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The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Riders today can fine-tune their performance in almost every way imaginable with the incredible features and convenience offered by the best bike computers on the market.

Best_Bike_Computers_Hero(Photo/Miya Tsudome)
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Cycling is fun and provides plenty of health benefits. Modern bike computers are extremely helpful in integrating and tracking various metrics including cadence, power, speed, distance, heart rate, and course with a GPS cycling computer.

However, with the high volume of bike computers on the market today, choosing the right one for you can be overwhelming. Thankfully we’ve done our homework and put the time in on the saddle, reviewing a wide range of computers in all manner of conditions and riding styles.

We’ve been testing cycling computers since March 2021. To date, we’ve tested 15 of the best cycling computers available. In that time we’ve established some important criteria in our testing, and created an accessible buying guide to help you choose the best option for your riding needs, whether you’re a regular commuter, an up-and-coming racer, or anyone in between.

Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys that will you can jump right into the saddle with. At the end of our list, check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide, as well as our handy comparison table for pitting bike computer against computer, and a thorough FAQ section to answer any lingering questions.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Bike Computers guide on March 18, 2024, to add the Garmin Edge 840 Solar — an absolutely killer bike computer — as well as the Garmin Edge Explore 2 — an eBike-ready unit for those who don’t need training functionality.

The Best Bike Computers of 2024


Best Overall Bike Computer

Garmin Edge 840 Solar

Specs

  • Battery life 32 hours w/o solar; up to 60 hours with solar charging
  • Screen size 2.3 x 3.4 in
  • Recharge time 2 hrs.
  • Sensor integration GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
  • Screen type Touch screen, full-color display, power glass
The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Pros

  • Superior battery life
  • Android and iOS compatibility
  • Tons of data fields
  • Color-coded and extensive mapping
  • Waterproof
  • Large screen

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Customization can be confusing
Best Budget Bike Computer

Sigma Rox Evo 11.1

Specs

  • Battery life 18 hrs.
  • Screen size 1.7” diag.
  • Recharge time ~2 hrs.
  • Sensor integration GPS, Bluetooth, and ANT+
  • Screen type Backlit color screen
The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Easy setup & integration
  • Fully featured
  • Pre-loadable maps & profiles
  • Highly integrative (indoor training)

Cons

  • No touchscreen
  • Requires 3rd party app to create & upload maps
  • Smartphone necessary
Runner-Up Bike Computer

Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM V2

Specs

  • Battery life 17 hrs.
  • Screen size 2.7" diag.
  • Recharge time ~2 hrs.
  • Sensor integration GPS, Bluetooth, and ANT+
  • Screen type 64-color display
The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Versatile
  • On-demand route navigation
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Smartphone necessary
  • No touchscreen
Best Bike Computer for Mountain Biking

Bryton Ryder 420E

Specs

  • Battery life 35 hrs.
  • Screen size 2.3" diag.
  • Recharge time 4 hrs.
  • Sensor integration GPS, Bluetooth, and ANT+
  • Screen type Black & white display
The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Pros

  • Full customization and connectivity
  • Outstanding real-time GPS
  • Plenty of potential for data fields
  • Superior battery life

Cons

  • No rerouting
  • No touchscreen
Best Battery Life in a Bike Computer

Garmin Edge 1040 Solar

Specs

  • Battery life 35-180 hrs.
  • Screen size 3.5" diag.
  • Recharge time 2 hrs. via USB-C
  • Sensor integration Multi-band GNSS, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
  • Screen type Full-color touchscreen
The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Pros

  • Impressive battery life
  • Solar charging ability
  • Smart training functionality

Cons

  • Price
Best Bike Computer for Beginners

CatEye Velo 7

Specs

  • Battery life 320 hrs.
  • Screen size 1.4" diag.
  • Recharge time N/A (CR2032 battery)
  • Sensor integration Wired wheel sensor
  • Screen type Black & white display
The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Easy to use
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Wired sensors (hard to set up)
  • Disposable batteries
  • No data storage
Best of the Rest

Hammerhead Karoo 2

Specs

  • Battery life 8-14 hrs.
  • Screen size 3.2" diag.
  • Recharge time 3 hrs.
  • Sensor integration GPS, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
  • Screen type Full-color touchscreen
The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Pros

