The Finest GPS Biking Computer systems

Having a biking pc with GPS is a wonderful factor whether or not you’re out driving within the woods and exploring unknown roads. It’s a security web, understanding that “If I get misplaced, I can discover my method out,” however there’s far more than wayfinding {that a} good biking pc can provide.

Shopping for the appropriate one will get just a little complicated although, with an enormous vary of value factors, options, and extras. All of those GPS-enabled biking computer systems monitor the fundamentals, like coronary heart charge and energy by way of ANT+ and BLE (Bluetooth), however some even have extras, like turn-by-turn navigation, barometers, maps, and connections to mapping software program like Trailforks, AllTrails, or Strava.

Right here, we’re sharing our private favorites which were examined for years amongst the BikeRumor employees, everywhere in the world and in each sort of driving situation.

 Finest All-Round: Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 

Whereas Garmin was the first sport on the town when it got here to biking computer systems, Wahoo has entered the market lately and at last problem-solved for the “ease of use” subject that the majority different non-Garmin biking computer systems undergo from. This interface isn’t the identical as what you’ll see on a Garmin, nevertheless it’s fairly darn intuitive. A couple of rides in and it’ll really feel utterly pure. An influence coaching companion, the BOLT calculates all of the pertinent information; energy, coronary heart charge, KOMs, and lap occasions for working these detrimental splits. Arrange is a breeze by way of the Wahoo Factor Companion App and uploads to tons of third social gathering apps like Strava, Journey With GPS, Komoot, and Right now’s Plan.

It’s extra aerodynamic than Wahoo’s beefier ROAM, and it’s additionally higher featured with extra inner storage for maps and presents USB-C charging. The ROAM should still be higher for many who want a bit extra display to really see maps, however they excessive distinction show of the BOLT makes it pretty simple to see vital information on the smaller display. The BOLT can also be no slouch in relation to navigation: A full-color show and GPS will enable you discover your method round simply – and the BOLT comes inventory with Path Forks, Singletracks, and MTB Venture for straightforward path navigation.

We additionally recognize the value tag: $300, which is affordable in comparison with most of the different choices which have related options – and also you might be able to discover it on sale for even much less. We’ve seen it as little as $239.99.

• Particular Options: GPS, ANT+, BTE, Cellphone Notifications, Location sharing (by way of companion telephone app), can management Wahoo Kickr trainers
• Navigation: Sure
• 16GB of inner storage
• Included mounts: On-front mount (designed for aerodynamics)
• Display screen: Coloration
• Run time: 15 hours
• Weight: 68.38 grams
• Dimension: 3.05″ x 1.86″ x .84″ (2.2″ show)
• Value: $300

PROS: Works as nicely for MTBers because it does for roadies and those that love coach rides
CONS: No contact display (not essentially a nasty factor)

 Finest for Racing: Garmin Edge 130 Plus

In the event you’re in search of a unit constructed for cross nation racing, the Edge 130 Plus is it. You’ll see this unit on the beginning traces of World Cups and native races the world over. The reason being easy, the compact, vibrant design is straightforward to see, and the 33-gram unit takes up little to no house on the bars. The 1.8″ show is great in low-light circumstances like wooded single monitor, and the distinction stays the identical. The massive buttons are simple to make use of with gloves on, and the unit has a good 12 hours of run time.

The GPS sign could be very reliable. The unit additionally makes use of Galileo satellites and GLONASS for max sign accuracy. In the event you’re trying to conquer or preserve your KOM standing, the unit offers reside Strava suggestions to maintain you on tempo.

Although this can be a smaller unit, the Garmin Edge 130 Plus presents message/name alerts just like the bigger full-color Edge fashions. Extra importantly, it has the precise built-in Incident Detection that robotically sends your location to preloaded emergency contacts if it detects an incident. Plenty of worth and efficiency are packed right into a tiny bundle.

