Bicycle computers from ebike manufacturers have made significant progress in recent years. They include more functions, are more versatile and have modern communication standards. However, when it came to more complex applications such as navigation or ambitious training control, a large gap opened up to the solutions from specialists such as Garmin, Wahoo, Sigma, Bryton, Hammerhead and Co. Giant is now making sure that this gap becomes significantly smaller and, in some respects, even disappears completely.
The bicycle superpower from Taiwan is presenting two new bike computers: the Giant Dash L200 and the Giant Dash M200. Without anticipating too much, it should be said that, apart from the size of their housings, the two hardly differ from each other. The L200 is slightly larger than the M200.
1. How did the collaboration with Stages Cycling come about?
2. What are the distinctive features of the screens?
3. What buttons are there and what are they for?
4. How long does the battery of the new computers last?
5. How to pair it with the ebike?
6. What functions result from the other interfaces?
7. How does the navigation work?
8. How can you set up the computers?
9. Are Giant Dash L200 and Giant Dash M200 compatible with my smartphone?
10. What mounts are available?
11. What are the differences between the Giant Dash L200 and Giant Dash M200?
12. Which ebike drives are the bike computers compatible with?
1. How did the collaboration with Stages Cycling come about?
What is more remarkable is who Giant cooperated with in the development of the computers. Namely, it is Stages Cycling. The company from Boulder in the US state of Colorado has been offering two very powerful bike computers for a long time, the Dash L50 and M50. In comparison with devices from the market leaders Garmin and Wahoo, they performed very well. However, the hardware and software required an update. And this is what Stages Cycling has tackled together with Giant. According to Giant, this was a real co-development between the two companies. In any case, with the result that both Stages Cycling and Giant are now each presenting two brand new bike computers that only differ in terms of name.
For Giant, this cooperation means a small quantum leap. The two new developments go far beyond what was possible with previous displays like the RideDash Evo, RideDash Plus or RideControl Evo. Both L200 and M200 offer a larger display with more colours in better resolution, a display of maps on par with navigation devices and numerous training functions. At the end of the article you will find out why people with other ebikes can also be happy about the new models.
2. What are the distinctive features of the screens?
The “Everbrite” screen makes it easy to see information, even if you are not looking directly at the display. The built-in ambient light sensor ensures that the display adapts to the light conditions. The display increases or decreases the backlighting depending on the situation, which also saves battery power. At 2.7 inches for the L200 and 2.2 inches for the M200, the displays are not excessively large. Some of you might be annoyed by how much of the edge towards the casing remains unused. This shortcoming should be familiar to those who are on the road with a device from Wahoo. Garmin traditionally uses the available space more skilfully. Both displays have a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels.
3. What buttons are there and what are they for?
You can control the display using a total of five buttons. Four of them are located directly below the screen. Number five is located on the narrow side of the case. This is where you switch the computer on and off or start and stop a recording. According to Giant and Stages Cycling, they have worked more intensively on the four larger buttons. Compared to the predecessors Dash M50 and Dash L50, other buttons have been installed. They are recessed deeper and have a slightly softer tactile feel.
Pressing the leftmost button takes you back to the previous menu and starts a lap recording while riding. The next button navigates forwards through pages or upwards within menus. The third button is the selection button, which you use to select items on the screen. If you press it briefly while riding, you will get to the ride menu. If you hold it down longer, the menu with the shortcuts appears. The rightmost button is again used to navigate, this time backwards through pages or downwards within menus.
4. How long does the battery of the new computers last?
Thanks to the IP57 protection degree, dust and water do not damage the display. Accordingly, it should perform reliably. In energy-saving mode it even lasts up to 18 hours. Giant even promises twelve hours for the L200 with the slightly larger internal battery if you use all functions and set the screen brightness to maximum. With the M200, you can expect ten hours of continuous use in this case. A micro-USB port on the bottom edge, protected by a rubber cap, is used for charging. Also integrated into the displays are a thermometer and barometer for displaying the temperature and correctly determining the altitude metres.
Of course, there are still many functions slumbering inside the computers. In total, we are talking about 65 individual functions. All of them can be selected via the respective menus. You can decide for yourself what you want to see and what can be left hidden.
5. How to pair it with the ebike?
The bike computers are connected to the e-bike via the Ant+ interface. Not a single cable has to be connected to the motor or any other component. Everything works completely wirelessly. Once connected, you can also select the desired assistance level via the devices and see the charge status of the battery. Essentially, all you need is a control unit on the bike to activate the drive. Everything else can be done by the Giant Dash L200 and the Giant Dash M200.
During the connection with the ebike, the bike computer recognises any sensors that may be installed, automatically generates an ebike dashboard and adds this as a new page in the activity profile. The page is structured as follows: In the middle, a graphic similar to a car speedometer shows you the current speed. Below that are the figures for the total distance and the distance you have left in the current support mode with the current battery charge. At the bottom, a graph shows the course of your speed with the respective support levels in colour. Above the speedometer, two coloured semi-circular bars indicate in which support level you are currently riding and how many percent of the battery charge has already been used.
