Best Mountain Bike GPS
Best Mountain Bike GPS
In this article, we look at the best Mountain Bike Navigation GPS devices, within the wide range of multi-activity GPS units we stock here at GPS Training.
We have been using the TwoNav Roc GPS device as both a Bike Navigation GPS and for both recording and tracking our Mountain Bike Activities.
We have found the TwoNav Roc one of the Best GPS devices that we stock for Mountain Biking, a Compact & Durable device with Cost-Effective Mapping
When looking for the best GPS device for mountain biking, there are a number of key features to consider -
- Compact and lightweight design (so it doesn’t interfere with your ride).
- Durability and weatherproofing (IPX7 or higher for rain, mud, and tough trails).
- Accurate Satellite Positioning - fast positioning and accuracy
- Detailed, cost-effective mapping (free or affordable topographic and trail maps).
- Clear, high-visibility screen (readable in all lighting conditions, flexibility of data screens & clear route line to follow).
- Good battery (a battery that will last for our full days rides without worrying about changing)
- Ease of use – Both button & touch screen control, ease of sending a GPX route file to the unit and load it.
Compact and lightweight design
The first thing I wanted was a GPS Device that could either be installed on my Mountain Bike Bars or Stem and not get in the way, I had found in the past that if the GPS device was too large it could get in the way and would have more chance of been knocked off or damaged especially if I come off my bike or clipped a protruding branch etc..
The TwoNav Roc only weighs 120g and its dimensions are 58 x 90 x 20 mm, a very compact device that does not get in the way.
Included in the box is a standard bike mount which can be used to fit the device to your Stem or Bars, but there is also an out-front bike mount available as a separate purchase, we have found using the out-front mount works well and viewing the unit is easier and our personal preference has been to use the out-front bike mount.
More info on the out-front bike mount here
Durability and weatherproofing
If you're tackling rugged terrain, you need a GPS device built for extreme conditions. The TwoNav Roc GPS is designed for mountain bikers, hikers, and adventure racers who demand toughness, accuracy, and high visibility.
- Ultra-Rugged & Weatherproof (IP68) – Withstands water, mud, and dust, perfect for mountain trails and unpredictable weather.
- Military-Grade Durability (MIL-STD-810) – Built to resist extreme temperatures, shocks, vibrations, and impact.
Accurate Satellite Positioning
With multi-constellation tracking, The TwoNav Roc ensures stronger signals, faster location fixes, and more accurate navigation—even in dense forests, deep valleys, or remote mountain trails.
The TwoNav Roc can use the following GNSS systems, GPS, Glonass, Galileo & Beidou, We have been using our TwoNav Roc device with the device set to receive GPS, Galileo & Beidou and have been very impressed with the results as you can see from the picture below great accuracy can be achieved.
Detailed, cost-effective mapping
We have cost-effective options available to install either full Great Britain Ordnance Survey 1:50k Landranger maps or if you prefer the more detailed Ordnance Survey 1:25k Explorer Maps, also included for free with the unit is the option to download TomTom Road navigation maps for the British Isles to the TwoNav Roc.
Navigate with confidence using Roc’s highly accurate maps, designed for both off-road adventures and urban navigation:
Ordnance Survey Topographic Maps – Get detailed terrain data, trails, elevation contours, and footpaths for precise off-road navigation. Perfect for mountain biking, hiking, and outdoor exploration.
Ordnance Survey 1:25k Map Ordnance Survey 1:50k Map
TomTom™ Roads Map – Navigate cities, country roads, and highways with ease.
Clear, high-visibility screen
The TwoNav Roc uses a tough Blanview Optical bonded display, with a tough Drangontrail Pro outer screen.
Features of a Blanview display:
- Good display readability in outdoors/bright environments.
- Keeping low power consumption in any ambient luminance conditions.
- High image quality in indoors/dark environments.
- Less display performance variation between indoor and outdoor conditions.
Route navigation line – Clear to follow
We really like the flexibility that TwoNav offer with regards to selecting different route line colours and thickness of the outer line making the route line nice and clear to see.
