Speedometer, Navigation System, Bike Computer or Smartwatch?

Do you remember the feeling from childhood? The pride you felt when riding your own first bike with a speedometer, showing you how much speed you can achieve using your own power. The speedometer was most likely a block on the handlebars, on which a needle or a pixelated digital screen indicated speed and total kilometres. Since then, speedometers on bikes have evolved into streamlined, compact bike computers that can navigate you via GPS and support your training goals. We’ll give you an overview of different models and help you find your perfect bike computer. 

What Types of Bike Computers Are Out There?

Bike computers with basic features (speed, distance, time) are easy to use and popular with casual cyclists and anyone who doesn't care much about numbers. They don't have GPS and are the closest thing to the simple speedometers of yesteryear, so the two terms are usually used interchangeably. If you like to plan and track routes, then bike computers with GPS from makers like Garmin or Wahoo will be of interest to you. With these, the focus is on navigation and less on training data, which is subsequently tracked to a lesser extent. If you’re pretty sporty and want to record your training mileage, including average speed, cadence, calorie consumption and more, training computers such as the ones from Stages would be your first choice. With these models, emphasis is placed primarily on performance data. However, you don't have to choose between training controls or GPS navigation with these devices. Most training-oriented computers are a combination of both. You can also use smartwatches for bike training and to some extent for navigation. They are especially practical for mountain biking if you need to keep your handlebars as free from distractions as possible, i.e. if your trail is very technical.

Data Transfer with a Mini Computer: USB, Bluetooth and WiFi

When transferring training and navigation data recorded with your bike computer to your smartphone or computer, there are several options. Depending on the manufacturer, you need a corresponding app for your smartphone or desktop, such as Garmin Connect or Wahoo Element Companion. On your computer, you can upload data via cable or you can couple your bike computer and mobile phone via WiFi, or upload data via Bluetooth. In the app’s settings, you can also configure your rides and stats to be automatically uploaded to another platform, such as Strava or Komoot.

Operating a Bike Computer: Buttons or Touchscreen?

A good bike computer is easy and intuitive to use, both in terms of feel and menu navigation. Depending on what you prefer, you can opt for a device with buttons or with a touchscreen. To keep yourself from stressing out while on the road, it makes sense to familiarise yourself with button functions beforehand. This allows you to quickly operate the device while riding and keep your attention on the road ahead. If you use a touchscreen, you should try it out to see how it works with full finger gloves or in wet conditions. Many gloves are even specifically designed to be touchscreen-compatible, but using a bike computer with regular thin gloves is usually not a problem.

Cockpit or Handlebars – Attaching the Bike Computer

Your bike computer usually includes one or two handlebar mounts onto which you attach the device with a slight twist. One is a small, round device that you can attach to your stem or handlebars with either zip ties or rubber bands. The other mount positions your device centrally in front of the handlebars and is secured with a screw. The latter is recommended particularly for road bikes where aerodynamics play a role or the riding position is particularly sporty and extended. If you own several bikes, you can simply attach a mount to each bike and easily change out the bike computer. Most manufacturers also offer individual mounts and brackets as accessories.

Special Features for Mountain Bikers

If you like to ride at high altitudes, information about the gradient and the altitude profile would probably be of interest to you. These displays are part of the basic functions on many devices. For mountain bikers, for example, the Garmin Edge 830 in conjunction with the Trailforks app provides additional information about the trails you ride and stores supplemental performance data, such as the number of jumps you make, jump distance, and airtime. In addition, the degree of difficulty and the flow of your tour are evaluated, i.e. how fluid your downhill riding style is.

Using a Power Meter

A power meter determines the power input of your leg via the pedals or the crank arm, and is considered to be a particularly precise power measurement, which more and more ambitious amateur athletes are taking advantage of. Linking the power meter to the bike computer is common practice in the professional sector in order to avoid riding into the red zone. Likewise, more and more ambitious amateur riders rely on this technique in training and competition.

Track Navigation vs. Map-Based Route Navigation

Some bike computers work with track navigation alone. These bike computers either have no pre-installed maps at all or, if they do, then only basic maps. A track is a route that can be recorded with a GPS device and later saved as a file for retracing. Tracks can often also be transferred from one device to another. However, make sure you use the correct file format. If the bike computer does not contain a digital map, your own location is displayed and the route you want to ride is shown as a line. This is the case with some models from the manufacturer Garmin.
With map-based navigation, the route from your starting point to your destination is calculated based on road network information. You can plan the route in advance with software like Komoot and transfer it to your bike computer. Your device shows you on the map where to go and gives you turn-by-turn directions. You can also transfer tracks – for example from race organisers – to your device using the same method. To help you orient yourself better, many bike computers allow you to zoom in or out on the map. Some devices also offer the option to guide you back to your planned route or to a location you have saved as a favourite, in case you have taken a different route on the way, got lost or simply want to get home as quickly as possible.