A bike computer can make a major difference if you’re an enthusiastic biker. This bike fitness tracker, also known as a riding computer, fastens to your handlebars and measures several cycling-related statistics, such as your speed, ride distance, and more. Additionally, you may use it as a live map of your trip if it has GPS capability, which many do.
Best Bike Computers 2023
There are numerous varieties of bicycle computers that come in a wide range of pricing ranges. There are bike computers with many features that offer personalized training recommendations, basic bike computers that merely track the essential parameters, and everything in between. It’s crucial to consider stats, GPS, and size while picking the best one for you. In addition to including factors like affordability, weatherproofing, and battery life, we compiled our list using this criterion.
Cycling is enjoyable and has several health advantages. Modern bike computers are quite useful for combining and tracking different parameters with GPS riding computers, such as cadence, power, speed, distance, heart rate, and course.
But with so many bike computers available today, choosing the best one for you might be overwhelming. Thank goodness we did our research and invested the time in the saddle to assess various computers under various riding scenarios.
Using our expertise, we’ve put up a simple shopping guide to assist you in selecting the ideal product for your riding requirements, whether you’re an everyday commuter, a budding racer, or someone in the middle.
Read on to learn more about the best bike computers to buy :
Garmin Edge 530 GPS Bike Computer
Key Features
- 20 Hours Battery Life
- Wrist Mount
- Bluetooth
- 6 Inches Screen Size
Overview
The Garmin Edge 530, our top selection, is a feature-rich bike computer that will make your rides more cutting-edge. The compact, lightweight computer has a sizable display that can measure everything from hydration and food intake to rest and training balance.
The computer’s GPS will enable you to navigate through neighborhoods like a local, thanks to its Popular Routes feature. (Popular destinations are indicated, allowing you to plan exactly what stops to make along the way.) Additionally, the computer guarantees to assist you in returning to your original location if you go off the path.
The Garmin Edge 530 has a powerful battery that will last for 20 hours of riding (or 40 hours with a Garmin Charge power pack). Additionally, the computer has many safety features that let others follow you on your rides, such as group texting and live tracking, because having peace of mind is important.
Bryton Rider 420
Key Features
- Great Price
- Broad Functionality
- Advanced GPS/GNSS
- Tactile Buttons Interface
Overview
The Bryton Rider 420 pleasantly pleased us with its understated design and affordable price. It is undeniable that this small, reasonably priced smartphone is a little workhorse. According to Bryton, this computer contains more than 70 different functionalities. Even if it includes much of the general capabilities you’d find on far more expensive laptops, such as smart notifications, power, and navigation, we’re not persuaded that’s the most important metric.
The fact that it used the main global nav satellite systems and had a low drop rate made us very happy. Even just having navigation was a welcome discovery. It allowed users to upload ride data and pull in routes through connections with Strava, RidewithGPS, and Komoot, which is a significant value-add for this market.
There are still some things to think about with regard to navigation and display. If you enjoyed Tamagotchis and Game Boys, you’re in for a treat, so sit down. The display is roughly what you’d expect from a screen from the early 1990s. Of course, this contributes in some measure to the item’s low cost. For riders who just want the statistics and no frills, please and thank you, it’s a really decent option. Those seeking a touchscreen interface with advanced capabilities may wish to search in a price range or two higher.
CatEye Quick
Key Features
- Sleek and Stylish
- Affordable
- Wireless
- Long Battery Life
Overview
If money is really tight and you just need the essentials—current speed, average speed, miles traveled, and time—the CatEye Quick will be your best bet. It’s a straightforward bike computer that provides essential information, and despite its modest price, it also has a very good appearance. This device is sleek, wireless, and beautifully built, unlike most basic bike computers, which look clumsy and outdated with their tangled wires and toy-like head unit. It is simple and straightforward to use because there are only a few buttons with a limited number of functions.
Attaching the speed sensor and magnet and entering some basic data constitutes setup. It begins recording as soon as you start rolling. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it type of bike computer, so you might need to press a button to wake it up if it has been sitting for a while.
As we previously indicated, this is a very basic computer for riders who only need the relevant data. It doesn’t offer you in-depth information or complex functions. You cannot use it for navigation or to track your routes because it is not GPS-enabled. If you opt to track that information manually, there is no method to transfer your ride data to Strava or any third-party tracker. For those who want a little bit more functionality, you’ll need to look a little higher up the line at the more sophisticated and expensive GPS-enabled devices. This may suit many riders just well.
SY Bike Computer with LCD Display
Key Features
- Auto Wake-Up Function
- Multi-Functions
- Day & Night Backlight
- Easy to Install & Use
Overview
The SY Bike Computer is good for the money because it is portable, strong, and simple to use. You may keep track of standard metrics like speed (current, average, and maximum), distance, and time with the aid of the computer.
The computer features a bright LCD screen with a backlight for use during the night. You won’t have to worry about being caught in the weather because the bike computer claims to be waterproof.
What is the SY Bike Computer’s worst drawback? It is not fitted with a GPS. For some, this might be a deal-breaker. But those searching for an inexpensive, no-frills bike computer may also be pleased by the lack of sophisticated features.