• Particular Options: GPS, ANT+, BTE, Cellphone Notifications, Mountain bike dynamics that monitor soar rely, distance and hold time
• Navigation: Sure
• Included mounts: Handlebar
• Display screen: Coloration
• Run time: 12 hours
• Weight: 33 grams
• Dimension: 1.6” x 2.5” x 0.6”
• Value: $200

PROS: Nice value for what it supplies
CONS: Small display makes navigation just a little difficult

 Finest Large Display screen: Bryton 750 T 

The Bryton 750 has many of the main pc manufacturers’ options however at a extra palatable value. The Rider 750 comes with 85 + features and incorporates Strava, Right now’s Plan, and plenty of different third social gathering coaching software program. In the event you like a bigger display while you journey the Bryton 750 is a superb unit to discover. The Graphical Person Interface (GUI) permits the person to see color-coordinated ranges to elucidate energy and coronary heart charge zones. The two.8″ contact display is simply sufficient to navigate and think about energy metrics for intervals, but sufficiently small to not impede your pure line for sight.

• Particular Options: GPS, BTE, ANT+, Cellphone Notifications
• Navigation: Sure
• Included mounts: Handlebar mount
• Display screen: Coloration
• Run time: 20 hours
• Weight: ‎1.95 x 3.64 x .93 inches
• Dimension: 93 grams
• Value: $530

PROS: Nice for these with less-than-amazing imaginative and prescient
CONS: Expensive

 Finest Funds: Lezyne Tremendous Professional GPS 

In the event you’re trying to take the majority away out of your bars and enterprise into an easier time of head items, the Lezyne Tremendous Professional GPS is a wonderful choice. The minimalist display exhibits the whole lot you want in a crisp monochromatic style. You possibly can run the unit in panorama or portrait mode.

The display could also be small than some present head unit choices however the 2.7″ dimension is unbelievable for mountain, gravel, and street use with out the surplus bulk. Plus the 200×400 excessive res display works nice in low mild circumstances – just like the woods! The development of the unit itself is strong, the mount is safe and the backlight is luminescent for all of your night time rides.

Lezyne is updating their navigation options on a regular basis, and whereas it’s nonetheless not as simple to make use of as Wahoo or Garmin, the GPS Ally+ is making it simpler to make use of your smartphone for navigating to factors of curiosity.

The SuperPro pairs simply with important coaching instruments; coronary heart charge, telephone, energy meter, indoor coach, and so forth. The Loaded choice comes with a coronary heart charge strap, cadence pod, and all of the goodness for correct coaching. An excellent choice for many who need the necessities with out all of the flare of a phone-style biking pc. We’ve additionally discovered the Lezyne GPS items to be fairly sturdy, making them a sensible choice for many who could crash lots.

• Particular Options: GPS, BTE, ANT+, Cellphone notifications,
• Navigation: Sure
• Included mounts: Handlebar
• Display screen: B+W
• Run time: 28 hours
• Weight: 60 grams
• Dimension: Laptop 2.7 x 1.88 x 1 inch
• Value: $150

PROS: Nice for cyclists on a funds, good choice for many who simply wish to monitor rides and see choose information at a look
CONS: Navigation is tougher to make use of than dearer computer systems

 Finest for Energy: Levels Sprint L50 

Levels Sprint L50 GPS Bike Laptop is a wonderful choice for these power-driven cross-country racers that need each interval to rely. The buttons are simple to toggle by way of and comes full of OSM-powered maps that transcend exhibiting you the roads and as a substitute show crucial info, like color-coded routes, to let you understand the place the most secure bike routes are and the place to keep away from freeways. Nonetheless, route importing does require a pc, so ensure you load the route earlier than the group journey begins.

The L50 additionally packs tons of energy measuring metrics and information screens into the larger-than-normal head unit. There are lots of inventive methods for the rider to trace goal zones and lap occasions – together with our favourite – a gasoline gauge model with zones that’s simple to see when driving arduous, no numbers wanted.

