Looking to get a bike computer

[Shawn Gossman]

I need help...

I've always just used my Apple Watch with Strava activated as a computer.

I want a good computer I can look down at to see my stats.

I'm looking at the Garmin 540 and the Garmin 840. The 840 seems to be more expensive purely because of the Touch Screen feature. For those what have that, do you find that better to use and worth the extra cost?

How about different brands, like Wahoo? Is that better to get than Garmin?

I'll assume that I should still record Strava on my watch or phone to keep using it though right or can I use the bike computer?

I'm very new to the bike computer world.

Open to suggestions

 

[Big Dawg Cycles]

I've got the Garmin 540 solar and it's amazing. The buttons on the 540 are a little bit hard to get used to at first but I have just fine. And yes the only difference with the 840 is that it is touch screen. I'd recommend with your first bicycle computer though to go for a pre-owned 130. That does everything you need it to including pairs with all sensors including power meter. I used my 130 Plus for years and it never lost signal even going through the tunnel at tunnel Hill

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I've got the Garmin 540 solar and it's amazing. The buttons on the 540 are a little bit hard to get used to at first but I have just fine. And yes the only difference with the 840 is that it is touch screen. I'd recommend with your first bicycle computer though to go for a pre-owned 130. That does everything you need it to including pairs with all sensors including power meter. I used my 130 Plus for years and it never lost signal even going through the tunnel at tunnel Hill

The 130 definitely looks like it would give me everything I'd need. And even new, it's not very much comparing to the other two.

I was looking at the solar versions but even without solar, they last more than my rides will last so I feel like I don't really need that feature.

I like the idea of a color screen that is touch though but don't know if touch is that worth the cost.

 

[Rom]

I'm still running a Garmin 520. Physical buttons, no touch screen, crappy maps function. I'm in the market for an upgrade soon too. I typically keep equipment for a long time so I would like to get something for all my riding/racing/bikepacking. I was looking at the 540, not the solar though, it doesn't add that much battery life from what I've heard. Touch screens are nice, but sometimes (if you're a heavy sweater) when your sweat drops on the screen it can swap screens or something weird. Just food for thought.

When comparing wahoo and garmin, from what I've been able to tell the Wahoo is easier to utilize the UI, which you can access through your phone. Lots of things on the garmin you have to do on the garmin.

 

[Big Dawg Cycles]

I'm still running a Garmin 520. Physical buttons, no touch screen, crappy maps function. I'm in the market for an upgrade soon too. I typically keep equipment for a long time so I would like to get something for all my riding/racing/bikepacking. I was looking at the 540, not the solar though, it doesn't add that much battery life from what I've heard. Touch screens are nice, but sometimes (if you're a heavy sweater) when your sweat drops on the screen it can swap screens or something weird. Just food for thought.

When comparing wahoo and garmin, from what I've been able to tell the Wahoo is easier to utilize the UI, which you can access through your phone. Lots of things on the garmin you have to do on the garmin.

They've changed it now so you can access pretty much the whole user interface with a Garmin I wouldn't recommend solar for most people You can tell the battery life on the 5: 40 without solar is already Great. I have a pre-owned 130 I was going to bring it to the group ride tonight because someone is interested in buying it but I will let you know if that doesn't work out