Bryton Rider S810 GPS Bike Computer Review: The New King of the Handlebars?

I remember it vividly. A beautiful Sunday morning, deep in the Cotswolds, with what was supposed to be a glorious 100km loop ahead of me. Seventy kilometres in, the familiar low-battery warning flashed on my old, tired bike computer. I’d followed a pre-planned route, but a detour for a closed road had thrown it off. Now, with a dying device and dwindling daylight, I was navigating by phone—a surefire way to drain its battery too. That ride home was a stressful, stop-start affair of checking maps and praying for a signal. It was then I decided that my cycling experience deserved better. A reliable, long-lasting GPS computer isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental piece of kit for any serious cyclist who values safety, performance, and the pure joy of exploration. The search for a device that could banish battery anxiety and provide truly intelligent navigation led me straight to the Bryton Rider S810 GPS Bike Computer.

What to Consider Before Buying a GPS Bike Computer

A GPS bike computer is more than just a speedometer; it’s a key solution for navigation, performance tracking, and safety. It transforms your ride from a simple journey into a data-rich experience, allowing you to analyse efforts, discover new routes without fear of getting lost, and even compete against your own personal bests in real-time. For cyclists looking to push their boundaries, a powerful GPS unit provides structured training guidance, seamless integration with power meters and heart rate monitors, and crucial climbing data that helps you pace your efforts perfectly. The main benefit is centralisation: all your ride data, navigation, and connectivity features are housed in one rugged, weatherproof device designed specifically for the rigours of the road or trail.

The ideal customer for a feature-packed device like the Bryton Rider S810 GPS Bike Computer is the dedicated enthusiast, long-distance tourer, or competitive cyclist who demands a large screen, exceptional battery life, and advanced navigational capabilities. If your rides often exceed three or four hours, or you venture into unfamiliar territory for multi-day trips, this class of device is essential. However, it might be overkill for casual riders who stick to local loops or primarily use their bike for commuting. For them, a simpler, more affordable unit focusing on basic metrics like speed and distance, or even a robust smartphone app and mount, could be a more suitable starting point. The key is to match the device’s capabilities to your cycling ambitions.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The physical size of the unit impacts both screen readability and handlebar real estate. A large screen, like the 3.5-inch display on the S810, is fantastic for viewing maps and multiple data fields at a glance, especially at speed. However, ensure you have enough space on your handlebars, particularly if you also run lights, a bell, or other accessories.
• Capacity/Performance: This is the heart of the device. Key performance metrics include battery life (with 50 hours, the S810 is a class leader), GPS accuracy (multi-satellite support is a must), and processor speed, which affects map rendering and route recalculation. Also consider sensor compatibility (ANT+/BLE) to ensure it works with your existing power meters, heart rate monitors, and smart trainers. Reviewing the full performance specifications is critical before making a final decision.
• Materials & Durability: A bike computer is exposed to the elements: rain, sun, dust, and vibrations. Look for a robust construction and a high IPX rating for water resistance. The screen material is also vital; the 2.5D curved glass on the S810 not only looks premium but also offers better durability and clarity compared to basic plastic screens found on cheaper models.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: The user interface, both on the device and in the companion app, should be intuitive. A responsive touchscreen, logical menus, and easy route syncing are paramount. Long-term maintenance is minimal, but check for the charging port type (USB-C is the modern standard for faster charging) and the availability of firmware updates to ensure the device remains secure and feature-rich over time.

Making the right choice ensures your technology enhances your ride, rather than complicating it. It’s about finding the perfect partner for your cycling adventures.

While the Bryton Rider S810 GPS Bike Computer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Premium Device That Means Business

Unboxing the Bryton Rider S810 GPS Bike Computer immediately gives you a sense of quality that punches well above its price point. The device itself has a satisfying heft at 116 grams—solid, but not heavy. The main attraction is the huge 3.5-inch colour touchscreen. The 2.5D curved glass edges give it a sleek, modern aesthetic reminiscent of a high-end smartphone, a clear step up from the often-utilitarian look of older bike computers. In the box, we found the essential Bryton bike mount, a safety lanyard (a thoughtful inclusion), a USB-C charging cable, and the quick start guide. What truly impressed us, confirming feedback from other users, was the inclusion of a Garmin-compatible mount adapter right in the box. This is a brilliant move by Bryton, allowing riders with existing Garmin mounts to swap devices without any extra purchases or hassle.

