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<\/a><\/p>\nWhat do you want to know?<\/h4>\n
If all you care about is your maximum speed, or how far you go on a ride, there isn’t any need to spend the extra dough on a really high-end computer. Your phone, when paired with software like the Topeak PanoBike App<\/a>\u00a0will do the basics just fine, and can save you a bunch of money.\u00a0See below for more details!<\/p>\n The Panobike+ App is free to download<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The more you need to know, the higher-end<\/a> a computer you’ll need. While speed, distance and time come on every computer, advanced functions, like 2-bike memory, temperature sensors, or wireless capability only come at a higher price tag.<\/p>\n How do you know how many features you need to purchase? It depends on your budget, and what you’re hoping to do with the information you gather.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This really only applies to more entry level computers, as all computers above a certain price point will be wireless automatically. Wireless computers are significantly easier to set up, to transfer to other bikes, and to ride with. Wired computers require more setup (routing the wire) but are less expensive.\u00a0Wireless is considered a better buy overall, with options like the Wahoo RFLKT<\/a>\u00a0starting just over $100.<\/p>\n The Wahoo RFLKT\u00a0Wireless<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is an important question to ask early on, as investing in a computer without enough features to keep up with your training will be frustrating in the long run. Training without a computer is possible, but considerably more difficult if you’re trying to get the most out of your time on the bike. A good bike computer is key in quantifying your progress, so you have a better idea of what you need to work on. Wahoo’s Elemnt<\/a> is the best training computer we’ve tried.<\/p>\n Wahoo’s Elemnt GPS Computer<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Two key training factors that a good computer, like the Topeak Panocomputer<\/a>\u00a0can help you track, are heart rate and cadence. Tracking both while training is key to getting the most out of your rides, as you can easily track your weaknesses, and work to bolster them. For all the information you need on using heart rate, head to this article<\/a>!<\/p>\n The Topeak Panocomputer is a wireless way to track training metrics<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Do you want to know how much power you’re putting out at any point in your ride? How about the ability to review your training rides when you get home to see what you need to work on? Those are both available, with computers like the Wahoo Elemnt<\/a>, and a power meter like SRAM’s Quarq cranks<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With the proper equipment, your smartphone can be almost as functional as a full-blown high-end training computer, at a lower pricepoint (As you’ve already bought the expensive part!) Your phone is already GPS-enabled, so mapping isn’t a problem, and with free apps from Wahoofitness and Kurt Kinetic, you need very little to put your phone to work as a training tool. The accessories to budget for are:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a>Wired or Wireless?<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Are you using it for training purposes?<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Do you need to track heart rate or cadence?<\/h4>\n
<\/h4>\n
<\/a>How about power output?<\/h4>\n
What about your phone?<\/h4>\n
<\/a>1. A case to hold the phone on your bike (becuase you need to be able to see it to use much of the functionality in real-time)<\/p>\n<\/a>2. A cadence pickup (to measure your pedalling speed)<\/p>\n