  • Beautiful touchscreen
  • Wide variety of device integration options
  • Cimber feature
  • Excellent handlebar mount

Cons

  • Difficult to set up
  • The steep learning curve in navigation
  • Occasionally buggy device pairing
  • Lower battery life than similar devices

Garmin Edge Explore 2

Specs

  • Battery life 16 hrs.
  • Screen size 3 in.
  • Recharge time 2 hrs.
  • Sensor integration GPS, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
  • Screen type Touch screen, Full-color display
The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Pros

  • Android and iOS compatibility
  • Excellent navigation
  • Color-coded and extensive mapping
  • E-bike compatible

Cons

  • Bluetooth can be finicky
  • Not a dedicated training computer
  • Battery life is not as good as others

Lezyne Mega XL

Specs

  • Battery life 48 hrs.
  • Screen size 2.7" diag.
  • Recharge time 8 hrs.
  • Sensor integration GPS, Bluetooth, and ANT+
  • Screen type Black & white screen
The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Pros

  • Long battery life
  • Versatile
  • Easy to use
  • Excellent compatibility with the companion app
  • Affordable

Cons

  • No preloaded maps
  • No touchscreen

Garmin Edge 540

Specs

  • Battery life 20 hrs.
  • Screen size 2.6" diag.
  • Recharge time 2 hrs.
  • Sensor integration GPS, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
  • Screen type Full-color display
The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Pros

  • Superior battery life
  • Android and iOS compatibility
  • Tons of data fields
  • Color-coded and extensive mapping
  • Waterproof
  • Large screen

Cons

  • No touchscreen
  • Difficult to set up

Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT V2

Specs

  • Battery life 15 hrs.
  • Screen size 2.2" diag.
  • Recharge time 1.5 hrs.
  • Sensor integration GPS, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
  • Screen type Full-color display
The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Pros

  • Easy setup and use
  • Strava Live capability
  • Aero design with integrated mount
  • Waterproof
  • Competitive price

Cons

  • Requires a smartphone

CatEye Quick

Specs

  • Battery life 365 hrs.
  • Screen size 3.6" dia.
  • Recharge time N/A (CR1616 battery)
  • Sensor integration Wireless wheel sensor
  • Screen type Inverted black & white LCD
The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Pros

  • Sleek design is minimal and removable
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Requires speed sensor and spoke magnet to function
  • Back-end programming is complicated
  • Powered by button cell batteries

Garmin Edge 1030 Plus

Specs

  • Battery life 24 hrs.
  • Screen size 3.5" diag.
  • Recharge time 4.5 hrs.
  • Sensor integration GPS, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
  • Screen type Full-color touchscreen
The Best Bike Computers of 2024

Pros

  • Large color touchscreen
  • Versatile
  • Advanced navigation
  • Standalone GPS
  • Tons of features
  • External storage

Cons

  • Bulky
  • Potential to be slow if loaded with features
  • Expensive

Bike Computer Comparison Chart

Bike ComputerPriceBattery LifeScreen SizeRecharge TimeSensor Integration
Garmin Edge 840 Solar$55032 hours 2.6″ diag.2 hrs.GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
Sigma Rox Evo 11.1$20018 hrs.1.7” diag.~2 hrs.GPS, Bluetooth, and ANT+
Wahoo ELEMNT
ROAM V2
$40017 hrs.2.7″ diag.~2 hrs.GPS, Bluetooth, and ANT+
Bryton Ryder 420E$16035 hrs.2.3″ diag.4 hrs.GPS, Bluetooth, and ANT+
Garmin Edge
1040 Solar
$75035-180 hrs.3.5″ diag.2 hrs. via USB-CMulti-band GNSS, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
CatEye Velo 7$30320 hrs.1.4″ diag.N/A (CR2032 battery)Wired wheel sensor
Hammerhead Karoo 2$4008-14 hrs.3.2″ diag.3 hrs.GPS, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
Garmin Edge Explore 2
$30016 hrs.3″ diag.2 hrs.GPS, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
Lezyne Mega XL$20048 hrs.2.7″ diag.8 hrs.GPS, Bluetooth, and ANT+
Garmin Edge 540$35020 hrs.2.6″ diag.2 hrs.GPS, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
Wahoo ELEMNT
BOLT V2
$28015 hrs.2.2″ diag.1.5 hrs.GPS, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
CatEye Quick$60365 hrs.3.6″ dia.N/A (CR1616 battery)Wireless wheel sensor
Garmin Edge 1030 Plus$60024 hrs.3.5″ diag.4.5 hrs.GPS, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi
(Photo/Paul Mandell)