Powering it on for the first time, the screen is bright, crisp, and exceptionally clear. Setting it up via the Bryton Active companion app was a breeze. It quickly paired with my phone, and linking my Strava and Komoot accounts took less than a minute. The initial GPS lock was fast, picking up multiple satellite systems almost instantly. Compared to market leaders, the initial look and feel are right on par, but it’s the combination of that massive screen and the promise of a 50-hour battery life that really sets the stage for what this device can do. It feels less like a simple bike computer and more like a dedicated command centre for your ride. You can explore its premium design and full unboxing contents online to see for yourself.

Performance Under Pressure: A Deep Dive into the Bryton Rider S810

A bike computer’s true worth is proven not on a spec sheet, but out on the road, in pouring rain, on gruelling climbs, and during exhausting multi-day adventures. We put the Bryton Rider S810 GPS Bike Computer through its paces in every conceivable scenario, from short, intense training sessions to long, exploratory weekend epics. After hundreds of kilometres, we can confidently say this device is a formidable challenger to the established giants of the cycling world, delivering flagship performance and features that genuinely enhance every ride.

The Screen: Your Window to the Ride

The first thing you interact with on any ride is the display, and this is where the S810 immediately excels. The 3.5-inch screen is nothing short of brilliant. It’s not just big; it’s also incredibly sharp and vibrant, making it exceptionally easy to read in all lighting conditions. We tested it under the harsh glare of direct midday sun and on overcast, grey mornings, and the display remained perfectly legible, with the ambient light sensor doing an excellent job of adjusting brightness automatically. This is a critical safety feature, as it means less time squinting at your screen and more time with your eyes on the road.

The capacitive touchscreen is slick and responsive. Swiping between data pages feels fluid, and tapping on menu items registers instantly, even with thin gloves on. This responsiveness is backed by a clean, intuitive user interface that is highly customisable. We were able to set up multiple ride profiles, each with up to 12 data fields per page, displaying everything from power and cadence to detailed climbing metrics and navigation cues. One user specifically praised the screen’s size and touch response, and our testing wholeheartedly confirms this. The sheer real estate means you can view a map and key data fields simultaneously without either feeling cramped—a luxury that owners of smaller devices can only dream of. It truly functions as an all-in-one dashboard for your cycling.

Navigation That Inspires Confidence

For many cyclists, ourselves included, the primary reason for investing in a high-end GPS unit is for navigation. Here, the Bryton Rider S810 GPS Bike Computer is a powerhouse. The preloaded European maps are detailed and clear, showing not just roads but also trails and points of interest. Creating and syncing routes from platforms like Komoot or Strava is seamless via the Bryton Active app. Once on the move, the turn-by-turn navigation is precise and timely, with clear visual cues and audible beeps well in advance of any junction.

Where the S810 truly shines is in its smart navigation features. During one test ride, we deliberately took a wrong turn to see how it would handle rerouting. Almost instantly, the device recognised the deviation and calculated a new route to get us back on track, all without any user intervention. This on-device rerouting is fast and intelligent, providing immense peace of mind when exploring unknown areas. Another standout feature is Climb Challenge 2.0. Unlike systems that require a preloaded route, this feature automatically detects upcoming climbs on your ride, providing a detailed profile showing the gradient, distance, and ascent remaining. We found this to be a game-changer for pacing on hilly terrain, allowing us to conserve energy on long drags and attack shorter, steeper pitches. The addition of Google-powered voice search is another stroke of genius; being able to simply say an address or point of interest and have the device navigate you there is incredibly convenient, especially when you need to find a cafe or bike shop mid-ride. The exceptional navigation is a feature that really sets it apart from the competition.

Battery for Days and Data for Nerds

Bryton’s headline claim of 50 hours of battery life sounds almost too good to be true, but our testing shows it’s remarkably accurate. We took the S810 on a three-day bike-packing trip, recording for 6-8 hours each day with full GPS, a heart rate monitor, and a power meter connected. By the end of the trip, we still had over 40% battery remaining. This is simply phenomenal and completely removes battery anxiety from the equation. For audax riders, ultra-endurance athletes, or anyone who simply hates charging their devices, this feature alone could be worth the price of admission.

Beyond endurance, the S810 is a data-lover’s dream. It connects flawlessly via ANT+ and BLE to every sensor we threw at it, including power meters, smart trainers, electronic shifting systems (Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap), and even bike radar systems like the Bryton Gardia. The data is displayed clearly and recorded reliably. For those who race, the Strava Live Segments integration is executed perfectly. Approaching a favourite segment brings up a dedicated screen showing your real-time progress against your PR, the KOM/QOM, or a friend you’re chasing. It’s a powerful motivational tool that adds a fun, competitive edge to training rides. Furthermore, its ability to control ANT+ FE-C smart trainers turns it into a versatile indoor training tool, allowing you to simulate outdoor routes from the comfort of your home. It’s this deep integration of performance metrics and endurance that makes the Bryton Rider S810 GPS Bike Computer such a compelling package.

