By Rick Schultz
Rating: 
Hot
- 2 Great options Rider 530 / Aero 60
- Different models to choose from to match your needs – all with GPS functionality.
- Easy setup
- 78+ functions
- LONG battery life
- 1-second recording puts this on par with the Garmin’s.
- Tracks and Navigation mode.
- Can log into your network and sync data to your PC.
- Pre-loaded training workouts and on-screen analysis
Not
- None identified
MSRP: $179.95-$309.95
Source: Provided by Bryton for review.
Best Features: Builds on the already great functionality of the Rider 310.
Summary: Both ROCK-SOLID units!
I started “consulting” Bryton when they first introduced their Rider 310 GPS computer. I was impressed that this was their first real GPS head-unit, and it was already on par with its competitor, the Garmin 500/510. The major difference was that the Bryton was and is much more reliable. As a bike fitter and coach, I hear all of my client’s stories as to what stuff works, what stuff doesn’t and what their frustrations are, and much of it revolves around Garmin bicycle products. This feedback helped Bryton come out with a rock-solid GPS head unit for under $100.
Fast forward a year, and after many Skype calls and emails with Bryton, a new pre-production Rider 530 showed up in the mail. After a couple of weeks of testing, the on/off button failed. I contacted Bryton immediately, and they said to stand by as they discussed a fix. The next day they asked that I send the unit back and that they would replace it after a fix. Two weeks went by and a new 530 showed up. Bryton added a steel shim underneath the on/off switch. With 3 years of almost daily use, I am still using it and it is still functioning perfectly. It’s great to work with a manufacturer who listens to their testers, not only for issues, but which functions and features to add.
Over the past 3 years, friends and clients have cycled through numerous broken Garmin Edge computers, but my Bryton Rider 530 is still running strong. I believe it’s a true Garmin Edge 8xx head unit equivalent, for a fraction of the cost of a Garmin.
Last year, I attended the CABDA show in San Diego. Bryton was there and asked my opinion on their new (at the time) Aero 60. They told me that I couldn’t show it or write about it until it was released. I did one better, and put it through about 9 months of testing first!
I believe that the only way to see how a product performs is after long term testing. I have seen so many testers who work for major magazines ride a bicycle one around a parking lot and then write up a 3-page review as to how great the bike is. I’ve also seen testers copy and paste the data from a manufacturers website without even turning a unit on just so they could be first to publish a review. Again, I believe in the long-term testing to really see how a product performs.
Aero 60 Best Features
Ease of Programming – One of the best features is that you can define and program the screens via the Bryton App. Just sync the Aero 60 to your smart phone and an EXACT duplicate of the Aero 60 is displayed on your phone. Now, it’s easy-peasy to program the screens of your Aero 60.
OSM – Comes preloaded with Open Street Map which allows you to ride turn-by-turn tracks.
ESS Support – Not only does it support Di2 but now SRAM eTap and Campagnolo EPS gear information and battery life.
Both ANT+ and BLE Sensor Support
GPS Support – GNSS; Galileo, QZSS, GPS, Glonass, BDS
Auto Sync – Strava, Training Peaks and Selfloops.
Rider 530 – comes in 4 flavors; 530 E, 530 C, 530 H and 530 T and ranges from $179.95 to $259.95
Aero 60 – comes in 3 flavors; Aero60 E, Aero60 C, Aero60 T and ranges from $229.95 to $309.95
Quick Compare
So far, I have been very happy with my 530 and Aero 60. They are rock solid, and the best value in cycling GPS head units.
Oh, almost forgot, both units can display power. In fact, 26+ power meter data options including Average, Power Balance, Normalized Power, IF, TSS, Power Zone just to name a few.
Both units earn a true 5 out of 5 star rating.
OK, I’m intrigued by these Bryton units, but much more information would be helpful before investing in one.
Why one would pick one model or the other? Yes, I saw the Quick Compare chart, but other than possible more lines of display but larger size of the Rider 530, is there a “likely customer” difference between them?
Will they, in the appropriate version, work with my Garmin Forerunner 935 to display the HR data it is collecting?
How do they display GPS turn-by-turn information?
What is the all-important battery life between charges?
Hi,
I wanted to keep the review short. For example, there are 78+ functions in each unit and if I described the differences of each one in detail, I would have a 250 page review which I dont think Lars would want to publish in a newsletter. Nor can I spend full time for a week writing one review.
Also, I didnt want to just duplicate what is on the manufacturers website. The Aero 60 follows full OSM for navigation, Actual screen shots are shown on the manufacturers website. Although the 530 does turn by turn, it is more of a training tool, the Aero 60 is an updated superset of the 530. Both units are solid.
The Bryton does not talk to your Forerunner, but both will talk to your HR sensor (ANT+).
Battery life. All units on the market today have similar battery life at similar technical capabilities (Garmin 8xx vs Bryton 530, etc) and this is a function of how high you have the brightness of your display set.
This review is an introduction to Bryton since most cyclists dont know they exist as well as they are a direct competitor to Garmin and Wahoo. Now that you are intrigued, I invite you to go to each manufacturers website and gain the knowledge to help you make a decision on a GPS head unit – one that will meet your needs.
I hope this helps.
Yes, I agree with above poster. Specifics needed.
“Hot; LONG battery life” means HOW long?
And the bashing of the another brand based on hearsay (not tester’s direct, first-hand experience) was out of place and costs credibility.
Battery Life. Same question as “how long will my chain last?” Depends…..
Screen turned down with no backlighting, I can get several weeks at 5x per week 2 hours per ride. With screen turned up all the way and backlighting turned on, I can get 2-3 rides.
Bashing? I’m glad you were here with me talking to my clients as they showed you and me their failed Garmin pedals and GPS units which we have seen first hand and tried to get working for them. Me getting on the phone to Garmin tech support with my clients trying to get their failed units working, and Garmin determining that their units indeed failed.
Sounds like you are bashing me, as well as jumping to conclusions ,,, in which you are totally wrong – costs credibility.
Two of the features that I like about my Garmin 520 are 1) notifications of text / phone calls show on-screen, and 2) it pairs with my SRAM Etap groupset so I can see my gear combination, for example 50 x 16. Do the Bryton units off similar integration?