In example (1) below I have selected a purple colour and set the map to full screen and in example (2) I have selected a green colour and left the data boxes at the bottom of the screen.
Example (1) Example (2)
The images below we show the colour options available for your route line and some examples of the different position indicators that you can select, the size of the position indicator can also be changed, we have been using a larger red triangle position indicator.
Data Box Flexibility
There is lots of flexibility for your Trip computer Data box layouts, and the data that you can view, you can change how many boxes are displayed, in example (1) we are using a standard default layout of 6 x boxes but in example (2) I have created my own data field with only 1 x box selected and displaying my current position grid coordinates reference, you can add additional trip computer pages.
Example (1) Example (2)
You can also choose to either hide or show data boxes at the bottom of the map screen, you can also select what data is displayed in these boxes as shown in example (3) we have selected current altitude, distance travelled & distance to destination, example (4) shows and elevation plot of our route ahead.
Example (3) Example (4)
Good battery
The TwoNav Roc has a built-in 2500mah Li-on rechargeable battery.
When recording with GPS only satellite setting the device will last around 18hrs battery, although we have found that we can achieve over this, TwoNav base their figures on the screen being on all the time and using backlight at around 40%.
If you do not need the screen on all the time you can from a simple button press take the screen off but it is still recording in the background and one button press brings the screen back on.
Using a 2.0ah USB plug charger the TwoNav Roc only takes around 2hrs to fully charge.
The device is supplied with its own USB-A – Magnetic charging cable.
Ease of use
The TwoNav Roc has both touch screen and button control, when wet we do tend to use the button control, we only tend to use the touch screen when we want to move the map screen around to look further ahead or when starting our activity from the simple start option on the map screen & stopping and saving our activity at the end of our ride.
There are 2 x buttons on the left-hand side if the unit that are used to zoom in and out on the map (you can also do this using the touch screen), on the bottom of the unit there are 2 x buttons that we use to move between screens i.e. Map, Elevation plot, trip computer pages & compass.
On the right-hand side we have the power button which can also be used to take the screen on or off or set as a screen lock button with the screen still on and a button that re-centres the map to your current location if you have moved it away.
Included in with your purchase of a TwoNav ROC GPS Device from ourselves is access to all our online resource training videos to get you going and also email & telephone support from ourselves.
Transferring GPX files to the device
If you own a Windows or Mac computer you simply copy and paste or drag and drop your GPX files into the device connected to your computer via the supplied USB cable, you can even with your computer create your own folders within the device for easy management of your Routes.
We have a simple to use Free Ordnance Survey Route planner for planning your Routes in Great Britain, online using a computer it is very simple to plan a route, download the GPX file to your computer and copy to your TwoNav Roc GPS Device.
Please find a direct link to our OS Route Planner here
If you do not have a computer TwoNav have a simple App ‘TwoNav Link’ that when installed on an Android or Apple iPhone can be used to transfer GPX files to your device using Bluetooth.
Another nice feature is if you do use Komoot or Strava, you can use Wi-Fi directly on your device import routes that you have in your Komoot or Strava apps, the TwoNav Roc will also sync your recorded activities into your Strava account.
Additional Bluetooth Sensors
The TwoNav Roc uses Bluetooth only to connect to additional sensors such as a Speed, Cadence, or Heart rate sensor.
We have tested the device ourselves with a 3rd Party Bluetooth HR strap which worked well.
One GPS for Every Adventure
We have also been using the device for trail running & hiking and found it a great versatile compact device, with the detailed mapping to keep us on track.
From MTB and gravel to road cycling, trail running, and hiking—TwoNav Roc is built for multisport versatility. Its QuickLock base mount lets you securely attach and remove it from your bike in seconds, keeping your focus on the trail ahead. Compact yet robust, Roc fits seamlessly into your pocket or backpack and pairs with hiking accessories like backpack mounts and carabiners, ensuring it is always within reach. Wherever your adventure takes you, Roc is ready.
More information on TwoNav Roc here
More information on TwoNav Roc accessories here
Further reading