What Other Users Are Saying

The sentiment from the wider cycling community largely mirrors our own positive experience. One German user, after testing the device in the Harz mountains, reported that “map guidance and GPS signal was always there,” and praised the quick and easy connection to Strava and Komoot via the mobile app. This reinforces our findings on its reliability and user-friendly software integration. Another enthusiast went so far as to call it the “Best Navi ever!!!”, recommending it as a superior alternative to more expensive options from competitors, highlighting its incredible value proposition.

On the more critical side, a meticulous user from Japan noted a tiny, one-pixel-sized blemish on their screen that was only visible from certain angles. While they stated it didn’t affect practical use, it’s worth noting as a rare potential imperfection. However, another Japanese rider provided an incredibly useful tip, confirming that a “conversion kit v2 for Garmin mounts is included,” saving users the cost and hassle of buying a separate adapter. This small detail speaks volumes about Bryton’s focus on user convenience. Overall, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, cementing the S810’s reputation as a top-tier performer, and you can see more feedback from fellow cyclists here.

How Does the Bryton Rider S810 Compare to the Alternatives?

While the Bryton Rider S810 GPS Bike Computer is a phenomenal dedicated cycling computer, the market for GPS sports devices is diverse. It’s important to understand where it fits in and what other options might suit different types of athletes. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable alternatives.

1. Garmin fēnix 7S Smartwatch Multisport

The Garmin fēnix 7S represents a different philosophy: the all-in-one multisport watch. Its primary advantage is versatility. If you’re a triathlete or someone who also runs, swims, hikes, and wants a single device to track all activities, plus daily health metrics and smartwatch features, the fēnix 7S is an outstanding choice. However, for dedicated cycling, it makes compromises. Its screen is significantly smaller than the Bryton’s, making at-a-glance map reading and data consumption more challenging during a ride. While it offers robust cycling features, the user experience is optimised for a wrist-worn device, not a handlebar-mounted command centre. The fēnix 7S is for the all-round athlete; the Bryton S810 is for the cyclist who wants the best possible on-bike experience.

2. CooSpo ANT+ GPS Bike Computer Wireless Bluetooth

The CooSpo bike computer sits at the opposite end of the spectrum from the Bryton S810. It is a budget-friendly, no-frills device focused on core functionality. It will reliably track your speed, distance, time, and route via GPS and connect to ANT+ sensors. This makes it an excellent choice for new cyclists, commuters, or those who simply want to record their rides without the complexity and cost of advanced navigation and performance analytics. Its 2.4-inch non-touch monochrome screen and simpler feature set cannot compete with the S810’s rich, full-colour mapping and deep integration. The CooSpo is for the rider who needs the basics done well; the Bryton is for the rider who wants to unlock a world of advanced data and exploration.

3. SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro GPS Sports Watch Long Battery

Similar to the Garmin fēnix, the SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro is a premium multisport watch renowned for its exceptional build quality and impressive battery life. It appeals to the serious endurance athlete and adventurer who values durability and longevity above all else. Its GPS tracking is superb, and it offers a suite of training and recovery tools. However, like the fēnix, when used for cycling, it is limited by its smaller watch-face screen. The detailed, colourful, and interactive mapping experience of the Bryton S810 is simply in a different league. The SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro is a fantastic tool for ultra-runners and mountaineers who also cycle; the Bryton Rider S810 is a purpose-built navigation and performance tool designed from the ground up for the cyclist.

The Final Verdict: Is the Bryton Rider S810 GPS Bike Computer Worth It?

After extensive testing, we can unequivocally say that the Bryton Rider S810 GPS Bike Computer is a truly exceptional device that sets a new standard for value in the high-end cycling computer market. It successfully combines a best-in-class battery life that eradicates range anxiety with a large, beautiful touchscreen that makes navigation and data analysis an absolute pleasure. Its feature set, from the intelligent Climb Challenge 2.0 to the seamless on-device rerouting and comprehensive sensor support, is on par with, and in some cases surpasses, devices costing significantly more.

While beginners might face a small learning curve with its vast array of features, it’s a device that you can grow with. For the serious enthusiast, the long-distance tourer, or the data-driven racer, the S810 delivers everything you could possibly need in a sleek, reliable, and powerful package. It confidently challenges the established duopoly of Garmin and Wahoo, offering a compelling alternative that doesn’t compromise on performance. If you are looking to elevate your riding experience with a top-tier GPS computer that excels in navigation, battery life, and display quality, the Bryton Rider S810 GPS Bike Computer should be at the very top of your list. We cannot recommend it highly enough. To see the latest pricing and read more reviews from fellow cyclists, you can check its current availability here.