How We Tested Bike Computers

Our team at GearJunkie is composed of former racers, recreational cyclists, folks who bike commute 60+ miles a week, and everyone in between — people who care about fit, finish, and function. Our testers spend their time carefully evaluating new products so that you don’t have to, which translates to more time in the saddle for you. We strive to create thorough, comprehensive, and helpful reviews to help you find the best gear for your individual needs.

In a world of ever-growing technological advancement, it’s really easy for new gadgets to feel overcomplicated and difficult to use. The first thing we evaluate is ease of use — how much faffing about is required to get from opening the box to leaving the trailhead? Products that score well here are intuitive to set up and use, and don’t require anything additional beyond turning on and syncing up.

Once we get things set up and rolling we can evaluate the actual function of the product. In the case of bike computers we look at which features are available — standard things like GPS/GNSS navigation and tracking, heart rate, cadence, speed, weather information, start/stop features, and cross-platform compatibility.

We also take care to evaluate the value of the computer as we’re testing. What’s the price-point-to-features ratio? Products that score well in the value category will offer many of the same features as more expensive computers, but usually in a less refined package, like the Sigma Rox 11.1 which comes with a full sensor bundle and a ton of features at an excellent price.

Finally, we look at fit and finish. Most newer computers on the market today have switched over to the ¼ turn mount which simplifies things for fit, but we still look to make sure that the design is streamlined and secure. We also evaluate the user interface in terms of analog navigation or touch-screen function. Are the buttons/screen well made? Is the software clunky or non-responsive? Computers that score well here offer turn-key navigation.

Paul Mandell has two decades of experience in the saddle as an itinerant racer and recreational rider. He completed his graduate studies in exercise science and studied the critical power model for cycling, meaning that he’s no stranger to testing, training, and racing bikes.

While these days Paul prefers lift-accessed gravity riding and long adventure rides with plenty of descending, he still finds time to get out for the occasional gravel grind or single-track loop in his home base in California’s Eastern Sierra. (Got to keep the legs and lungs tuned up, after all!)

Far from cell service, a good bike computer can be your ticket back to civilization; (photo/Miya Tsudome)

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Bike Computer

Bike Computer User Profiles

There are a plethora of bike computers to accommodate every type of riding. Do you ride one bike consistently? Or do you rotate through several bikes? If you use several bikes, get a bike computer that allows you to create multiple profiles so you can use the same computer with any of your bikes.

The Roadie: You’re no stranger to the supportive embrace of Lycra, and grinding out your next century is second only to improving on your VO2 max. When the road calls, you’ll need a bike computer that’s aimed at long rides and has all of the training stats, sensor integration, and third-party app support built in. At the very least, ensure that your road-cycling bike computer has all of the navigation features you’ll need to get around.

When it comes to performance tracking, it’s hard to rival the comprehensive synthesis that the leading Garmin devices have going on under the hood. Computers like the Garmin Edge 840 Solar churn out a staggering amount of information based on your rides, and support Strava, Training Peaks, Komoot and more. For $100 less, the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM V2 is another compelling option that includes global maps and some lesser, but still adequate, training features.

The Commuter: Whether you’re bumping around town or just jetting into the office, using a bike computer can be a fun way to casually keep track of your weekly mileage. Ease of use should be the name of the game here, and a simple bike computer without too much tech-bloat will see you through any traffic jam.

For a real budget pick, the CatEye Quick is about as bare-bones as it gets, but still provides the speed and distance info that commuters are looking for. If you want plenty of the functionality of pricier devices while still retaining some of your hard-earned Benjamins, the Sigma Rox Evo 11.1 really punches above its pricetag.

