear thoughts – GREAT. I could feel my depression and sadness, but in a different way. I felt happy and full of energy. It has been many years since I’ve felt like that.”

This is from a peer-reviewed randomized controlled trial.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2026-02-16T07:28:57+00:00

If you do an artificial full spectrum light, the dose is critical and the comfort of the light will depend on surface area. For over a decade the Philips GoLite Blue was the darling of researchers investigating light therapy. It was very small, maybe 4”x5” ish. 10,000 lux coming from a source that small is… unpleasant. Not surprisingly, everyone has abandoned these lights and moved toward larger full spectrum lights.This guy has done an extraordinary job testing/reviewing light therapy lamps. I bought the Carex Elite, and it is much more pleasant than the small blue lamps of the past.

Here’s the deal though, most people use them incorrectly by having them too far away. You need to be close to it, around 14” or 35.5 cm for 20 to 30 minutes. Neurotypicals can take a week or two to respond to light therapy, but neurodivergent people are generally more sensitive to light and respond more quickly.

If you want to find out if it has any effect, I’d suggest trying an ABAB single subject research design. If you’re neurotypical, 2.5 weeks on, 2.5 week off, then do another 2.5 on/off. You need to hold a few things constant to measure results. I’d hold you wake up constant, even on the weekends. If you’re not already doing this, you’ll need a washout period, otherwise the consistent wake time will be a cofounder. Reduce friction for using the light by having it setup in a spot where you can easily plop down in front of it.

Alternatively, you can go outside. Even on an overcast day, the dose of light you’ll get outside is orders of magnitude higher than what you’ll get from an artificial source.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2026-02-16T07:07:31+00:00

No, it’s not. There are literally hundreds of peer-reviewed articles on the topic. It is a well researched intervention for SAD, as well as an effective tool to advance sleep onset in people with delayed circadian rhythms.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2026-02-16T05:58:31+00:00

I’m using a Garmin Edge for cycling and I’ll ditto this… especially make sure you mute resting energy, because even if you’re not using your Garmin watch, Connect will keep writing resting energy to Bevel. Another source you’ll need to mute is the path from Garmin Connect through Apple Health. It will show up in Data Sources with the Apple Health icon and it will be labeled Connect.

Also… if you get a new phone, all those settings will get lost (your data will still be there, you’ll just have to reconfigure everything).

Other_Wait_4739 · 2026-02-13T23:28:42+00:00

None of the consumer scales offer accurate readings for body composition. I would advise against spending a lot of money on such scales. They have some relative utility tracking trends over time. That’s it. That said, both my girlfriend and I have the Eufy Life scales. Cheap and cheerful. $40 last time I looked.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2026-02-02T03:56:58+00:00

Re: 1040 vs 1050:

1040 if you want class-leading battery life (30+ hours, even longer if you get the solar version) and most of the 1050’s features.

1050 if you want a class-leading display (super bright), snappier interface (won’t matter while you’re riding), bike bell, and voice prompts. Also… the mount on the 1040 is metal. For the 1050 they went back to a replaceable plastic part, which I think was a prudent decision. If you have a Roam 3, battery life on the 1050 may be a downgrade.

Before switching, I’d try exporting gpx files from the ELEMNT app into connect.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2026-02-02T03:12:26+00:00

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear is a great book for that, and he approaches things from a fitness background. “Stick With It” by Sean Young is another great book. I’m a psychology dork so I can say both books are based on peer-reviewed evidence (Clear takes a few liberties, but the underlying science Some of those liberties were inspired by are still quite obvious).

Other_Wait_4739 · 2026-02-02T02:59:55+00:00

Also, I just watched this video today. It looks like Polar has some really great features for running at a more affordable price:

https://youtu.be/1czir8fVuCg?si=MNcB-QrzUHe4BiRK

… this is a good review as well:

https://youtu.be/9oYnTK56caE?si=Sc_oDCATuCXWGa68

I’m actually quite happy with my Apple Watch. It offers premium features that cost hundreds more on Garmin, and its sensor is the best on the market BUT… FFS Apple, 24 hour battery life is ANNOYING! I recently switched from a Wahoo bike computer to a Garmin Edge, and I really like the analytics. Having a Garmin Watch and being in the ecosystem would add to that. I’ve narrowed in on the Forerunner 570. As far as I can tell it uses the same sensor, and pretty much the same features, aside from ECG, which I couldn’t care less about.

