In this post we use a handy comparative chart and reviews to present and compare 7 of the best budget bike computers. Not everyone wants to spend hundreds of dollars on a high-end, premium Garmin Edge or Wahoo bike computer. For many of us, simple and easy-to-use at a budget price is the way to go. All of these bike computers are extremely popular and are highly rated by cyclists.
Most of these budget bike computers have been selling well for decades, and are supported by a solid base of satisfied cyclists. All of these products are sold by trusted companies with a solid reputation for high quality, budget bike computers. Some of them will satisfy the needs of the most data-hungry cyclists, and will connect to all of your sensors too.
Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing at all.
Chart Comparing 7 of the Best Budget Bike Computers
 | Best Cheap WIRED Option | The CatEye Velo 9 is an upgrade on an old favorite, and now has a larger screen; plus simplified setup with pre-programmed tire sizes. Data includes: current, average, and maximum speed; trip distance; elapsed time; and odometer. Also has motivational data: calorie consumption and carbon offset measurement. CatEye has been around since 1954, and is the respected global leader in bike computers. Batteries included, easy to install with included universal bracket (no tools required). Includes auto stop/start as you ride. Distance recording is remarkably accurate. Tough and durable to withstand your athletic lifestyle. Wonderfully simple to operate with just one button. | Cyclists who like the simple, time-tested classics, and who prefer the simplicity of wired units over wireless units | $31.95 |
 | Best Budget WIRELESS GPS, high-tech Bike Computer with 77 data fields and turn-by-turn navigation as well. Bluetooth & ANT+ | Top-notch bike computer at a budget price. Up-and-coming contender to take on the big boys. Cheapest bike computer in the world to offer turn-by-turn navigation. High tech, compact size. Excellent battery life; simple to set up; set up a total of 7 pages with 8 pieces of data each, total of 77 data fields; can set up 2 different bike profiles; easy to read; backlit; compatible via Bluetooth and ANT+ with all kinds of sensors including power meters; compatible with 5 different satellite systems; offers turn-by-turn navigation on pre-defined routes; you can add POI to your routes; comes with a plastic mount of the twist style (very similar to the Garmin mount). Does not have a color touchscreen, detailed maps, or Wi-Fi. Data includes: Pretty much every possible data you could want or imagine, including altitude. Can be connected to power meters and electronic Di2 shifters. Easy to read as you ride. | Cyclists who want the performance of premium bike computers (and all the data they provide), but who don't want to pay a premium price | $145.00 |
 | Best sub-$100 high-tech WIRELESS bike computer with sensor/power meter compatibility & turn-by-turn navigation. Bluetooth but not ANT+ | Lightweight and compact, 28 hours of battery life, can store 100 hours of data, Bluetooth Smart to link to Power Meters, Sensors, and Monitors. Companion free app pairs with your phone to provide high-tech features such as live tracking, bread crumb navigation Data includes:Pretty much every possible data you could want or imagine, except altitude. From a US company that deserves to be a lot better known. Tough, durable quality. Be sure to update the firmware on first use. | Serious cyclists in training who don't want to spend a whole lot of money (and who do own a smart phone) | $84.95 |
 | Best Cheap WIRELESS Bike Computer | Another time-tested classic favorite, but wireless. Data includes: current, average, and maximum speed; trip distance; second-trip distance; total distance; elapsed time; and time of day. Very durable. Lightweight. Easy to use with buttons at base. A cinch to install. Customizable display so you see what interests you. You can program two different bike profiles. Auto stop/start as you ride. Tough and durable to withstand crashes and being dropped. Easy to take off bike while you are parked. Simple to install. | Cyclists who like the simple, time-tested classics - BUT who prefer wireless gadgets over wired | $64.95 |
 | Best Cheap Bike WIRELESS Computer with a Large Screen | Another long-time favorite with many cyclists. Reliable, straightforward, wireless bike computer with a huge display. CatEye claims it is the largest display available. Super lightweight. Battery may last for a year. Data includes: current, average, and maximum speed; trip distance; total distance; and programmable odometer. Has a new stopwatch feature. | Cyclists who battle to see the screens on most cheap bike computers | $54.95 |
 | Best Cheap Bike WIRED Computer that is simple to use | Easy to mount (no tools required). Batteries included. Simple to program (predefined wheel sizes). Easy to use: straightforward, single-button operation. Up to 100 hours of ride time per battery charge. 3 bike functions and 2 time functions. Takes up almost no space on your handlebars. Data includes: speed; distance; total distance; time of day; and ride time. All Sigma products are hand tested and packaged in the Chicago suburbs | Cyclists who want information with a minimum of fuss. | $22.89 |
 | Best Cheap, WIRED, Rugged Bike Computer | Firm favorite with many cyclists, especially those who need a durable bike computer. Easy to install with zip ties. Easy to read, large display. Single button for simplicity. Data includes: current, average and maximum speed; trip distance; elapsed time; odometer; calorie consumption; carbon offset; and current time. Also has auto start and stop, and auto-pause when you stop riding for a considerable period of time. | Mountain bikers, because it is rugged, with a thick cord, and a strong case | $24.95 |
 |
No. 1: Most Popular, Classic Wired Budget Bike Computer – the CatEye Velo 9
The CatEye Velo is a long-time favorite with cyclists who simply want to know how far and fast they cycled. And who don’t want to spend a lot of money for this information! The CatEye Velo 9 is an upgrade to an old favorite, and is even better – for less than $35! This upgrade includes a larger screen. Also, the setup has been simplified with pre-programmed tire sizes.
