Buy a GPS Cycle Computer.
Cycling Computer: Do I need one: When I first started back into cycling one of the things I wanted on my new bike was a way to record the miles I will be cycling, and I was sold a basic Cat-Eye model very similar to the Velo model :
Link: https://www.cateye.com/intl/products/computers/CC-VL520/
This model has been replaced long ago by a Garmin Edge 200 :
Link: https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/p/90675
Garmin Edge 200. |
The Edge 200 is a really great cycle computer, small, light, easy to use, and a great battery life on it, simple to upload to the Garmin ride site and easy to link up to other ride platforms like Strava etc,, the mounts are sturdy and cheap to buy, records the basic ride you have been on and will save it in it memory until uploaded to the PC vie a cable... Job done then, but what if you want the computer to do more, there is no alternative but to look and see what else is out on the market....
Google Maps: Most of us all have a Mobile phone capable of having Data and a map system, one popular is the Google Map App, a easy to use mapping, system, simply open the Map App, turn on your location, set your destination, click on the Cycle choice, and away you go..... Well not really that easy, a few snags crop up, ...
- Battery life: The mapping system will drain your battery on your phone quicker, so you need to carry a spare battery power pack.
- Navigation: Unless you have your data turned on it will not tell you the turning in greater detail, also will not reroute if you do go wrong, so its a manual turn around on the bike..
- Dirt Tracks: Will not distinguish which type of bike ride you are on, in other words you be on the road one moment, and then following the route down a stony dirt track, not good for the road tyres..
- Mount: you will need to mount the phone on the handle bars to keep looking at the directions if not your stopping too many times.
- Ride History: Most important thing for the cyclist is no ride details are saved.
So what does that leave us all with then, basically a GPS mapping cycle computer which is packed with so many features and comes with a hefty price!
If price is not a concern to you there are some fantastic GPS computers out there with full mapping, Cadence, Heart rate monetering, rider to rider connectivity, plus Email, Text, Whatsapp and a load of other features, the king of the cycle GPS has to be the Garmin 1030.
Link: Garmin 1030 https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/p/567991 R.R.P at £499.99p
You "Get what you Pay for" comes to mind, but what is there around if you don't want to spend that kind of money, but still want a mapping direction on the computer, if you all ready have a basic cycle computer simply check out the website of the make that you have if you have been happy with the performance of your computer, check and take note of how much info the model can tell you, the type of mapping, and phone connectivity etc. maybe have a price in mind that you are willing to spend, if you talk to other cyclists ask them what they would recommend, although 9/10 have said to me get a Garmin range, its fool proof, the name Garmin we all know, from the car Sat-Nav so its the one to beat, problem is with company's that are that successful they can charge a premium on there products, just look at the "Apple" brand.
Google is a great way to look for cheaper GPS cycling computers, simply type in "Cheap GPS Cycling Computers" and see what comes up on the Google search engine.
Road CC comes up with a review blog on the 13 cheapest GPS computers, worth a quick read, (But do come back)
LINK: https://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/215055-13-best-cheap-gps-cycling-computers
Great article on several cycling computers,
Lezyne has a range of GPS mapping computers, it can get a bit confusing which one is your ideal model, one is the
Link: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-super-cycle-gps-with-mapping/
Great price..
One that I would like to get my hands on is the Mega C from Lezyne, on the spec list has a colour screen, can have maps, good battery life, and easy to use, but hard to find a local shop to me to check one out...
Alibaba is another platform you could look at, Alibaba, a great directory of products, only problem you have to bulk bye, but will give you a idea of what is available..
Best place to buy: That is a hard one to answer, who can you trust!
Maybe Evans Cycles might be selling a few items cheap soon, keep a watchful eye out on there site.
https://www.evanscycles.com/search?text=lezyne%20gps
Wahoo: Now there is a name you may be familiar with,
https://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/bike-computers/gps-bike-computer-elemnt £249.00 though, a bit pricey you may say... You get what you pay for, or do you, I am still on the look out for that High end Turn by Turn GPS bike computer at a great price..
Wahoo uses the Kamoot mapping system..
https://uk.wahoofitness.com/partners/komoot
I have been asked to do a review on a product from Baoan Shenzhen China, they make GPS, bike lights, E=Bike displays and a whole lot more, so I will be looking forward to seeing the quality of this GPS M1 cycling computer, a full review will be up and coming very soon..
Followed by a nice looking M2 GPS Core cycling Computer..
Link for Video; https://vimeo.com/226266917
Wahoo Element Bolt GPS Cycle Computer: https://www.evanscycles.com/wahoo-elemnt-bolt-gps-bike-computer-EV311329 Priced at £199.99 from @EvansCycles
As and when I will add new information I find here for you all..
UPDATE 01/01/2019
I have great pleasure to say I have finally founmd what I feel will be a game changer on the GPS front, and a big challange to the likes of Garmin and Yahoo etc, it is a GPS Cycling computer called the Meilan M1...
Update 31/07/2019
Meilian M1 Review Link: https://harlowcyclingpage.blogspot.com/2019/07/meilan-m1-gps-cycling-computer.html
Thanks all....
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