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The 5 Best Bicycle GPS of 2022

Bicycle GPS – Buying Guide, Opinions and Comparison

Each sport requires certain tools that help achieve better performance. In the case of those who practice cycling, a GPS is a very useful device. Currently, this type of equipment incorporates many more functions to measure your performance in each training session. So before choosing a specific model, the recommendation is to compare the options that the market has for you. As a first option, we present the Garmin Edge 520 Pack bike GPS, made of rigid polymer and certified with IPX7 protection, so you can use it in any setting, without worrying about its deterioration due to a slight impact or unexpected rain. Also, its structure is compact and ultra light. Another alternative for those who want to have a record of the history of their activities such as speed, cadence and distance is the Polar V650 model, which is also characterized by the fact that its operation is quite instinctive.

 

 

The 5 Best GPS for Bicycle – Opinions 2022

GPS for bicycles there are many, but not all of them have the same level of quality in terms of their structure or operation. That is why before making a hasty purchase, you should check the detailed characteristics of these five models that we have selected, since they are well positioned among the main places on the shopping lists.

1. Garmin Edge 520 Cycle Computer Pack

Acquiring a quality product is not a task that you can do so easily. So if you want to have the best bike GPS, you should review the different offers on the market, starting with the well-known Garmin brand.

With this locator, you will be able to monitor the heart rate and the speed of the route, thanks to the fact that it has been equipped with two highly sensitive sensors. In addition, it has a series of functions with which you can store and share your activity history, so that you can keep track of your evolution in each training session.

Its housing of 7.4 x 2 x 4.8 centimeters and weight of 59 grams is made of polymer with IPX7 certification, so we can say that it is a compact, lightweight and waterproof mountain equipment. Among other features to highlight is the incorporation of touch screen, rechargeable lithium-ion battery and built-in accessories.

The Garmin Edge 520 Pack is a strong competitor to become the best bike GPS of the moment, as it has a compact, light and resistant design.

Pros

Sensors: The device has a pair of sensors responsible for monitoring both heart rate and travel speed.

Format: The structure has a compact format of 7.4 x 2 x 4.8 centimeters. In addition, its weight of 59 grams makes it quite light.

Resistance: The casing is made of robust polymer and is IPX7 certified, thus offering resistance to rain.

Accessories: The manufacturer incorporated a USB charging cable, a pair of mounting brackets and an adjustable chest strap.

Cons

Screen: One of the buyers indicates that sometimes the screen of his device does not show the heart rate.

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2. Polar V650 GPS Cycle Computer

The Polar manufacturing house has been characterized throughout its history for designing products with high quality standards. So if you want to have one of the best bicycle GPS of 2022, you can not stop reviewing this model.

It is a unisex locator with a minimalist design. Its casing weighs 345 grams, is resistant to minor impacts and has also been provided with a waterproof treatment so that you can use the GPS outdoors in complete safety. Therefore, some of the users consider it a mountain device.

In addition, the structure offers instinctive operation, recording data such as cadence, speed, travel distance and also allows you to check the coordinates of your location through a map system. The best thing is that you can share them with the Polar Flow app, so you always have your activity history at hand.

This model developed by the prestigious Polar house has a light, resistant and minimalist design that adapts to different weather conditions. For all these reasons, it is a mandatory reference when talking about the best bike GPS brand.

Pros

Measurement: The device was developed to measure the distance of the trip, speed, heart rate and specify the exact coordinates of your location.

Waterproof: The manufacturer incorporated a waterproof treatment to the manufacturing materials of the device, so you can use it in the rain without fear of damaging it.

Weight: The structure of this bicycle GPS model is quite light, since it only weighs 345 grams.

Storage: The device incorporates the Polar Flow application, designed so that you can store all the history of your activities.

Cons

Accessories: The manufacturer did not incorporate any type of accessories that facilitate the assembly process or the recharging of the battery.

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3. iGPSPORT iGS20E Anti-Reflection Screen

iGPSPORT iGS20E is considered by users as the best value for money bike GPS, as it is one of the cheapest. The dimensions of its housing are 4.6 x 2.2 x 7.1 centimeters and its weight is 59 grams, being a pager that will not take up much space in the installation area due to its compact design.

The 3 x 3.8 centimeter backlit display offers easy reading of the time, date, temperature, charge level, speeds acquired, altitude, trip distance and calories burned.

On the other hand, we have to mention that the energy supply method is through a lithium ion battery, its maximum autonomy is 25 hours and the storage capacity available in the internal memory is equivalent to 110 hours of travel. In addition, this mountain equipment is waterproof and the manufacturer includes some accessories.

