A Quick Guide To Buying Your Bike Computer
If you are a dedicated bike rider and have just invested in a brand new bike, a bike computer must be next on your wishlist. If you fancy a devoted training system, a bicycle computer can help you in every possible way, from having a check on your body metrics to the speed and distance. While some prefer using a smartphone over a cycle computer, there are still many benefits of investing in a bike computer. The least is keeping your phone protected from crashes. Bike computers in Australia are becoming familiar with more than 80% of Aussies cycling for recreation.
How to buy the appropriate bike computer?
If this is your first take with bike computers, it is pretty natural to feel stumbled upon the various options out there! Understanding what features your first ever computer has will seem bizarre at the first shot. So, here are a few factors to consider while you shop for a bike computer,
- The type
Though there are no accurate types of bike monitors, you can narrow down your choices based on the purpose you’d require a bike computer for. According to a recent survey, around 3.43 million Australians ride a bike for transport and recreation every week. If you are a beginner in cycling, look out for casual and minimalistic bike computers in Australia, which will monitor the speed and distance.
Alternatively, if you are a fitness freak and are involved in fitness cycling, remember you need a different type of bike monitor. Fitness bike computers are pretty distinct and come with average speed, maximum and minimum speeds, calories burnt, etc.
Lastly, if you are embracing yourself for a bike race or are on your training session, you might need a bike computer with a GPS and other advanced features like a power metre, heart rate monitor, etc.
- Display quality
Most bike monitors go on the bike’s handlebar. Though your bike monitor has a versatile range of features and monitors almost all metrics, a poor display can spoil the game. The display quality can determine if your investment is worth it. Bike monitors come in two primary display types based on the cost. The basic units have a black and white display and can be your choice if you are looking for an economical buy. Readability is another factor to watch out for.
You will not want a monitor that is all cramped with the readings. Ensure that the font size and style are just set right. So, ensure you buy monitors that have optimal readability and display quality. If you are ready to put in some extra bucks, you can look for sophisticated colour displays with metric customizability. Monitors with backlighting and night modes can work to provide the best display quality during days and nights.
- Wired or wireless?
With bike computers, you will have two more choices. Wired and wireless setups were typical earlier. However, today the go-to choice is a wireless setup. With numerous connectivity options like Bluetooth, etc., almost everyone can now use a wireless bike computer setup. So, if you are opting for a wireless arrangement, ensure that it comes with proper sensors and connectivity options.
- Data recovery
Modern bike computers come with data storage systems so that you can analyse your weekly, monthly and yearly performances. With that said, ensure that the computer has a compatible data transfer system. You might want to post your performances on social media or need your previous metrics to get stored on a fitness app. Whatever the case might be, a bike computer system must allow data transfer and recovery without hassle.