6. What functions result from the other interfaces?
In addition to the Ant+ standard, there are two other interfaces, WiFi and Bluetooth. Based on this variety, smart exercise bikes, power meters, safety systems such as the Varia Radar from Garmin and smart bike lights can be connected to the computers. This means that you can view various data on the degree of physical exertion and your own performance live at any time while riding and also analyse it afterwards. It will also be possible to download training plans, install a Dash L200 or M200 on an exercise bike and then do a workout on it.
7. How does the navigation work?
Whereas most of you surely prefer cycling outdoors. They will probably be pleased to hear that navigation in particular is one of the strengths of Giant’s new computers. In addition to the GPS system, other satellite systems such as QZSS, SBAS, WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS and GAGAN can be used to determine positions. Suitable map material can be downloaded via Open Street Map. A total of 16 gigabytes of memory is available for this purpose. Nothing should be pre-installed as standard. You can choose between .FIT, .GXP and .TCX format for the files.
On the maps themselves, roads, cycle paths, trails and so on are each marked with their own colour. Accordingly, you can see both where you are going and what kind of conditions you can expect on the route. Special symbols point out places such as bicycle shops, cafés and – sometimes most important – toilets. Navigation follows the now common turn-by-turn principle. This means that the map realigns itself after each turn, so that the directions shown on the screen always correspond to the live situation.
8. How can you set up the computers?
As you can see, the new Giant Dash L200 and M200 can do a lot. The configuration is how you determine how much of their skills they are actually allowed to perform. The easiest way to set up the devices is via a QR code that appears on the screen after a few steps. If you have previously downloaded the Stages Cycling app onto your smartphone, you can scan the code with your phone and the computers will then configure themselves almost automatically. Alternatively, of course, you can do it manually.
Nevertheless, using the app is worth considering. After all, in future you can update the firmware in this way without having to take care of it. Another advantage is the customisation of the dashboards, which you can design quite freely with the help of the app. A maximum of twelve data fields per screen is allowed on the L200, ten on the M200. You can also create completely new screens. Updating the firmware and customising the screens can also be done directly on the device. However, this seems much more convenient with the help of the app.
9. Are Giant Dash L200 and Giant Dash M200 compatible with my smartphone?
Speaking of apps, the computers are compatible with the ios and Android operating systems. In practice, you can therefore also be informed about incoming messages and calls on them. After each tour, the Stages Cycling app automatically displays the corresponding ride data. If you prefer to work with platforms such as komoot, Strava, TrainingPeaks and others, you can do so just as smoothly with the computers.
10. What mounts are available?
The rest of the handling is quite pleasant. To attach the computer, place it on a holder, turn it 90 degrees and it locks into place. It can be mounted portrait and landscape. Giant currently offers a total of six different mounts for installation. These are made of plastic, carbon and aluminium. The most universal are the Dash M Computer Mount, the Dash L Computer Mount and the Over-the-bar Computer Mount. All three are attached to the handlebar. At least as long as the handlebar has a diameter of 31.8 millimetres. The latter can also have a diameter of 35 millimetres. The other three mounts are only compatible with special stems or handlebars from Giant.
Mounts for Giant Dash L200 and Giant Dash M200
- Dash M Computer Mount
- Dash L Computer Mount
- Over-the-bar Computer Mount
- Universal Stem Computer Mount
- Propel Stem Computer Mount
- Contact SLR Integrated Handlebar Computer Mount
11. What are the differences between the Giant Dash L200 and Giant Dash M200?
Everything mentioned above basically applies to both bike computers. The most important differences are listed here:
Technical specifications of the Giant Dash L200
- Dimensions: 94 mm x 60 mm x 22 mm
- Screen size: 2.7 inches
- Weight: 105 grams
- Battery: 2,300 mAh
- Running time in energy-saving mode: max. 18 hours
- Running time at full load: max. 12 hours
- Charging time: approx. 3.5 hours
- Mount: Dash L
Technical specifications of the Giant Dash M200
- Dimensions: 81 mm x 51 mm x 22 mm
- Screen size: 2.2 inches
- Weight: 77 grams
- Battery: 1,600 mAh
- Running time in energy-saving mode: max. 18 hours
- Running time at full load: max. 10 hours
- Charging time: approx. 2.5 hours
- Mount: Dash M
12. Which ebike drives are the bike computers compatible with?
At first glance, it seems kind of surprising that the newcomers are not only interesting for people with a Giant ebike. In fact, pairing the devices works with all ebike systems that have an ANT+ interface and support the LEV (Light Electric Vehicle) ANT profile. In addition to Giant, this also applies to drives from Fazua, Mahle, Brose, the EP8 from Shimano and of course Yamaha, who are behind the majority of Giant’s SyncDrive motors. This degree of flexibility goes back to the cooperation with Stages Cycling. Their products have always been designed to be compatible with as many manufacturers as possible. This does not change with the current update. Giant has adopted this approach 1:1.
One prominent name is missing from the list just compiled. Bosch also uses Ant+, but does not transmit via the LEV profile. The manufacturer presumably wants to keep its system rather closed in this respect. This means you will still be tied to Bosch computers if you ride a Bosch-powered bike.
Pictures: Giant Deutschland GmbH; Stages Cycling
