Cycling is a tricky sport to track your progress for.
With how much ground you can cover in one ride, the elevation changes you can experience, and the inability to check your phone while you pedal all make it a tough sport to compete in.
Until the Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer.
This top of the line GPS bike computer is built for performance cyclists who want to improve their cycling abilities, while keeping cyclists as healthy and safe as possible.
Things to Consider before buying a Polar M460
This device is made for cyclists of any level from beginner all the way to advanced. It is also designed to be on any type of terrain from roads to trails.
With a seriously robust amount of features, you want to be sure this is the right device for you.
Take a few of these questions into consideration before purchasing a bike computer.
How Often Do You Cycle?
With everything this computer has to offer, you want to be sure you are going to put it to good use.
If biking is not your favorite way to get fit, then skip it.
Are You Interested in Keeping Track of Your Heart Rate?
This computer is designed to keep track of your heart rate once you purchase the heart rate band or strap.
If you are not interested in tracking your heart rate during a workout, while you sleep, or during your daily activities, I would recommend a different bike computer.
How Important is Tracking Your Workouts For You Personally?
Many of the features included in this monitor involved tracking your workouts in serious detail.
From calories to training load and from altitude to personal bests, you will have every number and stat you can think of.
If you want all of that data to inform your training, then this monitor will give you what you need.
If you do not need all of that, then you can certainly find less involved options.
Introducing The Polar M460 GPS Cycling Computer
The Polar M460 is a GPS bike computer design to help improve your cycling abilities.
No matter what level of rider you are, or where you ride, this bike computer will take your riding to the next level.
Splash proof, extended connectivity, GPS, advanced cycling power metrics, and improved button design makes this device an excellent choice for any cyclist.
With your purchase you will get Strava Live Segments, free Polar Smart Coaching, and a long lasting battery.
If you want to use the heart rate function, just note that the heart rate monitor is sold separately.
This monitor is able to track everything you possibly need to know about your ride, your body’s functioning, and how you are progressing.
It is made to give you lots of stats that you can then use to adjust your training and become a faster, more powerful, and more efficient rider.
Pros of the Polar M460
- Includes advanced cycling power metrics for a more efficient training day
- Up to 16 hour battery life
- Live Strava Segments
- Orthostatic Tests can be completed each week
- Recovery status to help prevent overtraining
Cons of the Polar M460
- Heart rate monitor is sold separately
- May struggle to pair with your phone
- No turn-by-turn directions
Polar M460 Features & Benefits
What makes the Polar M460 such a great accompaniment to any cycling session?
Here are a few features and benefits you’ll want to be aware of.
Heart Rate Guidance
Keeping track of your heart rate is the most effective way to determine how hard your body is actually working.
You can easily pair your GPS bike computer with a Polar heart rate sensor to keep track of your heart rate during your ride.
If you want serious accuracy on what your heart rate is, this computer pairs with the Polar H10 heart rate sensors chest strap.
For those needing something easy and simple to use, it also pairs with the Polar OH1 optical heart rate sensor armband.
Strava Live Segments
Take the fun of your ride to the next level with the ability to use Strava Live Segments.
The device will send you an alert when you come close to one of your Strava segments and will provide you with real time stats on how you performed.
You get a free 60-day Strave Summit membership for new summit members with your purchase.
Polar Smart Coaching
For those who know they want to get quicker at cycling, but are not sure where to start, Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer comes with a free online coach.
Your coach can create a training program for you so you can take the guesswork out of your ride time and rest easy knowing that each one is going to be bringing you closer to your cycling goals.
Your coach is able to quickly and easily follow your progress this way.
Long lasting battery
No more worrying about whether or not your bike computer will make it through a ride.
This one has a 16 hour battery life, so you can take to the trails all day and never lose track of your speed, distance, altitude, or time out in the saddle.
Just be sure to charge it when you get home so it is always ready to go at a moment’s notice.
GPS
With the built in GPS, you will be able to track your speed and distance.
Not only does this help you know how far and how fast you are going on any given ride, but it can be a quality tool for speed work and for challenging yourself to ride faster for longer.
