When you’re out on the road or even off-road, it’s good to know what your stats can tell you about your performance. A bike computer can help you ramp up your performance by feeding back crucial information.
However, with a huge range in price, you might wonder whether the best ones are always the most expensive. Here’s a look at 10 of the best bike computers available at different price levels.
The Garmin 810 Bike Computer ($400) is the god of all things navigation-related. It’s hardly surprising it’s one of the best bike computers around.
With a fully functional touchscreen for easy use, there’s a full map view and an interactive interface that works well even when the user is wearing gloves. If the smart features weren’t enough, the 810 also has a Bluetooth capability so you can sync it with all of your other devices, allowing you to receive the latest weather forecasts while you ride.
With all the data, you could want, knowledge most certainly is king with this little device.
The oversized screen of the Polar CS500 is deliberately designed to make it easy to retrieve your data on the move.
If you struggle to read tiny figures from other bike computers, you’ll have no problem reading the Polar CS500 Bike Computer ($339). With accurate navigation, you can be sure that you’re getting the information you need, including elevation, refuelling and ascent detail no matter how quickly you’re traveling.
When it comes to your fitness, it also calculates a safe heart rate for you and monitors this during your workout.
If you’ve got an iPhone, you don’t need to buy a separate computer if you opt for the Wahoo Bike Pack ($50) instead.
ANT+ provides the technology that transforms your mobile device into a bike computer. It provides feedback like heart rate, bike speed and power. It can also link up with the Wahoo Fitness App. Additional features include bar-mounting, a waterproof case to protect your iPhone, and a cadence sensor.
With the largest display on the market, the Cateye Padrone Bike Computer ($53) makes is easy for cyclists to see their stats while they’re on the move.
Compatible with a front bracket, there’s a whole wealth of data which is included such as speed, distance and elapsed time. The Cateye Padrone is the perfect entry level bike computer and easy to set up, and can be used by anyone without any difficulty. And with a screen size that is 85% larger and a computer size which is 22% slimmer, you won’t have a bulky piece of equipment balancing on your handlebars.
Timex is one of the biggest brands in the bike computer market along with Garmin. They’ve produced another little gem for just a fraction of the cost of comparable models.
The Timex Cycle Trainer 2.0 ($103) offers five different screens in one with data which includes speed, distance, heart rate, power, and time. If you want to pay a monthly fee, you’ll have access to the Training Peaks community where you can upload your cycling stats and chat to other riders.
The other advantage is that this Timex is compatible with ANT+ sensors, so if there’s one mounted already, the computer will be able to extract data from it.
With a touchscreen display, WiFi auto-uploads, GPS tracking and compatibility with ANT+, the Pioneer SGX-CA500 Bike Computer ($241) is the economy model to the SGX-CA900.
The touchscreen is a black and white screen, measures 1.87 inches in size and is operable via large rubber buttons on the side. With a simple tap, you can enlarge each of the data fields, and you can change the configuration to suit your requirements.
You can receive data from WiFi, ANT+ or the Pioneer Power Meter (optional). Providing you with all the statistics you could ever want.
An easy set-up that’ll allow you to get up and running quickly, the B’Twin GPS SatCount+ ($40) is a budget choice that doesn’t compromise on quality.
You’ll be able to pull lots of data from this bike computer plus the screen display is large and easy to read while on the move. With optional HR straps for extensive biometric data, you can expand this computer to get even more information while you can also download maps and directions and get user-friendly route guidance while you’re on the road. With a backlight and plenty of technical support from makers Decathlon, this is a solid buy.
With eight different groups of data and a combination of buttons and touchscreen, the Bryton Rider 210E ($180) is a high calibre bike computer.
Offering superior performance in wet conditions and with gloves compared to some of its peers, it comes preloaded with an OS map, plus you can upload and download additional data. The battery recharges quickly and lasts so you won’t fall short during a long ride. The 210E provides superior navigation, and the computer continues to work even when taken off road.
Like many of the other models, the BBB DashBoard BCP-16W Bike Computer ($45) is a wireless set up meaning that you don’t need a lot of time to set it up.
A nice budget option, this clever bike computer offers everything that you need. Single button scrolling makes operation easy while there are twelve different types of data recorded. These include Current Speed, Trip Distance, Odometer, Clock, Auto Scan, Auto Start/Stop, Low Battery Indicator, Average/Max Speed, Ride Time, Total Ride Time, and a Speed Pacer.
For a sub-$50 model, the RSP Silicone Case Cycle Computer ($50) has a lot of features that put bike computers that are much more expensive to shame.
With data such as calories burned, CO2 savings and a thermometer, you’ll be bombarded by data on this budget bike computer. Available in a whole host of different silicon colors, you’ll find there lots of different screens to become accustomed to which means it’s not always the easiest display to read. However, with such an array of valuable information, it’s worth persevering with this unusual and informative model.
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