The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Those who have a lot of data to track are sure to love the Garmin Edge 840 Solar ($500). Superior in customization, connectivity, and battery life, the Edge 840 solar satisfies riders of all types — from casual riders to hardcore racers.

We tested this computer at our local trails — an area with sporadic service and crisscrossing singletrack that tests the limits of most GPS tracking devices. The 840 Solar, thanks to its excellent Multiband GNSS, didn’t miss a beat while tracking our routes, heart rate, speed, or cadence. We were especially impressed by the slew of features offered and the amount of customization available. The 840 Solar is sure to appeal to a huge variety of different riders.

We were able to pair the 840 Solar with a heart rate monitor, cadence sensor, and wheel speed sensor in about 5 minutes without any cross-compatibility issues. This computer also received some tech from the Edge 1040 Solar, namely the Power Glass solar charging capability. While this doesn’t exactly charge the battery, it does help extend the battery life significantly, which means you can go much longer between charges. 

The 2.6-inch color touchscreen is vibrant, easy to read, and works well despite its solar capability. Buttons on the sides and bottom of the unit allow you to choose how you control it while you ride. Customization can be done both on the device and a bit through the Garmin Connect app. Getting it set up and customized is arguably this unit’s biggest drawback, as it simply isn’t quite as user-friendly as doing it through the Wahoo app, for example. Thankfully, the touchscreen makes it easier than the Garmin 540, which only uses buttons.

The Wi-Fi capability allows automatic synchronization from the device to Garmin Connect, while ANT+ and Bluetooth allow connectivity to external sensors, including smart trainers, e-bikes, and Garmin’s Varia lights. The device’s navigational features are very robust, with detailed maps and accurate GPS tracking. Its training tools, like ClimbPro, cycling dynamics, suggested workouts, and more, are at your fingertips.

Our lead tester skews heavily toward mountain and gravel riding and found the Grit and Flow insights particularly interesting in terms of profiling strengths and weaknesses out on the trails. Want to know how much air you got on that sick jump? Yup, the 840 Solar’s MTB dynamics feature will even tell you the hangtime and distance.

Additionally, the excellent battery life (between 32 and 60 hours) from the internal lithium-ion battery, along with the moderate size and weight of the 840 Solar, make this our favorite bike computer to date. Garmin has really nailed it with the 840 Solar — whether you’re in it for the ultimate training tool, chasing the KOM/QOM at your local trails, or just getting data points on the metrics of your choosing, you can customize the 840 for whatever you need.

The Magene C606 ($160) is an affordable touchscreen-enabled cycling computer that punches above its price class. Its 4GB memory is much smaller than the ELEMNT Roam and Edge 840, for instance, but it’s also a fraction of the cost of those models. Aside from lacking some peripheral software features, it offers the same level of function and reliability.

Enhanced with a nano anti-fingerprint hydrophobic coating, the 2.8″ color touchscreen maintains excellent optics in adverse conditions. With its touchscreen and three buttons, the C606 gives users a choice in how to operate it. The frame of the C606 is built using high-strength Asahi glass that resists scratches from storage and off-piste riding.

The C606 supports Wi-Fi, ANT+, and Bluetooth, making it compatible with a huge group of devices, from power meters and heart rate straps to electronic drivetrains and smart trainers. During our test period, we found pairing the C606 with a phone, various smart trainers, as well as both SRAM AXS and Shimano Di2 to be quick and easy, and that those connections were reliable at all times.

Wi-Fi allows automatic AGNSS synchronization in the C606 computer. This means that, unlike some other cycling computers, you’re not waiting around before your ride to acquire a position fix.  

The display is sharp and easy to read, so you can load up the pages with as many or as few data fields as you wish. We found following navigation to be easy, as the maps display just enough visual context of the surrounding area without overcrowding the screen with too much information.

The C606 features USB-C, although by comparison, charge time is a bit longer than some competitors at just over 3 hours. Battery life varies from 17 to 25 hours based on settings and the number of user interactions, which is very solid. One thing that seemed to reduce battery life significantly was using the backlight’s extremely bright high setting, which we found to be overkill anyway. 

