Polar announces M460 GPS bike computer with Strava Live Segments

Polar has introduced its new M460 bike computer with integrated GPS, power meter compatibility, Smart Coaching and Strava Live Segments. Could it be a credible alternative to a Garmin in this market?
 
If you own a third party power meter, the M460 offers cycling power metrics, such as Training Peaks’ Normalized Power, Intensity Factor and Training Stress Score (TSS), to help make your training more efficient. 

You can set the M460 to provide smart notifications for incoming calls, texts, calendar alerts and social media updates.

Strava Live Segments allows you to see real-time data on your performance, such as how your current riding compares to your PR, your friends or the current KOM/QOM. 

Check out our GPS reviews here. 

Additional features include an IPX7 water resistance rating (it can stand being submerged in a metre of water for 30mins), a claimed battery life of 16 hours, and a front LED.

You can pair the M460 with a heart rate monitor and use Polar’s Smart Coaching features.

These features include Training Load, which shows how a ride affects your body, and Recovery Status, which is designed to help you get the right balance between training and rest. 

Read our Buyer’s guide to cycling GPS units. 

Polar M460 is priced €179.90 (we’ve asked for a UK price), including a two-month Strava Premium membership. It’s also available with the new Polar H10 heart rate sensor for €229.90. 

The most affordable Garmins that support Strava Live Segments (you need to be a Strava Premium member for this functionality) are the Edge 510, discontinued but still available in some places, and the Edge 520 (£279.99, or £349 as a bundle with a heart rate monitor, speed sensor and cadence sensor). The Polar M460 is a cheaper alternative if that feature is important to you. 

Check out a list of devices from Garmin, Lezyne, Mio, Sigma, and Wahoo that support Strava Live Segments.

Polar hasn’t ahead of launch named the power meters with which the M460 is compatible but it says that the device has ‘additional power meter compatibility’ (compatible power meters could be listed here by the time you read this). The existing M450 communicates via Bluetooth Smart with, for example, Stages, Look Keo Power, Wahoo Fitness Kickr, 4iiii Precision and Powertap. 

Read our guide to choosing a power meter here. 

Go to www.polar.com for more details.