Cycle computer

[Sparky71]

I'm looking at Father Christmas to deliver a cycle computer for me, but am overwhelmed with all the options. I try to ride on as few roads as possible and mainly use tracks, trails, canal paths and parks as well as dedicated cycle lanes. When I need a little guidance, usually in the Runcorn area trying to find the Bridgewater canal, I use google maps on my phone which requires me to constantly stop for checks. If I mount it on my handlebars, the screen times out of I simply can't see the screen.
I've seen these cycle computers in places like Halfords but was wondering what I need to check and look out for for before buying. Do I need to pay a subscription for the maps?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Arjimlad]

I am not the most experienced with these having only owned 2 bike computers with route display capability. In my experience, they're very helpful and overcome the difficulties you have mentioned.

My Wahoo Element Bolt shows a black & white map on the screen and can show & guide me round a route, which can be planned on RideWithGPS and then uploaded to the computer via the Element's website or app. I manage fine without paying for any subscription to Wahoo Element or RideWithGPS. I can zoom in or out of the map on the computer with one of the control buttons and it can be set to alert me to turns/junctions ahead. It also beeps if I take a wrong turn.

More expensive/sophisticated computers often show a more detailed/colour map.

Hope this helps!

 

[ianrauk]

What is your budget?
There's a whole host of cycling computers out there and a whole host of people who have different choices.
You don't need to pay a subscription for maps as they are pre-loaded to devices.

 

[Alex321]

I'm looking at Father Christmas to deliver a cycle computer for me, but am overwhelmed with all the options. I try to ride on as few roads as possible and mainly use tracks, trails, canal paths and parks as well as dedicated cycle lanes. When I need a little guidance, usually in the Runcorn area trying to find the Bridgewater canal, I use google maps on my phone which requires me to constantly stop for checks. If I mount it on my handlebars, the screen times out of I simply can't see the screen.
I've seen these cycle computers in places like Halfords but was wondering what I need to check and look out for for before buying. Do I need to pay a subscription for the maps?
Thanks in advance.

Most of them use something like openstreetmaps for the mapping, so you don't need any subscription, and they are updated fairly regularly.

There is a wide variety of models available, with a correspondingly wide variation n prices. You obviously need one with GPS and navigation available.

Looking at Halfords, since you mentioned them, the cheapest which looks like it should do what you want is £147
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/cy...a-rox-11.1-evo-gps-cycle-computer-677902.html

That one is quite limited mapping though, you might want to move up to one of the Garmin or Wahoo models (Halfords don't seem to stock Wahoo for some reason).

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Offline maps was a game changer for me, used to lose mobile signal in Mendips and routing would go bonkers without it.

 

[PaulSB]

My personal recommendation would be a Wahoo as these are by far the simplest to set up and use.

A subscription to a mapping service isn't essential but in my view enhances the experience. Again my recommendation would be RWGPS. I've never really got on with the others I've tried which are Komoot, Garmin and Strava.

The subscription cost is +/- £4 - £6 per month. Cheaper if purchased annually.

 

[Alex321]

My personal recommendation would be a Wahoo as these are by far the simplest to set up and use.

A subscription to a mapping service isn't essential but in my view enhances the experience. Again my recommendation would be RWGPS. I've never really got on with the others I've tried which are Komoot, Garmin and Strava.

The subscription cost is +/- £4 - £6 per month. Cheaper is purchased annually.

You can use RWGPS to plan routes without a subscription. I do.

 

[PaulSB]

You can use RWGPS to plan routes without a subscription. I do.

Yes, which is why I said a subscription isn't essential but in my view enhances the experience.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

My personal recommendation would be a Wahoo as these are by far the simplest to set up and use.

A subscription to a mapping service isn't essential but in my view enhances the experience. Again my recommendation would be RWGPS. I've never really got on with the others I've tried which are Komoot, Garmin and Strava.

The subscription cost is +/- £4 - £6 per month. Cheaper if purchased annually.

I use a wahoo but with cycle.travel which is free, or subscription to use OS mapping. Would recommend.

 

[blackrat]

You can use RWGPS to plan routes without a subscription. I do.

RWGPS is run

You can use RWGPS to plan routes without a subscription. I do.

If this doesn't convince you to pay for what you use, then I guess nothing will: https://ridewithgps.com/about-us

 

[Alex321]

RWGPS is run


If this doesn't convince you to pay for what you use, then I guess nothing will: https://ridewithgps.com/about-us

If I used it more, I probably would. But I'm not paying a subscription for something I use maybe 2-3 times a year at most. It is very rare I actually plan out routes to use.

 

[blackrat]

I don't disagree.

 

[ColinJ]

I use a wahoo but with cycle.travel which is free, or subscription to use OS mapping. Would recommend.

Ditto!

 

[albion]

You could use Organic Maps, the free offline OpenStreetMap based collaboration.

Simply set 'Keep Screen On' in its settings.

 

[Happy_Days]

My personal recommendation would be a Wahoo as these are by far the simplest to set up and use.

Is Wahoo easier to set up and use than Hammerhead’s Karoo?