Garmin Forerunner 305 with Road ID Strap
After months of wearing the Garmin Forerunner 305 with the strap, I upgraded to the quick release velcro wristband. It works great for triathlons and works great for day to day training. I also train with the basic, velcro Road ID wristband. It’s the smart thing to do and keeps my family happy while I’m out on a bike for 4 hours. The only problem was I didn’t like all the stuff I had on my arm for running. Not trying to be macho, I just felt absurd with an oversized watch and ID bracelet on my arm.
Last week I took my Garmin off of the quick release wristband and put it on the bike. Since then I have misplaced the band and struggled for two days with figuring out how to take the Garmin with me to workout. I knew I could put the original straps on but I would use that as a last resort. I then had an idea. What about fashioning the Road ID onto the Garmin? Long story short, it worked and will work with or without the quick release set. Here’s how you do it:
1. Use the tool provided by Garmin to separate the strap from the computer.
2. Remove pins from strap.
3. Place Road id on Garmin.
4. Replace pins and secure strap. The pins can be feisty but be patient. The whole thing only takes about 5 minutes and you’re set.
5. Rock out with your Road Garmin ID.
Also, check out the poor attempt at a video I put together last night (see if you can tell when the pin shoots out against the wall):
- Back view of Garmin and Road ID
Another thing, If you give the strap slack, you can easily put the Garmin on its charging cradle without removing any pins.
It fits on the docking station, too!
Enjoy!
I am an amateur triathlete and analyst for a commercial bank. This blog will be a guide through the lessons I've learned and adventures I've had in the world of multi-sport.
well done video!
I like it!
Good idea. Question though: how does it work with the bike quick release?
Jan -
Great question. Unfortunately, the quick release does not work as seamlessly with the Road ID attached (it never clicks in completely). However, there are 3 things that do work to attach the 305 to the bike with the Road ID:
1 – One thing I have found with road, tt and Cycleops spin bikes is that you can wrap the strap around the handlebar and twist the road id to tighten it to the bar (I’ll put up some pictures when I Get a chance)
2 – You can place the Garmin on the quick release. It probably won’t snap in and stay but you can then tighten the Garmin with the Road ID strap onto the release.
3 – Good old wash cloth or sock. Wrap the cloth around the handlebar where you want the display then place the Garmin on top. Tighten the strap and voila. It will allow the straps to fit tighter without twisting and if (when) you get sweaty, you have a moisture removing device right there!
I’m going to work on getting a video put together demonstrating all three and see which one works best on the road.
Thanks for the question!
Thanks Cody. Good info. One thing I’d be a bit concerned about that in the unfortunate event that I do get into a bicycling mishap I doubt that the emergency workers will actually inspect the mangled wreckage of my bike for my ID. So I think that on the bike I’d like to wear the RoadID on my person.
I’m going to see if I can rig something. You inspired me :)
Jan – Great point! I completely agree. I was thinking of your question in the framework of triathlons and transitioning from bike to the run.
With that said, the most “technical” part about this process is taking the pins out of the band itself. For the quick release, you could just take the road id out of the pins and put the road id on your wrist. I just did it and it takes 1 minute or less by just using your fingernails. This would be ideal for going out on a bike ride if you already have the quick release mount.
Great and simple modification. I like it.
Kevin
http://halftriing.blogspot.com/
This is Great!!!! Thank you. So simple, but I didn’t think of it.
Best wishes,
What a brilliant idea!!!
Thanks for sharing!
Great idea, I am not sure why RoadID hasn’t already thought about this – you should sell your idea back to them :)
It is a great idea and am going to order a RoadID. Is it just the basic model? Or does it work with the other RoadID straps?
Thx for sharing.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the other types of Road ID’s but I assume it would work if the straps werent too thick or too wide. I’m polling my friends to see if they have diffent Road ID’s but most just have the cloth basic one. I will find out!
Would this work with the Garmin 310 XT and Road ID?
I already have problems with the pins falling out with the Garmin band that came with it and had new replacement pins that have helped but still seem small.
Thanks
Interesting. I don’t have a 310xt and none of my training buds do, either. After looking at numerous pics online, I can say it won’t work in the same way but I have a feeling we can make it work. Did someone say Duct Tape? Jk
Like with the nicer Road ID straps, I’m trying to find them to test out. We’ll have a solid answer soon. Thanks for the questions.