Be it a gravel grind or techy downhill laps, our testers put in the hours on bike computers; (photo/Paul Mandell)

The Gravel Grinder: Kicking up dust never gets old, and everybody can get behind a little underbiking from time to time. Gravel biking is only getting bigger, and choosing a bike computer to go with it will mean looking for a device that’s up to the challenge. If your riding often turns into full-out bikepacking, you’ll need a bike computer that has some real legs when it comes to battery life.

For real barebones builds, the Lezyne Mega XL cuts out the faff in exchange for longevity. For those who want it all — plus extended battery life — the integrated solar display face of the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar keeps chugging well past other computers on the list. It also retains all of the Garmin performance tracking we love.

The Trail Hound: Whipping the steel pony around never gets old, and if “tech” and “flow” are part of your vocabulary, angle for a device that sports more than just a GPS chip — and ideally a full suite of GNSS receivers with dual-band support. This will provide the best satellite reception in traditionally poor coverage areas and dense tree cover.

Many bike computers today also offer third-party support from the Trailforks app, which loads detailed mountain bike trail routes onto your device. You also may want to look for a computer that mounts directly to the bars. Out-front mounts introduce more leverage into the system and hitting large drops can unnecessarily stress the mount.

The Bryton Ryder 420E features five different satellite systems and a barometric altimeter to best track the ups and downs of mountain bike trails — and it fights the good fight for up to 35 hours. Going with the pricey Garmin Edge 1040 Solar gets you a solar display face and exceptional battery life. Finally, the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM V2 can’t be left out, as it sports a tough build that won’t quit on hard trails.

Different bike computers will lend themselves to different types of riding, with the general split dividing on- and off-road cycling; (photo/Miya Tsudome)

Sensors

Early bike computers made use of wired sensors that were clunky, difficult to adjust, and not very aero. When a small magnet mounted to the spokes of your bike wheel passes a sensor mounted to your fork, a revolution is registered.

Because different wheel sizes will affect the computation of speed and distance, you’ll need to adjust this within your device to receive accurate information.

Today, a whole host of wireless sensors exist that provide bike computers with new and exciting feeds of information. It’s easy to create a suite of sensors that provide your display unit with everything you want to know while riding.

GPS Sensors

Like the chips in handheld GPS devices or your smartphone, modern bike computers make use of the array of global navigation satellites in orbit in order to gain information on speed, distance, and navigation.

It’s important to note that there are a number of different satellite systems currently, and while the U.S.-sponsored GPS is the most broadly used, other systems can offer higher fidelity in different parts of the world.

Some bike computers are also following recent trends in GPS devices and fitness watches and are integrating Dual-Band receiver technologies into their GPS sensors, which allow for multiple generations of satellites to provide information to a device.

This increases the accuracy of the GPS signal and can provide information in zones that have typically been dead zones, like canyons or beneath tree cover. Newly updated, the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM makes use of this technology.

In testing, we found the GPS navigation of the Hammerhead Karoo 2 to be spot on; (photo/Miya Tsudome)

Wireless Sensors

Now the standard on bike computers that don’t make use of GPS, proprietary wireless sensors like the one used in the CatEye Quick mount to the fork and wheel of your bike and relay speed and distance information back to your display. The information they pull in is rather simple, but on devices that are used for quick bike commuters, it’s often all you need.

Because these sensors are made for specific devices, they won’t be cross-compatible with other bike computers and may need to be adjusted to properly send and receive signals while riding.

ANT+ Accessories

Simply put, ANT+ is a universal language that allows different electronic devices to speak to one another. Manufacturers will integrate ANT+ into devices that will vacuum up information and display it for easy viewing, like fitness watches, smartphones, and bike computers.

Many different devices today will be ANT+ enabled, including heart rate monitors, cadence sensors, speed sensors, and even wireless derailleurs and rear-view radars. This can all be a bit overwhelming (and heavy if your bike is festooned with sensors), but it allows riders to pick and choose what information is important to their riding or training.

Some bike computers like the Garmin Edge 840 Solar come with a suite of ANT+ sensors, including a speed, cadence, and heart rate monitor.