The C606 supports 11 languages and pairs with an app that can be used to customize up to 12 cycling modes, each containing up to 10 pages of data. The C606 can also control both of Magene’s powerful taillight offerings: The L508 radar tail light and the L308 intelligent expression tail light.

What’s missing from the Magene C606? Well, it’s relatively short on storage, but in practice, this likely only means clearing the cache more often and perhaps some slightly slower run times. While not at all limiting in the context of road cycling, the GPS is single-band, unlike many mid-range and high-end computers that have gone to GNSS or some other form of multi-band GPS. The C606 also doesn’t have any climb graphing feature to show you how long and steep a climb is while you ride it. 

In our research, we did notice some forum posts from users who had issues with data imports and exports through the Android version of Magene’s OnelapFit App. Since we used an iPhone for testing, we cannot directly corroborate this, but hopefully, Magene has addressed it.

At $160, Magene is offering a solid budget computer. Compared to the Garmin Edge 130 Plus at a similar price point, the C606 offers better mapping and data organization with a color touchscreen. Compared to the Wahoo ELEMNT family and higher-end Garmin Edge models, the C606 does lag behind in some notable areas, like displaying climb data, but still makes a compelling alternative at a fraction of the cost.

If you’re a dynamic rider who’s looking for loads of versatility, the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM V2 ($400) just might be the bike computer for you. The original was great, but the V2 update made it an even more powerful tool for exploring new routes, keeping an eye on performance during the ride, and going the distance with 17 hours of battery life. And it’s as rugged and durable as they come, which earned it a high regard from multiple testers.

It has tactile buttons instead of a touchscreen display. Still, the companion app that connects your smartphone to this bike computer makes for an incredibly user-friendly device. The ELEMNT ROAM gets high marks for being super-easy and relatively quick to set up, all of which can be done through Wahoo’s well-designed app. This means that you rarely need to fiddle with the buttons on the actual computer except when flipping through data fields while riding.

The V2 updates include the integration of dual-band GPS technology, allowing the ROAM to lock onto multiple generations of GPS satellites at once and bump up coverage in typically spotty areas. Wahoo also increased the memory capacity from 4 GB to 32 GB and added a vivid and sharp 64-color screen.

The ELEMNT Roam supports both ANT+ and Bluetooth, so you can pair it to virtually any sensor out there, from your smart trainer to your on-bike power meter, heart rate monitor, electronic drivetrain, GoPro, smart lights, and of course, your smartphone. Being able to control music during indoor rides without having to touch the phone screen with sweaty fingers was a nice perk. We found all the connections to be rock-solid with everything we paired.

Importing and following routes is simple and intuitive. We upload routes seamlessly from Strava and other route-planning apps like RideWithGPS in just a few simple steps. The 200×400-pixel display is vibrant and high-contrast, allowing the computer to display a good amount of context of the surroundings. The on-demand route navigation feature makes it a good choice for riders who love to explore.

LED lights on the side of the display can be customized to represent a variety of metrics, including power zones. The LEDs can also be set to illuminate to notify of other things, like Strava Live Segments, navigation cues, or incoming texts, just to name a few. We liked a feature called Summit Segments, which notifies us prior to upcoming climbs, displays the distance to the summit, and shows color-coded gradients along the way.

With USB-C, charging is rapid. Battery life is up to 17 hours, which is still solid but far from best-in-class these days. Regardless, it’s still plenty for most people to ride several days in a row before plugging back in. Wahoo’s included out-front mount is a nice addition, forming a seamless connection with improved aerodynamics and a sleek look.

While the ELEMNT Roam is just as feature-packed as other competitors, its simplicity is a compelling strength. Wahoo’s excellent app and intuitive three-button control layout make it easier to use than most. At $400, it’s not cheap, but we feel it’s one of the best options on the market for anyone seeking a powerful training and navigation tool.

Read Review: Garmin Edge 1040 Solar Is the First Solar Charging, Touchscreen, Handlebar-Mount Bike Computer

The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar ($700) is the most feature-heavy bike computer in the Garmin lineup currently. And while it certainly comes at a price, the impressive functionality is only bested by how this device extends its battery life — with the sun. That’s right. Garmin took its top-of-the-line 1040 model and added Power Glass to give it a truly impressive run time.

