What is a
GPS Cycling Computer?
As you can probably
imagine, given the name, these are GPS-enabled computers used in cycling to track
and record your rides. In addition to logging rides to upload to Strava, Garmin
Connect, and any number of activity-tracking websites, you can also use them
for on-bike navigation. These days, the in-built navigation is so good on some
of these devices, you never need get lost on your bike again. Modern offerings
from the likes of Garmin and Hammerhead, for example, offer sophisticated
mapping software that provides turn-by-turn instructions, re-routing on the fly,
route suggestions, details on the roads you’re on, point-to-point routing, and
points of interest.
If it’s not
on Strava…
As the
saying goes, “If your ride’s not on Strava, did it even happen?” Most modern
devices will sync with third-party sports-tracking platforms like Strava,
Garmin Connect, and Komoot. You can use these platforms to keep a record of
your rides, plot new routes, and see how you stack up against your friends … and
foes.
More than just
GPS and Mapping…
The days of
carefully wrapping a wire around your fork to a device mounted on your
handlebars are now largely behind us; modern-day GPS cycling computers are a
little more sophisticated than that. But these powerful, modern units offer
much more than mere mapping and navigation. They’re packed full of features
(sometimes with the need for additional sensors or products), like displaying
your speed, cadence, power data, to name but a few. Really advanced computers, like
the latest Garmin or Hammerhead devices, can display detailed overviews of the
climbs on a course, how difficult a climb will be based on its length and
gradient, how much further you have left to suffer, and even how much suffering
you’ve left in you!
Not only
this, but these devices can also be useful from a safety perspective, such as alerting
you to steep pitches and sharp turns, notifying your loved ones if you should
have an incident, and sounding the alarm if your bike is moved while at the café.