• Particular Options: GPS, BTE, ANT+
• Navigation: Sure
• Included mounts: Handlebar
• Display screen: Coloration
• Run time: 12.5 hours
• Weight: 126 grams
• Dimension: 3.35 x 2.87 x 0.79in
• Value: $300

PROS: Superb for riders who carefully monitor their zones
CONS: Overkill with information for riders who simply wish to journey, no metrics required

Finest for Path Steerage: Garmin 820 plus

In the event you’re in search of path steerage, telephone integration, and each metric in a single place – the Garmin 820 plus is the place you wanna be. This primary-of-its-style information assortment contains mountain bike-specific metrics like soar rely, soar distance, and hold time, to call just a few.

In the event you don’t soar or huck your bike – don’t fear. The 820 Plus has all the identical choices as a totally succesful top-of-the-line biking pc. Options embrace an adjustable sensitivity contact display that shows all of the fundamentals like energy, coronary heart, and charge information. However for those who require extra – the unit calculates extra descriptive gadgets like VAM, coaching stress, and shops the info on the Garmin Join app – to be digested later.

The 820 Plus arrives TrailForks and navigation prepared, so for those who’re an adventurous sort – this unit might be your finest driving buddy. The contact display is sufficiently big to simply see turn-by-turn steerage and KOM looking stats. Extremely beneficial for people who need a pc for mountain, street and the whole lot in between.

• Particular Options: GPS, BTE, ANT+, Sensible Notifications, Strava KOM and section integration, MTB particular metrics (leaping, hold time, soar distance), WiFi, in-device course creator
• Navigation: Sure
• Included mounts: Handlebar (2 choices, one flush, one out entrance)
• Display screen: Coloration
• Run time: 20 hours
• Weight: 79 grams
• Dimension: 1.9” x 3.2” x 0.8”
• Value: $400

PROS: The most effective for navigation, interval.
CONS: Just a little expensive, however in any other case, none!

 Hammerhead Karoo 2 

Hammerhead calls the Karoo2 the very best show of any biking pc, with “the most important shade spectrum and twice the pixel density (292ppi) of its closest rival, all on a smartphone-like responsive touchscreen.” That’s actually one thing we appreciated with the unique Karoo, and now the brand new anti-glare Dragontail glass guarantees even higher visibility in each moist and sunny circumstances – although it’s nonetheless tougher to see in sure circumstances than among the competitors.

With low power Bluetooth, ANT+, WiFi, 3G, 4G & GPS connectivity, it may well sync up with extra different units than every other biking pc. Add within the Karoo 2’s correct onboard thermometer, 3-axis accelerometer, magnetometer and gyroscope, and this may monitor your journey extra precisely than ever, backed by what is claimed to be the most important capability battery of any biking pc available on the market. (Learn our full evaluate right here.)

• Particular Options: GPS, BTE, ANT+, 3G, 4G, thermometer, 3-axis accelerometer, magnetometer & gyroscope
• Navigation: Sure
• Included mounts: Handlebar
• Display screen: Coloration
• Run time: 12 hours
• Weight: 131 grams
• Dimension: 2.4″ x 3.9″ x .75″
• Value: $399

PROS: Finest connectivity, on display keyboard
CONS: No iPhone app for straightforward edits customization, even on full brightness, display might be arduous to see in vibrant daylight

 Finest Battery Life: Bryton Rider S500 

After having the Bryton S500 as my devoted head unit for just a few months, I loved it. I like the scale, the easy output of numbers and graphs, and the navigational options. I can see Garmin and Wahoo customers switching over to the Bryton facet on the unit’s ease alone. The Climb Problem is enjoyable as gamification of driving efforts however appears much less possible for many to make use of.

I used to be very (very) impressed with the battery life, a lot in order that I used to be a bit cavalier about charging it in the direction of the top of the evaluate. The unit appears to go on a single cost for greater than 24 hours. The unit’s profile and weight make it excellent for mountain biking, the path steerage is unbelievable, and the unit dimension is exactly what you need. The Rider 750 was a bit a lot on the only monitor — the S500 is correct on the cash. I consider it’s a unbelievable pc, particularly for these in search of an economical unit that can go the lengthy haul for a 24hr solo. It’s nice for a journey in search of a pc outdoors the mainstream field and is a strong performer — day in/day trip. (Learn our full evaluate right here.)

