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Best Mountain Bike Computer Reviewed
Mountain biking is a popular outdoor sport for many good reasons. While exercise, in general, is important to maintain your health, mountain biking offers some unique benefits that can greatly improve your health.
Because it is a low-impact sport, you can get all the benefits of cardiovascular fitness without the stress on your joints that can lead to injury.
Regular cardiovascular exercise has been shown to keep your immune system strong and help prevent heart disease and other health issues. In addition to helping prevent diseases, it can also help you stay in shape and increase endurance.
That’s why we here at CogMag.com scoured today’s saturated market to help you find the best mountain bike computer. Our team has reviewed our top 5 bike GPS units that will track all of the important stats to help you instantly improve your next ride!
Aside from physical benefits, it also helps you have more energy and can help prevent depression and anxiety. Because of the repetitive nature of the sport, it can work as a moving meditation that can relax your mind and boost self-esteem and confidence.
The increased blood flow and oxygen to your brain also help to improve the function of your brain and can prevent degenerative diseases related to brain function later in life.
Using a bike computer in conjunction with your exercise will help enhance the benefits you receive from it. Finding the best wireless bike computer can give you access to MTB GPS, exercise stats, and pace trackers.
A bike computer with cadence helps you measure the energy output from your RPM to help you maximize your workouts.
Not having these at your disposal can keep you from reaching your full potential. If you do have a wireless bike computer, you will have the ability to increase the effectiveness of your training by tracking data and making goals that will allow you to progress.
Bicycle GPS can offer safety features while you are out as well so friends or family members will know your location if you are hurt or missing. It is important to do your research to find the best mountain bike computer that will work for your individual needs. Here are a few of our favorites.
Check Out Our Favorite Mountain Bike Computer
Top Mountain Bike Computer Comparison Chart
Best Mountain Bike Computer
1. Garmin Edge 1030 Plus Mountain Bike Computer
The Garmin Edge 1030 will give you details about off and on-road routes depending on your preference.
The pre-loaded map will give you accurate, turn-by-turn information to help you ride with confidence. The connectivity of this device allows you to share information with other riders in your group to see real-time data.
The preloaded cycle map will help you plan the best round trip route to help you get back to where you want to be. Once the data is inputted, you will be able to choose from three different options and pick the route that you like the best.
If you get off the route at any time during your ride, it will also help you reroute to get you back where you need to be.
Going on long rides is not a problem with this model because it has 20 hours of backup battery life. You can mount it easily on your handlebars for easy access and viewing while you are riding.
If safety is a big concern of yours, then you can enable built-in incident detection that will alert someone to your location in the event of an emergency.
The 5” screen is large enough and bright enough to give it good visibility for riding during any weather conditions. It is also able to support any third-party accessories or devices that you may use.
2. Bryton Rider 320E Mountain Bike Computer
This model of cycling computer will give you a lot of features like power meter connectivity but remains affordable.
It also comes with customizable data fields to allow you to track the data and stats that are most important to you.
The display screen has a backlight which makes it easy to see no matter what the weather conditions are on your ride. Even though it is easy to see, it remains sleek to give it a professional look once it is mounted on your bike.
There is a micro USB port that can be used to connect other devices if needed. You won’t have to worry about charging it very often because it boasts of 35-hour battery life while in use. Buttons are clearly labeled to make navigation inside the device easy.
You can also download the Bryton Active app which will allow you to access all your data and set it up with the benefit of a touch screen if that is easier for you.
The app will let you configure data display and receive notifications from your cell phone to the device. You can also create courses and training programs via the app.
While there are no mapping or training features on the device, it does have connectivity and sensors that allow you to track a lot of useful data. The simple design eliminates distractions on your ride to help you focus on what you need to.
3. Garmin Edge 530 Mountain Bike Computer
The Garmin Edge 530 has some great features that work well for people interested in navigational help.
It will give you specific directions and even let you know about upcoming turns. It will even take you back to the beginning of your ride via the same route if you want.
It comes with Trailforks integration which means you can sync your Trailforks account with the bike computer to give you more specific topographic information, trail conditions, heatmaps, and points of interest along your route.
You can set it up to display graded trails that are in line with your ability. If you stop during a ride, it will give you directions through trail forks, and it gives you an exact position in regards to the trail network you are using.
