Bike computer

I use Android Strava to record ride data which I upload later for analysis, but I also use a simple wireless Cateye Strada to monitor instant & average speed, distance, total time and clock during the ride. 

Coming from a mainly mountain biking background I much prefer using my Wahoo Element Bolt than a phone. It lasts a lot longer and it's also reassuring that my phone is tucked safely away on my person.

Also in the event that I had an accident I know the phone is *probably* within my reach rather than 20 metres back down the track in a bush and smashed up.

The problem with a quadlock is that it is so damn expensive for what you get. For about £15-£20 more you can get a Lezyne GPS enabled unit and keep your phone safe.

Fair enough. I found that my iPhone6, running strava, display on and on power saver mode went from 100 to around 30 % battery over a 4 hour sportive. This could easily be extended by having a simple power pack and cable in your pocket. 

The iPhone8 i have now has an even better battery life. The 6 wasnt waterproof at all (I resorted to taking the phone out the case, wrapping it in clingfilm then re inserting it when it was really wet out) but the 8 is very water resistant. 

I can totally see the point of having a dedicated bike comp if youre a regular mile muncher, but the phone / quadlock is actually a good option. I had my iPhone set up with speed/cadence sensors and a Powerpod powermeter too, worked like a charm.

I do have a Polar M460 on my «good» bike, though...

Having your screen on all the time which it would need to be to display (or pointless having the outfront mount will drain the battery, considering you'll be having the GPS on all the time for your app of choice in any case it's not always the best solution when you only need to buy a £20 or less basic wireless computer from any of the big makers. You'll also have essentially two readings which you can compare and also at least one should there be a failure/power down or in the case of the GPS, lost signal.

Cheapest, simplest and most accurate is to just get a wireless comp and continue to have the phone running strava screen off in your pocket/bag. 

Depending on the phone you have, why not just get a quad lock phone case and the out front mount? That way you can use your mobile as a bike comp. I have done this for a couple years and so far so good. 

Strava has a really good display too.

For a basic computer to see your speed without the faff of a spoke magnet and fork sensor (continue using your phone to log strava) the new Decathlon B'twin 500 looks really neat using a wheel sensor similar to Garmin's https://www.decathlon.co.uk/500-wireless-cyclometer-id_8382192.html  (should be back in stock very soon)

The big thing is, how much money do you want to spend?

Basic cycle computers can be had for not much money, and will give you the basic speed information you'd like. You can then still use your phone for GPS purposes.

Personally, I'm using a Polar M460 just now, and I'm quite liking it. I've got the optical heart rate monitor to go with it (heart rate is more important than speed if you're training), and I'm quite liking the Polar eco-system for tracking everything. It does integrate with Strava if you want, but I rarely use Strava, so have not bothered to link my accounts.

If you really want to geek out over your decision, then have a read of the numerous reviews over on www.dcrainmaker.com

Why not buy a simple wireless bike computer and continue to run your current system in tandem, you can see exactly what you're doing time/distance/av speed wise but still able to download the same info from your Strava application.

I used to use a Megallen Switch which is a great little GPS logger and so easy to fit/remove but I went back to a simple wireless Sigma 9.16 for most of my bikes, very accurate, easy to use and as I'm not on strava I'm not that bothered about uploading my rides. I'll only use my Teasi One3 for full map touring on routes I don't know and want other data without digging the phone out.

I suggested to Wahoo that it would be cool if you could set the lights to indicate whether you were above or below an average miles per hour ie you could set it to a value for a sportive and the lights would light up past midway if you were above and not reach midway if you were below the selected speed. They haven't implemented it yet though .

Lezyne are handy and considerably cheaper than garmin

A Garmin 25 is a good option, particularly if you don't ride with a mobile phone. If you do have a phone then have a look at the Wahoo RFLKT+ (2nd hand on eBay) - that connects to your phone and has configurable screens.

I've ridden with a computer for years and certainly find that it motivates me to ride more often and to push harder - it's quite addictive arriving back home to find out if I've set PBs on my local routes. Where it has really come into it's own recently though is alongside a power meter which is helping me gauge my effort more accurately. Rarely look now at speed or distance, power zone is what's important.

Lezyne Super GPS (yr10). Same job as above, half the price, though not as flash.

Wahoo Elemnt Bolt.

Wahoo Elemnt Bolt

Wahoo Elemnt

Once, I also longed to know how fast I was going whilst out on my bike and wanted a bike computer for the same reason as you do now. I got my first one before GPS computers were the norm and Strava was a thing. Within two weeks I was not looking at the speed or distance whilst I was riding as it no longer mattered. What did matter was how I was feeling on that particular ride, the company that I was in and the views and pleasures of riding my road bike (at speed or not). A computer can be a major distraction if you are constantly checking your speed and distance. I have seen many accidents and near misses from computer zoned zombies.

I now have a Lezyne Mini (Yr9 and discontiued) that sits neatly on the stem, however I never look at it whilst I am riding. It is set for distance travelled and time of day which I sometimes check when I come to a stop at a junction. 

Both of the above posts are good advice and all GPS computers link directly to Strava as does my discountiued model. My best advice though would be to get one that is not too expensive to start with and not to look at it whilst riding (unless you have mapping and have missed the turn that you were supposed to take). It will last a lot longer than the recordings that you make of your ride on your mobile, so for this alone, a dedicated computer is worth it. You will also be able to upload routes to most units too.

Is it purely to monitor speed (I'm thinking you're after current and average, on the fly)? If 'yes' that should be straightforward and relatively cheap (see Sniffer's link).

Do you think you might want to add other sensors (eg heart rate, cadence) soon-ish? Might you also want navigation? If 'yes' to either of these, get ready to loosen your wallet and lose hours to reading reviews... If you do need in-depth reviews for just about every bike gizmo, DC Rainmaker is your friend. 

Have a look around these.
https://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/215055-13-best-cheap-gps-cycling-co...

I use a Garmin 500 (log since discontinued) to record rides and upload to Strava.  Any of the GPS systems will work with Strava.  The 500 is generally considered reliable, but the forums have lots of comments that the newer models have more bugs