Best bike computer systems: Log your rides and monitor your coaching

The finest bike computer systems are the topic of continuous updates and now present distinctive performance that is additionally user-friendly. They have the inner reminiscence to retailer all of your journey information, plus maps for navigation, and lots of now use multi-band GNSS satellite tv for pc navigation for an ever-more correct repair in your place.

You’re additionally supplied with information and evaluation to assist your coaching and they’re going to switch your information seamlessly to Strava and different biking apps. Even the most effective funds biking computer systems already supply a variety of helpful journey metrics and coaching options, however our comparability of low-cost vs costly bike computer systems will allow you to perceive what you get for spending extra. 

The finest bike computer systems will pair with the most effective sensible trainers, radars, and even some bike lights, in addition to a smartphone for notifications of incoming calls and texts and to alert your contacts to the place you’re and if in case you have an accident.

Here at Cyclingnews, we have used a variety of biking computer systems, so we may give you unbiased recommendation on that are finest. Read on for our picks, or head additional down the web page for our purchaser’s information to how to decide on the most effective bike pc to your personal wants.

Best bike computer systems accessible as we speak

Quick listing: Our prime picks

Best bike computer systems: The full listing

There have been a number of massive launches and upgrades to biking computer systems within the final couple of years, however as at April 2024, once we final reviewed this information, all of the computer systems under had been nonetheless present. 

Lower down, you may discover our choice of the most effective of the remaining. Although a few of these biking computer systems, such because the Edge 1030 Plus, have been outmoded by newer fashions, they’re nonetheless in the stores, usually at a reduction, in April 2024.

The finest bike pc total

The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar’s key function is its solar energy increase from its 3.5 inch color touchscreen – the identical measurement because the non-solar display within the Edge 1030 Plus. 

That offers it a battery lifetime of as much as 45 hours between fees, so it is an amazing device in the event you frequently journey lengthy distances with out the chance to recharge. You can increase that to 180 hours with full energy saving and you need to use the Garmin Charge exterior battery to increase that even additional.

The 1040 Solar (and the non-solar 1040) can do every part that Garmin’s lower-spec computer systems (Edge 1030 Plus and Edge 830) can, and extra. Including GPS monitoring, turn-by-turn navigation and rerouting, computerized Strava uploads, connection to the Garmin Connect IQ app retailer, and far more. 

Among its upgrades from these computer systems is multi-band GPS, which ups the Edge 1040’s monitoring stability and accuracy. You can arrange journey profiles and alter the info displayed by way of your smartphone too, relatively than having to make use of the gadget’s display and there is higher post-ride information visualisation. 

Garmin has additionally enhanced the coaching options, letting you drill down into your information and efficiency metrics, together with an evaluation of your coaching standing and your biking strengths. You additionally get a real-time evaluation of your stamina as you journey and may get an influence output information that can assist you tempo your efforts.

There’s a non-solar possibility too with 35 hours of run time in the event you do not count on to wish the prolonged battery life that the photo voltaic charging gives, or cannot face the value.

Read our evaluate of the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar in the event you fancy heading out into the wilderness for a very long time.

The best bike pc to reside with

Version Two of the Elemnt Roam has the identical form and measurement as its predecessor, however upgrades to USB-C charging and a crisper, extra colour-rish display. It additionally has a dual-band GPS chip (solely the Garmin Edge x40 fashions even have this on the time of writing). 

Our evaluate of the brand new Elemnt Roam confirmed what we already knew; that it’s the best bike pc to reside with. Initial setup is all carried out by way of a smartphone app, and it is actually simple and fast. Once arrange, rides will routinely add to Strava and others, and routes or exercises may even sync instantly from a lot of the frequent route-building web sites. 

That setup is similar because the Elemnt Bolt, however the bigger display, bigger reminiscence, extra display colors and larger battery life imply the Roam is simply that little bit extra user-friendly day-to-day. 

Regarding the battery, Wahoo claims it lasts 17 hours, and our testing suggests that is appropriate. That is not so long as among the dearer Garmin gadgets, but it surely’s nonetheless among the many finest available on the market, virtually doubling the Hammerhead Karoo’s efficiency.

