Cycle computers are a key component in any cyclist’s arsenal of equipment. Whether you’re looking to gauge how far you’ve ridden, track fitness gains, or compare your performance to millions around the world on sites such as Strava, you need to invest in a bike computer.
Just like your bike itself, however, there’s a computer for every budget. Basic units cost little more than you might spend on a mid-ride lunch stop at your favourite country pub, while the most advanced will easily set you back the cost of a Michelin-starred meal for two.
Deciding which is the right option for you is about more than just your budget, though. It helps to know what you need and what you don’t, the features and technologies on offer, and the cycle computers out there that meet those needs and give you the most bang for your buck – however much you have to spend.
Here we’ll take you through the main features to look for when shopping for a new cycling computer, then we’ll run through a selection of the best options out there for budget, mid-range and high-end cycling computers, and explain what each of them offers.
How to buy the best bike computer for you
How does a bike computer measure speed and distance?
The most basic bike computers on the market use a magnet attached to a spoke on your wheel and a sensor fixed to your fork. Based on the frequency of wheel rotation and the diameter of your wheel, it can then work out basic information such as your current speed, maximum speed, recorded time, distance covered and average speed – normally for both a single ride and overall. As long as you enter the circumference of your wheel (and tyre) correctly, this can give very accurate results.
More expensive models add satellite tracking into the mix, so use satellites to locate your position and calculate your speed and distance covered. This is the ideal, hassle-free option for most types of riding, and allows you to upload your rides to fitness tracking apps such as Strava. It can be less reliable where there’s a lot of tree cover or tall buildings about, though, as it will struggle to maintain an accurate GPS lock on the satellites overhead. This is why pricier models tend to support both GPS and GLONASS satellite networks, so have more satellites with which to accurately pinpoint your location.
Are there any other features to think about?
Even mid-range bike computers these days typically do without wires altogether and instead use wireless connectivity – typically using either the Bluetooth or ANT+ standards. This opens up mapping and GPS navigation features - you can upload pre-planned routes, for instance - and allows the computer to connect with your smartphone, computer and other devices.
Cycle computers with ANT+ and Bluetooth also open the door to third-party sensors which allow you to record other metrics such as power (how many watts you're putting out), heart rate and cadence (the number of revolutions your crank makes per minute).
- Cadence is measured with a magnet/sensor combo attached to the pedal crank and chainstay, but heart rate and power both require dedicated sensors. This is a useful metric to help ensure that you’re pedalling as efficiently and smoothly as possible.
- Heart rate monitors come in watch-style or chest-strap types. Chest-strap types are generally more accurate, however, and are much less likely to lose signal when the going gets rough, or fast. These start around £20.
- Power meters are much, much more expensive. These start around £300 and work their up to and over the £1,000 mark. These measure how much power you’re putting out, and come in various forms – cranks, pedals, or hubs. Each has their own benefits which we won’t get into here, but suffice to say most of us just don’t need one – heart rate is a good enough indicator of effort levels for non-pros.
Do I need a wireless bike computer?
For basic duties, no. Wired bike computers are generally cheap, tough, and have better battery life than models which rely on wireless communication. If you just want an idea of how far you’ve ridden, and how quickly, you don’t need to spend much - well, as long as you don't want the GPS tracking required for properly uploading rides to Strava.
One point worth mentioning here is that if you’re looking to use your bike on an indoor turbo trainer, the magnet and sensor on your stationary front wheel will be useless. You’ll either need to rely on the speed sensor in your turbo trainer, or attach the sensor and magnet to the rear wheel – which, while possible with a wired model, will be very fiddly.
The best cheap bike computers
Cateye Velo Wireless: The best bike computer under £50
Price:£35 | Buy now from Amazon for £22.02
Cateye has been making bike computers for longer than most, and in the Velo wireless it provides all the features you need on an entry-level wireless computer in a package that’s easy to set up and use.
The Velo uses a simple, slick-looking magnet that fits easily on rounded or bladed spokes, and a small radar signal pops up on screen to show when the magnet is being read by the sensor.
Given its budget price, bells and whistles are understandably thin on the ground, but if you want a bike computer that does the basics flawlessly and is good to go practically straight out of the box, look no further.
Key specs – Touchscreen: No; Turn-by-turn navigation: No; Claimed battery life: approx 1 year (1hr use per day); Size: 37 x 16.5 x 55.5mm; Weight: 26.4g
Lezyne Mini Cycle GPS With Mapping: The best GPS bike computer under £100
Price:£95 | Buy now from Amazon for £75.99
This diminutive offering from Lezyne isn’t named ‘Mini’ for nothing. It’s less than 5cm tall and weighs just 29g, but has a huge list of features for the asking price. GPS connectivity is top of the list, though in an ‘optimised’ form, and it can talk to Bluetooth Smart-enabled power meters and the like, and with smartphones using the companion Lezyne Ally app.
