Lezyne Mini GPS review

October 26th, 2015

Product Full Name: Lezyne Mini GPS

Retail Price: £109.99

Available From: Upgrade

Compact GPS computer for recording ride data

This tiny cycle computer from Lezyne weighs just 29grams and records the major things on a ride you need to keep track on fitness progress, for marking routes out and sharing details on social media platforms like Strava.

Cycle computers have been popular since the sport began – initially to record basic trip distances and maximum speeds. As technology progressed we can now easily access advanced data like heart rates and calories burnt, to full ride profiles that can be laid over maps. The Mini GPS is the smallest in the range of GPS units from Lezyne, but it packs in plenty of great features – and means you can switch your phone off and sling it in your pack.

Here’s our Lezyne Mini GPS review.

Even without colour, the high resolution screen is easy to read when moving. The buttons are all rubber sealed, as is the charging port – which keeps the Mini GPS working in foul weather. Unlike the computers we used to have with wheel magnets and wiring to secure – the Mini GPS is totally wireless.

The Details

The Mini GPS measures just 50mm x 38mm and is about 22mm deep – including the built in X-lock mount. This is the same trusty system that Garmin and other brands use. The mount is held to the bars or stem with rubber O-rings, and there are a bunch of different sizes included for easy installation.

Although made from plastic, the Mini GPS has an aluminium bezel and a high quality feel to it. The screen is super sharp, and although it’s not a colour display, has a back light for easy reading when light is dim.

There are three buttons on the device – one on the left, and two on the right. These turn the unit on and navigate the menus – they’re easy to use and intuitive in use once you’ve learnt the menu.

The Mini GPS is tiny – so small that it makes the compact X-lock mount look bulky!

The Mini GPS charges via micro-USB and has an impressive 10hours of run time, and stores 100hours of riding data on the device. We’ve not noticed battery shortage on cold rides yet, and have had as much as 11.5hours from our unit when used over a week.

The Mini GPS records and displays the following ride information:

Moving time
Elapsed time
Ride time
Distance: Current, Trip Total, Trip 2 and Odometer
Speed: Current, Average and Max
Laps
Temperature
Time – clock
GPS signal strength
Battery life

Unlike the bigger Power GPS and Super GPS models, the Mini is not Bluetooth enabled – meaning you can’t use it with ANT+ heart rate straps. It also can’t be used with the GPS Ally smart phone app that Lezyne has developed – it doesn’t bother me, but those wanting to share information on the spot and use a device rather than a desktop computer will need one of the two other models.

Like other GPS devices you enter your height, weight and age, which combined with the GPS data can give a rough indication of the calories you burn. It will never be as accurate as using a heart rate monitor, but the simplicity of the Mini GPS is the appeal. It’s a great place to start if you’ve not used a computer for training before.

Other than the hardware itself, the great feature of the Lezyne GPS units is the GPS Root portal. This is a website for uploading your rides; monitoring progress and sharing information with social sites like Strava. Once you have created an account you simply plug in your Mini GPS via micro USB and the information on it will appear on screen. You can alter the units it records, and name rides; routes and styles of ride you do for reference. There is a huge amount of data available for studying and analysing.

Being able to accurately record details of where and when you ride is not only useful for training, but a visual reminder of the trails you ride. You can share your rides too – ideal for friends to see where you’ve been out. And if you’re faster than they are…

There is a substantial amount of information available on the GPS Root for you to analyse how quickly you climbed that horrible 1 in 3 compared to last week, or for an accurate speed reference on a section of trail to shut fellow riders down. You can even send sections to Strava to keep on top of your PB’s and KOM’s

Out on the Trail

I used the GPS Mini to record the riding we did in Verbier earlier this year. I didn’t even notice the unit whilst riding, and didn’t lose it when I was inspecting the undergrowth on one of Ludo May’s training tracks. Photo | Callum Jelley

I’ve not really used a decent GPS unit for a few years – I used to be in the habit of recording everything with a Garmin Edge 800 and heart rate strap. Whilst this was great and the mapping worked really well – I found it took over from the ride for me and stopped using it.

Thanks to the tiny size of the Lezyne Mini GPS it’s not really noticeable – although the clock and other features are easy to read as the display is clear, simple and bright.

The mounting system is secure for off-road use, but like anything mounted to the bars could be lost in a crash. It’s stayed on my bars in a couple of tumbles and is as sturdy as it could possibly be. Also, the reasonable cost means it wouldn’t be crazy to replace should it fly off in to the under growth, unlike the far more expensive options from brands like Garmin.

Although I don’t currently stick to any kind of training plan, being able to reference the amount I ride and how long certain routes takes definitely makes you think about the way you ride and how approaching training can change things. It’s certainly making me think about putting some kind of structure in place – even if it’s just a couple of different local routes that I time myself on to monitor my fitness.

We say

The Lezyne Mini GPS is a really nicely made unit, and has a quality feel to it. Although it lacks the features Bluetooth connectivity gives to the more powerful Power and Super GPS models, it’s the minimal size and features that appeal.

Whilst you can record similar information on your smart phone with Apps like Endomondo, they tend to sap the battery of your phone – which should be remembered as it’s a safety device when out riding – and won’t always be accurate due to signal dropping and other hinderances. Personally I like to switch my phone off when riding, so I like the fact I can record ride information but remain off the grid.

If you’re considering racing next season and you don’t already train, putting together some kind of training plan is a good idea about this time of year – and combined with the information you can pull from a device like this is a great place to start.