Cycling Computers

Disclaimer: Technology evolves quickly.  The information on this page is likely already outdated.  It was last updated January 2025.

Cycling Computers

There are three main computer teams in the cycling world.  Team Garmin, Team Wahoo and Team Cellphone.

Team Wahoo

• 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 

Team Garmin

• 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

Team Cellphone

• 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

Team Smartwatch

• 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

Team Odometer

• Using an economy bike "computer" that tracks speed and mileage works great if you use a paper map

  • This is best for routes that don't have a LOT of turns

• These are generally VERY affordable

• A very basic speedometer will track speed, distance and time

  • Batteries last a long long time without needing a recharge or replacement

  • GPS versions

    • Super easy to setup - basically just mount on handlebars and turn on

    • Mileage and speed may be a bit off compared to other options

    • Affected by trees and buildings

    • Example:

      • CYCPLUS GPS Bike Computer

        • Under $30

  • Sensor versions

    • May require some wiring

    • Accuracy depends on plugging in the correct tire size and having the right amount of tire pressure

    • Example:

      • CATEYE Velo 7

        • Under $30

Team Luddite 

• 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