• Particular Options: GPS, BTE, ANT+, Sensible Notifications, Climb Problem, voice search
• Navigation: Sure (with auto-reroute)
• Included mounts: Handlebar
• Display screen: Coloration
• Run time: 24 hours
• Weight: 87 grams
• Dimension: 3.3″ x 2″ x .68″
• Value: $300

PROS: Nice battery life
CONS: None

Purchaser’s Information for Biking Computer systems

Choosing a pc in your bike might be difficult. You have to buy one thing that offers you the info you require and permits you to develop. The most recent items from Garmin, Wahoo, and others provide greater than time and distance for a journey. These new metrics enable for private competitors, in addition to some extra methods to maintain you engaged throughout your subsequent journey.

Mapping options: If you’re a rider that likes to discover new trails and journey for journey, having a GPS that may map accurately is a large benefit. Due to Trailforks, an increasing number of trails are precisely mapped and are downloadable to those items for straightforward turn-by-turn instructions. Presently, Trailforks has mapped 453,004 miles of 349,017 trails in 123 nations – so there’s a great likelihood they’ve your trails!

How typically you get misplaced: Flip by flip navigation is vital, however some GPS computer systems go a step additional and provide in-computer course planning or ‘breadcrumbs,’ which may help you make your method dwelling. In the event you typically exit on exploratory rides, go for a pc with extra options.

Display screen dimension: Of important significance for those who battle with unhealthy imaginative and prescient and discover small screens arduous to learn. In these instances, one thing that’s greater than the typical pc and has full shade show, just like the Wahoo ROAM, could be a better option in comparison with extra aero, light-weight fashions. Nonetheless, for those who’re extra of a weight weenie, search for smaller choices that will require some squinting however will shave off some grams.

Funds: Now we have choices from $150 to $600 on this record and all carry out related features, simply with slight variations within the bells and whistles they supply. Cheaper computer systems will typically have black and white screens, and sure have extra sophisticated methods to add routes. In the event you’re OK with that, then the funds fashions on this record are the very best decisions, since they nonetheless have confirmed to work nicely.

Energy / coronary heart charge: If that you must see metrics whereas in journey, you’re in luck. Most items show energy and coronary heart charge. One thing that separates them is how they will show the ability readings. Among the items have inventive methods of displaying energy and coronary heart charge to present the rider a fast snapshot of their effort by way of lights or a shade scale so you possibly can ensure you’re within the right zone and roll on.

Mountain bike-specific metrics

In the event you’re a motorbike pc that works finest for mountain biking, you’re most likely in search of some mountain bike metrics. Now, a strong bike pc will compute all the ability, coronary heart charge, cadence, and related information, so long as you’ve the sensors for it. However some take the mountain biker expertise and go just a few steps additional, measuring; circulate, air-time, and even grit.

What are these metrics and the way are they calculated? Effectively, these are largely discovered on the Garmin computer systems, however we predict extra will replace to accommodate sooner or later. A couple of of our favorites are:

Move – Refers to how nicely you preserve pace on a sure part of path. It tracks the accent, angel of turns, and descents. After computing, it compares them to your pace and offers you a price. It’s an ideal instrument for bettering easy constant dealing with and the place you may make enhancements on particular sections of trails

Air-time – This metric is fairly apparent, now you possibly can lie about getting 20 seconds of air over that double. When displaying the air-time metric in your machine (Garmin largely) you’ll see a “Good Leap” show on the display adopted by hold time and pace after jumps. It’s a good way to trace your hold time and compete with your mates, and with upgraded Path Forks mapping, you possibly can even see the place the jumps on a given path.