The Power Glass solar charging lens is used on several models in Garmin’s line, including the 840 Solar and the 540 Solar. This tech is integrated into the screen of the 1040 itself, meaning anytime the sun is shining, it’s soaking up the rays and extending your battery charge.

To be clear, it doesn’t charge the battery. It just prolongs its life, which is just as good, in our opinion. In our own testing, we found Garmin’s claim of an additional 42 minutes per hour while pedaling in the sun to be reasonably accurate.

Pushing the 1040 Solar to the maximum (that is, full GNSS reception on, multiple paired sensors, etc), the battery life is able to keep up for up to 35 hours, with an additional 10 hours if the unit is exposed to the sun. And if you really par back on the usage, Garmin states that this computer can keep running for up to 180 hours with solar charging — an unheard-of battery life in a full-featured bike computer.

Besides being an ever-energized partner, the 1040 Solar is also an effective trainer — sporting data-driven insights such as VO2 max, training load, recovery time, power targets, and virtually every other training feature you could ever need — and many you’ll probably never even use.

It pairs with all of your sensors, including heart rate, power meters, indoor trainers, and everything else through Bluetooth or ANT+. A Wi-Fi connection makes for quick and easy ride data downloads and route/training program uploads without the need for a cord.

It’s also as strong as they come when it comes to navigation. The Edge 1040 Solar pulls data from a full suite of global navigation satellite systems and, to further increase signal strength, uses multi-band technology to increase fidelity in areas like canyons and dense cities.

The large color touchscreen is easy to see and large enough to keep you from guessing when the next turn is coming. The turn-by-turn directions are top-notch (as expected with Garmin), and there are a number of mountain bike-specific features that provide on-the-fly trail data.

So, what’s not to like about the 1040 Solar? This thing is so feature-packed and customizable that setting it up is a bit of a time commitment, and Garmin’s Connect app isn’t much help in the process. Put in the time up front, however, and you’re rewarded with one of the most powerful bike computers in existence. It’s also quite large, and it’s certainly not lightweight — though it is respectable for its size. The $700 price tag is also hard to overlook and will surely dissuade many would-be buyers.

That said, the Edge 1040 Solar is one of the most advanced and feature-packed bike computers that money can buy. Whether for navigation, training, or both, this thing has you covered and then some, and its Power Glass will help keep it running for days on end.

Wahoo recently stepped into the premium end of the bike computer market in a big way (literally) with the ELEMNT Ace ($600). This new model is by far the largest bike computer Wahoo has ever made. It also includes the brand’s first touchscreen and first-of-its-kind aerodynamic insights that set it apart from every other model on the market. The Ace also has a number of other new features that make it the most advanced computer in the Wahoo line.

The standout feature of the ELEMNT Ace is undoubtedly the air pressure sensor and Wahoo Wind Dynamics (WWD), as no other bike computer currently measures or quantifies aerodynamic data. Inside a small front-facing port on the computer housing is an air pressure sensor that collects data, which is converted into an AeroBoost or AeroDrag score and analyzed post-ride in WWD.

While relatively simplistic, it provides easily understandable and actionable data that may help some riders improve their aerodynamics on the bike. While many riders could probably care less about aerodynamics, improving upon it is a way of gaining “free speed” on the bike without working harder. For high-level riders and racers, the data the ELEMNT Ace provides could provide a legitimate performance boost. Perhaps even more compelling is the potential data it provides in the future as Wahoo continues to develop the technology.

Wahoo carries its familiar and intuitive button controls over to the ELEMNT Ace but has also introduced its first touchscreen. Measuring 3.8″ diagonally, this screen is huge and makes it even easier to use. When combined with Wahoo’s intuitive menus and companion app, the touchscreen and button combination makes the Ace arguably the easiest to set up and control of any advanced bike computer on the market. The size of the screen also makes it easier to view maps, data fields, and navigation prompts at the same time.

The ELEMNT Ace also has voice navigation and can provide audible prompts when you approach turns in your route. This can be hugely beneficial when riding in unknown areas or at speed, as it reduces the need to look down at the screen. A digital bell is another new feature that notifies others of your presence, and we found it to be handy when riding in areas shared with runners.

