The Finest Bike Computer systems of 2023

Cycling is fun and provides plenty of health benefits. Modern bike computers are extremely helpful in integrating and tracking various metrics including cadence, power, speed, distance, heart rate, and course with a GPS cycling computer.

However, with the high volume of bike computers on the market today, choosing the right one for you can be overwhelming. Thankfully we’ve done our homework and put the time in on the saddle, reviewing a wide range of computers in all manner of conditions and riding styles.

From our experience, we’ve created an accessible buying guide to help you choose the best option for your riding needs, whether you’re a regular commuter, an up-and-coming racer, or anyone in between.

Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys or jump to the category you’re looking for. At the end of our list, check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide, as well as our handy comparison table for pitting bike computer against computer, and a thorough FAQ section to answer any lingering questions.

The Best Bike Computers of 2023

Bike Computer Comparison Chart

Why You Should Trust Us

Our team at GearJunkie is composed of cyclists and outdoor-oriented people looking for the best products on the market. Our staff includes professional gear reviewers, former racers, recreational cyclists, folks who bike commute 60+ miles a week, and everyone in between — people who care about fit, finish, and function. People who, at the end of the day, want a product they can trust. 

Our testers spend their time carefully evaluating new products so that you don’t have to, which translates to more time in the saddle for you. We strive to create thorough, comprehensive, and helpful reviews to help you find the best gear for your individual needs. 

Paul Mandell has two decades of experience in the saddle as an itinerant racer and recreational rider. He completed his graduate studies in exercise science and studied the critical power model for cycling, meaning that he’s no stranger to testing, training, and racing bikes. 

While these days Paul prefers lift-accessed gravity riding and long adventure rides with plenty of descending, he still finds time to get out for the occasional gravel grind or single-track loop in his home base in California’s Eastern Sierra. (Got to keep the legs and lungs tuned up, after all!)

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Bike Computer

Type of Riding

There are a plethora of bike computers to accommodate every type of riding.

Do you use one bike consistently? Or do you rotate through several bikes? If you use several bikes, get a bike computer that allows you to create several profiles so you can use the same computer with any of your bikes.

Are you primarily a mountain biker or a road biker? That’ll help you choose between the Bryton Rider 420E and the other computers on this list.

Do you want to create your own routes or follow your GPS computer to a T? Then, the Garmin Edge 830 or Edge 1030 Plus will probably be your best bet.

No matter your preference, this buying guide covers GPS cycling computers that can accompany all riding styles.

If you’re new to road biking, make sure you check out this article on how to ride safely in the winter and at night.

Sensors

Early bike computers made use of wired sensors that were clunky, difficult to adjust, and not very aero. When a small magnet mounted to the spokes of your bike wheel passes a sensor mounted to your fork, a revolution is registered.

Because different wheel sizes will affect the computation of speed and distance, you’ll need to adjust this within your device to receive accurate information.

Today, a whole host of wireless sensors exist that provide bike computers with new and exciting feeds of information. It’s easy to create a suite of sensors that provide your display unit with everything you want to know while riding.

GPS Sensors

Like the chips in handheld GPS devices or your smartphone, modern bike computers make use of the array of global navigation satellites in orbit in order to gain information on speed, distance, and navigation.

It’s important to note that there are a number of different satellite systems currently, and while the U.S.-sponsored GPS is the most broadly used, other systems can offer higher fidelity in different parts of the world.

Some bike computers are also following recent trends in GPS devices and fitness watches and integrating Dual-Band receiver technologies into their GPS sensors, which allow for multiple generations of satellites to provide information to a device.

This increases the accuracy of the GPS signal and can provide information in zones that have typically been dead zones, like canyons. Newly updated, the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM makes use of this technology.

Wireless Sensors

Now the standard on bike computers that don’t make use of GPS, proprietary wireless sensors like the one used in the CatEye Quick mount to the fork and wheel of your bike and relay speed and distance information back to your display. The information they pull in is rather simple, but on devices that are used for quick bike commuters, it’s often all you need.

Because these sensors are made for specific devices, they won’t be cross-compatible with other bike computers and may need to be adjusted to properly send and receive signals while riding.

ANT+ Accessories

Simply put, ANT+ is a universal language that allows different electronic devices to speak to one another. Manufacturers will integrate ANT+ into devices that will vacuum up information and display it for easy viewing, like fitness watches, smartphones, and bike computers.

