You are looking for a simple and cheap bike computer? Complex functions such as altimeter, heart rate and GPS you do not need? (Bike computers with more features can be found here)
✅ In the bike speedometer test and comparison I show the best current models.
✅ All have only the most important cycling features and are easy to use.
In testing, the Keine Produkte gefunden. proved easy to use and packed with useful features.
You can start cycling directly on it and the cycling speedometer starts recording the most important data. You don’t have to worry about technical stuff like a lost GPS signal or dead batteries.
Just start cycling: You don’t have to worry about dead batteries or a lost GPS signal.
As I said, the simple bike computers presented here are really simple models. They are true long runners and the battery often lasts up to 2 years.
Simple bicycle tachos with the most important functions
Here you will find cheap and simple models clearly arranged in the bicycle speedometer comparison. All models offer the following functions: speed, daily kilometres / total kilometres, travel time, time of day.
Further functions and special features are shown in the table:
* Werbung - Aktualisierung am 2025-01-16, Preis kann gestiegen sein, Als Amazon-Partner verdiene ich an qualifizierten Verkäufen, Bild:Amazon
Bike speedometer test – Bike speedometer recommendations
These bike computers are reliable and easy to use
Sigma BC 5.16 – simple bike speedometer with most important functions
Keine Produkte gefunden.
The Sigma BC 5.16 is one of the most popular bike computers on Amazon. It offers the most important five basic functions in a compact housing.
The Sigma BC 5.16 bike speedometer has the following functions:
✅ Basic functions: Speed, trip odometer, total odometer, travel time, time of day.
The housing of the chic Sigma BC 5.16 is very compact. Nevertheless, the functions are shown very clearly and legibly on the display. Large and easy to reach are the buttons on the bike speedometer: This allows you to quickly scroll through the different display views unerringly.
Zum ausführlichen Sigma BC 5.16 Praxistest (Test & Erfahrungen)
Sigma BC 16.16 bike speedometer with many functions
If you want more functions, then the Sigma BC 16.16 is the right bike speedometer for you.
The Simga BC 16.16 is also ideal for use on two bicycles, because it can store two different wheel sizes and calculates the kilometres travelled together (the second speedometer holder is an extra accessory). A sensor for cadence measurement is also available as an accessory.
The Sigma BC 16.16 bike speedometer has the following functions:
✅ Functions:
- Current, average and maximum speed
- Distance and total distance (bike1/bike2)
- Ride time and total ride time (bike1/bike2)
- Temperature, time, ETA display (time / timer / distance)
In the sun, the Sigma BC 16.16 is perfectly readable and thanks to the backlight, the display can also be easily read in the dark.
The Sigma BC 16.16 bike computer is available in three versions:
- Sigma BC 16.16 with cable
- Keine Produkte gefunden.
- Sigma BC 16.16 STS CAD Wireless with cadence
Zum ausführlichen Sigma BC 16.16 Praxistest (Test & Erfahrungen)
Simple bike tachos guide
Now the most important questions about the bicycle speedometer are clarified.
Why should I buy a bike speedometer?
The bike speedometer shows you after a bike ride your kilometres ridden. So you know what you have achieved! You can see values like your geared kilometers, your average speed and the ride time. Total kilometers the bike speedometer also shows you.
So you have the overview and can be proud of how much you have cycled in the year. With the displayed information, you can also better manage your forces.
Inexpensive bike computer: These functions it has
- Speed
- Daily kilometres / Total kilometres
- Travel time
- Time
Bike speedometer with cable or wireless: The differences
A cheap simple bike computer often transmits the signal via cable. Many manufacturers offer their models each as Bicycle speedometer with cable and as Wireless bicycle speedometer.
The following features, advantages and disadvantages are offered by the technologies in the bike computer.
Bike speedometer with cable – advantages and disadvantages
Less power consumption and you only need one battery (with the wireless bike computer the receiver needs an extra battery)
✅ Reliable data transmission without interruptions
✅ A bike speedometer with cable is cheaper than a wireless bike speedometer
✅ Battery life usually significantly longer than one year
The bike speedometer mounting with cable takes a little longer, because the cable must be laid additionally. The cable is led from the top of the bicycle speedometer down to the sensor on the fork.
You can mount the speedometer or the speedometer mount on the handlebar or on the stem.
