The 7 Best Bike Speedometers Suitable for Beginner Cyclists

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These are the best bike speedometers suitable for beginners and casual cyclists.

They are popular among riders worldwide. However, they offer only basic features like measuring your speed, distance, trip time, etc.

Some are more advanced but not as sophisticated as dedicated bike computers.

The best speedometer overall is the CatEye Padrone. This tiny speedometer will provide you with all metrics needed. Furthermore, it’s wireless, so it’s easy to set up and use. It also stands out thanks to its availability in multiple colors.

If you are new to speedometers, I will explain the difference between bike computers and speedometers and guide you through features you should consider.

Let’s dive in!

What Are the Best Speedometers?

Choosing the best speedometer depends mainly on your budget. I recommend buying a wireless speedometer for its ease of setup and cleaner look of your bike if you have more money to spend.

Most speedometers can display basic metrics like speed, distance, or ride time and will last for several months or years on one battery (or charge).

Remember, speedometers are not as sophisticated as dedicated bike computers (learn more).

Visit my best bike computers article if you want a head unit with intelligent features, navigation, and compatibility with additional sensors.

Skip to the comparison table…

CatEye Padrone (Best Bike Speedometer Overall)

One of the most popular bike speedometers ever…

I selected CatEye Padrone as the best bike speedometer because of its affordability, ease of use, and simplicity.

It’s a wireless speedometer, so it’s more expensive than wired ones. However, this slight price bump pays off in the ease of installation because you won’t have to wire the cables.

Padrone has hidden buttons at the bottom of the screen, so it has a nice minimalistic design.

It can automatically pause your ride, so when you stop, it won’t continue calculating your average speed, trip time, etc.

Furthermore, you can choose multiple colors to match your bike or cycling kit.

Its main disadvantages are its relatively short battery life compared to other speedometers (like the Velo 7) and its sensitivity to cell phones, which may cause inaccuracies.

Also available at performancebike.com

CatEye Quick

Design-originality at its finest…

CatEye Quick caught my eye because of its design. Unlike the majority of speedometers, it’s rounded.

It’s mounted to an out-front mount, not a stem or handlebar. Furthermore, you can detach the speedometer when needed.

It has an LCD screen that is easy to read even in direct sunlight and a programmable odometer so you won’t lose your total miles (kilometers).

Simply write them down before you replace the battery and input them back. (Replacing battery deletes all data.)

Quick is simple to install (it’s wireless) and use. Its main disadvantage is that you have to have a rounded handlebar. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use its out-front mount.

Also available at performancebike.com

Coospo BC107 (Most Capable Speedometer)

Surprisingly capable, almost bike computer-like speedometer…

The Coospo BC107 speedometer is almost like a bike computer. Just a little simpler.

It has connectivity with ANT+ and Bluetooth sensors like power meters, HR monitors, etc. This makes it one of the market’s most capable speedometers (or budget bike computers).

It can display not only the standard metrics but also your heart rate, cadence, or power. Of course, you have to have those sensors.

What’s the catch, then? Well, its battery life is pretty short due to these features, so you will have to recharge it more often.

Unlike bike computers, it also doesn’t have in-built maps, so it can’t navigate you.

On the other hand, you can use the CoospoRide APP to analyze your rides and track your progress.

That’s great value for the money. What do you think? You can learn more about it in my Coospo BC107 review.

Sigma BC 16.16

Simple speedometer with easy-to-read screen…

Sigma BC 16.16 has one feature that very few speedometers do. It’s called the Estimated Time of Arrival.

It can calculate how long it will take you to reach your preset distance based on your speed.

So, you can use this feature, for example, when commuting to or from work or other points of interest.

BC 16.16 can also show you how much you save on fuel by riding a bike. This feature can motivate you to ride more. Of course, you can set your car’s fuel consumption in the settings.

The main disadvantage of this speedometer is that it’s wired. So, it will take you a little longer to set it up because of the wired speed sensor.

By the way, the Sigma BC 16.16 STS is wireless but more expensive.

Also available at performancebike.com

Meilan M3

Bike speedometer in a stopwatch body…

Meilan M3 is an affordable wireless speedometer that provides basic ride data.

It’s available in multiple colors in a stopwatch-like body. Maybe it will awaken nostalgia from your school days.

Its internal memory can store up to 30 activities, so you can check your ride history and progress.

