Updated November 11, 2022
Whether you are a casual biker or a dedicated competitor, a cycling computer, especially a GPS computer, can be a lot of fun to use with meaningful functional outcomes. It can record data of your ride like when, where, and how fast you went, keep track of your body’s physiological data, serve as a training aid, provide navigation assistance, and much more. Today’s best devices are user-friendly, compact, and economical.
As it is whenever you shop for devices using the most modern technology, the marketplace can be difficult to comprehend and negotiate. To help in your research, some of the best bike computers of 2021, all fairly reasonably priced, have been selected to introduce to you. There’s a comparison table as a starter, followed by descriptions, key features, photos, videos, and a basic buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more information on other categories of bikes and accessories, please check out these reviews:
Comfort Bikes Children’s Mountain Bikes Women’s Mountain Bike Helmets Mountain Bike Helmets Affordable Electric Bikes Women’s Mountain Bikes BMX Bikes Mountain Bikes Under $1,000 Budget Mountain Bikes Fat Bikes Single Speed Bikes Beach Cruisers
Best Bike ComputerReviews
- Garmin Edge 1030 Plus Bike Computer
- Garmin Edge 830 Bike Computer
- Garmin Edge 530 Bike Computer
- Wahoo Elemnt Bolt Bike Computer
- Lezyne Mega XL Bike Computer
- Lezyne Micro Color Bike Computer
- Bryton Rider 420E Bike Computer
Bike Computer Comparison Table
| Picture | Computer | Battery Life | Display Size | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Garmin Edge 1030 Plus Bike Computer | 20 hours | 3.5" | 4.6 | $$$$ |
  | Garmin Edge 830 Bike Computer | 20 hours | 2.3" | 4.4 | $$$ |
  | Garmin Edge 530 Bike Computer | 20 hours | 2.3" | 4.3 | $$$ |
  | Wahoo Elemnt Bolt Bike Computer | 15 hours | 2.2" | 4.0 | $$ |
  | Lezyne Mega XL Bike Computer | 48 hours | 2.7" | 4.1 | $$ |
  | Lezyne Micro Color Bike Computer | 14 hours | 1.4" | 4.0 | $ |
  | Bryton Rider 420E Bike Computer | 35 hours | 2.3" | 3.6 | $$ |
| Picture | Computer | Battery Life | Display Size | Rating | Price |
Garmin Edge 1030 Plus Bike Computer
The Garmin 1050 Plus bike computer is the maker’s flagship model good for all types of cycling.
It is most suitable for serious adventurers and racers with route planning, performance training, and a number of MTB-specific outputs.
It has a large 3.5-inch high-visibility color screen and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that gives you 20 hours or more per charge.
Key Features
- Fitness tracking, numerous training features
- Rider-to-rider messaging
- MTB and Cycling Dynamics
- Climbpro feature
- Compatible with Garmin Varia products for enhanced awareness and safety
- Preloaded Garmin cycling maps with navigation and turn prompts
- Integrated with Trail-forks and numerous apps
- Display: 3.5” color screen
- Battery: rechargeable lithium-ion with an optional battery pack
- Battery Life: 20 hours
- Weight: 4.3 ounces
- Dimensions: 2.3″ x 4.5″ x 0.8″
- Price: $$$$
- Rating: 4.6
The Garmin Edge 830 Bike Computer is scaled down from the 1030 Plus with a 2.3” color screen, lighter weight, and marginally fewer features.
The screen is exceptionally clear in comparison with easy-to-use touchscreen navigation.
It has preloaded Garmin maps and access through IQ Store to Strava and Trailforks apps for additional maps and navigation aids.
Performance and training aids are also included along with physiological monitoring.
Key Features
- Fitness tracking, numerous training features
- Group messaging
- MTB and Cycling Dynamics
- Climbpro feature
- Compatible with Garmin Varia products for enhanced awareness and safety
- Preloaded Garmin Cycle Maps
- Compatible with Strava and Trailforks apps for additional cycling maps for MTB
- Display: 2.3” color screen
- Battery: rechargeable lithium-ion with an optional battery pack
- Battery Life: 20 hours
- Weight: 2.72 ounces
- Dimensions: 3.2” x 0.8” x 1.9”
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.4
The Garmin Edge 530 Bike computer essentially offers the same functionality as the 830 with a couple of major differences.
For dynamic performance monitoring with insights into VO2 max, training balance, recovery, heat and altitude acclimation, hydration, nutrition, and others, the compatible sensors are not in the package, so you will need to add them to access this feature.
The other major difference is that the 530 employs 7 easy-to-use buttons for navigation rather than a touchscreen. Users report that even with gloves on, the buttons are high-functioning.
Otherwise, the screen size, weight, battery life, and other key features are the same as on the 830.
The 530 is about $100 cheaper than the 830.
Key Features
- Fitness tracking and numerous training features, sensors not included
- Group messaging
- MTB and Cycling Dynamics
- Climbpro feature
- Compatible with Garmin Varia products for enhanced awareness and safety
- Preloaded Garmin Cycle Maps
- Compatible with Strava and Trailforks apps for additional cycling maps for MTB
- Display: 2.3” color screen
- Battery: rechargeable lithium polymer with an optional battery pack
- Battery Life: 20 hours
- Weight: 2.72 ounces
- Dimensions: 2” x 0.8” x 1.9”
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.3
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt Bike Computer
The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt Bike Computer has an aerodynamic compact design that pairs seamlessly with your Smartphone.
You can receive emails and texts while on the trail and it is loaded with free global maps.
Integration is possible with a long list of featured integrations including Strava live segments.
Continuous updates of your position, physiological data, power use, and turn-by-turn navigation are all there.
The 2.2” black and white screen is reasonably bright and easy to read and the button screen navigation is straightforward.