Wahoo Fitness Elemnt Roam
Key Features
- Excellent Battery Life
- Color Display
- Reliable
- Awesome Smartphone App
Overview
One of the main reasons we enjoy Wahoo’s bike computers so highly is the intuitive and well-designed interface. One of the most adaptable versions we evaluated is the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT ROAM. Even if the touchscreen isn’t spectacular, you won’t have any trouble using it outside in the rain (or sweat). When it’s not raining, you can carry out your tasks using the associated ELEMNT app on your phone’s touchscreen.
Although the head unit is simple to use and control, it is amazing to have it linked to the capable mobile app, which is an extension of your computer. There are data displays for almost anything you can imagine, and setting up screens, browsing, and examining data is incredibly easy.
Even while this GPS bike computer is fantastic, everything is not rosy. It can be difficult to connect it to the mobile app, which limits part of its usefulness until it is connected. It is also a sophisticated technology, so it might not be appropriate for everyone; people who aren’t extremely tech-savvy might find it more difficult to use. Overall, it’s a tough GPS bike computer with powerful features ideal for riders who enjoy data, including roadies, explorers, and mountain bikers.
Meilan M3 Mini Bike Computer
Key Features
- 7 Inches Screen Size
- LCD Display
- Lithium Ion Battery
- Multi-functions
Overview
The Meilan M3 Mini Bike Computer provides everything a novice needs in a bike computer. It’s small, strong, and simple to use, and because of its affordable pricing, it’s a wonderful option for beginning bikers (who may not want to commit to a more expensive bike computer).
The basic computer monitors common measurements like speed, altitude, distance, and others. Additionally, the GPS on the PC makes it simple to keep track of both where you are and where you’re going.
The computer has a backlight and an anti-glare display that makes it simple to read on sunny days (for dark evenings). Its battery has an 8-hour maximum runtime. The PC is waterproof enough to resist a light drizzle because it has an IPX5 classification. Additionally, the PC is covered by a one-year warranty and a three-month replacement guarantee.
Lezyne Mega XL GPS
Key Features
- Great Companion App
- Reasonably Priced
- Long Battery Life
- Offline Maps and Navigation
Overview
One of Lezyne’s newest models in its expanding selection of GPS-enabled bike computers is the Mega XL. The battery life and the display are larger than the other models in its lineup, as suggested by the model’s name. It is also distinctive in that, depending on your choices, you may use it in either portrait or landscape configuration. The Mega XL outperformed the other models in the battery life test, claiming a battery run duration of up to 48 hours, making it one of the finest solutions for bikepackers, ultra-endurance riders, and bike touring.
One of our favorite features of the Mega XL is how simple it is to set up, thanks to the Lezyne Ally V2 companion App’s excellent usability and intuitiveness. For accuracy, it uses GPS and GLONASS satellites and can connect to ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart sensors. It offers a wide range of training tools, such as Strava Live segments, performance data, and the capacity to do scheduled workouts via Today’s Plan and TrainingPeaks. The Mega XL, like the other Lezyne models we tested, doesn’t come with preloaded maps, but you can quickly and easily transfer maps to the device to use for offline navigation from the app or the GPS Root website. Smartphone integration is strong with Live Track, text and calls notifications and wireless data transfers.
The Mega XL’s user interface, which consists of four multi-function buttons, is one of our pet peeves. It functions but isn’t as simple to use as other devices we examined, with touchscreens or buttons with only one function. Although it falls short of some other models’ brilliant color displays, the display is still rather sharp, bright, and easy to see. Other than that, and especially in light of the asking price, reviewers were fairly pleased with the Mega XL’s features, performance, and battery life.
Planet Bike Protégé 9.0 Wireless
Key Features
- 4 Inches Screen Size
- 21 Pounds Weight
- 9 Functions
- Comes with Mounting Hardware
Overview
A reliable option for any outdoor ride is the Planet Cycle Protégé 9.0 Bike Computer, a classic bike computer that is entirely weatherproof. The computer tracks numerous common parameters, including speed, distance, and ride time. Additionally, the four-line layout makes it simple to monitor several metrics at once.
Four separate metrics will always be visible on the same screen, allowing you to concentrate more on your journey and less time browsing through your bike computer.
You may take the computer on any journey without thinking twice because it claims to be entirely waterproof. The Planet Bike Protégé 9.0 Bike Computer also includes a lifetime guarantee.
Final Words
In the modern world, bike computers are helpful tools for stats-checking fans and data collectors alike. Since there are so many options, deciding which one offers the functionality and design you’re looking for might be challenging. The best bike computers available right now are the topic of this article. We ensure the greatest information is always covered because it is continuously updated. That doesn’t necessarily imply the priciest laptops or the most exclusive goods.
Best denotes the best in a particular category or application. Therefore, the best computer for a pro rider may not be the best computer for the typical roadie, and the best computer for a roadie may not be the best computer for gravel riders or mountain bikers. In order to address end-user needs, we concentrate on device performance. We hope our study will assist you in locating the best bike computer for your requirements and price range.
FAQ
How Do Bike Computers Work?
Bike computers send a signal to the computer via a magnet located on the wheel that passes by a sensor on the fork. Your speed is measured by this signal each time the wheel moves past the sensor.
How Hard is it to Set Up a Bike Computer?
A bike computer is easy to set up. Simply install the sensor and magnet in the appropriate locations after measuring the diameter of your bicycle wheel. On the fork across from your brakes is where the sensor is located. Attach the magnet to the front tire’s spokes. The sensor’s line will be strung up and connected to the computer that is mounted to your handlebars. For optimum results, adhere to the guidelines for your particular device.