Disclaimer: Technology evolves quickly. The information on this page is likely already outdated. It was last updated January 2025.
There are three main computer teams in the cycling world. Team Garmin, Team Wahoo and Team Cellphone.
Great Cycling Computers
More Bang for your Buck
Chinese made
Models
Elemnt Bolt
Small screen
Great Value
Trailforks Compatible
Get this if
You want the most bang for your buck
Elemnt Roam
Better navigation features than Bolt
Summit Freeride - detects climbs even when you don’t have a route loaded
Precise GPS thanks to a Sony dual-frequency GNSS chip
Standard mid-tier bike computer
Trailforks Compatible
Get this if
You want good navigation features and don't need anything else
Wahoo Elemnt Ace
Giant Screen
3.8-inch touchscreen
Wind sensor
Trailforks Compatible
Most sophisticated Cycling Computers
More expensive
US and Taiwan made
Models
Edge 130 Plus
Monochrome screen
Edge 540
Color screen
Trailforks Compatible
Edge 840
Same size and functionality as the Edge 540
Touchscreen
Trailforks Compatible
Solar option is available
Extends battery life
More expensive
Get 840 (non-solar) if
You want all the functionality of 1040
Ok with smaller screen than 1040
Edge Explore 2
Slightly larger touchscreen than 840
Focus on mapping and navigation
Doesn't have many of the viewable feature found on the 1040
Basic functions
Speed
Turn by turn,
Records metrics
Lacks bling of other computers
No Strava Live Segments
No Trailfork compatibility
No control over Garmin bike lights
Lacks many of the live training metrics
Has battery saver mode that conserves battery life
Screen color seems better than 1040
Get Explore 2 if
You just need GPS Navigation with Turn by Turn and would like a larger screen
You want to save a LOT of money over other options
Edge 1040
Much larger version of the 840
Multi-band GNSS technology for better coverage than Explore 2
Trailforks Compatible
Solar option allows for extended run time
Longest battery life of any cycling computer
An expensive option
Get 1040 Solar if
You have extra money to spend
You want a bigger screen to view larger fonts or more map
You want lots of battery life
Edge 1050
Same size at 1040
Brighter screen than 1040 with better resolution
Upgraded processor
Electronic bike bell
Garmin Pay
On-device route creation with searchable POIs
You likely already have a cellphone
Cycling computers are really overpriced
They can easily cost more than a reasonable phone
You can download maps for free, it you know how too
Cycling Apps
Expected to surpass utility and functionality of Bike Computers in the coming years
See a list of some of the Cycling Apps available below
What you may miss out on when using a cellphone as a cycle computer
Cycle Specific Navigation Features
Upcoming elevation
Better maps for bike paths and trails
Cycling Metrics
Heart rate monitor integration
On-bike speed
Cadence sensor integration
Limited battery life
GPS navigation can quickly eat up battery life on a cellphone
Significant issue - if battery dies on your phone you lose ability to navigate AND to communicate
Worry that cellphone will rattle loose or get stollen
Weather resistant
Your old phone may no longer be waterproof
You cracked the screen
You replaced the battery
Some riders go this route
Smartwatches can provide a lot of performance data
GPS can be used for navigation
Need to look at wrist to follow map
GPS features quickly eats away at battery life
What about mounting watch on handlebars
Its easier and safer to look at watch if it's mounted in front of you than on your wrist
You lose performance data
Watches may be able to link up with bike sensors, but most aren't really designed to do this well
Some adults really hate technology and feels that use of GPS tech inhibits development of your brain
Honestly, there is some truth to this
People who rely on GPS navigation often don't develop electronic free navigation skills
Electronics also fail and not having a paper map is a disaster waiting to happen
You can and should print out a map of where we are going
You should practice using map reading skills
On long and fast rides, you are MUCH more likely to miss a turn without using a computer that tells you what to do
Your chance of getting lost are significantly higher without GPS use
This builds character and develops problem solving skills that my help you later in life
In the mean time, you are lost
This is why we have Adults with the group, so they can take the blame for going techless