The Best Cycling Computers 2022

What Are The Best Cycling Computers For 2022?

A good bike computer has quickly become an essential part of any cyclists set up. Over the last few years, the best devices have become much more advanced with clear displays, better connectivity and improved integration with other devices.

While there is a plethora of choice when it comes to cycling computers, it’s important to keep in mind that the best option for you will depend on your budget, the discipline(s) you ride, and the metrics you wish to track.

In this article, we explain the differences between the various types of cycling computers and then take a closer look at our recommendations for the best ones. Firstly, we’d like to reveal our list of our favourite cycling computers.

The Best Bike Computers For 2022:

1. Hammerhead Karoo 2
2. Garmin Edge 530
3. Bryton 750E
4. Garmin Edge 1030
5. Sigma Rox 2.0
6. Garmin Edge 130

What Is A Bike Computer? 

A bike computer is a device that tracks and displays your ride data. Most of these will attach to your handlebars for easy reading, using either silicone rubber straps or an out-front mount. If you’re a beginner, then a basic cycling computer will provide data such as time, speed, and distance ridden. These metrics should be enough to test the water before you take the plunge and invest in a high-end product.  

More technical bike computers — such as those from Garmin and Hammerhead — go several steps further and can display heart rate, power, and maps. Many high-end devices even give you the ability to customise your screen so you can tailor your computer to display data that’s important for the riding you do. As a result, this type of bike computer is ideal for more advanced cyclists who either ride long distances or want to track technical performance metrics.   

Why Would You Use A Cycling Computer? 

With more data available as you ride, the best bike computers allow you to understand performance, track efforts and map your rides. Vitally, they display these metrics on the go, so you can cycle further, gauge your exertion level, and adjust your efforts as you ride.

As a result, cycling computers are a firm favourite for all types of riding, from casual commuting, performance racing, and long-distance bike packing. Notably, the best bike computers can be used across various disciplines from track cycling to mountain biking.

What Types Are There?

While there are many types of computers for cycling, they broadly fall into three groups, based on price: basic devices which go up to £100, mid-range which are between £100 to £250, and high-end computers that tend to be over £250.

Basic

In general, most basic cycling computers will cost up to £100. They can display critical metrics such as speed, distance, and time. Unfortunately, almost none have GPS capabilities, meaning you won’t be able to use maps or follow any pre-created routes.    

Computers for cycling with wired sensors are often the most economical but are generally harder to set up and transfer between bikes. As you spend more, cycling computers become available with wireless sensors, making it easier to move between bikes. Most bike computers at this price point will be battery powered.  

While basic devices don’t offer the same amount of data as higher-end models, they are less expensive and can be the best option for beginners who want to track their key metrics.

Mid-Range 

Mid-range cycling computers are available between £100 and £250, and at this price point, there’s a noticeable step-up in features. Not only do they display speed, time, and distance, but they also come equipped with a larger screen and GPS capabilities allowing you to display maps and follow routes designed on apps like Strava. 

You should also be able to customise your display too so that you can personalise your computer and prioritise specific metrics depending on your discipline and riding style. Notably, many of these devices are compatible with power meters and heart rate monitors to enhance your training even further. All this considered, these are the best bike computers for experienced riders and racers on a reasonably liberal budget. 

High-End

As you’d expect, high-end bike computers come with all the essential features offered by their mid-range counterparts, like GPS mapping and tech integration but with a few impressive additional features.  At this price point, you can expect a lightweight head unit with a large colour display. Many (though not all) are touch screen and offer integration with electronic drivetrains and WIFI connectivity. Most are also bundled with heart rate monitors and cadence sensors, so you can get rolling right out the box.  

A couple of years ago, a common complaint with high-end cycling computers was their battery life. With a large screen and a massive variety of features, you couldn’t make it through a big day out without taking a power bank for an extra charge. Thankfully, significant improvements have been made since, and now, most have a battery life of up to 20 hours. Priced between £250 and £600, these products are the cream of the crop and are only really necessary for riders who need the best tech to support them out on the roads and trails. 

1. 

