Bike computers have come a long way since the original ‘Cyclometer’ invented by Curtis H Veeder, an analogue device that counted how many times a wheel rotated, and converted that into distance using a formula.
Now, compact handlebar-mounted devices feature a GPS chip, Bluetooth, ANT+, WiFi and a host of other metrics ranging from speed, distance, and power to training stress score, 'beers earned' and Strava Live Segments.
When you're shopping for a new cycling computer it can be challenging to navigate the vast spec sheets that come along with even the most basic units, so in the list below we’ll help you to wade through the tech jargon and help to find and buy the best cycling computer for you.
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What to look for in a cycling computer?
Just like anything else in cycling, trying to figure out which computer will fall within your budget constraints, while offering the features you prioritise, can be a tall order.
Depending on how much money you have to spend, your computer may have base maps, interval timers, in-depth power metrics, a colour touch screen and more connectivity than you can shake a stick at, or it might be a simple, compact unit with a black and white display and basic training metrics.
Every computer on the market will give you data fields like speed, distance, and time. Even at the bottom end of the spectrum, most computers will support and ANT+ or Bluetooth connection to a heart rate monitor plus speed and cadence sensors. However, some less-expensive units may not support power meters.
Wahoo ELEMNT Roam
- Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi
- Companion App: Yes
- Navigation: OpenStreet Map
- Claimed battery life: 17-hours
- Colour Screen: Yes
- Screen size: 2.7in / 68.58mm diagonal
- Price: $380 / £300 / AU$600
- Buy the Wahoo ELEMNT Roam in the UK
- Buy the Wahoo ELEMNT Roam in the USA
- Buy the Wahoo ELEMNT Roam in Australia
Garmin Edge 530
- Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi
- Companion App: Yes
- Navigation: Garmin Cycle Maps, Trail Forks
- Claimed Battery: 20-hours
- Colour Screen: Yes
- Screen size: 2.6in / 66mm diagonal
- Price: $299 / £259 / AU$499
- Buy the Garmin Edge 530 in the UK
- Buy the Garmin Edge 530 in the USA
- Buy the Garmin Edge 530 in Australia
Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt
- Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi
- Companion App: Yes
- Navigation: OpenStreet Map
- Claimed Battery: 15-hours
- Colour Screen: No
- Screen size: 2.2in / 56mm diagonal
- Price: $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$399
- Buy the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt in the UK
- Buy the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt in the USA
- Buy the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt in Australia
Bryton Aero 60
- Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth
- Companion App: Yes
- Navigation: OpenStreet Map
- Claimed Battery: 30-hours
- Colour Screen: No
- Screen size: 2.3in / 58mm diagonal
- Price: $220 / £170 / AU$300
- Buy the Bryton Aero 60 in the UK
- Buy the Bryton Aero 60 in the USA
- Buy the Bryton Aero 60 in Australia
Lezyne Mega C
- Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth
- Companion App: Yes
- Navigation: Breadcrumb, Basemap through the app
- Claimed Battery: 32-hours
- Colour Screen: Yes
- Screen size: 2.2in / 56mm
- Price: $200 / £180 / AU$300
Garmin Edge 1030
- Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi
- Companion App: Yes
- Navigation: Garmin Cycle Maps
- Claimed Battery: 20-hours
- Colour Screen: Yes
- Screen size: 3.5in / 89mm
- Price: $600 / £500 / AU$750
- Buy the Garmin Edge 1030 in the UK
- Buy the Garmin Edge 1030 in the USA
- Buy the Garmin Edge 1030 in Australia
Garmin Edge 130
- Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth
- Companion App: Yes
- Navigation: Breadcrumb
- Claimed Battery: 15-hours
- Colour Screen: No
- Screen size: 1.8in / 45mm diagonal
- Price: $199 / £169 / AU$299
- Buy the Garmin Edge 130 in the UK
- Buy the Garmin Edge 130 in the USA
- Buy the Garmin Edge 130 in Australia
Sigma Rox 12.0
- Connectivity: WiFi
- Companion App: No
- Navigation: OpenStreet Map
- Claimed Battery: 16-hours
- Colour Screen: Yes
- Screen size: 3in / 76mm
- Price: $349 / £TBC / AU$TBC
- Buy the Sigma Rox 12.0 in the UK
- Buy the Sigma Rox 12.0 in the USA
- Buy the Sigma Rox 12.0 in Australia
Pioneer SGX-CA600
- Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi
- Companion App: Yes
- Navigation: OpenStreet Map
- Claimed Battery: 12-hours
- Colour Screen: Yes
- Screen size: 2.2in / 56mm
- Price: $359 / £169 / AU$299
- Buy the Pioneer SGX-CA600 in the UK
- Buy the Pioneer SGX-CA600 in the USA
- Buy the Pioneer SGX-CA600 in Australia
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/9-best-cycling-computers-2019
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