Best Cycling GPS Devices [Review] in 2021

Check out the results fast – here are our review winners

Table of Contents

• Check out the results fast – here are our review winners
• Our Pick of The Best Cycling GPS Devices This Year
• Garmin Edge 530
• Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt
• Garmin Edge 520
• Best Cycling GPS Devices – A Buyer’s Guide.
  • • Are the best Cycling GPS Devices worth it?
    • Things to Consider Before Buying a Bike GPS
• What size screen do I need?
• Conclusion

Searching for the best cycling GPS devices in 2021 ?

These GPS cycling computers allow you to measure your log cycles on apps as well as your performance.

Think of it as a Smartwatch, but for your bicycle.

They record your route, collect data from heart rate, cadence, and power, which you can then upload to a cycle log service to evaluate your performance for fun or training.

Scroll through this list our pick of the Best Cycling GPS Devices!

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Our Pick of The Best Cycling GPS Devices This Year

Garmin Edge 530

Mapping, Dynamic Performance Monitoring and Popularity Routing

A favourite choice for a GPS Device, the Garmin Edge 530, top ranked on our list. When you need a change of scenery, Edge 530 is your go-to guide for mountain biking.

Whether you’re training with riding buddies or commuting to work, your Edge 530 device takes safety seriously.

Who cares that the Edge 530 cycling computer offers dynamic performance monitoring and insights to help you improve? You do. So, whether you’re a podium finisher, Kona qualifier, gravel grinder, straight-shaven, urban pedaler, dirt ball or somewhere in between, Edge 530 is ready to roll as your new riding partner.

The Edge 530 tracks the epic details with new mountain biking metrics such as jump count, jump distance and hang time. Other mountain biking features include Grit, which rates the difficulty of a ride using GPS, elevation and accelerometer data, and Flow, which measures how smoothly you descend a trail so you have a score to beat next time.

Garmin Edge 530 is ready to roll as your new cycling partner.

Performance:
Dynamic performance monitoring provides insights on your VO2 max, recovery, training balance, heat and altitude acclimation, nutrition, hydration and more when paired with compatible sensors.

Safety Features:
Cycling safety features include new bike alarm, group messaging and tracking, assistance and compatibility with Variant rear-view radar and lights so you can see and be seen (when device is paired with your compatible smartphone).

Includes:
Includes routable Garmin Cycle Map with popularity routing — which helps you ride like a local — plus off-course recalculation and back to start; mountain biking model has integrated Trail forks data, including trail difficulty ratings.

Customization:
Free apps, widgets and data fields from the Connect IQ Store. MTB dynamics track jump count, jump distance and hang time as well as Grit, a measure of the ride’s difficulty, and Flow, which tracks the smoothness of your descent so you have a score to beat next time.

Battery life:
Up to 20 hours with GPS; works with Garmin Charge power pack for up to 40 hours of additional battery life.

Go check it out!

Pros	Cons
Very good battery life	Can be complicated
Good connectivity
No touch screen
GLONASS – added accuracy

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Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt

Best GPS Bike Computer

Wahoo element bolt GPS bike computer bundle.
Bolt offers the power and simplicity that originated with element in a race worthy design proven to shave seconds off finish times.

App-lifted set-up
The free element companion app uses the intuitive interface of your smartphone to customize your settings, configure workout pages and link element bolt to your favourite cycling apps and wireless sensors.

Quick look LED’s element bolt features programmable LED indicators that offer a new way to monitor performance And stay connected with nothing more than a glance. Perfect view zoom easy to access side buttons allow you to zoom in and out of curated data fields with just a touch. 100% wireless element bike computers are the only truly wireless bike computers, meaning the days of finding time to tether up to your laptop to sync ride data, download maps or update your computer software are over.

The most connected experience with the ability to locate friends out riding in Real time and receive emails, texts and phone alerts, element bolt makes it easy to stay in touch when you’re out of reach.

Take me anywhere navigation a brewpub? A burger? An epic destination? Where ever you want to go, element bolt can take you there! Just open the companion app at any point in your ride and start typing either the address or name of your destination.

The companion app will then generate a cycling optimized route and send it to your element bolt, complete with turn-by-turn pop ups. Put your phone away and ride! Now element bolt can literally take you anywhere! Turn-by-turn navigation get turn-by-turn prompts with the wahoo “take me anywhere” Feature on the wahoo companion app and with all komodo and ride with GPS routes that are on your element bolt. Routes automatically download to the element bolt.

Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt App :
Download, pair, configure and ride! Wahoo’s free ELEMNT Companion App automates pairing and manages the configuration process for fast, frustration free setup.

Automatic route downloads and uploads with compatible third party apps: Strava, Ride With GPS, Best Bike Split, Komoot, Singletracks, MTB Project.

Features:
BOLT works with KICKR / SNAP indoor bike trainers. Replicate outdoor routes using GPS files to simulate elevation grades.

Electronic shifting systems from Shimano Di2, SRAM eTAP, FSA WE, and Campagnolo EPS. SmO2 sensors from Moxy and BSXInsight, Pioneer’s Pedaling Monitor Power Meter, ANT+ Radars and more.

Quicklook LEDs can be used to monitor power, heart rate, speed, get turn-by-turn cues, incoming call/text/e-mail alerts, Live Segment alerts, more!