Calorie Consumption and a Carbon Offset Measurement
CatEye has added calorie consumption and a carbon offset measurement. We find both of these to be great motivational features. The calorie consumption lets you see how much of a difference you are making to your body. And the carbon offset lets you see how much of a difference you are making to your planet.
For less than $35 you get all of the upgrades above, plus the old standards:
- current speed
- average speed
- maximum speed
- trip distance
- elapsed time
- odometer.
Then add in simple one-button operation and a universal bracket that you can easily install on your stem or your handlebar. Result: you have the hands-down best bang-for-your-buck bike computer on the market!
CatEye has been around since 1954, and is the global leader in bike computers. They know what they’re doing.
Video of the CatEye Velo 9
This short video shows you what the CatEye Velo 9 is like:
The Cateye Velo 9 is wired, but a lot of users find this to be more straight-forward than wireless bike computers.Basically, there are less things to go wrong.
However, if you want wireless, you are going to have to spend a bit more money.
No. 2: Most High-End Budget Bike Computer with Navigation – the Bryton Rider 420E Wireless GPS computer
The Bryton Rider 420E is not (yet) well known in the USA, but it is very definitely an up-and-coming contender to take on the big boys. It already has legions of devoted users, and a dedicated fan base of cyclists who see the value of a top-notch bike computer at a budget price. For example, this is the cheapest bike computer in the world to offer turn-by-turn navigation. You definitely cannot get a Garmin or a Wahoo at this price that also offers turn-by-turn navigation.
The Bryton Rider is ideal for those who want high tech and compatibility with all kinds of sensors, in a compact size and a budget price compared to the premium Garmin Edge bike computers.
Features of the Bryton Rider 420E Wireless GPS computer
- excellent battery life (claimed maximum of 35 hours);
- simple to set up;
- show and record multiple data sets;
- set up a total of 7 pages with 8 pieces of data each, for a total of 77 data fields;
- can set up two different bike profiles;
- easy to read;
- backlit for cycling in the dark;
- compatible via Bluetooth and Ant+ with all kinds of sensors including power meters;
- compatible with 5 different satellite systems including GPS, Glonass, BDS, Galileo and QZSS;
- Offers turn-by-turn navigation while you are following pre-defined routes created in the Active app or synched from Strava, Komoot, Ride, etc.;
- You can add POI (points of interest) to your routes and the unit will tell you how far away they are as you ride;
- Comes with a plastic mount of the twist style (very similar to the popular Garmin mount).
Lacking: Color touchscreen, detailed maps, Wi-Fi.
Video showing the Bryton Rider 420E Wireless GPS computer
This video will give you more information about the Bryton bike computer:
No. 3: Best High Tech Bike Budget Bike Computer under $100: Lezyne Macro Cycling GPS Computer
This is a US-based bike accessories company that deserves to be a whole lot better known for its impressive products. For example, this little bike computer packs a lot of punch in a small package. It has just about everything a cyclist could need, at a much lower price point than rivals such as Garmin or Wahoo.
On the one hand it is very lightweight, compact and cheap, but on the other hand it has a lot of features usually only found in much more expensive bike computers. It boasts 28 hours of battery life, and can store 100 hours of data. Amazingly at this price, it even offers breadcrumb navigation.
Bluetooth Smart: Power Meters, Sensors, and Monitors
For starters, you can use its Bluetooth Smart to pair it with cadence and speed sensors, power meters, and heart rate monitors. The companion free app, Lezyne Ally V2, can pair with your phone to provide high-tech features such as live tracking and turn-by-turn navigation, and to access Strava Live segments and phone notifications.