Grit – It is a metric that measures how troublesome the journey can be or how a lot effort it should require. Totally different from TSS or TS, this metric goals to elucidate the variances in coronary heart charge and energy to present a greater birds-eye view of the efficiency of the rider.

Continuously Requested Questions About GPS Biking Computer systems

Is all GPS the identical?

GPS can imply a variety of various things: Simply because a pc has GPS, don’t robotically assume it supplies instructions or navigation, it might solely log your journey so you possibly can look again at it later. All the computer systems we included right here have mapping features, however their navigation capabilities differ. And plenty of smaller, cheaper items (particularly watches that may be transformed to biking computer systems) gained’t provide any in-ride mapping or instructions.

What’s the finest bike pc to purchase?

Shopping for the appropriate bike pc will depend on what you’d wish to get and what information you’d wish to see on the display. Discovering a pc that works nicely for each street and mountain biking isn’t that robust – one of many best methods to differentiate the info you’d wish to see on a particular journey is one of the best ways.

Most biking computer systems enable the person to arrange a number of bikes and information settings. For instance on could have a Mountain setting with completely different information screens than they’ve for his or her “Indoor” setting which can have coach devoted screens. One of the best ways to select a motorbike pc is to determine what information you wish to see in your journey and after. What’s your funds and fine-tune from there.

What bike pc do the professionals use?

For most experts, they use the bike computer systems that both sponsor supplies or they select personally. Most have a smaller race pc that they use throughout mountain bike occasions like World Cups and Brief Tracks. This pc tracks the ability, coronary heart charge, and all the info however often has a smaller display and takes up little bar house, largely as a result of the professionals know what they should do and the place to go on race day. (That’s why they’ll go for these smaller non-mapping computer systems in these instances.)

For coaching and races just like the Cape Epic, you’ll see professionals with bigger bike computer systems that simply show interval occasions and all the nice information simply. Every professional has their very own method of coaching and racing so these will differ from rider to rider. For probably the most correct reply, give your favourite professionals a comply with on Instagram or Fb to comply with their coaching. You may as well examine BikeRumor.com for our Professional Bike Checks with all of the goodies every professional rides on race day.

Do I would like a GPS bike pc?

The outdated axiom “you solely enhance metrics you monitor” rings true in mountain biking and train typically. Having your in-ride information is usually a large increase to your coaching. And for those who love exploring unknown roads and trails, a GPS pc with navigation is a vastly useful instrument, particularly in areas with dicey cell service.

Can I exploit my telephone as a substitute?

Sure, and due to apps like AllTrails, Wahoo, Google Maps and Strava, you are able to do lots together with your smartphone, however navigation will depend on cell service, not GPS. Additionally, battery life could also be a difficulty, and in case your telephone dies you’ll not be capable to use it to name for assist if wanted. Nonetheless, it’s an ideal place to begin for those who’re on a good funds. You’ll want to spend money on a cellular phone mount in your handlebars although, particularly for those who want the telephone for instructions. Now we have a roundup of our favorites that can preserve your telephone protected in your journey proper right here.

What makes a motorbike pc particular to mountain biking?

Mountain bike computer systems might be actually any bike pc that you’ve got. What makes a pc higher for mountain biking is the scale – smaller computer systems appear to be higher for bar-mounted numbers. Because you gained’t have a lot time to take a look at the display whereas ducking and diving out and in of bushes, having a bigger display isn’t a deal-breaker.

As for metrics and strong building, some GPS items have higher monitoring and trails uploaded from the beginning. This helps immensely for those who plan on driving in new to you trails or wish to share loops with mates. Computer systems with a extra strong building typically last more on the demanding trails and knocks that mountain bikers can ship.

Is there a distinction between MTB and Street GPS?

There aren’t any actual road-only or mountain-bike-only computer systems, however some items perform higher in a single side of driving than the opposite. In the event you journey each street and mountain, we’re guessing you employ the identical unit for each types of driving. And like most, you’ll discover some metrics and information which are commonplace for each journey on the tarmac. The items are often just a little greater, and the mounts are far out to accommodate.