The Garmin Edge 530 will keep track of various stats to help you monitor your progress like jump distance, hang time, and jump count using MTB dynamics. This data is recorded so you will be able to see how much you are improving and where you would like to make improvements.
There are Grit and Flow ratings that will let you know the difficulty or smoothness of different trails and paths so you can view your data through an accurate lens. It is a sleek model that has a bike alarm, group messaging, and rearview radar.
4. Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt Mountain Bike Computer
If accurate GPS in a mountain bike computer is at the top of your list, then this model is one that you should consider. It automatically updates and pairs so you always have the most reliable and accurate information.
It is also very user-friendly. It is easy and fast to set up, so you can get to adventuring sooner. Because it is so easy to use, you will be more likely to take advantage of it each time you go out for a ride.
You can measure data like speed, heart rate, and cadence so your progress is clearly monitored and tracked. It will also automatically download and upload route information pertinent to your trails to help keep you safe and make your rides more convenient.
It is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible so you will have all the information you need quickly at your fingertips. You can feel confident and comfortable on any trail with detailed data about the trail network down to every turn. If you enter the information about where you want to end up, it will automatically search for the best route to take.
The bright display is easy to see, no matter when you choose to ride. You also have the ability to link it to popular apps for cycling on your phone. Setting it up to send you notifications about emails, texts, or calls while you are riding can also be beneficial.
5. MEILAN M4 Wireless Mountain Bike Computer
This model is waterproof to help you keep up your biking routine no matter what the weather is outside.
The rechargeable battery is able to last for 80 hours if you don’t use the backlight, so you never have to worry about running out of power.
The 2.5” display is high-definition and has adjustable brightness levels to match your needs. It is easy to read the data on the screen, even during bright sunlight. Having a screen that is easy to read means fewer distractions and safer riding.
It comes with wireless transmission technology to connect with a speed and cadence sensory. It can monitor all of the data you will need like RMP, distance, speed, calories, and temperature. The accurate data is ideal for people who are tracking progress to reach certain goals.
The device is easy to mount and install. The mount holder is able to be mounted in different positions to suit your preferences and will work on most bikes. The only exception is that it is not well suited for solid wheels.
The three-month replacement and one-year warranties allow you peace of mind to try it with the assurance that it will be replaced if it breaks.
Top Mountain Bike Computer Features To Consider
With other forms of exercise and training, it is easier to see progress and track goals. With things like weightlifting, you know how many reps you are doing and at what weight each time you go to the gym. Because cycling has longer distances and smaller improvements, it can be hard to track progress. This is when a bike computer comes in handy.
Even if you are not training for a specific event or are an experienced athlete, there are many benefits that can come from using a bike computer. People who bike as a hobby or use it to commute can benefit from navigational assistance, weather information, and connectivity with a smartphone.
Attachment
A bike computer that attaches conveniently to your handlebars to display information in real-time is important. While it can be beneficial to review data after your biking experience, seeing this data as it is happening is going to help you adjust your speed and other factors to reach your goals with more precision.
Sensors
Sensors attached to the wheels or pedal crank will record how fast and how often each wheel revolves. You will have to calibrate your computer to your specific wheel size to get accurate information.
Backlight
You may also want to consider bike computers that have a backlight to make it easier to see while you are riding. You can also monitor your current speed, maximum speed, and average speed to compare one day’s performance to the overall trends.
Specific Features
If you are interested in tracking your personal health, then you may also want to link your bike computer to a heart rate monitor. This will let you know how your body is reacting during cycling and if your workouts are effective for the goals you have set.
Devices are also able to record your speed if you are interested in tracking speed or are training for a race. Some people are more interested in distance rather than speed, and that can also be monitored with your bike computer.
Other components like being able to know the distance you have traveled, your cadence, temperature, and calories burned can help support you on your way to reaching various goals. This can help you make adjustments if you are pedaling too fast on a climb or not keeping a consistent speed on the straights. Making these adjustments will help you to increase your performance.
Customizable data fields, turn-by-turn navigation, and muscle oxygen sensor integration are also available on some models and can help you meet your needs. You may also be interested in features like a touchscreen and smartphone notifications.
While this information can be helpful while you are cycling, you also want a bike computer that will connect to your smartphone or computer so you can analyze the data after the ride as well. Using this to track your progress over weeks or even months will help give you the motivation to keep working towards your goals when you see how far you have come.