This provides turn-by-turn navigations, Strava Live segment support and phone notifications on the device, and while Lezyne’s claims of it being able to display four lines on data simultaneously on such a small screen are a bit of a stretch, it’s nonetheless a feature-packed device in an impressively small package.
Key specs – Screen size: 22mm x 26mm; Touchscreen: No; Turn-by-turn navigation: Yes (via app); Claimed battery life: 12 hours; Size: 33.7 x 23 x 47.9mm; Weight: 29g
Best mid-range cycle computers
Garmin Edge 520: The best GPS-equipped all-rounder
Price:£240 |
The Garmin Edge 520 weighs in at a reasonably trim 60g, but packs in plenty of tech for its size. It’s operated using seven buttons on its edge and front, and while it doesn’t offer touchscreen navigation, the full colour display is clear and easy to follow.
There’s support for Strava Live segments built in, so you can track your efforts over your favourite routes as you ride them, while support for third-party maps means you can use free online services such as OpenStreet Maps for enhanced navigation options.
It’s also superbly customisable, tracking a long list of training-focused data fields such as FTP and VO2 Max. And with Bluetooth support, it can pair with your smartphone to upload wirelessly to the likes of Strava and Garmin Connect, and even notify you of incoming texts and calls.
Key specs – Screen size: 35 x 47mm; Touchscreen: Yes; Turn-by-turn navigation: No; Claimed battery life: 15 hours; Size: 49 x 21 x 73mm; Weight: 60g
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt: The best bike computer under £200
Price:£199 | Buy now from Wiggle
The Elemnt Bolt is billed as an ‘aero GPS’, even coming with an integrated out-front to keep things looking slick. It’s impressively compact, and the simple black and white screen is designed to deliver maximum information in a minimal space.
The Bolt can sync to Strava and provide live segment updates, and can also access saved routes from your account, and the interface is simple and easy to use while out on the road.
That’s because most of the advanced setup and data customisation is done using the companion Elemnt App on your smartphone, which keeps things simple on the device itself but limits your options to change things around mid-ride.
One neat extra is the bank of LEDs along the top of the unit, which can be programmed to give you a visual reference of specific information as you ride, such as pedalling speed. The unit can also give you notifications of incoming texts and calls.
Key specs – Screen size: 2.2in; Touchscreen: No; Turn-by-turn navigation: Yes; Claimed battery life: 15 hours; Size: 45.7 x 22.1 x 73.7mm; Weight: 63g
Best high-end cycle computers
Garmin Edge 1030: The best premium GPS bike computer
Price:£499 | Buy now from Wiggle
If money is (just about) no object, you’ll find it hard to top the Garmin Edge 1030. Resembling a cross between a smartphone and a car satnav, the Edge 1030 puts a near-endless array of features at your fingertips, beautifully rendered on its 3.5-inch colour touchscreen.
It taps into Garmin Connect data to recommend popular routes, provides turn-by-turn navigation complete with navigation alerts and info on points of interest, and even lets you chat to others in your group with rider-to-rider messaging.
Rides can be uploading automatically to Garmin Connect, and apps, widgets and updates downloaded via Wi-Fi, and plenty more besides.
Impressively given everything the Edge 1030 offers, Garmin claims a battery life of up to 20 hours or double that with an add-on power pack.
Key specs – Screen size: 3.5in; Touchscreen: Yes; Turn-by-turn navigation: Yes; Claimed battery life: 20 hours; Size: 58 x 19 x 114mm; Weight: 123g
Wahoo Elemnt: A faff-free high-end GPS bike computer
Price:£299 | Buy now from Amazon for £249.00
Don’t let the mid-range price tag or lack of a colour screen fool you – Wahoo’s flagship device is a high-end bike computer packed with features. It supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ dual-band, so connecting to other devices or your home network couldn’t be easier.
As with its rivals, customising the Elemnt is done through a companion smartphone app, and it supports Strava Live segments but not turn-by-turn navigation, though it can display navigation info from your smartphone.
Other notable features include customisable LED lights and the ability to zoom in and out to display between two and 10 data fields.
The black-and-white non-touch screen won’t be for everyone, but for connectivity, integration and future-proofing it’s as good a bike computer as any.
Key specs – Screen size: 2.7in; Touchscreen: No; Turn-by-turn navigation: Yes; Claimed battery life: 17 hours; Size: 57.5 x 21.2 x 90.5mm; Weight: 104g
