Beeline Velo 2 Cycling Computer

The Beeline Velo 2 cycling computer is simple and easy to use, with a really intuitive interface both on the unit and in the app. It's light and takes up little space on the handlebar, and the price is pretty reasonable too.

I tested out the original Beeline several years ago and was impressed by that unit, but a few little quirks needed to be ironed out, so I was interested to see how the second iteration compared.

> Buy now: Beeline Velo 2 for £79.99 from Beeline

So just what is the Beeline Velo? Well, it's a very small sat nav specifically for bikes (you can also get a motorbike version). It has some fundamental computer functions, but these are all limited to the gyroscopes within the device and what your phone can tell it, which is essentially GPS.

It is much more basic than something like a Garmin or Hammerhead. You get the route with upcoming turns, ETA, speed, and time so far. It's not a computer for performance riding, it's very much a device to get you from A to B.

I found it handy to use alongside my Garmin, with the Beeline on my stem and my Garmin on an out-front mount, because although the Garmin offers navigation as well, having both meant I could see my stats and full turn-by-turn navigation at a glance – and the Velo 2's size means it's no hindrance.

It's a tiny thing, weighing just 28g, and about the size of two stacked poker chips. It mounts to what is basically a four-way Garmin mount, locking in place with an eighth turn rather than the quarter turn needed for a Garmin or Wahoo. Although I have never had a Garmin or Wahoo fly off, having four points of contact rather than two means even with the Velo 2's low weight it's held very securely wherever I attached it.

Alongside the unit itself Beeline also sent us the Beeline Carry Case, which is a hardshell zippable case with a small net pocket inside. It's useful and can easily be hung on a bag with the attached carabiner. It's handy for a unit this small, making it easier to find at the bottom of a bag as well as stopping it from getting damaged.

The app

Without the phone app the unit itself is basically a black disc with a fun animation of a bike that rolls around the sides as you tilt it. The app is where the action happens, where all the settings are chosen and how you tell the computer where you want to go, and the interface and functionality is very impressive.

You choose from a number of navigation options with a single press of a button – you can go to a 'favourite place' such as home or work, follow a Strava route, or plan your own.

If planning your own it gives you three options, quick, balanced, or quiet, so you can choose speed, tranquillity or a good mix.

> GPS cycle route planning made easy – how to plan and follow a bike route

One minor complaint is that when you plan a route it doesn't give you any elevation data, so if you want to smash out some steep hills or go for a gentle flat run you won't necessarily know if the route suits your needs. That is something that's being worked on, Beeline tells us, and will be released soon. 

You can see all of your rides in the 'journeys' section, and you can automatically upload your rides to Strava too, which is a nice touch.

The unit

The Velo 2 is a cinch to use, with a clear display that auto-adjusts the brightness based on the ambient light. The lines of travel are coherent and clear, making it really easy to see at a glance.

It gives a notification just before you need to turn, which is particularly useful if you've been on a long straight, say, and you're not really paying attention to the unit...

The turn-by-turn navigation works effectively and reroutes quickly enough that the couple of times I did miss a turning I saw afterwards that I'd hardly deviated from the original route.

You can also use the Velo 2 in a more 'organic' way, with turn-by-turn navigation off, and instead having it just point you in the right direction. This is what the original Beeline did, which wasn't ideal for London, but for use out in the country when you aren't trying to get somewhere as quickly as possible, it makes a nice way to explore. With the rise of gravel biking, this mode is even more appealing, enabling you to really get off the beaten track without worrying about becoming completely lost.

To flick through the screens and options you just press the sides of the unit, there are no buttons. This not only gives it a clean and simple look, it also means maximum space for the display. You can see where to press with the four light dashes around the edge and on-screen prompts for things like ending or pausing your ride.

It was fairly accurate in terms of recording my speed compared with my Garmin, though it doesn't pick up changes in pace as quickly, which is unsurprising given that it's using my phone's GPS rather than the dedicated speed sensor for the Garmin. You can't connect any ANT+ sensors to the Beeline, so speed, cadence and heart rate monitors are not an option.

Battery

Battery life is very good – I found that about an hour's use would use 5-10%, so the 11 hours claimed time is about right. Whether I was using it for a long weekend ride or a quick blast within London, I was confident it would get me back.

In the first couple of weeks I did have a problem with it draining the battery if I turned it off and left it for two or three days, but an over-the-air update has fixed the issue and I haven't had any problems with it since.

It charges using a waterproof USB-C charging port and can be fast charged to 30% in around 20 minutes if you need a quick boost before setting off. From empty it would charge to full in around 90 minutes, which is pretty good too.

Value

The Velo 2's rrp of £79.99 seems very reasonable considering how useful it is. There are a few bike computers around this price that cater to navigation, but surprisingly few that show your route on a map and with genuine turn-by-turn navigation. The Sigma Rox 2.0, for instance, at £69.99 has turn-by-turn navigation, but it's done through a relatively rudimentary arrow without a map (read more about it here).

The Bryton Rider 420E, up to £134.49 since Stu reviewed it, offers ANT+ connectivity and a well-designed app, but it doesn't have the same focus on navigation, with no turn-by-turn navigation, and the screen isn't nearly as high quality.

> Buyer’s Guide: 10 of the best cheap GPS cycling computers

Garmin's new Edge Explore 2 offers similar navigation options but additional connectivity and more features but costs £250. It's much bigger and more imposing on the handlebar, too.

Overall

I have been impressed by the Beeline Velo 2. The only minor issue is that it doesn't show the elevation for your route – yet (it's being worked on, says Beeline), otherwise the turn-by-turn navigation is very effective and easy to follow, and the battery life is great.

It lacks some of the connectivity and functionality of more expensive options like the Garmin Edge, but for navigation only or as an additional navigation unit, it works impressively well.

Verdict

Simple-to-follow navigation computer that is small, sleek and well priced