In terms of additions to your bike, there
are few items as ubiquitous in modern cycling as the bike computer. The breadth
and depth of features on offer in modern devices means that there’s a feature
for everyone. Use it simply to log how many miles you’ve covered and display
your speed, or take advantage of more powerful tech, like detailed bike-specific
navigation instructions and displaying an accurate pacing strategy to maximize
your performance on a local climb.
Modern Tech, Tiny Package
Gone are the days when the pinnacle of bike-computer
tech meant meticulously wrapping a wire around the fork of your bike and using magnets
to track wheel revolutions. With the advance of technology in this sector, even
a relatively basic device now comes packed with features. You’ll be able to
track all the key cycling metrics, including speed, distance, time, and the
route you took via built in GPS software.
Opt for a more advanced device and you’ll
have access to seemingly endless possibilities. Modern devices, like the latest
Garmin Edge computers will come with features, such as displaying your power
data, Cycling Dynamics, viewing how many climbs you have remaining, among
others.
It’s a Wireless World
Via a number of wireless protocols, you’ll
be able to sync your device to a plethora of other bike tech, including
heartrate monitors, power meters, indoor/smart trainers, cadence and speed
sensors, smart lights, and more. With the latest offerings, from the likes of
Garmin and Hammerhead, you can even receive suggested routes and workouts
straight from your device, reducing the time and stress of having to plan a
ride. For the climbers, as touched on, you can also display live profiles on
any climb on your route, helping you to stay strong in the mountains until the
very end.
So, whether you're a mountain biker, road
rider, gravel racer, commuter, or a combination of all of these, every cyclist
can benefit from data displayed by a bike computer.
