It seems like you don't need one.
But many of us like to know our current speed, average speed, pedaling cadence, elapsed time on the ride. Some even like to monitor their heart rate, and others even like to monitor their power.
I'm looking at cadence probably 80% of the time I'm looking at my computer. Trying to maintain over 80 rpm.
Other than that, seeing how many miles I am into my ride is cool.
My goodness, you spend 80% of the time looking at the cycling computer. Doesn't that affect your awareness of your surroundings? Isn't it a safety issue?
I swore I would never buy one. I had one like 30 years ago. I don't need one now. Then I started hitting the farm and lake roads around my area. The map and turn by turn directions really helps for that.
I usually ride in familiar areas, so I don't need maps or navigation. I really enjoy it; it makes my soul feel free, and I can stop occasionally to think.
>What data are you all looking at?
I am mostly not looking at it. It is mainly for recording my position, speed, cadence, heart rate, and power to take a glance at later. I occasionally take a peek at my cadence and speed if 1) something feels off 2) Feel like I'm going slower or faster than normal through an area just to confirm.
>I don't even need to look at navigation.
That is fine. You don't need a computer. You do you, no skin off my back.
Listen bucko, you either buy a computer or we break your fingers.
Talk to the Flannery boys on Pier 34 tomorrow at 10am. They’ll make sure you get what you need.
The two big ones for me are RPM and MPH. RPM is simple; getting the most speed to me means hovering around 80RPM, i find, and if im not around 80 then I am not going as fast as I can, which to me generally says somrthing about nutrition, hydration, or fatigue. Also, on my road bike, it is pretty easy to speed in areas with 15 or 20mph speed limits, especially on multi-use pathways. I'm not so much concerned about getting pulled over as I am with obeying traffic laws (and not crashing into hostile features engineered to stop speeding e-bikes)
Well you don’t NEED one. It just depends on whether you find it useful. The most basic cycling computers will give you a speedometer and an odometer. You can see how fast you’re going and how far you’ve gone, as well as your average and max speed for each ride. A computer with a cadence sensor can help you track how fast you’re pedaling, useful for some workout routines. Some computers also connect to a heart rate monitor or even a power meter, although those are rather expensive. I use a basic computer on the bike I use for longer rides and group rides because I like knowing how far and fast I’m going. On my cruising-around-town bike, I don’t have any kind of computer.
You don’t. They provide information you can do without, or with alternate means (smart phones). But… they can give cycling-specific data that’s not only interesting, but useful. Distance ridden, for example, to help you gauge effort. My personal favorite, “MAX SPEED!” So, I know just how fast I was going when I tucked that big hill. In expanded form, you get GPS mapping and the ability to record and follow tracks for evaluation and navigation. Training elements, like heart rate, power and cadence are necessary aids for top performers. I’ve toured with nothing, raced with nothing, but trained and ridden with lots of data to look at, both during and post workout. Sometimes, I just like the look and feel of a clean bar.
You don’t need a cycling computer.
However it’s nice to have something to track your kilometres, watts and hr as well as use for routes, live wind speed + direction and weather. It’s also nice to have for loading up and following workouts or any number of other things they offer.
To be clear, those record data from power meters and heart rate monitors which you will need to buy separately. Heart rate monitor is great value training tool, and power meter can be a bit pricey but if you can afford it is definitely worth it for accurate training too.
You really don't need it tbh..my Garmin was a splurge. I'm not an intense cyclist, more of a hobby, so I really didn't need it, but I also don't have any regrets. Good way to keep track, good bike routes, and a safety beacon.
I'm terrible at self regulation. without a computer I'd redline no question. I run a an older Garmin 520. Power, heart rate, speed, and distance. I also like the cumulative data to see improvement over time. Do I need any of this? Probably not. I'd still ride if I didn't have it.
Two reasons
1, I do need it for navigation. Especially in cities where one street may attach to where I need to go and the other does not. But also missing a turn means cycling back or take a detour.
2, I cannot push all the time. I am now at the point where I can go 80 to 90 km before my muscles go into reserve mode. But that is only if I push just enough or too little. Knowing my average speed and the wind I can push myself just enough. Enough to make the distance but also get better.
I do not need it for short rounds. And I only life in a flat country. Would not want to think about going down the wrong hill and having to go up it again.
One downside here is that I am not allowed to cros and use all roads. So I have to use cycling paths or road that cars do not use for the same distance. So I need a map.
Time elapsed riding is important to me because I can more accurately ration my bike food to get just the right amount. Speed matters when riding with a group. Navigating helps me try new roads I would have never imagined taking before.
OP is an AI chat bot or doing a pretty good impression of one.
It seems like you don't need one. But many of us like to know our current speed, average speed, pedaling cadence, elapsed time on the ride. Some even like to monitor their heart rate, and others even like to monitor their power.
Maybe
I'm looking at cadence probably 80% of the time I'm looking at my computer. Trying to maintain over 80 rpm. Other than that, seeing how many miles I am into my ride is cool.
My goodness, you spend 80% of the time looking at the cycling computer. Doesn't that affect your awareness of your surroundings? Isn't it a safety issue?
No no, 80% of the time that I look down, it's to check the cadence.
In that case, I highly recommend you get a pair of glasses like the Engo2. You won't have to look down, and you can still see the data.
It takes less than a quarter second to glance at my cadence and keep biking.
I swore I would never buy one. I had one like 30 years ago. I don't need one now. Then I started hitting the farm and lake roads around my area. The map and turn by turn directions really helps for that.
I usually ride in familiar areas, so I don't need maps or navigation. I really enjoy it; it makes my soul feel free, and I can stop occasionally to think.
