We race through life like the InterCity from Hamburg to Berlin. We turn our after-work lap into a chase and quickly launch an attack on the "King of the Mountain" before dinner. We race after invisible opponents on virtual segments until the lack of oxygen drives the dizziness into our brains. And as soon as our heart rate approaches the resting zone, we pull out our smartphone and use the share button to send our latest lap times to the online community and post our best times on Strava or Facebook.
The six bike computers in our test almost seem like decelerators, like a journey into the past. No colourful buttons, no invitation to step in now and grab the next virtual challenge cup. They limit themselves to the essentials and allow the biker to concentrate on the most important thing: the enjoyment of cycling. Nevertheless, they provide the most important information for mountain bikers when required. In addition to the classic functions such as speed, distance and riding time, all models display the most important altitude functions, the temperature and, in some cases, the incline.
You will need to invest at least 75 euros in a device with wireless radio transmission and a barometric altimeter. In return, the transmitters, with the exception of Echowell, send the data to the receiver digitally coded and without interference. Installation of the current models is extremely simple. It only takes a few minutes and the devices are attached to the bike with cable ties or rubber rings. All mounts fit either on the handlebars or stem, depending on which position the rider prefers. You don't usually have to spend all night with the initial set-up either. In most cases, clear instructions guide you through the first steps. Only with Pro and Echowell do somewhat unstructured instruction leaflets confuse their readers.
Extension via ANT+ sensors
The operation is also pleasing. The menus are consistently logical and easy to understand. Sigma and VDO each have a sub-menu for altitude data and one for ride data, which are easy to navigate through. With BBB, O-Synce and Pro, you also select a sub-category and then click through the individual values. The difference: the three models can be expanded with cadence and heart rate measurement thanks to ANT+ data transmission and already have the corresponding menu structures. Only with the Echowell do you have to go through all the menu items in search of the desired information. When it comes to the arrangement of the buttons, manufacturers have now realised that buttons at the bottom or top are easier to operate than those on the side. Only O-Synce has found a special solution here: using a wired remote control, the control buttons are placed directly next to the handle. This keeps your hands on the handlebars when zapping.
Good measuring accuracy, also for height measurement
All models were sprinkled for 15 hours in our water bath. The surprise: all computers still functioned perfectly afterwards and are therefore also ideally suited for driving in the rain. We can also give a positive assessment of the measurement accuracy. Distance and speed values matched each other with minimal deviations. Only the height measurement of BBB and Echowell could not be relied upon one hundred per cent. You can find all the information on the models tested from page 70 onwards. We provide comprehensive buying advice for the various computer types on the following pages.
You can find these bike computers with altitude measurement in the test:
- BBB DigiBoard BCP-52WA
- Echowell a2
- O-Synce urbanhigh x (BIKE-Tip test winner)
- Pro Scio Alti ANT+
- Sigma BC 14.12 STS Alti
- VDO M4 WL
- Tried out: Cateye Strada Smart
A table with the function overview of all speedometers can be found below as a PDF download.
You can read the detailed speedometer test including installation tips and speedometer types (BIKE 1/2015) in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or download the issue from the DK shop. reorder:
Downloads:
Stefan Frey
Editor