The Wahoo Elemnt Roam v2 launched in September 2022. Wahoo is not technically calling it ‘v2’, and given many retailers nonetheless have inventory of the older ‘v1’, there could also be some confusion as to which you are taking a look at when shopping for. If you are not sure, verify for mentions of ‘dual-band GPS’ or ’64-colour show’ within the product description. Also search for convex buttons, relatively than the V1’s recessed ones. If they’re there, you are taking a look at v2. 

Read our evaluate of the Elemnt Roam v2 for extra particulars.

Best funds biking pc

In our expertise, Bryton bike computer systems include a little bit of a studying curve and aren’t probably the most user-friendly items available on the market, however when you’re used to their quirks, they provide critical bang to your buck.

With a companion app, you’ll be able to create a route and sync it to your unit for breadcrumb-style routing. There’s assist for ANT+ and Bluetooth sensors, 77 features and 35 hours of battery life (claimed, however achieved in our testing).

The Rider 420 additionally permits for exercises to be exported from TrainingPeaks immediately by the gadget, auto-sync to third-party coaching software program, and permits for the screens and information fields to be arrange by the companion smartphone app.

If you observe routes usually, the Rider 420 won’t be the most effective for you, however in the event you’re after plenty of features at a small worth, look no additional. 

Read extra in our full evaluate of the Bryton Rider 420.

Huge function listing at an amazing worth

The newest Garmin Edge 540 and 840 computer systems get trickle-down of Garmin’s newest tech from the range-topping Edge 1040. Their format is far more compact although, and whereas the Edge 840 will get a touchscreen, the 540 is button-only. Both the Edge 540 and 840 have the choice to spec photo voltaic charging to extend battery life.

As with the Edge 1040, there’s multi-band GNSS for better positional accuracy beneath tree cowl and USB-C charging. Battery life with out solar energy is now a claimed 26 hours, which Garmin says is elevated to 32 hours with photo voltaic. 

Other performance inherited from the Edge 1040 contains coaching recommendation, on-the-fly climb profiles and an non-compulsory energy information for a route so you’ll be able to tempo your effort. With solely buttons to make use of, it’s kind of extra fiddly to search out options than with Garmin’s touchscreen gadgets and the smaller display can really feel crowded although.

We nonetheless reckon that the Edge 540 is a good bundle that provides excellent performance at a way more affordable worth than the Edge 1040.

You can learn extra about our expertise with Garmin’s compact biking pc in our Garmin Edge 540 evaluate.

The finest biking pc for aggressive cyclists

The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt is much like the Roam, however with a smaller, aerodynamic physique, a barely shorter 15-hour battery and half the reminiscence capability at 16gb. 

Setup and most changes are carried out by way of a companion app, which is a streamlined and intuitive course of which means the general ease of use is unrivalled by different manufacturers. It works flawlessly, but it surely’s value noting that getting your cellphone out mid-ride to alter information fields is laborious in comparison with the press-hold-change that you just get with Hammerhead and Garmin. 

We discovered that the gadget’s 16gb of inside reminiscence was greater than sufficient house for preloaded maps – this author has the entire of the UK, Spain and Belgium at present downloaded, filling lower than 10% of the accessible house. Using these maps, the Bolt gives real-time on-device navigation and rerouting, which show helpful within the case of a mistaken flip. 

Connectivity to the Wahoo app and third-party navigation instruments like Strava, Komoot and ExperienceWithGPS is seamless, and with its 64-colour show, the Bolt’s maps are clear. However, the two.2in display is a bit too small for me, making mapping and not using a preloaded route notably tough. 

The Elemnt Bolt options just about each coaching metric you are prone to want, together with assist for each ANT+ and Bluetooth, in addition to WiFi. It will seamlessly sync your chosen third-party apps when it will get a WiFi sign, so downloading routes/exercises and importing rides is computerized. 

Our evaluate of the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt will fill you in on all the additional data you might want earlier than committing to the system.

The finest biking pc for navigation

The Hammerhead Karoo boasts by far the most effective touchscreen accessible to biking computer systems proper now, making it extra like a smartphone than every other gadget. It has a high-definition 3.2-inch scratch-resistant display that is correct and responsive, however the gadget can be navigated completely with buttons, which is helpful within the rain. 

