first computer

Lorez
Lorez Posts: 23
edited March 2016 in Road buying advice
I've been using my iphone in my pocket to track my rides and like the misses I thought It would be good to get a computer to track and use the phone for what it really is necessary for. I'm new in to cycling over the past few months and slowly upping the distances at the weekend this winter and doing the odd commute so wondered what I would need? Do I get something basic for now or get something with all the bells and whistles? Do I need HR monitors, speed and power monitors? all help gratefully received

Comments

  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,328
    You don't NEED anything.
    However, I would recommend a heart rate monitor to monitor effort (power meters are expensive) and a cadence sensor if you are concerned with this. I naturally grind out a big gear at low cadence (60 rpm) which means my legs fatigue after around 50 miles. Keeping my cadence higher (80-90) in a lower gear means I can do over 100 miles.
    If you are going out for less than 6 hours, a Garmin 25. If for more than 6 hours, get a 520 and you won't need a second computer.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,662
    Garmin 520. If you buy a 25 you'll soon want a 520.
  • Lorez
    Lorez Posts: 23
    Is the 520 worth the £100 more with the sensors? Need to justify the extra spend to myself
  • dowtcha
    dowtcha Posts: 442
    If money is tight you could opt for a byrton 310 from bike24.

    https://www.bike24.com/p2155268.html computer only £65
    https://www.bike24.com/p2155259.htmlComputer + Cadence Sensor £75
    https://www.bike24.com/p2155203.htmlComputer + Heart Rate Monitor and Cadence Sensor £107.

    I have a Garmin 800, never used the turn by turn so a 500 would of done. The extra features of the 520, live tracking, strava segments are not for me so why pay extra for features I would not use. I do find cadence and heart rate useful. If my 800 died I think it would be replaced with the byrton for £65 and use my old sensors. Uploads to strava would be manual but that is not a big deal. You could buy the base computer and get cheap heart-rate and cadence later.
  • eciclo
    eciclo Posts: 27
    GPS Bryton 100 - http://www.all4cycling.com/shop/advance ... rds=bryton £55
  • redvision
    redvision Posts: 2,958
    Bryton rider 310 is the best value gps on the market.
    For the money it is incredible.

    I love my garmin edge 520 but anyone wanting a first bike computer /gps should look at the bryton first.

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