Package includes:
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT, Integrated Aero Out-Front mount, stem mount, and charging cable.
Build a route and get pop-up and LED turn-by-turn notifications on screen so you never miss a turn.

Battery Life:
15 hours. Waterproof Rating – IPX7 (waterproof up to 5 ft). Supported Satellites – GPS, GLONASS, BEIDOU Galileo, and QZSS.

Fully integrates with Strava Live Segments to give you accurate progress status and the Final Push to beat your goals.

Enjoy the freedom of riding a Schwinn.

Pros	Cons
Pairs easily with speed/cadence/heart rate monitors	It takes a while to pause-ride when sitting at the light
Preload the routes
All done through the ELEMNT Companion App
Easy-to-press front buttons

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Garmin Edge 520

Heart Rate Monitor Strap, Cadence sensor & Speed sensor

Here’s the competitive edge you’ve been waiting for. Edge 520 is the first device with Strava live segment challenges.

This aerodynamic GPS bike computer is packed with advanced analysis features like time in zone, cycling-specific VO2 max1 and recovery time1, indoor trainer2 support, cycling dynamics3 and in-ride challenges through Strava and Garmin Connect segments. Connected features4 include live tracking, smart notifications and automatic uploads to Garmin Connect.

Edge 520 integrates with compatible Shimano Di2 electronic shifting systems5 and additional ANT+ sensors. It’s compatible with GPS and GLONASS satellites, so you benefit from more signal options, wherever your ride takes you. Varia cycling awareness products6, remotes and VIRB -Edge 520 pairs with compatible ANT+ indoor trainers for data display and control.

Functions:
Edge 520 provides new advanced performance and power analysis, including new time in zone, functional threshold power (FTP) and watts/kg tracking, cycling-specific VO2 and recovery, and cycling dynamics.

Water rating IPX7.HIGH-RESOLUTION DISPLAY – Edge 520 offers a high-resolution, 2.3-inch color display, providing great visibility in a lightweight, compact device

Pairs with compatible ANT+ indoor trainers for data display and control:
Such as standard ANT+ sensors -including power meters, heart rate monitors, speed and cadence sensors.

Includes:
Edge 520, heart rate monitor, cadence sensor, speed sensor, extended out-front mount, standard mount, tether, USB cable, manuals

Features:
Connected features include automatic uploads, live tracking, send/receive courses, social media sharing and weather. Smart notifications allow you to receive text and call notifications while riding

Pros	Cons
Battery life	Long lag times on the cadence sensor
Sensors seem to be accurate other than cadence sensor	Limited storage
Easy to set up
Very reliable

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Best Cycling GPS Devices – A Buyer’s Guide.

Are the best Cycling GPS Devices worth it?

A GPS cycling device installed on your bike opens up a huge range of possibilities. These calculate your speed, watch your heartrate, track your journey, monitor your performance and insights to help you improve.

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional cyclist, the best Cycling GPS Devices is great for cruising around the town, long journeys and general everyday use.

You can stay connected with smartphones. You also get real-time results on these GPS devices to compete second by second with your previous best. Additionally, you can find new routes by using the native apps.

Its best to look at the ratings, the reviews, the features, the pros, and the cons of the bike to see what kind of product it is. These things would help you to make a good comparison before buying.

My personal choice for the Cycling GPS Unit is The Garmin Edge 530.

Which one do you prefer?

Things to Consider Before Buying a Bike GPS

Features:
The features of the bike GPS are all that matters, at least in the short run. It’s why you buy a GPS in the first place. Elevation, distance, speed, satellite imagery, heart rate and time are among the crucial ones.

Price:
Unless you’re going on a cycling tour or you’re cycling on a competitive level, you better not break the bank. However, a high quality bike GPS can last for years, making it a worthy investment.

Accuracy:
The ultimate purpose of the bike GPS is to provide you with the most accurate data and information so you can take advantage of the device in the best possible way.

Connectivity:
The other thing you need to be concerned about is whether the device is compatible with your phone. The best GPS devices should have Bluetooth capabilities and it should also have texts and incoming call alerts.

Durability:
Let’s face it, you’re out in the open. Everybody can fall, crash and everybody can be caught by sudden rain. The bike GPS should be able to withstand minor to medium shocks, protected in a durable body. Furthermore, having a waterproof bike GPS is always an advantage.

What size screen do I need?

Mounted:
These devices might come actually affixed to the mount (usually with a small screw or two), or they might just come with a mount in the box. The difference in buying a mounted unit versus a handheld unit is that you get everything you need all at once, and the screens are usually different. On a mounted unit, you need a brighter LED or LCD screen to constantly see your path on the GPS, and be able to view it during bright, cloud-free days.

Handheld:
Handheld devices have there benefits, such as keeping it safeguarded in a zippered pocket, and avoiding distraction/glare while riding (which can sometimes happen from mounted units). You can only really use these when you stop for a minute to rest, but they do have their place. These are generally cheaper, and are very customizable.

Conclusion

One of the major benefits of GPS devices is that they have a long battery. They also have a strong build quality, waterproof and are resistant to impacts and falls.

The Best GPS Devices have performance monitoring and insights, power meters, heart rate monitors, speed and cadence sensors.

While keeping within your budget we’ve outlined the perfect combinations of GPS units for you to choose from, the functions, size, handheld or mounted, safety features and your price point is key in buying the best GPS Bike Unit for you.

Which one is your favourite choice ?