BUYER'S GUIDE: BIKE COMPUTERS

Log your rides, find your way and monitor your multisport training with a quartet of impressive bike computers...

- JAMES WITTS

WAHOO ELEMNT ROAM £349.99

uk.wahoofitness.​com

While the Wahoo Elemnt Roam is a couple of years old now, it still does a lot right. Set up's simple and the tight integration with the app allows you to configure it easily. Once paired this happens automatically when both are turned on - changes made in the phone app are immediately reflected in the Roam. This lets you choose a route or workout to follow on the phone and have it available in the computer straight away without the need to make a physical connection or wait a download. You can then configure up to 11 data fields on a page.

The crisp 2.7in Gorilla Glass 64-colour display is more than adequate, but the 240 x 400 pixel screen seems a little dull compared to recent launches like the Garmin 1050. GPS pick-up is impressive, as is retention. I'm also a fan of the Summit climbing feature, which adds color-coded gradients to the grade data field and elevation chart on the climbing page when riding a third-party route or Strava segment.

The only minor issue is the rerouting feature, which does get you on track if you've absentmindedly veered off course, but not always the most direct way. While it's a great bike computer, it's in need of a reboot, so we'll watch this space.

GARMIN 1050 £649.99

garmin.​com

Want to light up your ride like a beacon? Then the new Garmin 1050 is for you. But that's simply the top line of what is a mightily impressive bike computer.