Do you have the curiosity to know about the best fitness tracker for cycling to buy in 2022? 🤔 You can easily Find out now in this definitive list with our detailed review.
Without any further delay, let’s find out. 👓👓
Anyone who leads an active lifestyle or at least plans to take up one understands how important fitness trackers are; nothing gives you better insight into your progress than a fitness tracker.
In the time they have been around, the technology behind fitness trackers has been vastly improved. Most of them were originally designed for runners, with sensors to count steps taken and calories burned. But those devices couldn’t work conveniently as trackers for two-wheelers.
With the advancement in technology, new trackers with relevant features and tools to accurately handle several activities, one of which is cycling, have been introduced to the market.
However, not all fitness trackers are created equal and with the abundance of fitness trackers in the market, knowing the best gadget out there is only in your best interest.
If you spend a lot of time cycling, whether you are a professional cyclist or enjoy cycling as a hobby, below, in no particular order, we have rounded up the best seven fitness trackers for cycling that will suit you well.
Best Fitness Tracker For Cycling – Our Top Picks👌
1. Garmin vívoactive Black – Best fitness tracker 2022
Garmin is a well-known and trusted brand in the tech industry regarding GPS navigation systems. That expertise in producing authentic GPS systems has been successfully extended to wearable fitness gadgets, as evident in the Garmin Vivoactive Smartwatch.
The smartwatch has an ultra-thin and sleek body design which is good for aesthetics. It comes with an amazingly high-resolution color touchscreen design.
The screen was designed with brightness adaptability so that you can easily and conveniently check the screen of your watch and collect information at a glance without stopping cycling. It also has a sleep monitoring feature and is Bluetooth-compatible.
The smartwatch tracks data on distance traveled, the total amount of time spent cycling, cycling speed, and the number of calories burned during the activity.
The Vivoactive Smartwatch can also be synced with the Garmin Connect Mobile app to help you manage your fitness goals on either device.
In addition to tracking your fitness progress, the mobile app also doubles as a social media platform where you can join fitness challenges and earn badges for your participation.
Nevertheless, you will still be able to receive notifications on your smartwatch, from texts to emails to calendar events, to keep you updated even during your training.
The Vivoactive also supports other Garmin cycling-specific accessories like cadence and speed sensors and a heart rate monitor.
If you like to ride on your own, you can use the Live Track mobile app to enable family members and friends to see your location at any time while you are training.
Battery-wise, you can rely on the Vivoactive for super long-lasting battery life, giving you up to 10 hours of GPS tracking with three weeks of activity tracking. Another impressive feature is the capability of Vivoactive to measure downtime.
If you haven’t trained in a while, the smartwatch can prompt you to get up and start exercising, which is a great way of keeping you accountable.
If you also participate in other sports like running, swimming, and cycling, you will find the Garmin Vivoactive Smartwatch very useful in helping you track fitness data during these activities.
Pros:-
- It can be synced with Garmin Connect mobile app
- Long-lasting battery life 🔋
- Compatible with cadence and speed sensors for the bike
- Supports Live Track mobile app
- Ultra-thin and sleek body build with different color patterns
- The high-resolution color touchscreen design
- Multisport tracker for other activities besides cycling
- It has a built-in heart monitor and GPS navigation system
- Capable of monitoring downtime
Cons:-
- The screen is a bit dull
2. TomTom Multi-Sport GPS Watch
The Multi-Sport GPS Watch is a superb fitness tracker owned by TomTom, another trusted brand in the market. Although this TomTom fitness tracker is not cycling-specific, it still comes with many impressive tools and features that are still relevant for the cyclist.
The watch has a slim, sleek design, a wide display screen, and a single-button control. Altogether, the watch is user-friendly, and cyclists will find it very easy and convenient.
The Multi-Sport GPS Watch was designed with the Quick GPS Fix technology, which enables the smartwatch to pinpoint your exact location faster and more accurately than several other products.
It can also be synced with the TomTom mobile app, MySports, from where you can easily access your fitness data on your smartphone.
The Multi-Sport GPS tracking watch has a set of built-in interval training programs to help you organize and better structure your cycling sessions to achieve your fitness goals.
Besides the reliable GPS tracking system, the watch also uses a heart rate monitor via a chest screen. You can get as much as 8 hours of battery life from these products if GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring are activated.
Using just GPS tracking, you enjoy an additional two hours of battery life, bringing your total to ten hours.
