Cycle Computer: Map Your Cycling Route and Measure Your Performance
Australia is a diverse country offering myriad opportunities for riders of all abilities and disciplines. It provides you with hundreds of spectacular trails, including Dawn Chorus, Stromlo Forest Park, Byron Bay and Hinterland, Trebor, Great Outback Escape, Simpson’s Gap Bicycle Path, Brisbane to Gold Coast cycle challenge, and many more. Moreover, statistics say one-third of the population rode bicycles in the previous year, making it one of the most common forms of physical activity pursued by people of all ages.
No doubt, cycling is in! It seems that everyone is riding a bicycle these days either for commuting, fitness, sports or entertainment. So, for cycling enthusiasts, getting advanced tools and accessories that aid them in riding is certainly a necessity. Over that, in today’s technology-dominated world, there is so much more you can have on your cycle than just a bell and some lights. As such, one of the most popular gadgets is the cycle computer in Australia. And, probably you guessed it right; it is much like the dashboard display in your car.
Bike Computers In-Depth
These bicycle computers are mounted on your handlebar and provide you with all sorts of information about your ride, your performance, current speed, average speed, maximum speed, heart rate, calories burnt, trip distance, elapsed time, and whatnot! Plus, many manufacturers have also added additional features within these cycle computers, such as GPS and thermometer, allowing the bikers to maintain their track/location and adjust their riding phase toward climate/surrounding conditions.
However, these devices offer a smaller range of functionality and features than a dedicated GPS device which also offers features like navigable maps, uploading the ride data to social media sites, etc. Besides, there is no dearth of models of cycle computers and neither of their functions; you need to identify your needs and determine your budget. Also, remember, there is no point in buying a device that fails to provide you with the data you need or investing in a host of features you are never likely to use.
So, here are some key tips on choosing a bike computer:
- Look for a mounting racket compatible with your handlebar.
- Make sure the one you choose has a large, easy-to-read computer screen with a backlight.
- It should have simple and easy-to-use features.
- Your bike computer model should be robust and have weather-resistant housing.
- Look for the one with large and easily accessible buttons that can be operated with gloved, wet, or cold hands.
Using Your Smartphone as a Bike Computer
You can use your smartphone as a bike computer, but to do so, first of all, you would need to purchase a sturdy mount that can hold your mobile phone in a proper position on your handlebars. But these kinds of mounts are usually expensive. Moreover, your phone is not a dedicated GPS device. It uses network service or Wi-Fi to provide you with detailed navigation. So, if you have no Wi-Fi connectivity or network breakdown in a particular location, you will not get the exact location, and you may lose your way. Using your smartphone may also lead to exhaustion of battery and hence losing the ability to call for help in any unfortunate circumstances. Hence, it would help if you forwent using your phone as a cyclo-computer to preserve your battery power.
So whether you are a professional cyclist who participates in several bike races or somebody who is a fitness freak, buying a cycle computer in Australia would be a great choice. It is a perfect gadget that provides all you need during your bike ride and enables you to measure your performance and maintain fitness. Besides, there are a lot of models available in the market, so take your time and find the most suitable one for yourself.
