The daily commute looks worlds apart from what it looked like half a decade ago, maybe even sooner. But the internal mechanics of these machines have evolved completely to become sophisticated machines with tons of data and moving parts. Yet, the way we interface with this technology has remained the same.
Unless you shell out over $1500, odds are, you’re getting a basic analog screen (if that) to decipher error codes. Which means there’s no real way to navigate, access live telemetry, or communicate through your phone for a rider on a budget.
While e-bike manufacturers have seemingly slept on making bike computers a crucial part of every bike, much like automotive manufacturers have with CarPlay or Android Auto, others have not.
Accessory and smart-tech manufacturers have stepped up where native e-bike manufacturers have not. So, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of bike computers, from reputed manufacturers, relative unknowns, and everything in between, for city commuters, eMTB adventurers, and anyone in between.
Whether you want a computer for your long-distance tour, gravel expedition, or for riding in unknown parts of your city, mapping and battery optimization are paramount. These units can do so without breaking a metaphorical sweat.
Option 1
Is anyone surprised that Garmin took the top spot for a portable device that serves many roles and is generally convenient to use? We certainly weren’t. The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar costs $699.99 and does everything e-bike systems are supposed to do.
Its native ANT+ LEV integration maps directly to your bike’s internal computer (if compatible), provides real-time data including battery and range, and can adjust your route based on remaining battery. It features advanced GPS for navigation and route planning. It features solar charging to keep you going for up to 100 hours (including its normal Li-ion battery).
Users love the telemetry and data tracking capabilities of the Edge 1040. However, a few users reported faulty maps and navigation. However, this is remedied by downloading routes before you leave on a ride to ensure accurate data.
Option 2
Don’t want to spend as much as a new e-bike on a computer? The Sigma Bike ROX 4.0 EVO may be the computer for you. Priced at $138, this computer is GPS-enabled and can sense your altitude. You can also pre-load routes onto it and ride accordingly, thus enabling track and turn-by-turn navigation. You can also use the Sigma Ride app to set navigation to and from a destination, and the computer will guide you using an arrow. The app also enables connectivity with a suite of health trackers, such as Strava.
Additionally, its ANT+ BLE connectivity lets it connect to your bike’s computer to track battery level, range, distance covered, and pedal assistance level. With over 40 hours of battery life, you can also track your heart rate (with an additional sensor), speed, calories burned, and cadence with the device. All of this, in an IPX7-rated case, ensures that water and dust will not get through and damage the device.
Option 3
The Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 costs $449. For that price, you get a friction-free ecosystem, a 64-color high-contrast display, and dual-band GPS. It delivers excellent power-meter integration, allowing you to separate your pedal power’s wattage from the bike motor’s inherent wattage.
It also seamlessly integrates with Bosch & Specialized Turbo motors and smart systems for all the bike telemetry you need to navigate, whether that is speed, elevation, battery level, or range. Additionally, the dual-band GPS enables route loading, turn-by-turn navigation, satellite-powered live navigation, and destination routing using the ELEMNT app. The system can run for 25 hours on a full charge.
Option 4
The Bryton Rider 650 sensor bundle costs $269. For that price, you get a 2.8-inch screen, 1 heart rate monitor, 2 cadence sensors for your feet, and 3 smart speed sensors. These sensors work in lockstep to give you real-time metrics for heart rate, cadence, and speed.
The computer itself is GPS-capable and offers a smartphone-like interface with a backlit screen, ensuring visibility regardless of lighting conditions. The Rider 650 also has a massive 33-hour battery.
It also includes ANT+ sensors and automatically syncs your riding data to apps like Strava, TrainingPeaks, and Komoot.
Option 5
Bosch motors are best-in-class. However, only flagship bikes that use Bosch motors usually come fitted with the Bosch Smart System. The Bosch Kiox 500 gives you most of what the smart system can do for a fraction of the price, at $217. This system has a 2.8-inch touchscreen that connects to the e-bike flow app. It enables real-time navigation, trip recording, and synchronization of riding data across various apps and platforms.
Using its customizable interface, riders can choose to prioritize speed, distance, heart rate, and many other data points.
Option 6
Priced at $59.99, the Coospo BC107 computer and the BK46 GPS tracker combo will give you all the riding data you need. This minimalist combo is a low-cost tracker that gives you the essentials. It provides precise GPS and basic speed tracking. It won’t interface with your bike’s native computer or provide telemetry. However, it does provide standalone data like speed, heart rate, ride time, and cadence.
When paired with the BK46 tracker, you can transmit that data to cycling and other health-tracking apps. The Coospo Ride app supports a quick set-up, firmware updates, and telemetry.