MTB usability

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Markus Lenhard
  • Edited

I just got my Karoo 2 a few days ago and have used pretty much every free minute of my time to find a way to make it work with trailforks routes. Which is thee best source for MTB riders worldwide when it comes to serious trailriding... I suppose i was just not thinking that a device this hyped and good looking would fail at reading a gpx file that my almost 10 years old garmin 810 had no problems with whatsoever... 

I only found one way to "kind of" use trailforks GPX that didnt involve sideloading an app to the device:
Get a KOMOOT account and import a trailforks route there. then link your komoot account to the karoo and it will work.

BUT:
Karoo will not allow you to disable rerouting on their device! Which imo is such a ridiculous oversight not only for the following problem but also for battery life.
Rerouting results in missing the trails completely as soon as you either miss an exit, have to search for a hidden entry or have bad gps reception.
It will reroute you to the nearest trail that is actually available on the komoot or karoo map data. Which simply isnt nearly as complete or detailed as trailforks...
If a known komoot or karoo basemap trail or road is near enough a trailforks route, the komoot planner will also overrule the gpx information and try to bring you back to "safety". 
So it is only kind of working... 


If disabling rerouting was an option, that wouldnt matter, you could simply burn the trails onto the map, close enough, and follow them. But as soon as you deviate from the route you will lose the visual overlay of the trail and end up on a road that leads to the next waypoint. You will miss your trails completely this way. 

So, even if you get this to work with Trailforks gpx through any kind of overlay, sideloading or conversion hack, (which is already kind of ridiculous for such an expensive device) the missing option to disable rerouting makes this device still pretty much unusable for serious MTB riding IMHO.

PS: the desktop dashboard for the karoo is a completely unusable nightmare. Even garmins unsightly, completely outdated and impossibly convoluted basecamp software works better...
Komoot is a much better option even with all its limitations when it comes to trailforks data... 
Everything about this device feels like it dazzles with hot graphics and sleek exterior but is actually extremely limited when it comes to functionality. The price of this thing and the promise of a beautiful and easily usable UI seems to make a lot of people really want this to be a great device. Sadly i cant say i had a good impression. It should be made obvious that this is simply not made for serious MTB or bikepacking use but speaks to roadbikers only pretty much. If i´d have known this i could have saved myself a lot of frustration. 
Glad i can still return this device. Sad i still have no other options but Garmin
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    Steve MacMillan

    Hi Markus. Welcome to the ongoing frustrating nightmare that is the 'way overhyped' and totally not finished Karoo world. And I am a road cyclist! And, I am in 100% agreement about the pathetic dashboard. It even looks amateurish and is just as hopeless to use as you say!

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    Steve MacMillan

    If you have the time to waste, check out the community comments to see how many problems there are with this unit.

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    Markus Lenhard

    @Steve, I am at the point at which i am just returning this and not waste any more of my time. I do believe you. I am pretty angry but relieved to be able to send it back.

    I just felt it was important to make sure that there is a comprehensively titled and written topic people can find when looking online before buying this device.

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    Pit Neitemeier

    Anyone buying this device for mountain biking should just send it straight back. There is not a single feature that is optimized for mountain biking.

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    Eduardo de Francisco

    100% in favour of this. Disabling rerouting must be a priority. AND we should be able to adjust to "always visible" any previous track or route, even when not following that route.

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    Markus Lenhard

    bought a garmin 830. took me 30 minutes to set up and find all the trails in the area. not even a slight problem. Not as pretty as the karoo2... but at least it works and is trustworthy. karoo is a thirsttrap. Stay away lol 

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    shakirfateh
    • Edited

    100 percent agreed 

    VRL Courier Tracking

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    colleencamacho59

    An off-road bicycle (MTB) belongs to the category of mountain bikes but it is similar to the basics of other bicycles. Still, it incorporates features designed to make it more durable and efficient on rough terrain. In contrast, which also makes MTB heavier, more complex, and less efficient on smooth surfaces.

    • Typically, Mountain Bikes include suspension forks, large knobby tyres, more substantial wheels, stronger brakes, and wide-straight handlebars that improve balance and comfort over rough terrain. Moreover, the gearing of MTB is tailored to the topography and application of the bike for fast descents or steep climbing.
    • It is generally accepted that mountain bikes are used on unpaved surfaces, such as mountain trails, single tracks, and fire roads.
    • A mountain bike ride’s terrain is usually characterized by rocks, roots, loose dirt, and steep grades. There are also log piles, rock gardens, skinnies, gap jumps, and wall rides on the technical trails (TTFs) where an MTB is considered the most preferable bike for cycling.
    • These bikes are also popular with urban riders and couriers who have to navigate potholes and curbs. Because of mountain bike’s natural heavy-duty construction and wider tyres.

    Compared to other types of trux cargo tracking parcel mountain bikes, cross-country bikes with single suspension are designed for speed and efficiency. The suspension travel is generally limited to 120mm, and the suspension design optimizes efficiency. Bikes designed for cross-country riding should not engage the suspension while pedaling.

    • Cross-country bikes compromise the all-out lightweight of an XC race bike, but they offer a little more capability.
    • The travel of cross-country bikes is usually around 120mm. And, they typically come with components that improve descent capabilities, such as longer dropper posts and more rigid tires.
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    Erik

    What a BLESS it would be, if we could just TURN OFF REROUTING

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    shakirfateh

    What a BLESS it would be, if we could just TURN OFF REROUTING

    You can get information from here

    HD Streamz 

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    Reinhard Plietsch

    Hi y'all - pls throw all your votes on a single thread / feature request, otherwise it will be diluted in votes and never be considered, I'm afraid. This is what past HH practice has shown, unfortunately.

    Thread with highest votes to finally integrate Trailforks (after 3+ yrs begging for it!) > https://support.hammerhead.io/hc/en-us/community/posts/1260802074889-Really-hoping-Trailforks-gets-added-to-the-K2

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