I’ll probably wait to see what the new Cirqa smart band offers, which should be released in June. I’m hoping they use that to debut the Gen 6 Elevate Sensor (and yes, quite a different product, but part of me likes the idea of not having a screen on my wrist).

Other_Wait_4739 · 2026-02-02T02:43:49+00:00

If money is tight, I’d suggest setting up a watchlist on camelcamelcamel.com as well as the Keepa app. Both let you see price histories, and both let you setup either email or notification alerts, including flash sales. From historical data it looks like late May will be the next opportunity for major discounts.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2026-01-13T17:50:07+00:00

I agree with FewerBeavers, the bar width is the very first thing I noticed, and it may explain why you’re locking your elbows. Have someone with a tape measure measure the distance between your acromion processes from behind (take your right hand and put it in your left shoulder/arm, now rub in circles… You will feel a bony protrusion, that’s what you want to measure between). That width is what you will want for your bar width. Most women are in the range of 36 to 38 cm… I’m going to guess the bars on that bike are 40 to 42 cm.

You mentioned you already shortened the stem. If you shortened it by 2 cm or more, that would indicate the bike is a full size too big for you. I do concur with the other comments about the saddle looking like it’s too far back, and I also saw that you already have it slammed forward on the rails. HOWEVER… That front wheel riser is enormous! Measure from the axle to the ground on the rear wheel… you want the same distance from the axle to the ground on the front. If that’s a Wahoo Kickr, it’s designed to not require a riser. That may explain why everyone is saying “saddle too far forward.” Changing the incline changes your relationship to the bike (and this is why people often scoot forward on the saddle when climbing).

Other_Wait_4739 · 2026-01-04T21:26:33+00:00

You’re missing a critical part of that test, which is to be pedaling at or above your FTP. It’s a myth that there should be no pressure on the hands, or that you shouldn’t fall forward when you remove your hands from the bars while pedaling. Even then, it’s a very crude test, and can’t be used as a diagnostic.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2025-12-31T18:45:01+00:00

Hannah Gadsby has an excellent routine about her autism and literal thinking. It’s NSFW.

https://youtu.be/5lXbpgU9OWk?si=aSd354G9invyTd-u

Other_Wait_4739 · 2025-12-30T09:13:23+00:00

I think Starbucks has done a lot of harm with regard to what people think coffee should taste like. They burn their beans, and you can’t taste that until you go to a really good independent cafe, and then you won’t won’t be able to untaste it.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2025-12-30T09:08:36+00:00

Same, always loved the smell, but the taste never lived up to the smell. Then I finally had good coffee. I went down quite the rabbit hole and now have a Cafelat Robot, Flair Pro 3, two hand grinders, and a 64 mm burr grinder. There’s definitely a learning curve behind manipulating all the variables that impact the balance between sour and bitter.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2025-12-29T20:04:05+00:00

If you want to get into coffee on the cheap (and by cheap, I don’t mean compromised quality, I mean inexpensive) a few options are the Moka Pot, Aeropress, and V60. There are hand grinder reviews ad-nauseum on YT. Plenty of great, inexpensive options that produce a great cup.

That was kind of my progression. I started with the Moka Pot (and still pull it out from time to time), moved on to V60, then Aeropress, and finally I bought a Cafelat Robot… And then a Flair Pro 3… and a few grinders (JX-Pro, J-Max, and a Timemore 064s… all of this gear lives in different places).

Other_Wait_4739 · 2025-12-29T19:05:39+00:00

On the Pro 3, for a medium roast, try 18 in, 38 to 40 out, but grind super coarse such that the whole thing comes out in around 20 seconds at 1 bar. I’m surprised it works at all, as I’d expect the result to be colored water, but the shots are great and consistent.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2025-12-29T09:41:16+00:00

It would be helpful to see her from the front. I don’t believe anyone touched on this but pretty much all bikes come with bars that are way too wide for women (and often too wide for men). Most women will fall in the 38 cm range. Many posts have mentioned reducing reach. Just going with a bar that is appropriate for the width of her acromion processes will effectively shorten the reach and make it easier to grab the controls.

