Best GPS devices for cycling 2018

https://ift.tt/2uPy8HD

This article first appeared on BikeRadar.

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

Garmin dominates the market, with units ranging from the diminutive Edge 20 to the smartphone-sized Edge 1030, but brands like Wahoo and Lezyne are  giving the GPS giant a run for the money with cool features and lower prices. 

ADVERTISEMENT

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

This article was last updated in March 2018.

• Buyer's guide to GPS devices
• Garmin Edge bike computers: buyer’s guide to all the models

Best for performance-minded riders: Garmin Edge 520

• £239 / $299 / AU$449

• Navigation: Good, with turn-by-turn directions, color mapping 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
• Compatibility: ANT+, Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap
• Size: 49mm x 73mm 
• Screen: 35mm x 47mm, 200 x 265 pixels, color

• Read the full review of the Garmin Edge 520

• Buy now from Chain Reaction Cycles

Best for the smartphone generation: Wahoo Elemnt Bolt

• £199 / $249 / AU$399

• Navigation: Good, with turn-by-turn directions and 'take me anywhere' feature you can use on the fly
• 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, WiFi
• Compatibility: ANT+, Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap, EPS, Moxy, Best Bike Split
• Size: 48mm x 74.5mm 
• Screen: 33.5mm x 44.6mm, 240 x 320 pixels, black/white

• Read the full review of the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 

• Buy now from Chain Reaction Cycles

Best mid-range Garmin alternative: Lezyne Enhanced Super GPS

• £130 / $150 / AU$220

• Navigation: Good, with turn-by-turn directions and GPS Ally on-the-fly destination finding 
• 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
• Compatibility: ANT+, Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap
• Size: 42.9mm x 67.8mm
• Screen: 31.7mm x 40.1mm, black/white

• Read the full review of the Lezyne Enhanced Super GPS
• Buy now from Wiggle

Best for touring and training: Garmin Edge 1030

• £499 / $599 / AU$749

• Navigation: Best in class
• Training data: All the metrics you can think of, plus a few dozen more, displayed in standard numeric form or, with Connect IQ apps, in a variety of infographics
• Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi, USB
• Compatibility: ANT+, Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap, Campagnolo EPS
• Size: 59mm x 114mm 
• Screen: 3.5in / 89mm color touchscreen, 282 x 470 pixels

• Read the full review of the Garmin Edge 1030

• Buy now from Garmin 

Best full-featured Garmin alternative: Mio Cyclo505HC (Magellan Cyclo505HC in North America)

• £399 / $429 / AU$479

• Navigation: Easy to follow. 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, WiFi
• Compatibility: ANT+, Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap
• Size: 61mm x 103mm
• Screen: 240 x 400 pixels, touchscreen color

• Read the full Cyclo505HC review

• Buy now from Merlin

Best for minimalists: Garmin Edge 25

• £140 / $170 / AU$229

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

• Read the full review of the Garmin Edge 25

You may also want to consider...

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

• Stages Dash: £279 / $299 / AU$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 50E: £280 / $N/A / AU$TBC
• Bryton Rider 60: £350 / $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
• Garmin Edge 820: £329 / $399 / AU$499
• Garmin Edge 1000: £343 / $599 / AU$N/A

You can read more at Cyclingnews.com

via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/best-gps-devices-for-cycling-2018