If you are looking for a bike computer that is cheap and easy-to-use, this post comparing 7 of the best cheap bike computers is for you! It starts with a chart that compares all the features you get for your money, followed by reviews and videos. These bike computers are very popular and highly rated. All of these cheap bike computers are sold by trusted companies with a solid reputation for quality bike computers – regardless of the low price.
Chart comparing 7 of the Best Cheap 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. Simple 1-button operation. Universal bracket. CatEye has been around since 1954, and is a global leader in bike computers. Batteries included, easy to install (no tools required). | Cyclists who like the simple, time-tested classics, and are OK with wires | $31.95 |
 | Best Cheap WIRELESS Bike Computer Wireless | Another time-tested classic favorite, but wireless. Battery will last up to a year (1 hr per day), and will alert you when it is low. 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. Ships with batteries and a universal, tool-free FlexTight bracket, and is easy to mount. | 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. | $24.99 |
 | Cheapest WIRELESS Bike Computer | Data is minimal: speed; distance; how long you were riding. Can be tricky to set up. Waterproof, and ships with batteries for the transmitter and the unit. Some users complain it is very difficult to set up; others rave about what a great deal it is for the price | Cyclists who want to go wireless at an extremely low price, and only need minimal data | $13.99 |
 | 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 |
 | Best EASY to set up - no tools! Pre-set tire sizes. German engineering at a budget price. Available as wired OR wireless at a remarkably low price | Firm favorite with those who want the basics with no fuss, no muss. Easy to read, large display. You can choose from SEVEN languages! Data includes: Current/Average speed; Distance/Total distance; Ride time/Total ride time; Clock. Automatic start / stop feature. Can be mounted without tools | Cyclists who want no frills, no fuss. Available in a choice of wired or wireless. Price shown here is for the wired version | $24.99 |
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No. 1: Most Popular, Classic Cheap 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.
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Calories and Carbon
Plus, CatEye has added calorie consumption and a carbon offset measurement – two 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 both of the upgrades above, plus the old standards:
- current speed
- average speed
- maximum speed
- trip distance
- elapsed time
- odometer.
Add in simple one-button operation and a universal bracket that you can easily install on your stem or your handlebar – and 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. If you want wireless, you are going to have to spend a bit more money.
No. 2: Most Popular, Wireless Cheap Bike Computer – the CatEye Strada Wireless
The CatEye Strada Wireless Bike Computer is small, light and cheap, 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. The supplied battery will last up to a year (when used for 1 hour per day), and will alert you when it is low. Personally, I would always charge it before first use, rather than relying on the factory.
Video Showing How to Install a CatEye Strada Bike Wireless Bike Computer
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No. 3: CatEye Padrone Cycle Computer – Wireless Option – Best Cheap 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. 4: Best Simple to Use, Cheap 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
No. 5: Absolutely Cheapest Wireless Bike Computer – the Soon Go Wireless Bike Computer
The price on this unit is ridiculously low for a wireless bike computer. Of course, it does only the bare minimum:
- how fast are you riding?
- and how far did you ride?
- plus how long were you riding?
It is also waterproof, and it ships with the required batteries for the transmitter and the unit. But it costs less than $20 … so, it is not entirely surprising that it gets mixed reviews. It seems that some people cannot manage to get it set up properly and/or get it to work. On the other hand, those who do manage to set it up properly and get it to work, rave about it being good value for money.
Bottom line: if you want a wireless bike computer, and you want only the most basic functions, and you are willing to risk sixteen bucks, then this is worth giving a shot. Of course, if it doesn’t work you can get your money back, but that it a little bit of a hassle. But it’s Amazon, so basically you request a return, print out the mailing labels, and mail it back for free.
Tip: don’t try this one if you have chunky front shocks, as these make it harder to set up the Soon Go bike computer.
No. 6: Most Durable and Rugged Cheap 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.
No. 7: German Engineering at a Very Low Price: SIGMA BC 7.16 Bike Computer
This simple bike computer is available in wired and wireless options, at a very remarkable price – around $22 for the wire version.
It is a firm favorite with those who want a basic bike computer with no fuss, no muss. It features an easy to read, large display. Plus, you can choose from SEVEN languages!
- Data includes:
- Current/Average speed;
- Distance/Total distance;
- Ride time/Total ride time;
- Clock.
This bike computer is designed to be mounted without tools. It has pre-programmed tire sizes to make setup easy.
It also offers an automatic start and stop feature, which is very useful for those who are forgetful (like me).
Bottom Line on Cheap 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. And you can expect it to last for years, too. We hope that one of these budget bike computers will be exactly right for you!
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