Do You Need a Bike Computer As A Mountain Biker?
Road cyclists love their bike computers as they provide lots of data to give them insights into their rides. But do you need a bike computer as a mountain biker?
In this post, I’ll go into the pros and cons of using a bike computer and talk about the alternatives.
What Can A Bike Computer Do For A Mountain Biker?
By fitting a bike computer to your mountain bike handlebars, you can have instant information right in front of your eyes. These devices tell you how fast you’re going, how far you’ve gone, where to go, and even how far to the top of a climb.
Bike computers have become more popular with the advances in tracking software such as Strava. Cyclists of all persuasions can keep tabs on their fitness gains how far they go, and compare themselves with other riders in their local area.
Do All Mountain Bikers Benefit From A Bike Computer?
The ability to visualize all this data easily can enhance your ride and see how you are progressing as a rider. The data helps analyze what you need to work on.
However, it all depends on your riding style. For example, if you’re a downhill mountain biker, you won’t want to look at your handlebars to see how fast you’re going. You’ll focus more on railing the next berm or hitting the next jump. Of course, looking at your daily stats at the end of the day is a great way to see how you’ve performed.
Trail, enduro, cross-country, and gravel riders will undoubtedly benefit from a bike computer. Their riding styles are more conducive to collecting data, as they tend to ride long distances and go on adventures. The navigation aspect of bike computers is also beneficial to these riders. Looking down at the cycling computer on your handlebars is much better than getting your phone out every time you come to a junction.
Can You Use Your Phone As A Bike Computer?
Smartphones allow you to download several apps that turn your phone into a computer. So, why not just use your phone?
Phones Are Bigger Than Bike Computers
Smartphones are pretty big these days. The advantage of this is that you get a big screen to look at. However, they take up a lot of room on your handlebars, so you may be unable to find the optimum position.
Durability
Smartphones are not generally made to be used in all weather conditions. So, if you’re riding on a rainy day, there’s a good chance your phone won’t work by the time you get home. At the other end of the spectrum, you may be riding on a hot day. In my experience, just using my phone in direct sunlight slows it down and even flags up an “overheating warning.”
Another issue with using your phone as a bike computer is that you may crash and smash it to pieces. Bike computers are more robust, so that they can take more of a beating than your phone. Additionally, if you injure yourself in the crash, you can’t call for help if your phone doesn’t work.
Battery Life
As good as modern phones are, we all know how bad the battery life is. Your phone will need to use GPS while being connected to the network while performing all its other functions. All this zaps battery power, meaning your phone will die pretty quickly.
On the other hand, bike computers have long-lasting batteries. This means you can navigate and collect data all day. Also, your phone is still available for emergency calls.
Navigation
Phones have plenty of navigation apps with preloaded maps. You can also use Strava, Komoot, and Trail Forks to find specific trails. However, a bike computer with GPS and a barometer will give you more precise information on your location and destination.
Bike Computer Vs. Smartwatch
Let’s not forget the option of tracking your rides with a smartwatch. Smartwatches often have everything you need to collect data and keep tabs on your days on the trails. There are several benefits to using a smartwatch over a bike computer for mountain biking.
Firstly, it’s always on your wrist, ready to go, and smartwatches are more versatile. Therefore, you can track other activities where a bike computer isn’t suitable.
The downside of using a smartwatch for tracking mountain bike rides is that they are not as easy to look at. Instead of looking down at your computer on your handlebars, you must ride one-handed for a second or two. Alternatively, take a sneaky look at your wrist, hoping your sleeve isn’t covering your watch or you don’t have to react to a sudden change in the trail or feature.
A smartwatch is a fine choice if you are not bothered about real-time information. But if you want constant updates, a bike computer wins.
Check out my blog on the best smartwatches for mountain biking.
How To Choose A Bike Computer
Even the simplest bike computer can give you valuable information such as speed, distance, and time. But, more advanced bike computers give you much more, such as cadence, navigation, and even training programs. However, these features add to the cost of the device; it all depends on what you want. Here are the things you need to look for in a bike computer based on price level:
Entry level
- Current speed
- Maximum speed
- Average speed
- Elapsed time
- Trip distance
- Odometer
- Clock
- Wireless compatible
- Backlight
Intermediate
- Weather information
- Color display
- Altimeter
- Heart rate (when combined with a heart rate sensor – usually available separately)
- Calorie counter
- GPS maps
- Turn-by-turn navigation
- Customizable data fields
Advanced
- Cadence compatible
- Strava integration
- Electronic shifting integration
- Muscle oxygen sensor integration
- Smartphone notifications and automated responses
- Touchscreen
- Wi-Fi
- App installation
- Advanced training program monitoring
- Rider-to-rider connectivity
Final Thoughts On Do You Need a Bike Computer As A Mountain Biker?
Bike computers are great for tracking your mountain bike rides. There are significant pros and cons of using one when you compare bike computers with smartphones and smartwatches. Therefore, you need to think about what you really want when it comes to collecting data and monitoring progress.
Personally, I like to use a smartwatch. However, my wife likes her Garmin computer. Thanks to its navigation function, the computer is excellent for exploring on our electric mountain bikes, as we can find alternative and more exciting routes on the fly.