Key Features
- Aerodynamic design
- Syncs with your Smartphone
- Text and phone notifications.
- Free global maps
- Climbing data, turn-by-turn navigation with featured integrations
- Full integration with Strava live segments
- Button navigation
- Display: 2.2” black and white screen
- Battery: USB rechargeable
- Battery Life: 15 hours
- Weight: 2.2 ounces
- Dimensions: 9″ x 1.8″ x 0.87″
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.0
The Lezyne Mega XL Bike Computer has full navigation and route-building capability with simultaneous ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart connectivity.
Mapping is reasonable but not as sophisticated as on the Garmin Edge 530.
A bit bulky, the 2.7” black and white screen with both landscape and portrait orientation is larger than on the Garmin Edge 530, 830, or Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, but it is far superior in the battery comparison with a whopping 48 hours of battery runtime between charges.
It has intuitive 4-button navigation that can be a little awkward for some riders.
The pricing is in the same range as the Bolt and substantially lower than the 3 Garmin models reviewed here.
Key Features
- Syncs with your Smartphone
- Text and phone notifications.
- Preloaded maps
- Live tracking, turn-by-turn navigation, heart rate, structured workouts
- Integrates with numerous apps including auto-syncs with Strava, TrainingPeaks, and Today’s Plan
- Intuitive 4-button navigation
- Display: 2.7” black and white screen
- Battery: micro USB rechargeable
- Battery Life: 48 hours
- Weight: 2.93 ounces
- Dimensions: 2.26″ x 3.08″ x 1.05″
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.1
Lezyne Micro Color Bike Computer
The Lezyne Micro Color Bike Computer has most of the performance features of the Mega XL model above but comes in a compact case with a minuscule 1-ounce weight.
The most significant differences are in the 1.4” display which is color rather than black and white and the shorter battery life of 14 versus 40 hours.
Pricing is substantially lower.
Key Features
- Syncs with your Smartphone
- Text and phone notifications.
- Preloaded maps
- Live tracking, turn-by-turn navigation, heart rate, structured workouts
- Integrates with numerous apps including auto-syncs with Strava, TrainingPeaks, and Today’s Plan
- Intuitive 4-button navigation
- 200 hours of memory
- Display: 1.4” color screen
- Battery: micro USB rechargeable
- Battery Life: 14 hours
- Weight: 1.02 ounces
- Dimensions: 1.33″ x 1.89″ x .99″
- Price: $
- Rating: 4.0
Bryton Rider 420E Bike Computer
The Bryton Rider 420E Bike Computer is a GPS computer that syncs well with your Smartphone (though syncing is problematic with an Android) with numerous supported functions great for training.
It has no navigation features but auto-syncs with several useful apps and comes with ANT+ and BLE sensors for speed, cadence, and heart rate.
It has a crisp 2.3” black and white display that fits up to 8 data per page, and buttons for screen navigation.
Battery life is impressive at 35 hours and the pricing is moderate.
Key Features
- Syncs with your Smartphone
- Text and phone notifications using pop-up messages
- No navigation
- Integrates with numerous apps including auto-syncs with Strava, TrainingPeaks, Selfloops, and Relive
- Button screen navigation
- ANT+ and BLE sensors and support for speed, cadence, and heart rate are included
- 72 functions supported
- Display: 2.3” screen
- Battery: USB rechargeable
- Battery Life: 35 hours
- Weight: 2.47 ounces
- Dimensions: 11″ x 3.30″ x .71″
- Price: $$
- Rating: 3.6
Bike Computer Buying Guide
A wide range of features and options are available on bike computers. Basically, the more you have, the pricier it will be. Top-of-the-line models can have a vast number of configurable options and advanced features that will delight high-performance-oriented riders but can be mind-numbing for more casual bikers. Before you purchase, your best bet is to outline what sort of riding you plan to do and get a computer that matches up with your needs. Fortunately, the best models are user-friendly and not too difficult to master.
Connectivity & Special Features
Most GPS bike computers today offer Bluetooth and/or ANT+ connectivity options that enable pairing with a smartphone or a range of third-party devices that gather and store data to evaluate performance. This can include heart rate monitors, cadence sensors, power meters, and other apps such as Strava or Trailforks for more mapping and navigation possibilities. Check each model you are considering for the options that suit you.
Display
The computer’s display can be black and white or in color. Generally, color displays offer more detail and are more expensive. Improved contrast can be possible with a black-and-white screen but each model should be examined to determine how clear it is.
Screen Size
A larger screen is better for navigation and mapping with more room for details. Larger screens can be bulky, so it is a trade-off to a degree. GPS computers allow you to organize your data in a customized way on each page and with multiple fields dispersed across several pages.
Touchscreen/Buttons
For navigating the display computers can use touchscreens or buttons. Many riders prefer buttons because they are easier to use with gloves on. Touchscreens have the reputation of being less reliable especially if wet. However, the newest top models like the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus have received strong reviews from many for this aspect.
Battery Life
The batteries used on GPS computer bikes are practically always rechargeable. It’s pretty inconvenient to run out of power in the middle of a ride, so how long it lasts between charges is pretty important. Top rechargeable batteries have a long user life and can switch on and off when not in use to conserve power. Some of the top models with larger screens drain power more quickly and often have additional battery packs available for backup that you can bring along, like the Garmin computers reviewed here.
For more information on other categories of bikes and accessories, please check out these reviews:
Comfort Bikes Children’s Mountain Bikes Women’s Mountain Bike Helmets Mountain Bike Helmets Affordable Electric Bikes Women’s Mountain Bikes BMX Bikes Mountain Bikes Under $1,000 Budget Mountain Bikes Fat Bikes Single Speed Bikes Beach Cruisers
Feedback and Comments
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