It is also compatible with the TomTom bike mount, where you can easily view your stats, including calories burned, speed, and cadence as you cycle, which puts it in our best fitness tracker for cycling 2022 list.
The drawback is that the bike mount is sold separately from the watch, meaning you have to pay extra to purchase it. Conclusively, this fitness tracker is an excellent choice if you need a watch that can deliver basic activity tracking.
Pros:-
- It is user-friendly
- Eight hours of battery life with heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking.
- It can be used in several sports other than cycling
- Can be synced with the TomTom MySport mobile app.
Cons:-
- Sensors are not always consistent
- Sold separately from the TomTom bike mount
3. Fitbit Surge Fitness Super watch
Fitbit is, without a doubt, a very popular brand among fitness enthusiasts. The Fitbit Surge Fitness Super watch is one of the best products in Fitbit’s line of fitness trackers, and needless to say, it offers more than what other models offer.
The Surge is available in three different sizes- small, medium, and large- in three different color options – black, blue, and tangerine- to suit any buyer’s preference.
The screen uses a touchscreen LCD designed with an ambient light sensor for backlighting. It has several tools and sensors, including a compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, altimeter, and GPS navigation system.
It also has a route tracking function which allows cyclists to keep track of their movements on a map, where they have been, and where there are going.
The data provided by the Surgeon’s speed, distance, timing, routes, elevation, and other parameters are all remarkably accurate to help cyclists efficiently manage their health and well-being. It also has a sleep monitoring function with a silent alarm to wake you up.
The stand-out feature of the gadget is the built-in wrist heart rate monitor. Most fitness trackers come with chest monitors, which are not just more expensive but can also be uncomfortable for the cyclist.
With the wrist monitor, on the other hand, there’s absolutely no discomfort, and you can conveniently track your heart rate all day long, even when you are not cycling.
The downside to this all-around clock heart rate tracking is that it wears down the watch’s battery. Nonetheless, you can still enjoy up to 5 hours of GPS tracking or seven days of activity tracking with your watch.
The fitness tracker is also compatible with Bluetooth, so you can sync your smartphone to your watch to manage your music and notifications while cycling. It also comes with a sleep monitor and a silent alarm to help you track your sleeping pattern.
Beyond cycling, the gadget can track data in several supports. It can take a bit of getting used to as it is more high-tech than most devices, but if you want an all-around fitness tracker, this is your surest bet that makes it put in our best fitness tracker for cycling 2022 lists.
Pros:-
- Available in different colors and sizes
- It comes with multiple sensors for several parameters
- Built-in heart rate monitor
- Offers all round clock heart rate monitoring
- It can be used as a multi-sport tracker
- Features a built-in monitor and sleep alarm
- Compatible with Bluetooth
- Touchscreen display with an ambient light sensor
- heart rate monitor watch cycling
Cons:-
- It is not so easy to use
- Not the most aesthetically appealing design
At the time of our research on “Best Fitness Tracker For Cycling”, we found a video about “10-Minute Full Body Workout Without the Gym” worth watching. 🏆
4. Suunto Ambit3 GPS Smartwatch
The Ambit3 is the smartwatch for any and every occasion. It is the perfect watch for cycling, and if you are into other types of activities, then you will be pleased with the multi-sport fitness tracking capabilities of the stylish and well-designed Suunto Ambit3 GPS Smartwatch.
The gadget has an advanced GPS navigation system with a five-second location accuracy. In other words, the watch is capable is securing a signal within 5 seconds and holding through cycling across cities and the countryside.
It has also been tooled for backtracking and comes with a compass that provides a route navigation function with real-time maps and as an altimeter to detect the altitude of the routes for are riding on.
The watch also comes designed with a weather forecast system to alert the cyclist of expected changes in weather conditions.
This way, if you are out cycling and it is about to rain, you will be notified ahead of time so you can safely return home or get somewhere safe before it starts pouring.
While still on features, the watch has a versatile smart heart rate monitor to track your heart rate. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity to enable you to sync the watch with your phone to manage calls and texts while cycling without interrupting your sessions.
You can also sync the watch with the Suunto mobile app on your smartphone, from where you can conveniently track and monitor your fitness information.
Notwithstanding, perhaps the most impressive feature of this watch is the 30-hour battery life. As if 30-hour battery life isn’t massive enough, Suunto also made provisions for another battery pack if you need a boost.
Overall, the Suunto Ambit3 GPS Smartwatch is an accurate and long-lasting fitness tracker to serve every cyclist well. You may have trouble memorizing the several ins and outs of the smartwatch, but once you have figured that out, you may never want to take it off.
