There’s one thing the Bryton Rider 40 doesn’t lack: features. A classy-looking, clear multi screen LCD display simultaneously shows speed, altitude, heart rate, average heart rate, distance and cadence, while toggling to the second screen displays maximum speed, ride time, average speed, incline, temperature and average cadence.
Further symbols show battery life, bike used and attached sensors. An ANT+ chest strap and wireless cadence and speed sensors are included for even more accurate training. Any ANT+ power measuring device will pair with this for comprehensive data. Initial setup and fitting is simple, and once charged via USB, you’ll have around 24 hours use.
We found the display intuitive, and fairly accurate, although there was some occasional speed drift. Altitude is measured by barometric pressure and, while mostly stable, at times gave wildly different readings at home on consecutive days.
As well as measuring your ride, the Rider 40 makes an effective training tool, with options for determining your maximum heart rate via a ramp test, and using that data for any of the seven built-in workout sessions – Easy Ride, Cruise Interval, Time Trial Interval, Tempo Interval, Anaerobic Endurance Interval, 100% MAP (maximum aerobic power) Interval and Power It Up.
Four further sets of training courses cover MHR (maximum heart rate), LTHR (lactate threshold heart rate), MAP and FTP (functional threshold power), some of which will require a power meter.
The Rider 40 doesn’t display maps, but the Bryton Bridge software has a great trip function for planning routes. Downloading ride data is easy, and once uploaded graphs show all the data.
Registered users can also compare training rides to their previous efforts, or to other people’s, and to search for routes. It takes a short play to fully navigate the software, but there’s more than enough to satisfy the most scientific trainer.
This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.