Battery life is also impressive, with a claimed 30+ hours per charge. Beyond that, the ELEMNT Ace shares the same robust connectivity, navigation, and training features as its smaller siblings, the Roam V2 and Bolt V2. This is a powerful computer that does everything anyone could ever ask of it. It also comes with a quality aluminum out-front mount.

All this adds up to one of the heaviest bike computers on the market. In fact, at 208 grams, it outweighs the next heaviest bike computer we’ve tested, the Garmin Edge 1050, by almost 50 grams. So, while it may provide aerodynamic data, it’s definitely not making your bike lighter. It’s also relatively massive in size, dwarfing the aforementioned Garmin 1050, but a bit shorter in length than an iPhone 16.

It’s big and kinda heavy, but the ELEMNT Ace might be the ultimate training tool. Wahoo’s computers have always been good, but the Ace is even easier to use. It can also potentially help improve your aerodynamic performance, which is something no other computer on the market can do.

The CatEye Quick cyclo-computer ($60) is simple in design and best suited for your cruisers and commuters who only need a quick glance to tell them their speed or how far until they hit their mileage for the week. It’s a throwback to simpler times when all we needed were our basic stats like speed and distance, but updated with a modern look and feel.

Stripped down not only by the form factor but in features, the Quick provides only the bare essentials when it comes to cycling info: speed (including average, current, and max), trip distance, moving time, and a clock. A single button on the front face cycles the Quick through its different modes, which we found to be as simple as could be.

The battery life is fairly impressive, at a quoted “1 year, if used for 1 hour a day.” The unit is powered by button cell batteries. It auto-starts and stops as the bike moves, meaning you won’t forget to turn it off after a long ride.

You won’t get anything like your VO2 max from the Quick, but we found a little comfort in the simplicity of a bike computer going back to basics, which speaking of, certainly applies to the rest of the computer. You’ll have to mount a speed sensor and magnet to your bike in order for it to work, which is a bit clunky, but at least it’s wireless.

Thought of as a basic bike computer done with style, the Quick has a simple design that just looks good out front of a bike. It’s a great option for those who just want to know how far and fast they’re going but don’t want to be bothered with apps, uploads, or the trappings of modern technology.

The Sigma Rox Evo 11.1 ($160) is an impressively featured cycling computer at an even more fantastic price. At under $200, this computer performs nearly on par with other more expensive units while still offering a host of features that even seasoned riders will appreciate. 

Inside the box, you’ll find the Sigma unit, an HR monitor and strap, a cadence sensor, and a speed sensor. The mounting hardware accommodates a wide range of handlebars, making this unit great for any bike and style of riding. 

Out of the box, the Evo is reasonably easy to set up. We were pleasantly surprised to find the computer fully charged and batteries ready to go for each of the sensors. Pairing the sensors and the computer is also a snap: Turn the unit on, wet the HR band, and hop on your bike. All of the sensors were paired within a minute or so.

The Rox 11.1 offers riders the ability to create up to 20 different sport profiles (for different bikes and different rides), real-time GPS, barometric pressure, temperature, wind, HR, cadence, and a customizable cockpit. Additionally, riders are able to create and store up to 36 different tracks (though you’ll need to create these tracks on a third-party app like Strava) and up to 100 hours of ride data. 

Importing and saving tracks on the device is super simple, and riders can get turn-by-turn directions to and from different tracks. And, if you’re putting in the indoor miles over the winter, the Rox 11.1 integrates with your stationary trainer and power meter. Having trouble with setting up the computer or learning the functions? Pop on over to the Sigma Sport website — there’s a video for pretty much everything you’ll need.

We were super impressed with the functionality and suite of features offered by the Sigma Rox Evo 11.1. And at the price point, we were left wondering what more you might want or need. While the Rox 11.1 may not be as slick or impressive as some other models on this list, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better computer and sensor bundle at the price, and it’s a solid value.

The Edge 130 Plus ($200) is Garmin’s entry-level GPS cycling computer, and it’s one of our testers’ favorites. Why? It’s simple, light, and aero, and it records a ride and then automatically uploads it to Strava, which is what most people use much larger and pricier computers for anyway.