   Garmin Edge 530

   Who cares that the Edge 530 GPS cycling computer offers dynamic performance monitoring and insights to help you improve? You do.See how the heat and altitude affect your performance and how many meters are left in an intense climb. Get proof of your epic jumps with metrics that track your jump count, jump distance and hang time. * Ride like a local by using advanced navigation capabilities, on- and off-road maps and route recalculation. * Get peace of mind with safety features, and bring your favourite training apps onboard from the Connect IQ Store. * Edge 530 is the ultimate integration

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2. 

   Garmin Edge 1030

   ✓   89mm full-colour touch-screen display.

   ✓   Supports mapping, turn-by-turn navigation, off-course calculations.

   ✓  Compatible with heart rate monitors, power meters and Di2.

   ✓  Bluetooth and WIFI compatibility to receive text and call notifications.

   In many ways, the Garmin 1030 is as good as it gets when it comes to bike computers. By replacing the Garmin Edge 1000, this updated top-of the range bike computer comes with a sleek new case and a host of new and updated features.   

   With detailed maps, turn-by-turn navigation, off-course calculations and an 89mm full-colour touch-screen display, this is easily the best bike computer for out-and-out adventure riding. Displaying up to 10 data fields per page and fully customisable using the Garmin app, you can perfectly tailor this bike computer for you and the riding you do most.  

   As you should expect at this price point, it’s fully compatible with a massive range of cycling tech like heart rate monitors, power meters, turbo trainers and even electronic groupsets, to satisfy even the most dedicated performance cyclists. 

   Of course, it’s topped off with Bluetooth and WIFI compatibility, so you can pair your phone and receive text and call notifications on the go. Finally, to combat some bad press Garmin has received about the battery life of their larger computers, the Garmin 1030 offers up to 20-hours of ride time on a full charge, making it well suited to even the longest days in the saddle. 

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3. 

   Garmin Edge 130

   ✓   Weighs just 34-grams.

   ✓   Compatible with power meters, cadence and heart rate monitors.

   ✓   GPS-capable and maps.

   ✓   Supports training plans, sessions and Stravalive segments.

   Weighing just 34 grams, The Garmin 130 is a small, compact cycling computer. Although it doesn’t have a touchscreen, thanks to the large buttons on the side of the unit, the Garmin 130 is easy to use and control. With excellent Bluetooth connectivity, you can pair the device with power meters, heart rate monitors and cadence sensors, which will please most performance orientated cyclists.

   Thanks to the clear, black-and-white screen, the display (while small) is easy to read in a wide range of conditions. Thanks to the GPS-capabilities, the maps should suffice for most, with the ability to load and follow routes, as well as offering turn-by-turn navigation.

   The Garmin 130 goes well beyond displaying your regular ride data. By supporting structured training plans and sessions, and the ability to load Strava segments, it leaves you wanting little else out on the road. As a USB rechargeable unit, it stores plenty of power per charge so you should never come unstuck.

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4. 

   Hammerhead Karoo 2

   Light, compact and powerful, the Hammerhead Karoo 2 GPS cycling computer is your companion for every cycling journey - simply mount, then you’re ready to go with its easy-to-follow user interface. Benefits include the ability to explore for longer with its powerful 12 hour battery life, sharing your ride seamlessly on third-party apps such as Strava, and never missing a thing with the ability to receive turn-by-turn directions, as well as notifications from your smartphone. Weighing just 131 grams, this device packs a punch with its Quad-core processor and 32GB storage space for maps and

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5. 

   Bryton Rider 750E

   Designed for demanding cyclists looking for powerful new features and technologies, the all new Rider 750 excites with pre-loaded maps for online navigation and a range of advanced training features well beyond it’s price tag. The Rider750 also includes new features such as the Bike Radar System and full support for smart trainers bikes as well as compatibility with all of your Bluetooth and ANT+ sensors including all brands of Power meters.With an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) with easy-to-understand icons on a bright 2.8-inch colour touch screen, the Rider 750 offers a

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6. 

   Sigma Rox 2.0

   The ROX 2.0 GPS bike computer is perfect for all those recreational athletes who use all the essential functions of a GPS bike computer, but don't want to spend a fortune for one. Its large, easy-to-read display combined with its simple operation make it the ideal companion on your bike tour.The ROX 2.0 bike computer has 14 functions, such as displaying speed, distance, training time, navigation information, and connection to an e-bike. Use the free SIGMA RIDE app to track your current ride data and analyse them at any time on your smart phone.Includes: * Bike computer * GPS mount *

   Buy now with free delivery