Below are some of the Pros and Cons of the Suunto Ambit3 GPS Smartwatch that earned it a spot in our list of fitness tracker for cycling and walking.
Pros:-
- Stylish body design
- Very long-lasting battery life with a provision for an extra battery pack
- Features an advanced GPS navigation system
- Great for tracking pace, distance, and speed
- It comes with a compass, altimeter, and heart rate monitor
- Offers support for Bluetooth
- It can be synced with Suunto’s mobile app
- Delivers weather information
- It is water resistance of up to 100 meters
Cons:-
- It can’t be a bit difficult to understand
5. Moov Now Multi-Sport Wearable Coach
Like the name gives away, the Moov Now Multi-Sport Wearable Coach is more of a mini trainer than just a fitness tracker. It is a multi-sport model that can be used for various activities other than cycling.
It comes in 4 color options and can be purchased either singly or as a set of twos, fours, and eights for people who want to buy the watch for friends and family members.
The Moov watch has a superb waterproof and dustproof design to enable you to use the device in an otherwise inconvenient environment.
It is also very versatile because it does not have to be worn as a wristwatch. Unlike other fitness trackers worn around the wrist for accurate data collection, this smartwatch can be worn on the ankle for cycling.
This ankle placement offers the most accurate tracking for cyclists. With the tracker on your ankle, the device can better analyze the speed and efficiency of your pedaling depending on the bike’s bearings.
This will help monitor your overall effort so you know whether to slow down or pick up speed. Still, if you do not feel like wearing a strap around your ankle, the watch also comes with a smaller silicone band for use on the wrist.
The smartwatch comes with the Tallest Climb feature, designed to keep track of the distance traveled, elevation, and duration of your highest altitude while cycling.
People who love to cycle in mountainous regions would love this feature. It features a built-in map function that tracks your cycling route with markers highlighting your fastest and slowest speed.
The Moov Now Multi-Sport Wearable Coach features over 12 built-in workout programs to help you better manage your health and keep you on track. It also comes with an audio feature that offers real-time coaching while you work out.
This isn’t just another passive feature; it is an active coach that can detect changes in cadence and speed and will offer helpful tips to maintain rhythm, slow down or pick up speed for an effective training session.
If you are after durability, you will be pleased with its long-lasting, non-rechargeable, but replaceable battery.
Although it can be a multi-sport tracker, the Moov was designed with an impressive collection of relevant bike-specific features that cyclists would find very useful that’s the main reason to put it in our best fitness tracker for cycling 2022 list.
Pros:-
- Very versatile and can be used either on the ankle or wrist
- Available in four different colors –red, aqua blue, white, and black
- It comes with several motion sensors
- Features the tallest climb feature perfect for mountain riders
- It provides an active audio coach function
- It comes with several built-in workout programs
- Waterproof and dust-proof body build
- Features bike speed and cadence sensors
- Delivers up to 6 months of battery life
- best budget fitness tracker for cycling
Cons:-
- Cyclists may need to wear headphones for the audio coaching
- No touchscreen display
- No GPS function
- Requires a phone for use
6. Polar V800 – Best fitness tracker for cycling under budget
The Polar V800 is an impressive feature-rich fitness tracker designed for practically any type of sport, not just cycling. Whether a casual cyclist or a professional athlete, the Polar V800 can help you attain your fitness goals in the easiest way possible.
The gadget features a screen with sunlight readability. Essentially, you do not have to worry about being unable to view information on your screen while cycling on those bright and sunny days.
The V800 features Bluetooth Smart, which allows for compatibility with multiple bike-specific sensors, such as speed and cadence sensors and power meters, to provide information to help you fine-tune and improve your workout.
While still on features, the device also has a sleep monitoring function, and you can connect the smartwatch to your phone to receive notifications for texts and emails.
You can also create and customize profiles for various types of sports.
To illustrate, if you want to cycle, you can customize your watch to track your fitness data using only cycling sensors to enable you to get only the data relevant to cycling.
However, one of the most impressive features of the Polar V800 is its ability to track body movements. If it detects a certain period of inactivity, it will notify you and prompt you to get back to training. The smartwatch has to work 24/7 to provide data on your activity.
While constant feedback like that tends to be the battery of most devices, the V800 has a more than decent battery life capable of delivering up to 50 hours in lower power mode with GPS tracking.