The biggest M3’s disadvantage is the short 8-hour battery life. On the other hand, you can recharge the battery and don’t have to replace it (which brings additional costs).

iGPSPORT 50S

Bike computer-like speedometer for an affordable price…

iGPSPORT 50s is like Coospo BC107 but less polished. These two speedometers are direct competitors, and it’s up to you which one you like more.

Both offer more or less the same features – including connectivity, ease of use, data fields, etc. However, iGSPORT 50s does not support power meters.

On the other hand, it has an edge in battery life, and the packing also includes a screen protector.

You can also pair it with the iGPSPORT APP and analyze your rides.

CatEye Velo 7

Battery life champ…

If you are looking for a bike speedometer that you will attach to a bike and leave it there without needing to replace a battery for a few years, this one is the one to buy.

It has a battery life of up to 3 years. That’s probably the longest battery life of all speedometers on the market.

Naturally, this speedometer is very simple and only measures basic metrics like speed, distance, time, etc.

Of course, it can automatically pause measuring once you stop.

You can also use it with stationary bikes if you want. Just ensure you place the magnet in a place where it won’t interfere with the frame.

Also available at performancebike.com

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My Verdict

Read my buyer’s guide below if you are new to bike speedometers and learn their differences from bike computers.

Speedometer vs. Bike Computer: What’s the Difference?

Basic speedometers (also called odometers) usually don’t offer as sophisticated features as bike computers.

They can measure only basic metrics like speed, average speed, ascent, descent, temperature, time, etc.

They are often incompatible with additional sensors (like power meters), have limited connectivity, and don’t have maps for navigation purposes.

NOTE: Some speedometers have ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to connect more sensors.

On the other hand, they are more affordable and have longer battery life.

Who are speedometers suitable for?
Speedometers are suitable for beginners and casual riders who want a basic overview of their ride and people on a tight budget.
They are unsuitable for enthusiastic riders and those who want more data from their rides.

How to Choose the Best Speedometer?

Below, I explain the most important features you should consider when buying a speedometer.

Wired or Wireless?

Speedometers have wired or wireless speed sensors.

Wired speedometers require routing a wired speed sensor. Wireless can transmit data wirelessly.

The benefits are clear – wireless speedometers are more convenient but slightly more expensive.

However, if you can, buy a wireless speedometer. They are much easier to set up and won’t add further cables to your bike.

Screen

Speedometers have monochromatic screens. They can have different colors of backlit light and sizes.

You can buy a speedometer with a larger or smaller screen size depending on your preference.

Larger speedometers are easier to read but usually more expensive and heavier.

The following chart shows the screen sizes of the selected speedometers.

Remember, speedometers are button-based (they don’t have touchscreens).

Battery Life

The battery life of a speedometer determines how often you will need to replace (or recharge) its battery.

Thanks to their simplicity and energy-saving displays, speedometers will last months or years on one battery (unlike bike computers).

The following chart shows the claimed battery life of the best speedometers.

As you can see from the chart above, some speedometers have battery life stated in months, and some in hours only.

This is because advanced speedometers (that are almost like bike computers) have more features and connectivity, draining more battery.

Choose a simple speedometer if battery life is important to you.

Connectivity

The vast majority of speedometers are only compatible with the included speed sensors.

However, some are also compatible with cadence sensors or HR monitors, thanks to the ANT+ protocol or Bluetooth. This means they can also display your heart rate or cadence.

Unfortunately, speedometers don’t have WiFi to seamlessly upload your rides to apps like Strava.

Brand

The speedometer world is flooded with many brands. However, CatEye, Sigma, and Coospo stand out from the rest.

Remember, brands like Garmin, Wahoo, Bryton, Magene, Lezyne, etc., manufacture bike computers.

Other Features to Consider

Water resistance is significant if you live in a rainy area or are unlucky and get wet.

Most speedometers have an IPX8 water resistance rating (protection against immersion for 1 hour to a depth of 5 meters). Some have lower protection, like IPX6, IPX7, or IP67.

You don’t have to worry about using them in the rain or dropping them into a puddle.

The weight of speedometers varies from around 20 to 70g and shouldn’t be a deciding factor unless you are a weight weenie.

Bike Speedometers FAQ

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This post is regularly updated to provide the most up-to-date product tips. If you find a product that is not up to date, please, contact me.