The design of this device stands out in the market due to its resistant structure, compact format and long autonomy time. In addition, it is currently positioned as one of the cheapest on this list.

Pros

Autonomy: You will be able to use the equipment for long days, since its battery offers a maximum of 25 hours of operation.

Format: This model has a width, depth and height of 4.6 x 2.2 x 7.1 centimeters respectively. Also, its weight is only 59 grams.

Waterproofing: The manufacturer had IPX6 certification for this model, so you won’t have to worry about the rain when you do your tours.

Accessories: In the purchase package you will find a micro USB charging cable and a support for mounting it on the bicycle.

Cons

Connection: One of the buyers noted that the satellite connection is a bit slow to establish when turning on the device.

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4. Garmin Edge Explore 1000 IPX7

Garmin is a brand with great positioning worldwide, since it has high manufacturing standards applied to each of its products. An example of this is this locator with a format of 5.8 x 2 x 11.2 centimeters and made of rigid polymer, with a three-inch touch screen, a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels and the weight of the device does not exceed 113 grams.

In addition, it has a pleasant aesthetic, easy reading, instinctive programming and the structure has been treated to resist water due to its IPX7 certification. In the lower part, it incorporates a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with autonomy of up to 15 hours.

This mountain equipment includes functions of speed, time, call and/or SMS alerts when synchronizing it with your mobile, data transfer and reception of different routes, to move inside or outside the city in complete safety.

In order to help you clear up all your doubts about which bike GPS to buy, we present below the pros and cons of a model that has generated several positive comments among users.

Pros

Format: This bicycle GPS has a compact and lightweight case of 5.8 x 2 x 11.2 centimeters and 113 grams of weight.

Screen: The three-inch screen has been provided with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels, offering a quick reading of the data displayed.

Impermeability: The device is suitable for use in the rain without fear of its operation deteriorating, since it has IPX7 certification.

Autonomy: The lithium-ion battery incorporated with the purchase of the equipment offers a maximum of 15 hours of autonomy.

Cons

Sensor: Some customers commented that they had missed the inclusion of a sensor for cadence measurement.

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5. Timex T5K615 Ironman Cycle Trainer Bodylink

It is a bicycle GPS incorporated into the market in 2012. The dimensions of its structure have a height, width, depth of 6.6 x 4.8 x 1.9 centimeters and a weight of 159 grams, being a device Easy handling, assembly and storage.

The screen is wide and its design with minimalist aesthetics has a total of six panels, designed so that you can quickly read the speed, distance, cadence, altitude and time, just by taking a look.

Among other features, the stopwatch, backlight, splash resistance and sound indicators stand out, so that you are aware of the battery charge level and the locator system. The latter operates through a simple map with colored dots that mark the route. It is an instinctive mountain equipment that you can program in a few minutes.

Timex T5K615 is a bicycle GPS model with a sporty, intuitive, compact, resistant and lightweight design that you can use outdoors, without fear of weather changes affecting its useful life.

Pros

Impermeability: The device offers an adequate level of resistance to splashes, so you can use it on rainy days.

Functions: Among the functions to highlight of the equipment is its ability to measure aspects such as cadence, route, distance, altitude and time.

Screen: The manufacturer designed the six-quadrant screen, allowing you to enjoy all the recorded data at a glance.

Format: You will be able to manipulate, install and/or store this model with ease, due to its format of 6.6 x 4.8 x 1.9 centimeters and weight of 159 grams.

Cons

Configuration: One complaint made by buyers is about the device’s configuration language, as it is only available in English.

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Shopping guide

For those who enjoy road, city or mountain biking, it is appropriate to have a technological team that provides the tools for a better location, where you can download maps and take a count of the daily activity, in order to contrast and achieve optimized results. This is achieved with a GPS. Currently there are many brands that present designs, but not all of them provide their equipment with the functional properties that the user needs. For this reason, we have prepared a guide to buy the best bicycle GPS on the market, in which we detail the features that should be present in these devices and what you should look for before making a hasty purchase.

Sensors and precision

We all would like to be able to buy cheap equipment, but in the case of a GPS, beyond this quality, it is necessary that the device is equipped with different sensors that allow data to be collected on physical activity that will help improve performance.

It is possible that many manufacturers incorporate these sensors into GPS, but beyond this, the sensors must provide reliable data. This is obtained through precision, so that both characteristics go together. A device that incorporates many sensors will be of no use if they do not provide data and figures that correspond to reality.

