Which bike computer?

Geoff994

Please excuse me if this topic has been asked and answered before, I cannot see where.

I upgraded my bike to a Giany Defy Composite earlier this year and was using my iPhone and Map my Ride to keep track of my rides. I recently started to use Strava on the iPhone and am now looking to purchase a bike computer.

My question is what is likely to be the most suitable computer for me. I like to ride daily to and from work and put in a long ride at the weekend. Im looking to up my weekend mileage and would likely know what my cadence is . I'm not fussed about having mapping as I usually know my routes. I like the data Strava provides and would like a computer which can provide the same and be Strava compatible.

I see Giant has its own brand of computers, though have no idea what will be best for my riding.

Any advice would be appreciated.

djwc

Until recently, I used my smartphone (iphone with strava on it) and had a little computer which just told me my speed and distance on the bars. I then checked info I wanted to check after I finished my ride.

However, I've just been given a Garmin Edge 1000 for my birthday, and I'm really impressed with it. Others seem to be frustrated with the battery life, but I'm not a guy who will cycle for 10 hours solid! The data is really easily visible on the screen, and the routing (if / when you need it) is very good. A couple of friends have other versions of the Edge and love them - the 510 and the Touring I believe.

They are quite expensive I suppose, but I think they provide the info you'd like really well. If you want cadence though, make sure you get one which is compatible as I know not all of them are.

Failing that, I believe the cateye strada series are pretty good. Lots of good reviews both on here and on various cycling sites.

dowtcha

Handtech have a Garmin 500 with hearth rate/ cadence for £136. A Garmin 1000 is £380
http://www.handtec.co.uk/garmin-edge-500-premium-heart-rate-monitor-speed-cadence-010-00829-01.html

I have a 800 which has turn by turn nav which I have never used, a 500 would of been good enough for me.
You can install garmin express on your computer and link it to strava, files will get uploaded automatically when you connected your device to your computer.

ForumNewbie

A Garmin 200 is a good starter and you should be able to get one for well under £100.

A Garmin 500 is better especially if you get the one with a cadence sensor and heart rate monitor. It cost me £250 a few years ago, and I think it was well worth it, but I think they are a lot cheaper now, as new models are out.

simon_masterson

It does grate on me a bit that anyone that asks for a recommendation of a computer around here will get told to get a Garmin, just because if you literally just want something to look down at with your speed on for your commute, there's a lot to be said for the old school wired computer - they're very cheap (if you're on a budget it makes no sense to buy a fancy computer at the expense of decent shorts), they work extremely well and are very reliable, you don't have to worry about them getting nicked, batteries last practically forever...

But Garmins are nice devices. The most apt comparison I can think of is between a Nokia 3310 and an iPhone - the colour screen, the menus, the way that it registers your sensors and HRM... You pay more and you are getting more. For what you want, the Edge 200 would be a perfectly good choice. The 500 gives you more features (and a slightly bigger screen), but I can't imagine you'd use them based on what you've told us.

For reference, I have a Sigma Sport wired computer, a Sigma Sport wireless computer, and an Edge 705.

dowtcha

He wants cadence so a Garmin 200 is no good. I had 2 wired cateye computer both did not last long. Corrosion on the headpiece and a open on the cabling, he also wants to use strava so cheap wired computers also no good.
Can only recommend what I have used.

Geoff994

Thanks to all who have replied, it's appreciated. I think I'll check out the Garmin 500 and take it from there.

Am of to Wales next week so hope to get in some decent rides in the mountains

davidof

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19673509#p19673509]Simon Masterson[/url] wrote:

It does grate on me a bit that anyone that asks for a recommendation of a computer around here will get told to get a Garmin,.

In the GPS world what is better though? There seems to be very little info on other brands. I have a Sigma Rox 10 but there are short comings with it. I dropped the first and the screen broke and it is non repairable. The second gave up the ghost after 6 months. No.3 - after a very quick guarantee turnaround from Rox Germany, is ok for now. However the convex screen is daft as it reflects from loads of angles and it doesn't do VAM but meters per minute. Sigma is very resistant to any user suggestions.

One thing I would say, if you ride MTB getting some kind of navigation is great for riding new trails as you can plot them on the computer, upload them then follow the route (or not).

bobmcstuff

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19673509#p19673509]Simon Masterson[/url] wrote:

It does grate on me a bit that anyone that asks for a recommendation of a computer around here will get told to get a Garmin,

To be fair, he did suggest he wanted it to be Strava-compatible, which does pretty much limit you to GPS type devices. I'm not aware of any non-GPS devices which would have any element of Strava interaction?

You can get a cheap (wired) computer with speed and cadence for under twenty quid if you want.

If you want cadence and Strava compatibility (uploading of rides etc.) then the Garmin 500 would seem to be the first option.

simon_masterson

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19674108#p19674108]davidof[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19673509#p19673509]Simon Masterson[/url] wrote:

It does grate on me a bit that anyone that asks for a recommendation of a computer around here will get told to get a Garmin,.

I absolutely agree, I think the fact that Garmin has cornered the market is testament to the fact that they've perfected the formula; that isn't my point. The point is that if you just want something that you can leave on the bike that tells you how fast you're going and how far, and you don't want to spend much, a good wired computer is the best choice. My Sigma BC1009 has been through the mill on the bike I commute on over the past few years, and it still works.

markhewitt1978

Check out the Garmin 25, very minimal, does cadence and HR etc.

Or you could get a cheap wireless computer for the bars and keep your phone in your back pocket.

isojet

Hi I started out with the cateye 50 and took the plunge and bought a Garmin 1000 edge, what a fantastic bit of kit it simply has everything you could ever need, and it loops into strava, live segments if your a premium strava member and flyby's are brilliant, will easily last for a 7 hrs plus in the saddle on a charge, automatically uploads when you finish, outstanding screen resolution etc etc, I wouldn't use anything else personaly.

simon_masterson

^ it's a tad big, though. I find my 705 a bit chunky, and the 1000 is appreciably larger. They'll be iPad sized next...