Bike Computers Archives

Whilst you would be hard pushed to find a full-function bike computer for under �100 the RFLKT from Wahoo Fitness offers an affordable and surprisingly comprehensive solution by utilising the power of the iPhone.

Put simple the RFLKT mirrors, or reflects (hence the name minus some vowels and a random K), various popular iPhone apps, including Strava, Cyclemeter and own-brand Wahoo Fitness, bringing all the data wirelessly to a neat handlebar-mounted screen. Out of the box the RFLKT includes a �Quick Start Guide� so stripped back it may as well say �look online�, which, to all intense and purposes, it does. Thankfully the online instructions are comprehensive, easy to follow and exceptionally straight forward. It�s a quick step to pair the RFLKT with the iPhone and get the chosen app running and synced � beyond that the complexity is really up to the user with no end or tweaks and personalisation available.

There are a number of particularly useful functions to the RFLKT not least the ability to customise a number of screens to only illustrate the data you require most often � with more info available at the touch of a button, of which the RFLKT has four (slightly stiff at first use, but quickly bedding in.) And, if you�re the kind of cyclist who listens to music on the ride rather than paying attention to your surroundings, you can even control volume straight from the handlebars.

Whilst you could achieve much of this by mounting your iPhone direct onto the bike it�s obviously advantageous to have that tucked away in a jersey pocket or seatpost bag, safe from weather and potential tumbles. The screen, monochrome but of sufficient quality, is also much more readable than using just an iPhone screen, which are notoriously reflective in bright conditions.

There are though a couple of issues to take note of: using Bluetooth is an infamous drain on the iPhone�s already infamous battery life and you�re going to feel that extra time pressure on the longer training rides. That said the RFLKT can display the iPhone battery percentage so at least you�ll know how long you have left to get to where you�re going. Also those with smaller capacity iPhones or with lots of apps already loaded and taking up space are likely to struggle with being able to add more of the ready-made screen configurations within the Wahoo Fitness app itself. But at a basic level the RFLKT works exactly as advertised and does so very well.

For less than �80 the RFLKT actually achieves an incredible amount. It�s conceivable to spend entire days experimenting with the possibilities and configuring various data options rather than actually getting out there and training. But once you do all the data you could ever require will be right at your fingertips.

The RFLKT ships with everything needed for mounting on stem, bar or via �quarter-turn� mount. Whilst it works predominantly with the iPhone, there are Android options with full details of compatibility here.

Worth considering as an extra, and something Cyclo had on test with the RFLKT, is the Wahoo RPM Cadence Sensor. Costing �39.99 the wireless sensor pairs quickly with the Wahoo Fitness app and can be mounted with zip-ties to the crank or via Velcro and a silicon pod directly onto the shoe. Those that really love crunching the numbers after a ride or race will appreciate the addition metrics.

The Wahoo Fitness RFLKT retails at �79.99 and the RFLKT +, which adds ANT+ connectivity, altimeter, and thermometer, retails at �109.99. Further details and online purchase at uk.wahoofitness.com

These days it would seem that everything is shared across social networks, from the sublime to the ridiculous (�I got engaged!�� I just ate toast!�), however some things we feel are well worth sharing; training plans, routes, results and achievements among them. Enter then the new Edge 510 GPS bike computer, which makes all this � and more � possible, and being from market-leading Garmin, Cyclo took to testing it with more than a hint of anticipation.

The Edge 510, with its touchscreen and colour display (both steps up from the Garmin 500), works in conjunction with two other crucial elements; firstly the Garmin Connect Mobile app for smartphones � free for iPhone and Android � to which the Edge 510 connects via Bluetooth, secondly the online (again free) Garmin Connect dashboard website. More on both in due course�

Out-of-the-box impressions were positive � the 510 is reasonably compact at just 5.2 x 8.6 x 2.4cm and mid-weight at 80g; the screen was clear, bright (and of course colourful) and the glove-friendly touchscreen responsive. Setting-up technical devices for the first time can be daunting, but the Quick Start manual was easy to understand and guided us through the set up, installation and pairing of the Edge 510 to the smartphone (an iPhone in our case) via the bluetooth without any trouble. The app turns the Edge 510 into a truly connected device, capable of sharing activities and data as they happen in real-time and wirelessly uploading workout- and race-relevant data to the Garmin Connect website or downloading courses and routes direct to the device; in short it is the cornerstone of this new model.

With a standard ‘quarter turn’ mount the Garmin Edge 510 is simple enough to attach to the handlebars using two of the supplied bands, but those who prefer an ‘out-front’ mounting one is available for an additional �29.99. In either case, and in the event of a spill, the Edge 510 ships with a tether so you shouldn�t lose your investment if the worst comes to the worst�

Cyclo appreciates that some GPS devices can struggle to acquire satellite signals, a complete headache when you�re itching to get going � or worse racing, but on our tests the Edge 510 acquired the signals quickly and, just as importantly, held it unwaveringly throughout. We were impressed too that the aforementioned glove-friendly touchscreen remained responsive even to the prodding of our thickest winter gloves, delivering additional data pages quickly and, with a fairly generous 4.4 x 3.5cm screen size, serving up something we were actually able to read on the ride.

Live tracking allows friends (rivals?) and family to follow your races and training activity in real time, so long as the app and the Edge 510 are connected. Inviting followers � or ‘connections’ if �followers� sounds too messianic for you � using email or social media allows the chosen few to view your live data on the Garmin Connect tracking page, follow your position on a map, and track progress, and once the workout or race is posted to the Garmin Connect site followers can (re)view and comment on them. Naturally you can also share all of this across various social networks, something we personally love to do at Cyclo.

Of course all this extra tech comes at a slight cost above the old 500 � it�s naturally both bigger and heavier (the noted 80g compared to the previous model�s more svelte 56.7 g) � but the extraordinary amount of functionality for a not unreasonable �249.99 makes for an excellent investment. At around �80 cheaper than the Edge 810, which admittedly adds base maps and data cards amongst other things, this looks like a first-rate option for anyone wanting to up their game with a robust, reliable and very sociable bike computer.

The Garmin Edge 510 is available from, amongst other places online, wiggle.co.uk � for full details and spec of the Edge 510 visit garmin.com or take a look at their video below�

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