For all of these, you do have to carry your phone with you. Also, note that the turn-by-turn navigation does not include audible alerts (as found in more expensive units). Apart from that, this bike computer has just about everything a cyclist could need, at a much lower price point than rivals such as Garmin or Wahoo.
Video
This video shows the highlights of the Lezyne family of high tech yet affordable bike computers.
No. 4: Most Popular, Wireless Budget Bike Computer – the CatEye Strada Wireless
The CatEye Strada Wireless Bike Computer is small, light and very affordable, and will do all you want as long as you don’t want to track your rides geographically (it does not have a GPS) or upload your data to analyze. Basically it has a wireless sensor that you put on your fork, and it then calculates your speed, time and distance.
While you are cycling, the CatEye Strada will show a whole lot of data, including:
- current speed
- average speed
- maximum speed
- trip distance
- second-trip distance
- total distance
- elapsed time
- time of day.
In testing I found the CatEye Strada easy to mount and use. The CatEye Strada is shipped with batteries and a universal tool-free FlexTight bracket, and is easy to mount.
Video Showing How to Install a CatEye Strada Bike Wireless Bike Computer
Related Post: 5 of the Best Smart Indoor Trainers for Fun and Effective Indoor Bike Training
No. 5: CatEye Padrone Cycle Computer – Best Wireless Budget Bike Computer with a Large Screen
The CatEye Padrone Cycle Computer is a long-time favorite with many cyclists. It is a reliable, straightforward wireless bike computer with a huge display. CatEye claims it is the largest display on the market. Add in super lightweight and a battery that will last for a year, and you have a very attractive bike computer at a very affordable price.
Also, in response to customer requests, the Padrone has been updated with a stopwatch feature. The CatEye Padrone gets rave reviews from users.
Video Showing How to Set up the Functions of the CatEye Padrone Bike Computer
Here is a useful video showing how to set up the functions of this bike computer.
No. 6: Best Simple to Use, Budget Bike Computer – Sigma Sport BC5.12 Wired
The Sigma Sport BC 5.12 is a classic but cheap bike computer that is super simple to use. It’s quick to mount it to your bike, simple to program, easy to use, and offers straightforward, single-button operation. Predefined wheel sizes increase the simplicity of set up. And you can expect up to 100 hours of ride time per battery charge.
Three bike functions and two time functions are packed into an attractive, modern design that takes up a minimal amount of space on your handlebars. Clearly, this is perfect for the cyclist who wants information with a minimum of fuss.
Data available on this bike computer includes:
- speed
- distance
- total distance
- time of day
- ride time.
Batteries are included, and it’s a cinch to install, with no tools required (although needle nose pliers will speed up tying down the cables). All Sigma products are hand tested and packaged in the Chicago suburbs.
Video Showing How to Install a Sigma Sport Bike Computer
If you Want Something More Premium, with GPS and Auto Upload Capabilities, Check This Out:
No. 7: Most Durable and Rugged Budget Bike Computer – CatEye Enduro CC-ED400 Wired Bike Computer
The CatEye Enduro bike computer is a firm favorite with many cyclists, particularly mountain bikers, because it is rugged, with a thick cord (although it’s a little short) and a strong case. Because you install it with zip ties, installation is nice and simple. And it is easy to read the large display. It has a number of basic functions, which you can scroll through with the single button. Functions include:
- current speed
- average speed
- maximum speed
- trip distance
- elapsed time
- calorie consumption
- odometer
- carbon offset
- current time.
This cheap bike computer also has auto start and stop, and auto-pause for when you stop riding for a considerable period of time.
Related Post: Garmin Edge 1040 vs 1030 Plus: What’s the Difference?
Related Content: All Garmin Edge Bike Computers Compared: Edge 130 Plus vs Explore vs 530 vs 830 vs 1030 Plus vs 1040
Bottom Line on Budget Bike Computers
If you don’t need navigation or GPS records, it is totally possible to get a decent bike computer for less than $70. We hope that one of these cheap bike computers will be exactly right for you!
Check Out Our Most Popular Posts! | ||
| ||
Did you enjoy this post or find it helpful? If so, please support our blog! We write this blog because we love cycling. But we also need to earn a living, so we REALLY would appreciate if you click through to one of our reputable affiliates for your online shopping. We are proudly affiliated with Amazon, which sells pretty much everything, and has outstanding shipping and return policies. When you buy from our affiliates we make a small commission, and this is the only way we earn any income. Plus, it costs you nothing at all - a real win/win situation! | ||
|
Leave a Reply