The show is shiny, clear and straightforward to view, regardless of the gadget being 40% smaller than the unique mannequin. It’s additionally 33% lighter, tipping the scales at simply 125g. 

In our assessments, we have managed a mean of round 10 hours between fees, so battery life is not fairly nearly as good as among the competitors, but it surely’s nonetheless greater than sufficient for many rides. The unit is mounted with the model’s personal system: a ‘linear lock’ that ensures it stays planted and balanced whereas in use, though a Garmin quarter-turn mount adaptor is included too.

There’s no companion app, however the set-up is accomplished by way of a webpage that may be accessed on cell (I saved the webpage as a shortcut on my smartphone and it really works the identical). Like all the finest bike computer systems, the menu construction takes some time to get used to, however when you’re conversant in the menu structure, it is simple and intuitive to navigate. 

Find out how the Hammerhead Karoo earned its spot on our listing.

Best for learners

For its measurement, the Edge 130 Plus is brimming with options. The addition of the accelerometer, ClimbPro, and structured coaching is a marked enchancment over the unique (non ‘Plus’) Edge 130. It has all of the connectivity you’d count on from a contemporary biking pc and it will get you began within the Garmin ecosystem for much less cash. That means Garmin Connect entry and with it the coaching options that come included. It additionally means you need to use it with the Garmin Varia rear mild and radar system to up your security ranges.

When it involves navigation, it does lack some options of higher-priced fashions. Unlike the upper spec Garmin Edge computer systems, the 130 Plus would not have a real understanding of the world round it. You can create a route, sync it to the unit and it’ll then allow you to observe them, however in the event you get off observe or have to make a change, you may should determine that out by yourself to get again on observe.

Still, the Edge 130 Plus does supply a number of distinctive options at this worth level. Things like VO2 Max estimations, a restoration calculator, and mountain bike dynamic metrics. It may be very small in your bars however does a very good job with easy navigation and after-the-ride information evaluation. 

Read our evaluate of the Garmin Edge 130 Plus for extra particulars.

Best battery life

The Mega XL launched again in 2018, however regardless of its age, we nonetheless have not discovered a biking pc that provides this a lot performance for the cash.

Using a non-touch monochrome display, the Mega XL boasts a battery lifetime of 48 hours, which we had been in a position to confirm in testing, solely needing to cost it as soon as in a three-month take a look at interval. It helps ANT+ sensors together with energy meters and may retailer as much as 800 hours of journey information. The companion app handles the connection to apps and routinely pushes journey information to Strava, Training Peaks or Today’s Plan.

It’s value highlighting that the design and performance are slightly dated. Its display is monochrome, for instance, and the info switch for maps and exercises might be fairly gradual, however that is a small worth to pay given the value distinction in comparison with among the competitors. 

It also can allow you to chase Strava KOM / QOMs with Live Segments, let who’s calling you throughout your journey with on-screen notifications, and gives digital drivetrain integration by ANT+.

The Mega XL does supply turn-by-turn breadcrumb navigation and even in-activity re-routing, but it surely would not include pre-installed base maps, so you may want to make use of the Lezyne desktop app or cellphone to obtain ‘offline maps’.

Read our in-depth evaluate of the Lezyne Mega XL.

Often discounted

The 1030 Plus could have been outmoded by the same format Edge 1040, but it surely’s nonetheless in the stores and with a considerable low cost.

It’s massive in each measurement and specification. It has exterior dimensions of 4.5in tall, 2.3in large, and 0.8in thick, and its 3.5in the show is each giant and clear, making the on-device maps and information fields very easy to see. 

Features-wise, the Garmin 1030 Plus has every part you’d count on from a top-end biking pc: navigation, coaching information, connectivity to exterior sensors and apps, entry to the Connect IQ app retailer and far more. It can show as many metrics as you are ever prone to want. It helps each ANT+ and Bluetooth to hook up with sensors, smartphones and Garmin’s smartwatches, in addition to WiFi for fast uploads to third-party apps like Strava.

In our testing, we had been extremely impressed with the battery life. We truly managed to get slightly greater than Garmin’s claimed 24 hours with out resorting to switching off the display or unpairing sensors, so whereas it isn’t fairly as long-lasting because the 1040 Solar above, it is nonetheless wonderful and quite a bit cheaper. 

