The Dash bike computers get a reasonably steady stream of updates and that’s great, especially considering that these are already feature-packed full of innovation.
I especially like the RIDE PREVIEW, you would be surprised at how many times I’ve started a workout only to discover that my recent screen changes are wrong or that I’m simply on the wrong profile. Showing a preview before I start gets around these annoyances. Of course, it also increases the likelihood of you forgetting to press GO!. This feature is on Garmin devices and other competing devices but not all by a long shot.
Here are some more details
Current Firmware Release #: v2.5.1
Features:
- Smart Profiles – Smart profiles automatically add new pages to the existing page set based on connected sensors and existing page contents, similar to features in Wahoo.
- Smart Light Connectivity – Pair to ANT+ enabled bike lights to change their mode, power on and off, and view their battery level from the Dash. As we get bikes with ever more electronic sensors attached it becomes increasingly important to quickly and easily check each ones’ battery status and mode of operation – this includes lights, as Stages have enabled, but it would also include the ability to set and change Di2 shifting mode, for example (Hammerhead kinda does this).
- Ride preview – Press the ride start button to preview your ride screen.
- Set your Activity type to assist Stages Link and other training platforms in categorizing your rides.
Improvements:
- Sensor icons updated to fit more icons across the status bar. Icons will now also indicate pairing status:
- Red: Searching
- Green: Paired
- Courses and workouts added to the in-ride menu.
- Time to go at the end of a workout step instead will display a negative value (“-0:02”).
- Calendar courses and workouts sorted by date in menu.
- Trainer sends distance at end of ride.
- Data field borders in night mode changed to grey instead of white.
- Raw barometer readings logged in fit files.
- Ukrainian language added.
- Sensor menu items that contain no data are hidden.
- Firmware filename reflects the version ID for all future releases.
- Improved sensor connectivity during a ride where ANT sensors are paired to the active profile but not present (searching reduces after 5 minutes).
Last Updated on 22 January 2026 by the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. See the gear tfk uses. ID
