Show HN: Open-Source eInk Bike Computer

#1

Post by stingrae » Fri, Sep 04, 2026, 5:18 PM UTC

Hey all, i just launched my Eink Bike computer project and think it is cool.

Another tidbit, in the crazy things that AI has done... It has helped create a ANT (common sensor wireless protocol used in workout/biking) implementation for ESP32 by messing around with undocumented registers: https://github.com/RaemondBW/esp32-ant

Show HN: Open-Source eInk Bike Computer
opentrailpaper.com

Re: Show HN: Open-Source eInk Bike Computer

#2

Post by arpanghoshal07 » Fri, Sep 04, 2026, 5:50 PM UTC

great!

Re: Show HN: Open-Source eInk Bike Computer

#3

Post by evrimoztamur » Fri, Sep 04, 2026, 5:52 PM UTC

I can't imagine using this in the Netherlands with random rain. The tradeoffs are hard to accept, wondering how it looks and performs in various weather conditions, and if a physical buttoned shell is worth it...

Re: Show HN: Open-Source eInk Bike Computer

#4

Post by kccqzy » Fri, Sep 04, 2026, 5:52 PM UTC

Wow. You managed to receive ANT+ via BLE hardware?! I didn't know these two protocols were so similar.

Re: Show HN: Open-Source eInk Bike Computer

#5

Post by dinan » Fri, Sep 04, 2026, 5:55 PM UTC

Does this work well in direct sunlight? I know a lot of e-paper panels struggle to refresh in strong sunlight. The waveshare panels look very faded if they update while exposed to UV.

Re: Show HN: Open-Source eInk Bike Computer

#6

Post by tuchsen » Fri, Sep 04, 2026, 5:58 PM UTC

Hey this looks neat, I’ve been thinking on trying something similar. I’ve not encountered the ANT protocol, what bike ya using? Is it a higher level thing that your display is giving you, or something your controller uses? I know Bafang uses CAN protocols in their newer e-bike systems and a lot of manufacturers (especially Chinese) use a proprietary UART protocol to stitch things together on the cheaper end.

The mess of different implementations makes it really hard to hack on and share this kinda stuff.

AI does make it really easy to figure out these protocols now so that’s nice I guess. I just flipped my bike upside down and hooked up a logic analyzer and it took LLM no time to figure it out… it is really impressive

Re: Show HN: Open-Source eInk Bike Computer

#7

Post by Lucasoato » Fri, Sep 04, 2026, 5:59 PM UTC

Any open source GPS locator for bikes?

Re: Show HN: Open-Source eInk Bike Computer

#8

Post by pilina » Fri, Sep 04, 2026, 6:02 PM UTC

Battery of my Cubot King Kong Mini is slowly dying. I use it with OpenTracks to record my commutes and use as bikecomputer and sometimes Osmand+ for offline navigation. I am searching for alternative, which needs to be waterproof and cheap (my commutes luckily includes downhill trails sometimes - I dont want to break expensive device). The title gave me high hopes, but I suppose I need to keep searching.

Re: Show HN: Open-Source eInk Bike Computer

#9

Post by stingrae » Fri, Sep 04, 2026, 6:04 PM UTC

kccqzy wrote: post #4

Wow. You managed to receive ANT+ via BLE hardware?! I didn't know these two protocols were so similar.

yes. they luckily the same phy, 1 Mbit/s GFSK modulation.

Re: Show HN: Open-Source eInk Bike Computer

#10

Post by dumbmachine » Fri, Sep 04, 2026, 6:04 PM UTC

Wow, this is really cool. I really needed something for my neo retro build, this might just fit the bill.