Current bike computers, primarily from manufacturers like Garmin, Wahoo, HammerHead, and Coros, are designed with road cycling and triathlons in mind. While some features cater to off-road cycling (e.g. MTB/gravel), these devices often fall short for ultra-distance and multi-day bikepacking events. Issues such as short battery life, limited/non-existent satellite connectivity options, and lack of ruggedness make them less than ideal for bikepacking.
This document is not intended to argue the market potential for a bikepacking-specific computer. Instead, it outlines the key features and capabilities that could define a better bike computer specifically designed for ultra-cycling and bikepacking.
Bikepacking presents unique challenges that distinguish it from other cycling forms. Below are some common considerations, though exceptions exist:
- Length: Bikepacking routes often stretch for hundreds to thousands of kilometers.
- Duration: These routes typically take several days to weeks to complete.
- Contiguous Routes: Unlike stage races like Le Tour de France, bikepacking routes are contiguous, with riders moving continuously from start to finish.
- Remoteness: Riders often find themselves in isolated areas with limited or no connectivity, requiring quick access to essentials like water, food, mechanical help, medical assistance, or shelter.
- Ruggedness: Extreme weather conditions (e.g., temperature, rain, snow) are common, demanding a high level of durability.
- Navigation: Given the long distances, turn-by-turn directions aren't necessary during long stretches of the route.
- Crossing Boundaries: Routes frequently span multiple states, provinces, countries, and sometimes even continents.
- Refresh Rate: Due to the lengthy nature of the routes, real-time updates (sub 10s/60s averages) on the bike computer may be deemed non-essential for many bikepackers.
- Display Type: color, always-on, low-power. Optionally, touch screen.
- Physical Interface: buttons + dial/crank/crown.
- Connectivity: bluetooth (phone + accessories), ANT+ (accessories)
- Data Sync: Wi-Fi or through mobile app.
- Water & Dust Resistance: IPX7
- Working Temperature: -20C to 60C
- Battery (built-in): 24h
- Battery module: Additional 168h
- Geolocation Systems: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS
- Storage: 32GB - 64GB internal storage for maps, routes, and other data.
- Durability: IP67 to IPX7 waterproof rating, capable of operating in extreme temperatures (-20°C to +60°C).
- Operating System: Initially running Android, with potential for a custom OS to improve performance and battery life.
Long battery-life is one of the key-aspects under consideration when making a bikepacking specific bike computer.
- Swappable Battery: Riders can carry additional batteries, similar to AXS batteries, ensuring power for extended trips.
- Low-Power Display: eInk or low-power LCD screens with slow refresh rates (e.g., 1Hz) reduce energy consumption.
- Improved Geo-Location: Algorithms optimized for lower power consumption.
To enhance flexibility, the device could support optional modules, with some trade-offs in battery life:
- Satellite Communication Module: Replaces the need for separate devices like SPOT or Garmin. Supports automatic and manual communication, including emergency services.
- Cellular Communication Module: Enables cellular connectivity for updates, map downloads, and emergency communication.
- Solar Charging Module: Solar panel accessory for charging the device and batteries on the go.
- Usability: if using eInk screen, configuring the device might be cumbersome. A companion app or website could simplify this process, allowing profile management and data visualization.
- Notifications: Should the device display notifications from mobile devices?
- Hot-Swap Support: Should there be an internal battery to support hot-swapping?
- OS Development: While Android might be suitable for an initial release, a custom OS could improve performance and battery life in later versions.
- Open Source: Open-sourcing the software could enable community-driven development, adding features and capabilities over time.
| Device Name | Weight (grams) | Dimensions (cm) | Battery Life | Solar Panel | Solar Efficiency | Connectivity | Satellite Systems Supported | Sensors | Screen Size | Storage (GB) | Price (USD) | Waterproof | Working Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v2 | 93.5 | 5.95 x 9.05 x 2.05 | 17 hours | No | N/A | WiFi, Bluetooth, ANT+ | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Gyroscope, Accelerometer | 2.7" | 32 | $379.99 | IPX7 | -20 to 50 |
| Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v2 | 68 | 4.77 x 7.73 x 2.17 | 15 hours | No | N/A | WiFi, Bluetooth, ANT+ | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Gyroscope, Accelerometer | 2.2" | 16 | $299.99 | IPX7 | -20 to 50 |
| Hammerhead Karoo 2 | 131 | 5.42 x 9.89 x 1.98 | 12 hours | No | N/A | WiFi, Bluetooth, ANT+ | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou | Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Accelerometer | 3.2" | 32 | $399.99 | IP67 | -20 to 60 |
| COROS DURA | 99 | 9.95 x 6.08 x 1.57 | 120 hours (GPS), 70 hours (dual-frequency) | Yes | 1 hour sun = 2 hours riding | WiFi, Bluetooth, ANT+ | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS | Barometric Altimeter, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Temperature Sensor | 2.7" | 32 | $349.99 | IP67 | -20 to 60 |
| Garmin Edge 1040 Solar | 133 | 11.7 x 5.88 x 2.02 | 45 hours (GPS), 100 hours in Battery Saver mode | Yes | High efficiency | WiFi, Bluetooth, ANT+ | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS | Barometric Altimeter, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ambient Light Sensor | 3.5" | 32 | $749.99 | IPX7 | -20 to 55 |
| Garmin Edge 540 Solar | 85 | 8.57 x 5.7 x 2.0 | 26 hours (GPS), 42 hours with solar | Yes | High efficiency | WiFi, Bluetooth, ANT+ | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS | Barometric Altimeter, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | 2.6" | 16 | $449.99 | IPX7 | -20 to 55 |