Bike speedometer wireless – advantages and disadvantages
Very simple and quick assembly
✅ Tidy look on the bike without cables
✅ Reliable and wireless data transmission between bike speedometer and transmitter
✅ Very long battery life: Usually well over a year
❌ slightly more expensive than bicycle tachos with cable
❌ Two batteries required: 1x in the bike speedometer and 1x in the transmitter
Mounting a bicycle speedometer correctly
A bicycle speedometer is quickly mounted on the bicycle. The mounting differs slightly from model to model and for the bike speedometer with cable, the cable must also be laid from the bracket on the handlebars to the sensor on the bike fork.
In general, assembly takes less than 10 minutes and is usually possible without tools. This is how you get your odometer on your bike ready to go:
Fixing the bike tachometer bracket: The bracket can be attached either to the handlebar or to the stem. The bracket is attached to the bike with either cable ties or rubber O-rings. Sometimes an adhesive pad is included as a mounting aid. The mounting of the bracket also works wonderfully without this tool.
Laying the cable from the bike speedometer to the sensor (only for bike speedometers with cable): For bike speedometers with cable, the data is transferred between the bracket and the magnetic sensor via the cable. This cable must now be laid. Either you run the cable over the stem, to the frame and then to the bike fork. Alternatively, you wind the cable spirally and evenly on the brake cable down to the fork. This solution provides a tidy appearance. In addition, you always have enough cable available even at maximum handlebar angle. With the first mentioned solution (stem, frame, fork) you have to take care of the correct length of the wheel speedo cable yourself.
Fix the magnetic sensor to the fork: The sensor is located at the end of the cable and is also supplied with power via it. With the wireless bike speedometer, the battery for power supply is in the sensor. Of course there is no cable with the radio bike speedometer. The sensor is attached to the bicycle fork with rubber O-rings or cable ties. Pay attention to the correct alignment of the sensor: between sensor and spoke magnet may usually be a maximum of 5 mm distance. Therefore, the sensor should be directed towards the front wheel spokes.
Attaching the magnet to the spoke: The magnet is usually located in a plastic sleeve. This cover is simply clipped to a bicycle spoke and holds there securely. In order for the signal to be read, the spoke magnet and sensor should be at the same height.
- Reading tip: In the following articles you will find even more details about mounting a bicycle speedometer.
- complete assembly instructions of the bicycle speedometer with cable Sigma BC 5.16
- complete installation instructions for the Sigma BC 16.16 STS wireless bike speedometer
Correctly adjust the bicycle speedometer
After successful assembly, your bicycle speedometer is as good as ready for use. The data transmission between sensor and wheel speedometer is usually already set up at the factory.
Now the wheel circumference still has to be adjusted correctly. This is the only way to ensure the correct calculation of speed, distance and other bike data.
Many wheel tachos already have presets for the common wheel sizes. However, these presets are quite inaccurate. Better you set your bike speedometer correctly yourself.
There are three ways to do this:
Calculate wheel circumference correctly with formula ( U = 2 * pi * r )
✅ Measure wheel circumference directly
✅ set the bike computer correctly with table
All three methods are shown in detail and easy to follow in the Correctly Set Up Bike Computer article.
Bike speedometer or rather bike speedometer app?
There are now many good cycling apps. I also sometimes use my smartphone as a bike computer. The large touchscreen is a lot of fun to use and there are some excellent bike navigation apps. In comparison, however, there are some disadvantages with a smartphone:
❌ The battery life is much shorter and you have to make sure that it is charged when you start the ride
❌ Operation with the touchscreen display is more cumbersome
❌ The display can not be read in the sun
❌ The touchscreen cannot be operated at all in the rain or the smartphone even breaks down
Still want to use your smartphone as a bike speedometer? Then these articles are useful for you:
- The best cycling apps from different categories (navigation, training, accommodation and much more).
The following bicycle cell phone postures are recommended:
- Quadlock bike phone mount (iPhone, Samsung, Huawei and universal mount).
- SP Connect Mobile Phone Holder for iPhone, Samsung, Google, Huawei & Universal
- Topeak Ridecase for iPhone and as universal holder
- Mobile phone holder for bike in the test – The best smartphone holder for bike!
Bike speedometer test – overall conclusion and summary
In the bike speedometer test you have learned the important aspects when buying a bike speedometer. The table above gives you an overview of recommended bicycle tachos and their functions. You also now know that most Radtachos are available wired and wireless.
Once you’ve ordered your new bike speedo, this article will also help you assemble and properly adjust your bike speedo.
- If you need more features then check out these related articles:
- Sigma Fahrradcomputer – Bike computers and bike tachos from Sigma Sports incl. Models with more functions
The complete overview of Garmin bicycle GPS navigation devices.
Sources and further links:
- Basic info: Wikipedia bike computer article.
Have you found the right bike speedometer for you? Do you have any questions? Feel free to write me your comment.