Many different devices today will be ANT+ enabled, including heart rate monitors, cadence sensors, speed sensors, and even wireless derailleurs and rear-view radars. This can all be a bit overwhelming (and heavy if your bike is festooned with sensors), but it allows riders to pick and choose what information is important to their riding or training.

Some bike computers, like the Garmin Edge 830 come with a suite of ANT+ sensors, including a speed, cadence, and heart rate monitor.

Bluetooth Integration

Of most use in connecting bike computers to riders’ phones, Bluetooth allows for further interactivity through applications. Many bike computers will offer a simple slate of adjustability through the device’s display unit, but much more through the app. Examples include the Garmin Connect app and the Wahoo ELEMNT app.

Select bike computers even allow for the pass-through display of texts and emails from your phone, like the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM and BOLT.

Ease of Setup

Your device’s setup difficulty — or lack thereof — ultimately depends on how many features your computer has and how many you’re going to use. Understandably, a basic computer doesn’t take as much time to set up as a more advanced computer you plan to connect to a few ANT+ devices.

Setup also includes the physical attachment of your computer to your bike. Suppose you have more than one cycle and plan to regularly mount and dismount your computer.

In that case, the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM comes with both a standard mount and an out-front mount, making it a very versatile device. The CatEye Velo 7 computer takes a bit longer to set up because it uses a wired sensor, but it’s budget-friendly.

Both the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT and ROAM, plus the Lezyne models, are extremely user-friendly for setup. This easy setup is thanks to their respective companion apps on your smartphone to do all the programming and then transfer it over to your primary device.

Touchscreen devices are also straightforward to set up, as that’s an intuitive task — just touch and go. Wired devices are not as easy to install, but beginners can do it if they read the directions.

Navigation

Do you even need a navigation system? If you usually ride on familiar roads, you probably don’t need navigation at all, and a basic cycle computer like the CatEye Velo 7 will likely suffice.

If you want to plan your routes and even be able to go off track and be rerouted, you need a cyclometer with an advanced navigation system such as the Garmin 1030 Edge Plus.

Smartphones vs. Bike Computers

Smartphones these days can be huge. And even though you might not plan on riding in the rain, you need to prepare for it. That means putting a waterproof (and shockproof) case on your phone, making it even larger.

Now imagine your phone: large, heavy, and expensive. Where are you going to put it?

Is your smartphone screen conducive to checking data fields intermittently? Can you read the screen in the bright sun? Do you have a way to call for help if you crash and your phone breaks?

You’ll find the best bike computers to be weatherproof and lightweight. What’s more, even the most expensive models don’t compare to the cost of the newest smartphones. They are designed to be mounted onto your bicycle with aerodynamic performance as a top priority.

The easy-to-read screen on a bike computer won’t leave you squinting to read in the bright sun. Plus, it doesn’t need a waterproof case, so the device’s screen and buttons are user-friendly, even with gloves on.

We think it’s best if your expensive smartphone stays packed safely and not mounted on the front of your bike.

Battery Life

High-quality bike computer batteries are designed to hold up on longer rides. Most bike computer batteries last a minimum of 15 hours, even with satellite navigation and ANT+ connections running.

Before purchasing, consider the type of battery your device is going to need. Cheaper models like the CatEye Velo 7 use disposable batteries, which aren’t that expensive, but they produce waste.

However, it’s much easier to pack extra batteries than to bring along clunky charging units — which you’d need with a rechargeable model — if you plan to go on a multi-day ride.

On this list, the Bryton Rider 420E is an excellent rechargeable computer that offers up to 32 hours of battery life. And if you’re looking to stay out even longer, the solar-charging ability of the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar boosts the battery out to an incredible maximum of 180 hours.

Extra Features

There are a plethora of potential extra features on the best bike computers. For example, you may appreciate the alarm feature on the Garmin Edge 830 if you plan on leaving your bike outside in urban areas. And riders who love to see their altitude while pounding up a hill might benefit from the barometric altimeter found on the Bryton Rider 420E.

Also, think about if you’ll want to pair any accessories to your computer. If that’s the case, make sure your computer has ANT+ and Bluetooth connection so you can easily track stats like heart rate and nutrition.

Finally, cyclists who plan to stay connected to friends and family during their ride are sure to enjoy the communication features on the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus. This GPS-cycling computer can send preset messages to people in your contacts straight from the device.

Final Takeaway

High-quality bike computers are better suited for tracking and routing rides than a smartphone. This is because of its sturdy and aerodynamic design, battery life, GPS accuracy, and cost-efficiency. For those who spend a significant amount of time in the saddle, bike computers are a worthy investment.

FAQ