Bike Computer Buyer's Guide | What Does a Cycle Computer Do? | 10 Things You Need to Know!!

Bike computers buyer's guide! In this video, I will answer the questions... What does a bike computer do? and what is the best cycle computer for you?

00:00 - Common questions answered
01:03 - How do cycle computers work?
01:57 - Wired vs Wireless (Old vs New)
02:37 - What can a cycle computer measure?
03:09 - A note on battery life
03:59 - The costs of cycle computers
08:06 - I can just use my phone… right?
10:21 - Ant+ & Bluetooth connectivity
11:07 - Do you need a cycle computer?
12:11 - What cycle computer is right for you?
13:26 - IMPORTANT INFORMATION (Don’t skip)

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Bike computers buyer's guide! In this video, I will answer the questions... What does a bike computer do? and what is the best cycle computer for you?

Do you even need a cycle computer? That's another good question and that really does depend on your needs and your long term goals on the bike. Cycle computers can measure a vast amount of metrics, but if you have no plans to use those metrics then you could save yourself some money and buy a simple cycle computer.

With the information in this video, you'll be able to make an educated decision when purchasing a new cycle computer and probably save yourself a handful of money in the process.

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COME SAY HI!

[HanOfGod]

I used to use my phone for cycle data, mainly when i used to commute.
But start of the first lockdown, when i got a new bike, i upgraded to a Wahoo Roam. Best decision! Love it!
When out for new rides to explore, i do get lost (quite often 🤦), so having a GPS just helps getting me to my destination without having to take my phone out of my pocket every 5 minutes).
Went for Wahoo over Garmin for a couple if reasons, firstly for ease of use/set up. Read loads of reviews and Garmin's can be fiddly as a lot is done through the computers menus whilst the Wahoo App makes it very easy. And secondly, buttons over touchscreen, being in the UK, it can get cold out on the roads so wearing gkoves quite a lot. Buttons makes using it whilst riding easier to change between screens etc. These were important to me, but the Garmin's do do some things better than Wahoo. Better maps and navigation, multi colour displays, better data analysis through Garmin's app etc.
Like Jourdain said, find what is important to you and buy accordingly. I got the Roam over the Bolt because it's bigger, more colours on the map (not Garmin level, but better than Black and White maps). If i went for Garmin, i would have gone for the 830, don't need the 1030, way too expensive for my wallet and more options and better than the 530.

[rurocking]

I bought a Magene C406 with Magene H603 HR along with their Speed and Cadence sensors and it's a great combo. Works flawlessly all the time. All this for well under $200.00 CDN. I've been out in pouring rain on many occasion and or very wet road and have had no issues. It's a great system and gives more than enough data including temperature.

[Matahalii]

Cycling computer: My recent favorite one is Xoss G+ for around 30EUR. Pros: ANT+, GPS speed and tracking, App for Android and Iphone, with strava and other connectivity. Cons: no navigation, no Powermeter connectivity. For navigation (no need on known training routes) I can use my phone (Komoot) with earplug or visible.

[basiledk]

I'm very happy with my Polar V650 cycle computer and also with my Polar Vantage V2 watch. I think it's a very good brand.

[AlanTPT]

I use my Apple Watch to record the rides and upload them to strava. I am thinking of using my smartphone and Kamoot for now until i see the impact on battery life with distance and then naturally progress to a cycle computer. Great video!

[largogrunge]

Personally, I use a basic wireless 30 USD cyclo computer from Decathlon (which provides current speed, average speed, total distance, time and a few other features) plus a smart watch (which has GPS so I can record my route, heartbeat and other features).

[MrSARichards]

I used to use my phone and Strava/Komoot.
It works absolutely fine for a casual ride
HOWEVER, now I have a bolt I’ll never go back to it - focus on the ride, more accurate data, it looks better sitting on the handlebars!

That being said - one more thing to carry in your jersey pocket!

Great vid Jordan

[peterdenham]

Hello Jourdain, just watched your excellent video on cycle computers, albeit two years later. I'm a quite fit 72 year old cyclist, who has got back into cycling after many years away from it. I've just started to do sportives and charity rides, plus maybe a cycling holiday in unfamiliar areas (only in the UK) and want to get a cycle computer. I hope I can manage up to 100k on some of these rides this year. Have spent hours looking at the computers on the market, so as of 2023, could you please recommend a couple that might be suitable for me. No.1 priority is reliable navigation, I'm really not interested in performance connectivity etc. Obviously the cheaper the better, I suppose I would go up to £250. Mainly, I would be downloading gpx routes to the computer. Have looked at the Beeline Velo 2, but not sure I like the fact that you have to be connected to the mobile phone whilst using it. Others I have looked at are Mio 210 or Mio Discover, even Bryton 750E. Would be very grateful for your advice. Many thanks, Peter

[driessensr]

You say you can't connect multiple sensors with a smartphone, that isn't correct. I connect my phone to a cadence-, heartbeat- and speed- sensor when i ride. It is just the battery life that forces me to use a bike computer

[okkesersinmart]

8:21 NOTE: samsung s6-7-8-9-10 have ant + hardware and software built-in it. I can easily connect ant + cadence and hearth rate sensor to the samsung s7

[mustaphasalim]

Another very informative video. Guys make sure you watch this video before buying a cycle computer. Thank you Jourdain for doing all the hard work for us.

[basedpatriotLT]

what would be the lowest price of a computer that can show me altitude/elevation gain?

[bradjohnson]

B.S. on wireless! Wireless only works well if you do not have a handlebar bag in the way of the signal. Personal experience, I do not compete/hard training anymore, I tour much like the great majority of cyclists. Whats with an extra cable when you already have 4 cables already?

[maximme]

thanks for very sensible advice.
Buy what you need
and
dont touch those touch screens.

[sameerjoshi]

Very informative video Jourdain! I'm just starting out and mainly interested in navigation, not so much the other metrics, which computer would you recommend on a budget?

[cameronloggenberg]

Great video. Saved me some money with this one.
My fitness watch linked to speed/cadence sensors will do for now.

[john_doe_]

I just want something to track my route and record speed, time, and elevation. Power output would be cool as well but not necessary. Any recommendations? And I have a fitbit I'd generally do all this with but it loses connection in the mountains. So I'm looking for something that's going to work specifically where my phones not online and I don't have a GPS signal to my phone

[georgex]

Bl**dy great video. Really helpful for me a beginner cyclist

[kylestewart]

I think it would be silly to spend more than $250 on a bike computer if you aren’t a dedicated, keen cyclist who plans to pour over all of the data and take cycling training very seriously. If you’re essentially a hobbyist or someone who rides primarily to get a bit of exercise or commute to work and all you really want is decent GPS navigation, I’d definitely stick between the entry level to mid tier computers. There’s no point in paying for loads of features you aren’t going to use. I’m not looking to get into bike racing and avidly tracking every possible metric so I’d never spend $600+ on a bike computer. I would spend $200-300 though to get high quality navigation and enough battery life to last for long rides and bikepacking trips.

[alexsiu]

you definitely deserve more subscribers!