If you’re like us and you’ve been riding the same roads for the past couple of decades, you probably don’t need a computer to tell you where you’re going. Often, we’d just as soon use an iPhone and the Strava app to record rides, except for the fact that we’ve had the Strava app fail to record too many times to feel that it’s 100% reliable. Some of us are also hopeless weight weenies, and it’s a rare occasion in cycling where a more affordable option is also the lightest. 

For folks who do rely a bit more on their cycling computer, the Edge 130 Plus still offers a lot. Features include breadcrumb trail navigation, crash/incident detection via an accelerometer, Garmin Climb Pro for conquering the high mountains, smart trainer compatibility and structured workouts, and LiveTrack, which shows your position on a route to those you’ve shared the route with. 

Five buttons control the Edge 130, and because it’s such a small device, the outer edge is taken up almost entirely by these buttons. This means that compared to larger Edge devices, the button controls feel less distinct from each other and are a little fiddlier to press. 

While Garmin has begun to transition all devices toward USB-C, the Edge 130 Plus has yet to receive this update, which means that charging time will be a bit slower than higher-end alternatives. This is only a minor issue with the Edge 130, although by the time you read this, it may be updated to USB-C. 

The Edge 130 Plus supports  ANT+ & Bluetooth Smart sensors, meaning it will connect with power meters, heart rate sensors, speed sensors, cadence sensors, connected lights, and radar sensors. It also supports the ‘Extended Display’ capabilities of Garmin Varia Vision and Garmin watches. 

Compared to the navigation experience using Garmin’s higher-end Edge models, the Edge 130 is more basic visually but reliable enough to take it confidently into remote areas by way of following a breadcrumb trail.

While the Edge 130 won’t read specifically “turn right on Oregon Street”, it will tell users that a turn is coming up in a given distance and alert them to a missed turn. Creating routes online is easy enough using the Garmin Connect website or the Garmin Connect mobile app.

Battery life is a maximum of 12 hours and a minimum of 8, depending on the number of connected sensors, GPS settings, and user interaction frequency. That’s not that impressive, but in the context of daily riding and racing, it’s an eternity — you’ll just need to charge it more than others if used frequently. That said, the limited battery capacity is a big part of why this computer is so light at just 33 g.

If you don’t need the most robust navigation and are looking for a simpler, lighter, smaller, and less expensive alternative to the higher-end Garmin or Wahoo models, the Edge 130 Plus is a great pick that still works well and won’t weigh you down.

Garmin’s Edge 540 Solar ($400) doesn’t look much different from the standard Edge 540, since the Power Glass solar cell that covers the display is transparent. Just like its non-solar twin, the Edge 540 Solar forgoes touchscreen technology in favor of push-button controls. You’ll need to step up to the Edge 840 Solar if you want that touchscreen fanciness.

Setting up the Edge 540 Solar takes some time, and there is a bit of a learning curve to getting comfortable and efficient with using it. Some menu options are a bit counterintuitive, but nothing that should steer would-be users away from this device. The basics, like getting a power meter and heart rate strap connected and routes uploaded, are straightforward enough and can be done within a few minutes of unboxing. 

The 540 has a sleek form and is the right size for a cycling computer, in our opinion, with a 2.6” diagonal screen and a weight of around 85 g. Garmin includes a nice “out front” mount that can be mounted to the handlebar, as well as stem mount that connects with a sturdy rubber band. 

The Garmin Connect app is essential to using any Edge computer and should be downloaded at unboxing to access all the features and benefits that the Edge 540 Solar has to offer. Most essentially, for many of us, the Garmin Connect app can automatically upload your completed ride to Strava once it’s saved on your Edge 540 Solar.

Of course, it uses Garmin’s own Ant+ protocol as well as Bluetooth, making it possible to connect it with any sensor or device under the sun (ha!). During testing, we had no issues with connectivity to power meters, heart rate monitors, or our iPhone. 

The Edge 540 Solar uses the same processor as the previous generation, but this new generation responds noticeably quicker thanks to software optimization. This increased processing speed combined with more accurate and resilient positioning thanks to Multi-band GNSS (Global Navigation Sattelite System) makes the Edge 540 Solar a compelling upgrade for existing Garmin users and a great pick for those entering the market. 