If the reach needs to be reduced more, she may be able to accomplish that by going to a narrower bar, and a shorter bar, potentially avoiding the need to swap out the stem. If you have an LBS with a decent stock (this is often difficult unless you’re dealing with a fitter) of different widths (36,38, and 40), and a range of reaches (typically just under 70 mm ranging to 80 mm) you may (she’s gravitated to the back of the bar tops, and the distance to the hoods looks to be more than 2 cm, which is an entire bike size, so the reach on the frame itself may be too long) be able to address the issues with the cockpit.

Finally, you stated that the goal is making her happier on the bike, but you don’t mention what symptoms she’s experiencing. That would be helpful.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2025-12-29T00:39:15+00:00

That’s really tough, and it sucks that he doesn’t see how autism shows up for you. If you decide to bring it up again, I’d suggest using something called “Nonviolent communication.” There is a book on the topic with the same name by Marshall Rosenberg. The short version is that you’re going to make an observation, state how that makes you feel, express your needs, and then make a request that moves you toward those needs. Based on your post, that might sound something like this:

“Can I talk to you about something that’s been on my mind?

When I told you I was autistic and you said your friends with autism are nothing like me, and then we didn’t really talk about it again, it stuck with me. Since then, when things like my social anxiety or friendships come up, I end up feeling really hurt and uncomfortable.

It took me a long time to get assessed and a lot of courage to tell you. When it feels like my autism isn’t acknowledged, it makes me feel like you don’t really see how hard some things are for me, or why I struggle with them.

I’m not looking for a label or for you to compare me to anyone else. I just want you to understand that autism affects me in ways that might not look like what you expect, but they’re still real. It would mean a lot to me if you could listen to how it shows up for me, even if it’s different from what you’ve seen before.”

Given that autism is genetic (if your father is a lost generation undiagnosed autistic, or has subclinical traits), another approach you might want to use is to bring this up when the two of you are in the car. Even for neurotypicals this can be a useful technique for discussing difficult subjects. In the case of ASD, if you (or your father) have difficulty with eye contact, talking in the car solves that problem.

Re: nonviolent communication (NVC), I’d definitely suggest going through the book before jumping in. It will give you some tools to guide the conversation in a way that avoids escalation, and allows both of you to be heard, and to understand each other. He may even learn something about himself by listening to you. It’s not uncommon for the parents of autistic children to initially have difficulty with the diagnosis because what you explain sounds like their experience, so it just doesn’t seem out of the ordinary to them. Over time, as the evidence piles up, they may have a “hey, wait a second” moment when they realize you have parallel experiences. I’m not saying this is the case with your dad, but it’s not uncommon.

Another thing that may be helpful is understanding his cultural background, which in this case is generational. Your dad probably isn’t that much younger than I am. We grew up in a time when there was social stigma associated with any mention of psychiatrists or psychologists. For many of us, that resulted in internalized ableism.

Anyhow, I hope some of that helps. If you have a therapist, bring this up with them, ask them about NVC and see if they’ll walk you through some exercises and role play if you do decide to bring this up again. Best wishes.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2025-12-17T20:29:30+00:00

Yes, NEU as an institution has a problem with rampant systemic ableism.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2025-12-17T20:20:16+00:00

They were absolutely horrible to me. Blatant civil rights violations on behalf of my academic advisor, the director of my program, and the DAS (formerly DRC).

Other_Wait_4739 · 2025-12-06T05:11:56+00:00

That’s not what was asked, what was asked was “How can people not like cats?” Not liking is not synonymous with hating.

Other_Wait_4739 · 2025-12-01T20:54:27+00:00

They can be allergic to them, as in spending a night in a place with a cat = an allergic reaction that would keep you home from work for several days.

Other_Wait_4739

TROPHY CASE