Cycling Computers and Electronics
The evolution of the cycling computer began simply enough with hardwired magnetic sensors and bare-bones speed vs. distance metrics, expanding rapidly in the era of mobile GPS and Bluetooth connectivity. The range of cycling electronics has accelerated further with modern systems offering sophisticated global GPS tracking, wireless data sync, full-color touchscreen navigation, highly personalized performance metrics, and cross-compatibility with socially-networked third party training platforms. Some systems integrate motion and incident-detecting radar, cameras, and solar charging — truthfully there is almost too much to list with new technology evolving in real time.
Garmin
The Garmin Edge lineup of industry-defining GPS units features a host of models from simple, streamlined commuter-focused head units like the Garmin Edge 130 Plus all the way up to the Edge 1030 Plus and beyond with the release of Garmin's new solar charging Edge 1040.
The mid-range Garmin Edge 530 provides structured workouts, Bluetooth and ANT+ sensor connectivity, global GPS mapping, and a host of other smart technology features in a compact unit with a 2.6" display. One notch above the 530, the Garmin Edge 830 expands the feature list to include touchscreen operation, address-specific custom navigation, and searchable points of interest for food, attractions, hotels and more.
The Garmin Edge 1030 Plus sits near the top of the lineup, loaded with forward thinking navigation, custom ride profiles, structured workouts, precision fitness-tracking, and dozens of other smart connectivity features. The Edge 1030+ is particularly ideal for mountain bikers with dynamics tracking jump count, distance, hang time, and trail flow. The 1030+ also comes standard with the TrailForks database built directly into the UI. For those venturing deep into the backcountry, the 1030+ is also compatible with Garmin's InReach emergency satellite communication system.
Wearables
In addition to dedicated, cycling-specific computers, Garmin also dominates the wearable market of GPS-enabled smartwatches. Expanding the disciplinary range to include running, swimming, and multisport activity, wearables provide a distinct functional advantage with smart technologies like 24/7 wellness monitoring, biometrics, music storage and contactless payment via GarminPay.
Garmin's flagship EPIX Sapphire Titanium GPS Watch comes standard with integrated GPS, biometric fitness, blood oxygen, heart rate, and sleep mapping functionality via wrist-based heart rate monitor. The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar is a triathlon-focused smartwatch that extends battery life up to 20 days using solar charging. The Forerunner 955's customizable activity profiles track your running, cycling, swim performance goals, providing snapshots of your overall health, training, recovery, and sleep.
Hammerhead
The Hammerhead Karoo 2 GPS Computer is a relative newcomer to the cycling computer landscape, delivering a premium platform with excellent navigability, precision accuracy, simple, straightforward third-party route management dashboard, and fully customizable data fields.
The first thing you'll notice is Karoo 2's high resolution 3.2" display, which delivers a stunning 292 PPi pixel density and 16.7 million color-supported resolution to render HD-quality visuals with ultra-crisp mapping detail. The Karoo 2 pairs with all bluetooth cycling sensors, headphones and smartphones for audio and display notifications and comes WiFi-enabled for software updates, map downloads and data sync. Karoo is also ANT+ compatible for use with power meters, heart rate monitors, Di2, Varia Radar alerts and more. High accuracy GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, and QZSS antennae give you access to more satellites for precision location tracking anywhere on Earth.
Stages
Portland, Oregon's Stages Cycling offers a solid pair of streamlined head units designed around simple hop-on-and-ride functionality. The Stages Cycling Dash L200 and M200 are effectively the same unit with different sized displays, 2.7" versus 2.2". Known for their power meters, Stages prioritizes data tracking and workout analysis. Easily and wirelessly add routes and workouts from your training plan via the Stages Cycling App. Analyze workout data in the app and sync with your favorite third party tools such as Strava, TrainingPeaks and Trainer Road.
Magnetic Sensors
At their most rudimentary, magnetic sensor units tabulate speed and distance via small spoke-mounted magnets. They can usually display current time, elapsed time, distance and speed data and will typically include some type of odometer function. The popular Cat Eye Strada Wireless Bike Computer is an inexpensive, simple wireless model that tracks the basics for folks who don't need wayfinding or GPS functions.
Indoor Cycling
In order to use your computer to calculate speed and distance when you're riding indoors on a trainer, you will need to have some kind of sensor that monitors wheel rotation. If you use a GPS computer, invest in a speed/cadence sensor like Garmin's Speed and Cadence Sensor 2 Bundle for indoor training — as a bonus, the cadence sensor works outside, too, of course!
Keep in mind that speed readings on the trainer aren't terribly accurate — it's pretty easy to change your bike's 'speed' on a trainer by simply changing gears. That said, tracking power output, cadence, and heart rate while training is central to the appeal of indoor cycling.
Whether you're looking to maximize your training gains, navigate gravel backroads, or simply track your daily commutes, we've got a model to suit your specific needs.
Our staff has a vast amount of experience on all of the computers in stock, and we'd love to help you find what works for you.
Happy riding! Email [email protected] Phone (503) 917-0156 Hours:Mon-Sat 8am-5pm PT