The vast majority of GPS models are usually equipped with sensors that measure the altitude at which the cyclist is, the distance he has traveled and the number of calories consumed during the journey. All this data provided by the locator allows a daily count of the activity to be kept, thus improving times and setting new objectives in the routine, precision and accuracy being important in each of them.

Weight and size

Bicycle GPS must be installed on the handlebar, so when selecting a model, it is appropriate that it be compact, small and light. In this way it will seem to be integrated into the bicycle and will not be a hindrance or additional weight during the tour.

There are large designs, others are smaller, but both sizes usually have the same functions. Although compact models are recommended, there are users who prefer larger designs because they are easier to handle and allow better visualization of the data collected by the locator.

In addition to these models, you could opt for a mid-range one that offers the same properties, but its weight and size are not so large. The most popular locators on the market weigh between 50 and 130 grams, so it would be appropriate that the model you select does not exceed this range.

Features and access  

There are many models and designs on the market. Various brands offer prototypes with a whole series of functions that claim to be complete and versatile, to provide optimal performance that improves the experience and physical activity on the bicycle. However, not all designs are appropriate.

Although a device with multiple functions is attractive, through a comparison of GPS for bicycles it can be determined that they are not always the best and that the user can get confused between the multiple options and not get the most out of the device.

It is convenient to select minimalist and practical designs that cover the basic functions and have an instinctive access mechanism or operating system that provides the user with the comfort and ease of selecting a mode without major complications. Remember that you may need to use it even when riding on a steep incline and you can’t lose sight of the road.

screen and battery

Each manufacturer offers attributes that may be more or less convenient for users depending on individual needs, but a common quality that many look for in this class of devices is a screen that allows the correct display of values, as well as a battery that stands out. for being durable. The technology and size of the screen could give you an idea of ​​how much a bike GPS costs.

There are small screens and others of larger inches, some are in color or can turn on through the backlight. Similarly, some brands equip GPS with touch technology screens. The latter are recommended because they allow easy handling of the device. Another property that denotes quality is the battery, with better options that after a short charging time provide autonomy of more than 18 hours.

Materials

Before acquiring a model, it would be appropriate for you to analyze the materials that the manufacturer has incorporated in its elaboration. Cycling is an activity that is practiced outdoors, so rain, wind, dust and sun are a constant that can occur along the way.

For this reason, it would be appropriate for you to select models that incorporate impact-resistant materials and have waterproof properties, allowing the use of GPS without its mechanism being damaged.

Frequently asked questions

Q1: What is better, bike GPS or a mobile?

The use of a special GPS for bicycles is the most recommended so that you can measure your performance. Currently, the market offers many purchase options aimed at cycling fans. As a suggestion, it is valid that you take into consideration a GPS that monitors your heart rate, the speed of the route, that allows you to store your training history, that records the coordinates of your location, that is light in weight, waterproof and has With lithium battery for durability. For its part, using the mobile is not recommended, since it is not designed for such a task. You have to remember that a phone is bigger, more delicate and there is a risk of damaging it during the route.

Q2: Can a GPS be used to locate stolen bicycles?

Thanks to GPS, many stolen bicycles have been located. Therefore, if you are a cyclist, the recommendation is that you incorporate one of these devices offered by the market. Among them, Boomerang stands out, which is placed between the bicycle frame and the bottle holder. However, being visible runs the risk of being removed. You can try the Sherlock model that is installed inside the handlebar and is totally invisible. Even if the bike is moving, it is able to locate it with an accuracy of 5 meters.

Q3: How to attach a GPS to a bicycle?

The process is simple and will depend on the GPS model you have. However, the general procedure is to place the unit on a specific area of ​​the bike, which in most cases is on the frame or handlebars. You may have to buy the fixing piece separately, but most models integrate their respective support, which is the one that adjusts directly to the structure. To do this, you must use a wrench, nuts or screws, progressively tightening until it is firm. Before fixing the GPS to the bike, you must have already configured the SIM card, in order to receive location notifications on your mobile.

Q4: Which is better, a bike GPS or a bike computer?

Both devices are useful for cyclists, but today many bike computers have a built-in GPS system and that makes them a more complete piece of equipment. With the push of a button, the cycling computer can track distance, heart rate, time, speed and where you’re riding. It offers the possibility to receive calls and text alerts, in addition to several connection functions to share rides and follow routes. If what you want is to make a new route, the cycle computer will be useful and you will not even have to make continuous stops. Only with the help of it, you will be able to know where to go without having to stop pedaling for a long time. Speed, distance, stopwatch, temperature and heart rate monitor are other functions. So carrying a bike computer in your backpack is very necessary for any cyclist.

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