BIKE COMPUTERS

Whether you want to track your speed or crunch post-ride data, a bike computer is an essential spend. James Witts tests six from £20

Bike computers are a staple of the triathlete’s gear armoury; in fact, they’re still omnipresent even when armed with a multisport watch. That’s because by sitting on either your stem or bars, they’re easily seen no matter what speed you’re riding at. Or they should be, which brings us onto one of the key areas – visibility. In general, the larger the screen size, the easier the info is to read, though pixelated digits or a small font often mean that’s not the case. This is key if you’re relying on your computer for navigation so, when appropriate, check its resolution.

For the most marginal of gainers, obviously the larger the screen, the less aerodynamic a computer is, though that’s a minor sacrifice worth making if it’s easy to navigate via a touchscreen. This is especially important when wearing gloves. But large usually means more features and that means extra cost.

If you choose a GPS model, you’ll have to decide between a ‘backward-looking’ or ‘forward-looking’ model. Backward-looking are favoured by riders who tap into portals like Strava as they offer live data plus detailed post-ride analysis. ‘Forward-looking’ feature built-in maps to tick that navigational box, meaning additional storage and a larger screen. Of course, this all comes at an extra cost. More expensive computers should also feature Bluetooth as standard, meaning phone connectivity if required, as well as cranking up ease of syncing the data to your smartphone for ride analysis. More affordable models strip features right down but don’t let that put you off – for many, speed and distance is enough.

mounting Many computers fit into their mounts via a twist action that clicks them into place. The mounts clamp onto bars and stem via bands. Whatever the system, they should be strong and stable. screen s Font should be crisp and easy to view on the fly. May also be touchscreen, though ensure scrolling and tapping still works with gloves on. connectivity Strava lovers and ride sharing need Bluetooth as standard. ANT+ is also useful as some power meters rely on it. No connectivity is required if you’re just after speed, distance and time.