Multi-band GNSS is a more robust form of GPS that uses multiple bands, resulting in up to 3x greater precision in location, as well as faster acquisition, compared to single-band GPS. Combine this with 16 GB of core map data, and the Edge 540 solar is a great companion for exploration. The Edge 540 Solar can also generate route loops from any location, which may be helpful when you’re riding in an unfamiliar location. 

For training, the Edge 540 Solar offers some nice features. For those who connect it to a power meter and heart rate monitor, it will receive enough input to create a profile of you as a cyclist, which it can use to generate training goals, create a virtual competitor to test yourself against on your rides, and even tell you whether a course is doable for you in a given time — pretty cool. 

While the Solar feature is undoubtedly cool, whether or not you’ll actually benefit from it depends on your climate and riding habits. You’ll still need to routinely charge Edge 540 Solar with the included USB-C charger, as the solar cell never adds to battery life, but rather only slows the depletion of it.

Also, the unit must be powered on to utilize the solar cell. So again, think of the solar cell as slowing the rate of battery depletion and not as a way to add life to the battery. 

If you live in a sunny climate and value long battery life, the Edge 540 Solar is a great pick. Even ignoring the solar cell, it’s a well-designed computer that’s fast, reliable, and easy to use once it’s set up to your preferences. Its 16 GB of map data is outstanding and makes exploring unknown areas safer and more efficient. 

The Edge Explore 2 ($300) is Garmin’s offering for riders who want a bike computer that leans more heavily into navigation but still tranks the basic metrics. While not as advanced as the 840 or 1040, the Edge Explore 2 holds its own with excellent maps, extremely accurate tracking, and E-Bike compatibility. Like the 840, the Explore 2 sports an excellent touchscreen with a full-color display, which is slightly larger at 3 inches.

We found the Explore 2 to be somewhat more finicky than the 840 during setup. Syncing to the Garmin app was simple and straightforward — but pairing to HR, cadence, and speed sensors was another story. Our tester was able to successfully pair his HR sensor after a few minutes but was unable to pair the cadence and speed sensors.

Between heart rate and the admittedly excellent GNSS tracking, we were able to get the metrics we wanted from the Explore 2, but it’s still important to note that it didn’t play well with all the sensors we tried — even those that paired well with the Edge 840.

The Explore 2 offers many of the same features as the more expensive computers in the Garmin line — and is essentially just as robust for navigation with things like turn-by-turn navigation, incidence detection, ClimbPro, activity tracking, and ride-type specific maps.

It has some excellent training features like autopause, Vo2 max, and recovery advice, but it leans less into the training features than its higher-priced siblings. You can, and maybe should, also set up the Explore 2 with the Garmin Varia radar lights if you are road-riding or commuting regularly.

Another thing that makes the Explore 2 an enticing choice is that it is also designed to be integrated with your e-bike and supports battery life, pedal assist, and range monitoring through Shimano Steps or ANT+ connectivity. However, if you still live in the age of human-powered cycling, these features aren’t necessary, and as such, the Explore 2 may be a less appealing option than the 840, for example.

The 16-hour battery life isn’t class-leading, but it’s ample for most people to go several days between charges. If you use the battery-saver mode, you can extend that to up to 24 hours.

With its advanced mapping and tracking features, group connectivity, and incident detection, the Garmin Explore 2 would make an excellent computer for folks who want to explore and expand their safety margins while out riding. This is no training computer (look to the Garmin 840 Solar or Wahoo models), but for those who want a navigational tool, it is a great computer at a great price.

As the name indicates, Lezyne’s Mega XL GPS ($200) cycling computer has a large 2.7” 200×400 high-resolution display that can be orientated vertically or horizontally. You’ll also get mega battery life — up to 48 hours. When paired with the Lezyne Ally v2 App, the Mega XL offers live turn-by-turn navigation and phone alerts. The affordable price makes the Mega XL a great value for the cyclist who needs a fully featured cycling computer.

