# Should I buy a cycling computer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Equipment\ **Created:** [June 21, 2024, 3:04am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183 "2024-06-21T03:04:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![HLaB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/hlab/32/60448_2.png) [@HLaB](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/HLaB)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 6:36pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/26 "2024-06-21T18:36:56Z")
I’d have a look at @dcrainmaker or @gpl 's site to see if they are reviewed but my gut instinct says no. I am maybe biased though by folk sending off for super duper watches as a kid only to receive a bog standard one which didn’t do anything special! ---
**Author:** ![AJS914](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@AJS914](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/AJS914)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 7:01pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/28 "2024-06-21T19:01:43Z")
I feel like I don’t use half of the features that come with my Garmin 530 (basic data screens and a few sensors and trainer control). I tried mapping twice with the 530 and mapping kind of sucks IMO on a bike computer because you don’t ride a bike like you drive a car. My 530 tried to route me on 55mph roads because it couldn’t figure out bike trails nor how a cyclist might take slower, less busy roads. I just bought a Magene speed sensor or use with rollers and it was $10 for two on ebay. Works perfectly. I can’t imagine that the $40 Garmin speed sensor does anything different. The only thing really tying me to Garmin is that I consider Garmin connect to be my master repository of cycling data. TP, and WKO5 are my secondaries and Strava is my 3rd. I’m guessing that even Magene files could be put in TP or Garmin Connect in some fashion. ---
**Author:** ![Ahmad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/ahmad/32/147836_2.png) [@Ahmad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Ahmad)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 7:03pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/29 "2024-06-21T19:03:50Z")
I see… Mine shows the relative distance like in this picture (not mine): ![maxres2](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/1/9/19c6cc23dda473f8aa2675fddb9b972b19aa28fe.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Ahmad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/ahmad/32/147836_2.png) [@Ahmad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Ahmad)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 7:07pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/30 "2024-06-21T19:07:25Z")
Trace Velo reviews a bunch of stuff from AliExpress, including computers: > **[Trace Velo](https://www.youtube.com/@TraceVelo)** > > I love cycling, and I love getting pro cycling kit for less. If it’s cheap, from China, and made of carbon fiber, I’m interested! > > Road cycling can be an expensive hobby, and the barrier to entry for good quality cycling gear can be exceptionally... (I haven’t check those personally) ---
**Author:** ![HLaB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/hlab/32/60448_2.png) [@HLaB](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/HLaB)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 7:31pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/31 "2024-06-21T19:31:52Z")
They seem to have improved the navigation when I have had to use the auto route gen in GC or my 1030. It was terrible for routing you down a unrideable road or down a stupidly fast or busy one. I do use my 1030 a bit like a car sat nav but usually on a pre generated route in RWGPS, sometimes I go off route on purpose and it usually routes me back by suitable roads. My 130+ is just an ant +/ gps recording unit for training and racing. ---
**Author:** ![UWDawgs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/uwdawgs/32/122851_2.png) [@UWDawgs](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/UWDawgs)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/32 "2024-06-21T19:37:03Z")
Hopefully not a 1040 ---
**Author:** ![AJS914](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@AJS914](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/AJS914)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 7:39pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/33 "2024-06-21T19:39:59Z")
This guy likes the $130 Magene: [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/5/2/5297f711835046cd814023f8b991e4d46d3007d9.jpeg "BEST Budget GPS Cycling Computer from AliExpress? Magene C606 Review") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr8qB87bUzI&t=689) It as the same issue as my 530 mapping - not knowing about bike trails. If I were in the market I’d be very tempted because $130 versus $450+ for a Garmin 840 is such a huge difference. ---
**Author:** ![UWDawgs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/uwdawgs/32/122851_2.png) [@UWDawgs](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/UWDawgs)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 7:46pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/34 "2024-06-21T19:46:23Z")
Do you know if you can adjust the alert for a car? I have a Fenix 6X that I tried using with my Varia, but couldn’t hear or feel the alert when cars were coming. I can totally feel the alert when I get a text message, but not an approaching car. For this reason I stick with my 530 ---
**Author:** ![Ahmad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/ahmad/32/147836_2.png) [@Ahmad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Ahmad)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 8:04pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/35 "2024-06-21T20:04:56Z")
I had to turn sounds on for “during activities” mode to hear the alerts. I don’t know if it’s possible to customize it more than that. ---
**Author:** ![Pbase](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/pbase/32/969_2.png) [@Pbase](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Pbase)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 8:09pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/36 "2024-06-21T20:09:47Z")
Man, I REALLY want to have the eyes some of you have. I can barely read the small print on my 1030+. ---
**Author:** ![WindWarrior](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/windwarrior/32/84679_2.png) [@WindWarrior](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/WindWarrior)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 8:28pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/37 "2024-06-21T20:28:11Z")
Do you need glasses? I’ve worn prescription glasses since high school. I’ve got progressive lenses in my sunglasses. The prescription is out of date but I can see the 840 screen just fine. But I must be lucky because I can read my 840 on the bike without sunglasses, and read the menu at a restaurant without glasses. ---
**Author:** ![Pbase](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/pbase/32/969_2.png) [@Pbase](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Pbase)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 8:48pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/38 "2024-06-21T20:48:32Z")
Yeah, I wear two different lenses one for far and one for near (it’s called “monovision”), so it’s always a challenge. Especially on the “interval goal” field that’s so tiny. I definitely can’t read the workout menu “next step, pause, resume, etc.” tiny print. ---
**Author:** ![Ahmad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/ahmad/32/147836_2.png) [@Ahmad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Ahmad)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 10:22pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/39 "2024-06-21T22:22:59Z")
On that note, I wish it was possible to adjust the text size in those units. ---
**Author:** ![Deleteme](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/deleteme/32/12895_2.png) [@Deleteme](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Deleteme)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183/42 "2024-06-21T23:26:31Z")
Do you need one? No. Why do I use an Edge 1030? It’s bigger, it has a solid mount. It can be accessories, silicone case, leash, it has more memory, It seems easier to maneuver the menus, I can charge it and keep it clean while still wearing my watch. I can also still be an Apple Watch victim too. There are other features that the Edge does that might not work on a watch. Most of which I would never use. (There were people that had iPhones on their bars, and they look like they can take flight!) But the big screen makes everything look, well: ‘_BIG_’. [Previous page](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/should-i-buy-a-cycling-computer/94183.md?page=1)