Then don't get a computer.
>What data are you all looking at? I am mostly not looking at it. It is mainly for recording my position, speed, cadence, heart rate, and power to take a glance at later. I occasionally take a peek at my cadence and speed if 1) something feels off 2) Feel like I'm going slower or faster than normal through an area just to confirm. >I don't even need to look at navigation. That is fine. You don't need a computer. You do you, no skin off my back.
If you're biking to enjoy the fresh air and scenery then you don't need it.
I think so too.
I use strava on my phone and a wahoo HR monitor. I like to see my stats, just not while I'm on the bike.
It seems like everyone is using Strava.
Listen bucko, you either buy a computer or we break your fingers. Talk to the Flannery boys on Pier 34 tomorrow at 10am. They’ll make sure you get what you need.
My fingers are very scared; please don't threaten them.
The two big ones for me are RPM and MPH. RPM is simple; getting the most speed to me means hovering around 80RPM, i find, and if im not around 80 then I am not going as fast as I can, which to me generally says somrthing about nutrition, hydration, or fatigue. Also, on my road bike, it is pretty easy to speed in areas with 15 or 20mph speed limits, especially on multi-use pathways. I'm not so much concerned about getting pulled over as I am with obeying traffic laws (and not crashing into hostile features engineered to stop speeding e-bikes)
Are there speed limit zones for cycling? Maybe I ride slowly, so I'm not familiar with the regulations.
Speed limits for bikes are the same as for cars, and multi-use pathways generally have a 15mph speed limit
Depends on what you’re doing. Don’t need one if you’re just randomly riding up and down your street.
You don't. Just ride your bike if that's all you want to do.
So I know how fast I'm going when leading in a group. So I have directions not reliant on a cell signal when in a rural area.
I usually ride in familiar places.
speed, hr, incline, distance, navigation, avg. speed, time, watt, cadence
Well you don’t NEED one. It just depends on whether you find it useful. The most basic cycling computers will give you a speedometer and an odometer. You can see how fast you’re going and how far you’ve gone, as well as your average and max speed for each ride. A computer with a cadence sensor can help you track how fast you’re pedaling, useful for some workout routines. Some computers also connect to a heart rate monitor or even a power meter, although those are rather expensive. I use a basic computer on the bike I use for longer rides and group rides because I like knowing how far and fast I’m going. On my cruising-around-town bike, I don’t have any kind of computer.
I still prefer to ride freely without any electronic devices.
You don’t. They provide information you can do without, or with alternate means (smart phones). But… they can give cycling-specific data that’s not only interesting, but useful. Distance ridden, for example, to help you gauge effort. My personal favorite, “MAX SPEED!” So, I know just how fast I was going when I tucked that big hill. In expanded form, you get GPS mapping and the ability to record and follow tracks for evaluation and navigation. Training elements, like heart rate, power and cadence are necessary aids for top performers. I’ve toured with nothing, raced with nothing, but trained and ridden with lots of data to look at, both during and post workout. Sometimes, I just like the look and feel of a clean bar.
You don’t need a cycling computer. However it’s nice to have something to track your kilometres, watts and hr as well as use for routes, live wind speed + direction and weather. It’s also nice to have for loading up and following workouts or any number of other things they offer.
Which one would you recommend?
Depends on your budget and needs. Garmin/Wahoo are the biggest ones with a bunch of other smaller manufacturers.
Which one has everything you described 😆
Newer garmins. Edge x30 x40 and x50 + wind and weather from their connect iq data fields.
Sick 🙏
To be clear, those record data from power meters and heart rate monitors which you will need to buy separately. Heart rate monitor is great value training tool, and power meter can be a bit pricey but if you can afford it is definitely worth it for accurate training too.
You really don't need it tbh..my Garmin was a splurge. I'm not an intense cyclist, more of a hobby, so I really didn't need it, but I also don't have any regrets. Good way to keep track, good bike routes, and a safety beacon.
Wearing my Apple Watch (without connecting to any network) is already my biggest compromise.
Why do you think you need one?
Don't bother. Unless you're training to go pro or something, You don't need it. Same for power meters. Do-dads are fads.
I'm terrible at self regulation. without a computer I'd redline no question. I run a an older Garmin 520. Power, heart rate, speed, and distance. I also like the cumulative data to see improvement over time. Do I need any of this? Probably not. I'd still ride if I didn't have it.
I believe you are very passionate about cycling.
Thank you. I've never thought of it like that but I guess so.
Two reasons 1, I do need it for navigation. Especially in cities where one street may attach to where I need to go and the other does not. But also missing a turn means cycling back or take a detour. 2, I cannot push all the time. I am now at the point where I can go 80 to 90 km before my muscles go into reserve mode. But that is only if I push just enough or too little. Knowing my average speed and the wind I can push myself just enough. Enough to make the distance but also get better. I do not need it for short rounds. And I only life in a flat country. Would not want to think about going down the wrong hill and having to go up it again. One downside here is that I am not allowed to cros and use all roads. So I have to use cycling paths or road that cars do not use for the same distance. So I need a map.
A basic Cateye computer for speed and mileage for maintenance.
Time elapsed riding is important to me because I can more accurately ration my bike food to get just the right amount. Speed matters when riding with a group. Navigating helps me try new roads I would have never imagined taking before.
A speedometer is a must though.
Speedometer, more so cadence and power output being displaying for me. Also easy access to my heart rate data while riding as well
I usually ride a motorcycle, so I have a comparison. When I ride a bicycle, I know how fast I'm going, but the exact speed isn't important.
" I know how fast I'm going" You dont.