Bluetooth Integration

Of most use in connecting bike computers to riders’ phones, Bluetooth allows for further interactivity through applications. Many bike computers will offer a simple slate of adjustability through the device’s display unit, but much more through the app. Examples include the Garmin Connect app and the Wahoo ELEMNT app.

Select bike computers even allow for the pass-through display of texts and emails from your phone, like the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM and BOLT.

Ease of Setup

The touchscreen of the Hammerhead Karoo 2 means setup is a breeze to get through; (photo/Miya Tsudome)

Your device’s setup difficulty — or lack thereof — ultimately depends on how many features your computer has and how many you’re going to use. Understandably, a basic computer doesn’t take as much time to set up as a more advanced computer you plan to connect to a few ANT+ devices.

Setup also includes the physical attachment of your computer to your bike. Suppose you have more than one cycle and plan to regularly mount and dismount your computer.

In that case, the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM comes with both a standard mount and an out-front mount, making it a very versatile device. The CatEye Velo 7 computer takes a bit longer to set up because it uses a wired sensor, but it’s budget-friendly.

Both the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT and ROAM, plus the Lezyne models, are extremely user-friendly for setup. This easy setup is thanks to their respective companion apps on your smartphone to do all the programming and then transfer it over to your primary device.

Touchscreen devices are also straightforward to set up, as that’s an intuitive task — just touch and go. Wired devices are not as easy to install, but beginners can do it if they read the directions.

Navigation

Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM Navigation
(Photo/Nick Belcaster)

Do you even need a navigation system? If you usually ride on familiar roads, you probably don’t need navigation at all, and a basic cycle computer like the CatEye Velo 7 will likely suffice.

If you want to plan your routes and even be able to go off track and be rerouted, you need a cyclometer with an advanced navigation system such as the Garmin 1030 Edge Plus.

Many computers will allow you to pre-select or build routes right on the screen, however, some computers will require you to build the route in the manufacturer app (or a third-party app like Strava) before uploading it to the unit. This is especially helpful as you are researching new sectors and planning a new route.

Some computers, like the Garmin Edge line, offer turn-by-turn navigation similar to the navigation you’d use while driving. Garmin’s computers are especially sensitive to changes in routes and rarely miss a beat during navigation, which includes updating and re-routing in real time.

E-Bikes and Bike Computers

(Photo/Paul Mandell)

As e-bikes are becoming more and more common, computer manufacturers are beginning to offer computers that integrate specifically with e-bikes via ANT+ or the Shimano STEPS system.

The Garmin Edge Explore 2 is one such computer that allows you to monitor battery life, range, pedal assist, and all of the other standard metrics like speed, distance, cadence, etc. We anticipate that more and more computers will offer e-bike integration and support as technology improves and progresses.

Smartphones vs. Bike Computers

Smartphones these days can be huge. And even though you might not plan on riding in the rain, you need to prepare for it. That means putting a waterproof (and shockproof) case on your phone, making it even larger.

Now imagine your phone: large, heavy, and expensive. Where are you going to put it?

Is your smartphone screen conducive to checking data fields intermittently? Can you read the screen in the bright sun? Do you have a way to call for help if you crash and your phone breaks?

You’ll find the best bike computers to be weatherproof and lightweight. What’s more, even the most expensive models don’t compare to the cost of the newest smartphones. They are designed to be mounted onto your bicycle with aerodynamic performance as a top priority.

The easy-to-read screen on a bike computer won’t leave you squinting to read in the bright sun. Plus, it doesn’t need a waterproof case, so the device’s screen and buttons are user-friendly, even with gloves on.

We think it’s best if your expensive smartphone stays packed safely and not mounted on the front of your bike.

Battery Life

(Photo/Paul Mandell)

High-quality bike computer batteries are designed to hold up on longer rides. Most bike computer batteries last a minimum of 15 hours, even with satellite navigation and ANT+ connections running.

Before purchasing, consider the type of battery your device is going to need. Cheaper models like the CatEye Velo 7 use disposable batteries, which aren’t that expensive, but they produce waste.

However, it’s much easier to pack extra batteries than to bring along clunky charging units — which you’d need with a rechargeable model — if you plan to go on a multi-day ride.