Barometer
Knowing your altitude and gradient can be extremely beneficial information as you challenge yourself up hills and down steep inclines.
Your altitude can have a direct impact on your strength and breathing capacity, so knowing exactly how high you are means you can plan accordingly for how to get through it safely and while still feeling strong.
Connects to Your Phone
Just like you do not want to be driving a car and looking at your phone, you do not want to be cycling and looking at your phone.
This bike computer connects to your phone and will send you notifications directly.
This allows you to take a quick glance and then get your eyes back on the road or trail.
Orthostatic Tests
The Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer includes a test to measure your baseline through heart rate variability and heart rate measurement.
These measurements give you specifics about when you are fatigued from training or when you are fatigued for other reasons. You can easily include this test into each week to check your progress and avoid overtraining.
Once you have your baseline results, you can adjust your training plan accordingly to ensure you are fully recovered before bringing on the next load.
Recovery Status
Rather than continuing to train through fatigue and deal with a decrease in performance, your bike computer will let you know how long you need to rest before your next ride.
Using the estimated neuromuscular load of your exercise and your day-to-day activities, the computer will tell you how long your recovery should be.
This feature helps prevent overtraining.
Includes a Front Safety Light
The front of your bike computer includes a light that can be used as a safety feature for cars and other cyclists if you are out in the dark.
Provides Information About Your Training Load
Knowing how your body is affected by the amount of training you are doing can be a game changer for your workouts.
This monitor tracks your load and helps you recognize your personal limits.
From there, you are able to adjust the intensity of your training based on your personal needs.
Can Purchase an Adjustable Front Bike Mount
As it comes, the monitor will attach to your bike and stay there.
With this adjustable mount sold separately, you can easily attach your device and then move it to an angle that is easier to see.
What Others Are Saying About The Polar M460
If you want to get a better sense of what you can expect from the Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer, here are some reviews I found that might give you a clearer picture.
Review #1
Andrew has only positives to say about this newer model. “I was, and still am, a HUGE fan of the Polar M450 and this new model builds on the strengths of that great GPS bike computer.”
Review #2
“I could not find anything that I can say bad about.” That is quite the accolade.
Review #3
Mark states that , “The M460 has an excellent readable screen that can display three or four functions at a time.”
Polar M460 Alternatives
There is no limit to the amount of GPS bike computers you could choose from.
Whatever item you end up, you want to be sure it is going to be the best fit for your riding style and your cycling goals.
Take a look at a few of these other options to determine which item will fit you best.
Garmin Edge 520 Plus
The Garmin Edge 520 Plus is ideal for those who love to explore during their rides.
Included in its package, you get a build in Garmin map, and Best Bike Split app so you can create an ideal plan for race day.
This device is best for those who are looking to finish a race better than the one before it.
Garmin Edge 520 Plus Highlights
- Preloaded Garmin cycle map
- Strava Live Segments are preloaded
- Monitor recovery time with heart rate monitors
Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt GPS Bike Computer
Designed for those who are serious about cycling but also want simplicity in their device, the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt GPS Bike Computer is a serious contender.
With an easy to see screen, Quicklook LED indicators, turn-by-turn navigation, and tactile smart buttons, you will be set up and riding in no time with all the information you need for your training plan.
Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt GPS Bike Computer Highlights
- Automatically download routes
- 15 hour battery life
- Strava Live Segment integration
- Integrates with 10 apps
- Pairs with phone for message alerts
LEZYNE Enhanced Super GPS Cycling Computer
With the LEZYNE Enhanced Super GPS Cycling Computer, you can easily customize it to your needs. It has a very simple set up and offers turn-by-turn navigation.
You can easily set up your bike computer to send ride data to Strava.
LEZYNE Enhanced Super GPS Cycling Computer Highlights
- Pair with smartphone for alerts
- Maps and rerouting available off line.
- Heart rate strap sold separately
Conclusion
No matter what type of cyclist you are – the casual cruiser or a serious racer – you will find that the Polar M460 is a GPS bike computer full of features.
All of these allow you to track your progress closely so you know exactly how far you have come and exactly how far you have to go.