We additionally discovered that the setup, connectivity and syncing with apps had been flawless, which means that the software program bugs that beforehand plagued Garmin gadgets have lastly been ironed out. 

Our Garmin Edge 1030 Plus evaluate covers issues in much more element in the event you’re curious.

The Garmin Edge 830 is one other member of the Garmin Edge x30 vary that is been eclipsed by a more recent unit – in its case the Edge 840 – however continues to be in the stores.

It gives touchscreen operation and the identical plethora of coaching metrics and mapping options because the Edge 1030 Plus, however in a smaller, cheaper bundle that can attraction to many. 

The smaller measurement means a smaller 2.6-inch show, which in our expertise continues to be sufficient for on a regular basis use and a smaller battery which we discovered to final round 18 hours between fees. Of course, the smaller measurement additionally means a 42g discount in weight and, maybe probably the most interesting distinction, a lower cost.  

The Edge 830 has entry to GPS, Glonass and Galileo satellite tv for pc networks, in addition to an enormous vary of inbuilt metrics, so it could observe every part out of your velocity, time and distance to the extra area of interest information like MTB’s Flow and climbing VAM. That’s earlier than you add additional sensors like energy meters, coronary heart price screens and blood glucose sensors. 

Like different Garmin gadgets, it makes use of the Garmin Connect app for connection to smartphones and third-party apps. It additionally means there’s a complete Garmin eco-system for it to fit into, so you’ll be able to simply hyperlink it along with your Garmin smartwatch, Varia radar, lights and extra, but it surely additionally performs properly with different manufacturers’ sensors too. 

Want to know extra? Read our in-depth evaluate of the Garmin Edge 830.

If you are offered on Garmin biking computer systems however want the tactile really feel of button pushes, the 530 is  nonetheless in the stores, though the Edge 540 is Garmin’s present mid-format button-operated unit. 

At full worth, it is priced equally to the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, which has a barely smaller however increased decision display, however whereas the Bolt depends on the companion app for all of its changes and setup, virtually all settings should be accessed on the Edge 530 gadget itself. Like the Bolt, the shortage of a touchscreen does make for labour-intensive map looking, however a barely bigger display does imply it is slightly simpler to search out the place you are going while driving. 

With each Garmin Cycle Maps and Trailforks pre-installed on the Edge 530, whether or not on the highway or path, it could allow you to discover your manner. The Edge 530 additionally will get entry to the Garmin Connect IQ retailer, which means you’ll be able to add apps like Komoot, obtain information fields, and pull exercises from TrainerRoad or Training Peaks.

Read extra in our in-depth evaluate of the Garmin Edge 530.

How to decide on the most effective bike pc to your wants

If you’re contemplating treating your self to a brand new bike pc there are two details to contemplate: Firstly, how a lot do you wish to spend and secondly, do you suppose it would be best to use your pc to do a variety of navigating? 

Of course, your selection will likely be dictated by your funds. If you needn’t use many map features in your pc, you’ll be able to probably save your self some cash and purchase a unit that focuses extra on delivering key information akin to journey time, velocity, distance, averages and so forth while additionally having the potential to pair to issues like HR screens and energy meters. If you wish to do a variety of navigating and route following in your pc you might want one thing with a bigger reminiscence for extra maps and extra inbuilt GPS and navigational aids in addition to the power to hyperlink with third-party route planning apps.

The apparent one that the majority of us already personal is a smartphone, and with the assistance of a QuadLock mount, you’ll be able to sometimes mount your cellphone to your handlebars safely, and a large number of apps will observe your journey. Just guarantee that your cellphone is waterproof. Also, in the event you crash, it could possibly be a pricey restore as telephones are sometimes dearer than the most effective bike computer systems.

A smartwatch is the opposite resolution. Most fashionable watches supply the power to hook up with all the identical sensors as a pc, however as an alternative of mounting it to your bars, you put on it in your wrist. This is a favoured possibility by triathletes, because it additionally tracks run and swim metrics and is one much less factor to consider in transition, however might additionally supply an answer to cyclists who need slightly extra worth for his or her funding. While a pc is put away between rides, a smartwatch can proceed for use off the bike too.