On this list, the Bryton Rider 420E is an excellent rechargeable computer that offers up to 32 hours of battery life. And if you’re looking to stay out even longer, the solar-charging ability of the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar boosts the battery out to an incredible maximum of 180 hours.

Extra Features

The Sigma Rox Evo 11.1 was our budget pick of the bunch, and while it isn’t studded with extra features, it’s got everything you’ll need; (photo/Paul Mandell)

There are a plethora of potential extra features on the best bike computers. For example, you may appreciate the alarm feature on the Garmin Edge 840 Solar if you plan on leaving your bike outside in urban areas. And riders who love to see their altitude while pounding up a hill might benefit from the barometric altimeter found on the Bryton Rider 420E.

Also, think about if you’ll want to pair any accessories to your computer. If that’s the case, make sure your computer has ANT+ and Bluetooth connection so you can easily track stats like heart rate and nutrition.

Finally, cyclists who plan to stay connected to friends and family during their ride are sure to enjoy the communication features on the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus. This GPS-cycling computer can send preset messages to people in your contacts straight from the device.

Final Takeaway

High-quality bike computers are better suited for tracking and routing rides than a smartphone. This is because of its sturdy and aerodynamic design, battery life, GPS accuracy, and cost-efficiency. For those who spend a significant amount of time in the saddle, bike computers are a worthy investment.

FAQ

What does a bike computer do?

A bike computer is a small, aerodynamically designed electronic device mounted on a bicycle’s handlebars. Its purpose is to record various data types about the user’s ride, such as tracking their speed and distance.

Some can be so technologically advanced that they register the user’s heart rate, calories burned, and cadence (pedal rate). Professional riders use this information, along with analyzing certain variables like weight and wheel size, to efficiently fine-tune and improve their performance.

A commonly sought-after feature of bike computers is a global positioning system (GPS), which riders use to navigate popular or undiscovered routes. GPS computers can remove the hassle of stopping to deal with a cellphone for directions while biking.

Is a bike computer worth it?

With bike computer prices suiting all budgets (ranging anywhere from $25 to several hundred dollars) and accommodating every type of rider, we think bike computers are worth it.

Which bike computer is right for me?

So, you’ve decided you want a cycling computer. But how will you choose the best bike computer to fit your unique needs? Some questions you’ll need to answer to find the best bike computer for you follow:

  • What information am I seeking? Will basic information such as time, distance, and riding speed be sufficient?
  • Or would I prefer to have more information or connect via ANT+ and Bluetooth devices to monitor heart rate, calories burned, and turn-by-turn navigation?

To answer these questions for yourself, check out the “How to Choose” section of this article.

Are bike computers expensive?

There are certainly bike computers out there to satisfy all budget levels. You can spend anywhere from $25 for a simple computer to several hundred dollars for an advanced one. When it comes to bike computers, the more money you spend, the more features you get.

But suppose you don’t care about monitoring your heart rate while riding. In that case, you can probably go with a cheaper model bike computer that covers the basics. Once again, the best bike computer will be different for everyone, so consider what you need.

Will I need a turn-by-turn navigation feature?

Using the GPS feature on a bike computer is much more accurate than using a smartphone with GPS. While both devices use basic GPS, smartphone apps analyze data and positioning after it’s uploaded. Conversely, bike computers use GPS and GLONASS to give real-time data.

Bike computers can also use a barometric altimeter sensor to accurately track climbs, which is especially handy when mountain biking.

What is the best Garmin cycle computer?

The Garmin Edge 1030 Plus model is top-of-the-line and feature-packed. If you’re looking to save $50, we recommend the Garmin Edge 840 Solar. It has everything most riders need.

Do all bike computers have GPS?

Not all bike computers have GPS, but not every rider needs GPS. Remember, the best bike computer varies from person to person. Riders who stay within the confines of familiar roads and trails don’t necessarily need a GPS cycling computer.

Hopefully, now you’re equipped with all the information you need to make a solid choice on the best bike computer for your unique riding needs. We specifically designed our buying guide to be helpful to both beginners and seasoned riders. So just focus on the facts, ask yourself the right questions, and don’t get overwhelmed.

There are plenty of roads to ride and fun to have — no matter what bike computer you end up picking.

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