Bike Computers vs. Smartphones: What Do You Need?

New technology has made keeping track of your cycling data easier than ever. But is the latest and greatest cycling computer that spouts out a bevy of numbers and intricate data necessary? Or will the smartphone in your jean pocket suffice?

Use this guide to help you decide which option best suits your needs.

What to Consider

Before you can determine whether it's best to use your smartphone as your primary cycling GPS device or utilize a dedicated cycling computer, there are several factors you'll need to consider.

Price
The cost of a cycling computer can range from $25 to a few hundred. On the other hand, you won't incur any new cost if you've already got a smartphone—unless, of course, you're unfortunate enough to crash. In that case, you'll end up spending far more replacing a smartphone than a basic cycling computer. If you decide to use your smartphone in a variety of weather conditions, you'll also need to purchase a case and mount.

Size
Today's wide-screened smartphones are much larger than any standard cycling computer. This will play a factor in how much room you'll have on your handlebars—especially if you use a headlight for commuting. And if you're a weight weenie, it's likely that your phone (plus a case) will outweigh a cycling computer.

Battery Life
Are you a century rider or a commuter? Having your phone on for five-plus hours likely isn't an option unless you carry a spare battery. However, if your rides range in the neighborhood of 30 to 40 minutes, battery life won't be an issue. Keep in mind, though, if you plan on riding far from home, you'll want your phone at full power in case of an emergency.

How Frequently You Ride
If cycling is a one or two-day a week thing, it's not essential to lug around more equipment. But if you're training for a race and on the bike five or six days a week, a cycling computer will give you more useful data to suit your needs.

Durability
Things can get nasty out on the road. Wind, rain, snow and extreme temperatures are just some of the hazards your GPS device will need to withstand. While a weatherproof case may be an option for your smartphone, keep in mind it will increase the size of the device and make the function of the touchscreen more difficult to use and to see in direct sunlight. On the other hand, most cycling computers are weatherproof as is.

Accuracy
To receive the most accurate data possible, you'll need to have speed, cadence and power sensors on your bike. If you're using a smartphone app that relies solely on GPS, your numbers won't be as accurate as a computer that communicates with these sensors. On the flip side, buying and setting up speed, cadence and power sensors can be complicated and expensive, and may not be necessary unless you're a serious cyclist.

Function
Manufacturers make smartphones to be multifunctional. While you should try to take advantage of this, a cycling computer is made for one purpose—which makes the overall function on the bike more efficient. Also, smartphones could make it difficult to view maps and metrics data on one screen, and they're far more cumbersome to read than a cycling computer. But if you're a cyclist who doesn't need speed and distance info until after the ride is over, a bunch of metrics on a cycling computer will likely be overkill.

Which Is Best for You

When it comes to tracking your rides, there's no one size fits all. However, there is an option out there that will suit every kind of cyclist.

The Smartphone
If you aren't looking to spend a lot of money, a smartphone is the best option. It can be carried in a jersey pocket or backpack if you don't need instant data feedback, and apps like Strava and MapMyRide will give you plenty to ponder once your ride is over.

Who: If you're a commuter or recreational cyclist who rides for less than an hour a few times per week, a smartphone will suit your needs just fine.

The Low-Budget Cycling Computer
Another option is to buy a cheap cycling computer that displays basic data like speed, distance and heart rate that you can use in conjunction with your phone. This will allow you to use the Strava and MapMyRide apps while your smartphone is tucked safely away.

Who: If you're a recreational rider who cycles three or more times per week and likes to join the occasional weekend group ride, this could be a good option for you.

The High-End Cycling Computer
High-end options like the Garmin Edge 1000 might look a lot like a smartphone, but this piece of equipment will provide far more for the serious cyclist. In addition to linking to cycling apps, most of these options will give you the most accurate data feedback that's easy to use and connects to power, cadence, heart rate and distance metrics. Such high-end models are usually weatherproof, durable and contain map functions to reroute your rides on the fly.

Who: The serious cyclist who isn't worried about budget and wants accurate, real-time feedback on a variety of metrics and plenty of battery life.

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