What’s not to love about the Lezyne Mega XL? Well, it’s not as pretty as some other computers, if we’re being honest. Lezyne’s industrial, somewhat retro-inspired design language works well in some categories, like lights and pumps, but leaves their computers looking a bit outdated and clunky. Of course, function trumps form in a cycling computer, so we can set aside the aesthetics, as the performance of the Mega XL matches other computers that sell for many times the cost. 

Lezyne includes a svelte out-front mount that puts most stock mounts to shame. It matches the performance and aesthetics of many out-front mounts in the $50 price point and keeps the 83g Mega XL secure and silent on the roughest of roads. Still, it’s a thick (or tall) computer, and thus, it still sits a couple of centimeters ahead of the top of the bar, which is another little aesthetic and possible aerodynamic consideration. 

The Mega XL offers every critical feature for training. It can simultaneously pair with Bluetooth Smart or ANT+ power meters, heart rate monitors, speed/cadence sensors, and compatible electronic drivetrains. Connectivity was excellent throughout our testing, and we experienced no dropouts or other recording issues. 

The Lezyne navigation experience is excellent. Turn-by-turn instructions, offline maps, and the huge, sharp monochrome display are all great at this price point. To help prepare, monitor, and analyze your rides, the web-based Lezyne Root route planner and Lezyne Ally Plus app have recently received significant upgrades to better support Lezyne’s family of GPS computers. Both are free to use and easy to learn. 

Live tracking can be set up in the app to enable your contacts to follow rides in real time. The Mega XL is equipped with GPS/GLONASS, a barometer, and an accelerometer. Combined, these significantly improve accuracy and data recording.

One minor quibble we had with the Mega XL was the time needed for data transfer via Bluetooth. This manifests when uploading a route through the Lezyne Ally App or when the Mega XL transmits a completed ride to the app for upload to Strava. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s notable compared to other models. 

Regardless, the Mega XL packs all the navigation and training features most riders could ever need at a price that is easy to stomach. It may not be the sleekest or boast the latest touchscreen tech, but it works and works well.

Love the sound of the Garmin Edge 540 Solar but don’t need or want the Power Glass solar upgrade? The Garmin Edge 540 ($350) will save you $50 and works pretty much identically otherwise. This computer is packed with all the navigation and training features to satisfy riders of all types — from leisure riders to racers.

While it offers full-color maps, the lack of a touchscreen — found on the pricier Edge 840 models — makes using the turn-by-turn navigation features a bit more of a hassle. This hassle centers on the fact that you can’t simply tap the screen and zoom in or out.

With the button interface, you’ll need to learn the functions of each of the seven buttons on the sides, which is doable but tedious. The controls can make setting up a lengthy process for even the techiest riders, which we weren’t the most stoked about. Over time, the use of the buttons becomes more natural, but at first, it can feel a bit clunky.

The Wi-Fi capability allows automatic synchronization from the device to Garmin Connect, while ANT+ and Bluetooth allow for connectivity to external sensors. Additionally, the excellent battery life (around 20 hours) from the internal lithium-ion battery is pretty solid. Those who ride in sunny conditions often might want to consider the 540 Solar, as the Power Glass can help extend battery life.

Otherwise, the robust navigation and training features are the same as those of the 540 Solar described above. There’s little this powerful little computer can’t do, whether you’re navigating unfamiliar roads or preparing for your next race.

The Edge 540 is best suited for riders looking to record complete data about their ride, everything from time of day to temperature and weather, and even how much water they’re taking in. It’s also a big hit among dynamic riders — who love road, gravel, and mountain biking — because it offers a wide range of metrics that support multiple profiles within the same device.

A strong standout computer, the updated Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT V2 ($280) is easy to set up and user-friendly. You can set it up straight from your smartphone screen, and the Bolt’s battery life (15-20 hours) gives even the more expensive Garmin Edge 540 a run for its money.

The BOLT V2 is Wi-Fi-capable and has ANT+ and Bluetooth connection capability so that you can use all your sensors, including heart rate straps, power meters, and smart trainers. We love this bike computer for its ease of use, and getting it set up is as user-friendly as can be.

