Why GPS and GPS bike computer is a must-have for the road bike

This post is also available in: Deutsch (German)

For me, GPS bike computers are a must-have electronic tool on the road bike. Data collecting and data analysis, software like Strava or Komoot and of course GPS routing. I use everything.

Why do I need GPS with the road bike?

I thought I did quite well with maps. Well, I thought. Until I did the first trip with a bike. With still pretty untrained legs in unknown territory. At every intersection I had to stop in order not to risk a detour. Where is north? Where do I need to go? The tours took always longer than necessary. And in the end I got lost anyhow.

And then GPS was available! 

My first GPS device was a Garmin eTrex 20. It was supposed to be a model of the market leader. I wanted to avoid compatibility problems with computers and software. The eTrex 20 is a GPS device and not a cycling computer. But it was an affordable solution to follow computer generated tracks. The wanderings were a thing of the past.

Planning and cycling

I tried several tour planning tools. For a while I used Strava’s route planning. Until I ended up in the alps on a single-trail. Since then I use Komoot. Komoot knows the road categories and the road surfaces. A great additional value.

What attributes need a GPS bike computer suitable for the road bike?

For me my cycling computer must be able to display and store all available data: speed, distance, heart rate and cadence. But also height, altitude, power, cycling duration and time, temperature or calories consumed. For all values, I want to know the current numbers, as well as the maximum and average values.

I want to be able to reschedule when I’m on the way. I want to see what’s nearby. What’s the name of the creek or the lake I’m passing? That’s why a schematic black and white scheme of the route is not enough for me. I want to see a map.

My current GPS bike computer

The Garmin eTrex 20 had quite a small display. In addition, I always had to operate two devices. That’s why I decided to buy a new bike computer with GPS. The size of the Garmin Edge 1000 was too big for me. So I bought the Garmin Edge 810. But it crashed every now and then and the recording was lost. And whats not on Strava, never happened. That’s why the Edge 810 had to go. At the moment I cycle with the Garmin Edge 820. I’m quite satisfied with it. Problem of the Edge 820 is the lack of functionality in wet conditions and with gloves.

 Die folgenden aktuellen GPS-Fahrradcomputer sind aus meiner Sicht vergleichbar mit dem Edge 820. Die beiden Wahoo haben kein Farbdisplay und keinen Touchscreen. Die Anzeige soll trotzdem sehr gut sein.

1. Garmin Edge 520
2. Garmin Edge 1030
3. Polar V650
4. Sigma ROX 12.0
5. Wahoo Elemnt
6. Wahoo Elemnt Bolt

Eine Übersicht über die gängigen GPS-Fahrradcomputer gibt es bei GPS-Fahrradcomputer.