Best Bike Computers in the UK

The Edge 520 has a myriad of features designed to improve your training and give you accurate data. Some of the more conventional characteristics that allow you to track the standard metrics like speed, distance, ride time, temperature, and elevation, of course, come as no surprise to biking enthusiasts, and are basically a given when it comes to biking computers of this kind of complexity. But do they justify this kind of purchase?

Some biking aficionados claim that Garmin’s dual-satellite system of GPS and Glonass is so good that using a sensor for speed and distance is unnecessary for the majority of riders. And you could find all of these features in a variety of much cheaper alternatives, including a couple from this very same company. Which is exactly why Garmin went one step ahead and added some unique additional features that will make this kind of purchase worth your money.

For starters, power can be recorded and analyzed in a variety of ways: real-time, 3sec, 10sec, Normalised, Intensity Factor, TSS, left/right balance and — if you have Garmin Vector pedals — time seated vs time out of the saddle. When paired with a heart rate monitor strap, this device is capable of calculating your heart rate. With Strava Live Segments, you can track your progress in real time over Segments that you have starred on Strava, and your Edge 520 will alert you when the Segment is about to start, a relevant best time (yours, someone you follow, or the KOM/QOM), how long the segment is and how you are doing in relation to that best time.

This product is an outstanding cycling computer. It has all of the features that cyclists have been asking for and more. The Edge 520 seems to be aimed at the serious cyclist who is engrossed in organized riding. That being said, it is also well-suited for anyone who is looking to track ride data. It has tons of advanced features, but it can also provide basic ride tracking with no sensors attached. It is small enough if some additional weight and size are a concern for you, but can carry detailed maps for those who want or need them.

The Garmin Edge 25 GPS is a good representation of the company's philosophy, a philosophy that puts an emphasis on connection. Using WiFi or Bluetooth, you can synchronise this device with your smartphone. This way, you'll be able to use the live tracking capabilities of this bike computer, observe and answer incoming calls, as well as receive text alerts.

Some of the more sophisticated features aside, the model covers all of the basics. Everything from distance and speed to elapsed time and time of the day is there. It will also provide you with estimated calories, elevation, and total ascent. And if you feel like investing in an external ANT+ sensor, you'll also get cadence and heart rate metrics.

The display itself is a thing of beauty. It is crisp and clear, everything is easy to read and no more difficult to access. The interface is as straightforward as it could possibly be. One page is dedicated to date, time, and the battery life. Another page will give you all of the data. The third page is reserved for customisable fields, so you can program it to display the information you deem necessary.

Again, the Garmin Edge 25 is a powerhouse of features. The display is as good as it gets. All of the connection options will allow you to stay the course, create your own path, or beat your opponents on their very own route. The battery lasts for about 8 hours and the computer contains information about the last 10 rides.

• The most important tools for the trip: a hexagon (preferably the whole set), a patch for the camera, and a pump.   
• Check the tire pressure before every ride, especially if the tires are tubeless.   
• Sealant in tubeless tires should be changed at least every three months.   
• Regularly (at least once a month) check the tightness of the connecting rods, and if you have a new bike, do it before every trip during the first week of using it.   
• If you care about the bike, you should not ignore squeaks, clicks, crackles and other signs of failure.

The mode that you've selected will appear at the bottom of the screen. Your current speed, on the other hand, will be displayed at the top of that screen, displayed in those huge numerals that we've been talking about just now, the sort of numerals that are really easy to read. The up/down arrow, also known as the pace arrow, will tell you just how that current speed of yours compares to your average speed.

Of course, that brings us to the model's features. Though, honestly, there isn't much to talk about here. You have your usual data, including current, max, and average speed, the distance that you've travelled, elapsed time, and a clock. Of course, the usual auto wake feature is there as well.

Unfortunately, bringing the topic back to the display for just a moment, the manufacturers didn't include backlighting, so it may be difficult at times to read the screen under the sun. That said, thanks to the huge numerals that we've mentioned a few times already, it shouldn't prove to be much of a challenge.

All in all, what we have here is easily one of the most practical options on the market today. Aside from the huge screen, the model's bracket mounts quickly and securely to just about any handlebar or stem. You won't need any tools to install the monitor, so pick it up and hit the road.

Now that we've mentioned the model's construction, we would be remiss not to bring the size of the unit. Featuring 4.6 х 4.6 х 1.8 centimetres in overall dimensions, this thing will not take away a whole lot of your handlebar real estate. Plus, it weighs just 25 grams, so it shouldn't really affect the gravity of your bike too much.

There isn't much to say about the interface except for the fact that it is so simple a child could make sense of it. Plus, it comes equipped with backlighting, so you'll be able to read the metrics even at night.

As for the rest of the model's features, we were pleasantly surprised by the sheer number of them. There's a proper odometer here, so you'll be able to measure the distance that you've travelled. The usual metrics, including the current, maximum, and average speed and cadence haven't been forgotten either. The model records the time you've spent on the road.

You'll also be able to set tyre circumference. And, with the help of the Freeze Frame Memory mode, you can use the device as a stopwatch and record all of the current data whenever you feel like it.

All things considered, the Blusmart SD-546C is nothing short of a steal. What you get in return for a measly sum of money is bordering on absurd. If you're a cycling enthusiast on a tight budget, we couldn't recommend this bike computer highly enough.