Wahoo’s app is fantastic, and it’s pretty nice to be able to manage all your accessories from your smartphone! Obviously, this won’t apply to everyone (we see you, flip-phone cyclists).

The screen on the ELEMNT BOLT V2 allows you to see up to nine data fields per page. One of the niceties of the Bolt’s V2 update was the addition of a full-color screen, an excellent upgrade from the monochrome screen of the previous version. The screen is crisp, the colors are vibrant, and it’s easy to read whether you’re looking at data or following a route on the map.

It is essentially a more compact version of the ELEMNT Roam V2. It shares a similar aerodynamic design that pairs seamlessly with the included out-front mount. The button interface is intuitive and easy to use, and a strip of colored LEDs on the face can be programmed to provide visual cues for various things, like navigation, segments, incoming texts, and more.

It offers turn-by-turn navigation and has 16 GB of storage to store plenty of maps, routes, and race courses. Like most computers, it works with Strava Live Segments. Wahoo’s Summit Climbing feature works similarly to Garmin’s ClimbPro to provide notifications and elevation gradients of climbs on your ride. Another cool feature is the “take me anywhere” setting. This setting allows you to choose a destination on your phone, and the bike computer’s GPS will guide you there.

It’s also a highly function training tool. Not only can it track your performance data through connected sensors, but it can be integrated with TrainerRoad, TrainingPeaks, and Today’s Plan to follow structured workouts.

If you prefer a smaller computer but still want the performance and features of larger and more expensive models, check out the ELEMNT Bolt V2. It’s a compact marvel that’s sold for a fair price.

This computer is designed for mountain bikers and incorporates five different satellite systems to accommodate this type of riding. It’s fully customizable with ANT+ and Bluetooth sensors. It can also be synced with Strava Live Segments, TrainingPeaks, and SelfPeaks both automatically and wirelessly.

Now, let’s talk about battery life. The battery on the Bryton Rider 420E ($130) is solid — up to 35 hours on a single charge.

This next feature is either a pro or a con — we’ll let you decide for yourself. The Bryton Rider 420E allows all your calls, texts, and email notifications to be forwarded to you while you’re on a ride. And it’s easy to see with the included handlebar mount. The monochrome display isn’t the best, but it is perfectly functional while helping to keep the price down.

The full global navigation satellite system (GNSS) makes real-time positioning extremely precise. The altimeter even allows users to see the gradient profile of their route, making it perfect for trail riding.

Each page on the Rider 420E allows the user to view up to eight data fields, with a maximum of nine pages permitted. That’s 72 data fields at your disposal at any given time, which should be more than plenty, even if you’re tracking even the tiniest of details.

While turn-by-turn navigation is a feature on this bike computer, you’ll have to set your route before you get started. And it’ll only show you that exact route once you’ve begun. You can’t make any changes or reroute and be redirected midway through your ride.

All in all, this is a solid option for anyone seeking a precise GPS bike computer that functions well and doesn’t break the bank.

Want to keep track of the basics but don’t have much to spend? The CatEye Velo 7 ($30) is for you. It’s an entry-level bike computer covering the basics such as time, distance, and speed, which is almost everything leisure riders really need.

Not everyone needs or wants to track rides, navigate with GPS, connect to sensors, or track performance data. Some of us just want to know how fast we’re going and how far we’ve gone. No uploads, downloads, or apps—just some numbers on a screen.

It’ll give you some insight into whether you’re using a bike computer often enough to invest in a more expensive one. After a bit of riding, you’ll have a clearer picture of what bells and whistles you may want if you decide to upgrade.

On top of being budget-friendly, the Velo 7 is relatively simple to use. The interface shows two different data fields at once. One is always current speed, while a button allows you to rotate through other data fields including time, odometer, distance, and maximum speed.

One downside to this computer is that it’s a little challenging to set up because it’s not wireless. You’ll have to mount the sensor and then feed the wire up through the bike parts and onto the front-mounted base unit.

There’s only enough room in the Velo 7’s memory to store one wheel size. This, coupled with the difficulty and many steps involved in mounting and dismounting this unit, should discourage you from planning to share it with your family and friends.

This small but mighty contender is a solid choice for trying out a bike computer on a tight budget. It comes with a handlebar mount.