When choosing the bike computer that best suits your needs, there are many factors to consider. For example, are you an amateur cyclist or a professional? Is your patience infinite, or are you always in a hurry?
Are you an electronic gadget enthusiast who loves adding another device to your arsenal, or can the data you seek to be viewed on your standard device or via an app? What information do you want to see on your bike computer? What’s your budget?
Table of Contents
Why buy a Bike Computer?
The main reason that drives a cyclist to buy a bike computer is recording data relating to their ride. In addition, some people love to track their speed and distance traveled, simply out of curiosity, as a motivation.
If, on the other hand, you want to improve your cycling performance seriously, then reading the data provided by the cycle computer assures you that you are following the training correctly and at the right intensity at the right time, to improve your performance.
The GPS cycle computers paired with the mobile phone allow you to interact with social apps to analyze, compare and share your rides with friends and other users. As you can see, the reasons for buying a cycle computer can be many and varied, and everyone who loves cycling should own one.
Types of Bike Computers
Base
No GPS or data transfer. Odometers for bikes in the basic category record the distance traveled, speed, and time. The data are obtained thanks to a speed sensor connected to the front fork, which records the wheel’s rotations, thanks to a magnet connected to one of the front wheel’s spokes.
Once the computer knows the wheel’s circumference, it can generate information on the speed, and distance traveled based on the cadence. Generally, cheaper bike computers use a wired sensor, while the more advanced ones are wireless.
These do not allow you to transfer your data to a computer; most do not store them in internal memory. In general, they work no more, no less, like a normal car odometer. The most common power source for these bike computers is CR2032 batteries.
Standard
GPS and ANT+. The best bike computers have these characteristics and those already mentioned for the basic models. Products with the ANT function can receive cadence, heart rate, speed, and power from the sensors.
Also, they track your position thanks to the built-in GPS, allowing you to view your bike on the map once transferred to the app and compare times with other cyclists using social apps. You can, for example, see how long it took you to climb and the times of other cyclists who shared the same information.
Furthermore, GPS can also receive directions, as in a normal car navigator, and show your position on the map. These devices are instruments with compact dimensions but are very powerful. They can be customized and used with any combination of sensors. Their cost will also be higher.
Bluetooth
In addition to GPS and ANT+, many bike computers have Bluetooth functions. This allows the device to communicate with your smartphone using the various applications available on Android and iOS.
The smartphone’s connection enables functions such as Live Track to share your race data with all the other participants live and to identify, always live, your position, speed, and other data.
The files of the race, thanks to Bluetooth, can be instantly shared with the Companion App for analysis or to show everyone your performance. Unfortunately, the more functions we ask to integrate into the bike computer, the price increases.
To choose what best suits your needs, you must skim the functions to understand which ones you can give up and which you consider indispensable.
Choose a Bike Speedometer
ANT+
to be there or not to be there, that’s the problem. Of course, this isn’t the only one, but we had to start somewhere! The first thing to consider is whether you want an ANT+ device. If you plan to use the device to track your data via the social app or work with a coach, you must choose to buy an ANT+ device or at least one with built-in Bluetooth.
All bike computers available on the market with these characteristics can transfer data via cable, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. On the contrary, all those who do not have the ANT function generally cannot save, much less transfer the individual runs’ data.
You can purchase additional ANT+ sensors later as your needs evolve and increase. So having the ability to do so is one thing. Not having it at all is another. If your budget allows, we always recommend purchasing an ANT+ enabled device.
GPS Yes, GPS No
Having a GPS cycle computer also means having the ability to monitor your ride with greater accuracy. It is established that this type of device is much more accurate than those that do not have an integrated GPS.
Thanks to a bike computer with integrated GPS, you can monitor your position, receive data and directions in real-time, and much other helpful information. Of course, no one says a GPS is essential. But, if it falls within our budget, it is always better to have it.
Map or No map?
Carrying a map would be much better if you love to ride a bike and explore rural areas rather than staying on the roads everyone travels.
In ” antiquity ” (a few years ago), these cyclists were forced to carry real maps with them, and identifying the position on them was certainly not child’s play. Today, with a bike computer with built-in maps and GPS, you can easily pinpoint your location, and if you get lost, finding your way home will no longer be a problem.
[divider style="solid" top="10" bottom="10"]The Accessories
In addition to deciding which functions and features your next bike computer should or should not have, you need to look at the main accessories, allowing you to clip the device to the bike or monitor your physical activity. So let’s start with those for:
Assembly
All bike computers have an assembly kit. Most of these systems allow you to connect the computer to the handlebar and the bike frame. Our preferred mounting method is the front one on the handlebar. It is easier to cast your eye on the display without taking your attention off the road in this position.
Heart rate monitoring sensor
You can’t do without a heart rate sensor if you ride a bike to improve your performance and endurance. Thanks to it, you will be able to optimize your training times. In addition, working in targeted heart rate zones generates specific physiological adaptations.
The ANT+ and Bluetooth heart-rate monitor straps allow you to monitor your heartbeats during training constantly. The range of options available is wide and varied.
Speed and cadence sensors
Speed sensors provide much more precise information and tend to be more sensitive in acceleration and braking than computers that monitor this data via GPS. Cadence measures the number of revolutions of the wheel per minute. The cadence data is an excellent training tool and can maintain a constant effort by the athlete.
Power meters
Power meters are indispensable for monitoring efforts, both short and long-term. A power meter measures the exact power a cyclist emits in the form of watts. This figure is a better indicator of effort than heart rate or speed, as it is not influenced by external factors such as wind or cyclist fatigue.
A user can have very different heart rate indications at the same power daily due to fatigue. Explaining this question is beyond our intentions because pages and pages of entire books have been written on the subject.
Top 10 Best Bike Computers
Below you will find the most interesting offers on the market, carefully analyzed to help you find the right bike computers.
Product prices and availability are subject to change. Therefore, any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to purchasing any products.