When a Bike Computer Is Worth It Over a Smartphone

According to the report, a smartphone in a secure handlebar mount can provide turn-by-turn directions, log a ride and display speed, distance and elapsed time. For commuters or occasional weekend riders, it can be hard to justify buying another screen for the handlebars.

A fitness smartwatch makes the decision more complicated. Engadget said an Apple Watch can track heart rate and cycling activity, connect to Bluetooth speed, cadence and power sensors, and show the workout on an iPhone through a full-screen Live Activity. A bike computer therefore must solve a problem the rider actually has, and for many riders it will not.

The phone has an obvious cost advantage because the rider already owns it. A good mount is much cheaper than a dedicated cycling computer, and apps can be used for navigation and GPS ride recording, the report said.

Navigation has limitations. Google Maps provides bicycle directions in areas where it supports them, but Engadget said cycling directions do not work offline even if the user has downloaded the map of the area. Apps such as Komoot and Ride with GPS can provide offline cycling navigation, but some features may require a subscription or map purchase.

An old GPS-equipped phone can also serve as a bike computer. Routes can be loaded via Wi-Fi, and the primary phone can be left in a safer location because GPS recording and downloaded navigation do not require an active SIM card, according to the report. A smartwatch can collect heart rate and other fitness metrics during exercise while the phone manages the map, and a small power bank can reduce battery concerns on occasional long rides.

There are still compromises. The daily phone is exposed to rain, direct sunlight, crashes and other road or trail hazards. It also uses battery that the rider may need for calls or emergencies. Engadget also advised cyclists who upload regular routes to a fitness service to check privacy settings before publishing an accurate map of where they leave home each morning.

Dedicated hardware begins to outpace the phone on battery life. Today's bike computers can run GPS and navigation while keeping the display visible for many hours without touching the phone's battery, Engadget said. That matters more to endurance riders, bikepackers and anyone who regularly spends half a day in the saddle.

Purpose-built hardware also earns points in bad weather. Bike computers are built around secure mounting and water resistance, and many include controls that can be operated in rain, mud or with gloves. For serious riders, they can pair with power meters, heart-rate straps, cadence sensors, rear-facing radar and more through Bluetooth or ANT+.

The smartphone is not second-rate. Engadget said its larger screen is sometimes better for checking a map, locating a restaurant or altering plans mid-ride. Some bike computer safety features also still require a paired phone for data, so riders should not assume they will leave the handset at home after buying a bike computer.

The better question is whether these annoyances happen often enough to justify another device, according to the report. If a phone mount, smartwatch and occasional power bank get a rider through without much fuss, the report said, keeping the money makes sense. Once preserving phone battery, all-day navigation, wet-weather controls or dedicated sensor support stop being hypothetical problems, a bike computer starts earning its place on the handlebars.