Best GPS devices for cycling

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GPS-equipped cycle computers are as popular now for use with social media apps like Strava as they are for navigation and training purposes.

Garmin dominates the market, with units from the diminutive Edge 20 to the smartphone-sized Edge 1000, but competing brands like Wahoo, Polar, Magellan (Mio in the UK), Cateye and others are making headway and are offering a wide range of options in features and price. 

Here we present the best GPS bike computers on the market, based on our testing in England, Colorado and Australia.

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• Buyer's guide to GPS devices

Best GPS devices

Garmin Edge 520

£239 / $299 / AU$449

The Garmin Edge 520  targets competitive riders with features like Strava Live Segments, FTP testing, Di2 integration, a VO2 Max calculation and recommended recovery time. And yes, the compact unit covers all the standard variations of metrics like distance, speed, elevation and — with the use of a heart-rate strap and a power meter — heart rate and power. The  520 has seven buttons, not a touchscreen like the outgoing 510 it replaces. A Bluetooth connection to your smartphone can provide automatic wireless uploads to Garmin Connect, Strava, TrainnigPeaks and more, plus on-screen notifications of incoming texts and calls. While the 520 has turn-by-turn directions and colour maps, its real strength is as a full-feature training tool in a compact size.

• Navigation: Good, with turn-by-turn directions, colour mappping and back-to-start feature
• Training data: Speed, altitude, power, heart rate, cadence, calories, gears (for electronic drivetrains), distance, time, temperature, sunset time, workout counters and more
• Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth
• Compatibilty: ANT+, Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap
• Size: 1.9in (49mm) x 2.9in (73mm) 
• Screen: 1.4in (35mm) x 1.9in (47mm), 200 x 265 pixels, colour

Read the full review of the Garmin Edge 520

Garmin Edge 1000

£439 / $599 / AU$TBC

• Navigation: Superb, with detailed mapping. GPX upload, Route Finder
• Training data: Speed, altitude, power, heart rate, cadence, calories, gears (for electronic drivetrains), distance, time, temperature, sunset time, workout counters and more
• Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
• Compatibilty: ANT+, Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap
• Size: 2.3in (58mm) x 4.4in (112mm) 
• Screen: 1.5in (39mm) x 2.6in (65mm) touchscreen, 240 x 400 pixels, touchscreen colour

Mio Cyclo505HC

• Navigation: Easy to follow with an interesting 'surprise me' feature. Can direct to a destination or follow uploaded route
• Training data: Speed, altitude, power, heart rate, cadence, calories, gears (for electronic drivetrains), distance, time, temperature, workout plans and more
• Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
• Compatibility: ANT+, Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap
• Size: 61 x 103mm
• Screen: 240 x 400 pixels, touchscreen colour

CatEye Stealth 10 

• Navigation: None
• Training data: Time, distance, speed. Upload directly to Strava and Training Peaks
• Connectivity: USB
• Size: 70 x 45mm
• Screen: 37 x 28mm, black/white

Wahoo Elemnt

£279 / $329 / AU$499

• Navigation: Breadcrumb trail on Open Street Maps, automatic integration of Strava routes  
• Training data: Speed, altitude, power, heart rate, cadence, calories, gears (for electronic drivetrains), distance, time, temperature, SMO2 and more
• Connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• Compatibility: ANT+, Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap
• Size:  2.3in (58mm) x 3.5in (91mm)
• Screen: 1.4in (36mm) x 2.3in (58mm), black/white

Read the full review of the Wahoo Elemnt

Garmin Edge 25

£140 / $170 / AU$229

• Navigation: Breadcrumb trail via Garmin Connect 
• Training data: Speed, distance, time, calories, elevation, elevation, heart rate and cadence (but not power)
• Connectivity: USB
• Compatibility: ANT+
• Size: 1.6in (40mm) x 1.6in (42mm)
• Screen: 0.9in (23mm) x 0.9in (23mm), 128 x 160 pixels, black/white

Read the full review of the Garmin Edge 25

Bryton Rider 50E OS 

• Navigation: Pre-loaded OS Maps, GPX upload
• Training data: 40 info display options, inc speed, distance, slope, direction and more, workout plans
• Connectivity: Mini USB
• Compatibility: ANT+
• Size: 45 x 34mm
• Screen: 2.2in, colour

You may also want to consider...

• Garmin Forerunner 920XT - £419 / $499 / AU$599
• Garmin Forerunner 210 - £179 / $199 / AU N/A

• Polar M450 - £147 / $199 / AU N/A
• Polar V650 - £175 / $270 / AU$399
• CycleOps Joule - £225 / $269 / AU N/A
• Magellan Switch Up - £N/A / $249 / AU N/A
• Garmin Edge Touring Plus - £249 / $299 / AU$N/A
• Bryton Rider 60 - £350 / US N/A / AU$469
• Garmin Edge 200 - £109 / $129 / AU$149
• Garmin Edge 500 (discontinued but still available online) 
• Garmin Edge 510 (discontinued but still available online) 
• Garmin Edge 810 - £319 / $399 / AU$499

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

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