Conclusively, the Polar V800 is almost too good for just a smartwatch, and you would be missing out on several great features if you restrict its use to just cycling.
Below are some of the Pros and Cons of the Polar V800 tracker that earned it a spot in our Best Fitness Tracker For Cycling list.
Pros:-
- Customizable profiles for different activities for more accurate and relevant results.
- Long-lasting battery life
- It is a multi-sport tracker
- All round the clock data collection
- Compatible with Windows and macOS
- Screen sunlight readability
- best fitness tracker for indoor cycling
Cons:-
- A big and boxy design
- No integrated heart rate monitor
7. Apple Watch Series 3
The Apple Watch Series 3 is no ordinary fitness tracker. As common with most Apple devices, the Watch Series 3 is a great way to track your fitness while still looking as fashionable as possible, thanks to the sleek and stylish design of the Apple smartwatch.
It features a 1.3inch touchscreen display with Ion-X Glass. There are no control buttons on the watch, and while the lack of protrusions contributes to its polished looks, it may not be so easy to operate while cycling.
The Apple Watch comes integrated with an advanced GPS capable of securing your location within 3 seconds and a heart rate sensor to monitor your body’s response during cycling.
The Series 3 also comes with a gyroscope, accelerometer, and sensors to collect data for sleep patterns and calories burned.
You can pair the smartwatch with your iPhone using Bluetooth to access your calls, text messages, emails, and even updates on social media. You can also easily transfer information between both devices for easier and more convenient access to information.
The smartwatch can be synced with fitness apps on your iPhone, from where you can track your activity and check your progress.
For all its amazing features, the Apple Watch Series 3 has a pretty decent battery life, a feature any cyclist would appreciate.
A major disadvantage of the Apple Watch Series 3 is that it is not exactly durable especially compared to other less expensive fitness trackers.
Nevertheless, it is recommended, and provided you use it mainly for cycling, you should have a smartwatch that will last a long time.
Below are some of the Pros and Cons of the Apple Watch Series 3 that earned it a spot in our list of Best Fitness Tracker For Cycling in 2022.
Pros:-
- It comes with several sensors for cycling
- Features a heart rate monitor
- Great battery life
- It can be synced with a fitness app on smartphones
- Can receive notifications for calls, texts, and social media updates
Cons:-
- It is not so durable
- It is relatively pricey
Best Fitness Tracker For Cycling: What To Consider
There are a variety of fitness tracker devices out there, and it can be overwhelming trying to pick out the best tracker.
As a cyclist, there are certain features your witness tracker MUST have if it is to serve you well. Below are the features to look out for when choosing a fitness tracker for cycling.
A GPS keeps tabs on data for distance traveled, speed, the route is taken, elevation changes, and other essential bits of information.
Without this logistical data, you may be unable to process the feedback after your ride fully. That being said, choose gadgets with GPS systems over those without.
Pace and Cadence Sensors:-
Your pace determines if you need to adjust the intensity of your pedaling. The pace also supports other parameters as calories burned.
Thus, these sensors help you improve and fine-tune your workout for a more effective and efficient session, and a good fitness tracker should have it.
Bluetooth Compatibility:-
Bluetooth compatibility allows you to connect and share information between devices. From smartphones to bike-mounted devices, the easier you can share information, the more efficiently you will be able to assess this data for use.
🔋 Battery Life:-
While many fitness trackers can go days between charges, the battery life tends to drop drastically with extra features like GPS tracking being activated. Make sure that the fitness tracker you pick is one with a strong and reliable battery life, even with the sensors in use.
Other Features:-
While these features may enhance your cycling experience, some people prefer not to have them on their devices.
Features like the heart rate sensor and touchscreen display are amazing features that could improve your workout experience. Again, this is subject to the cyclist’s personal preference.
📗FAQ
Which activity tracker is best for cycling?
The Fitbit Charge 4 is considered the best fitness tracker for cycling.
Do smart watches track cycling?
Yes, you can use the cycling mode in a smartwatch for GPS tracking and connect it to other training devices like power meters.
Which Fitness Tracker is the most accurate?
The Fitbit Charge 5 has been rated as the most accurate fitness tracker for measuring steps and heart rate.
Does Fitbit work when riding a bike?
Yes, Fitbit products use SmarTrack technology to track bike rides.
What watches do cyclists wear?
The Wahoo Elemnt Rival is the best cycling smartwatch during races. The Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar is ranked the topmost cycling smartwatch in terms of overall functionality.
Are Apple watches good for cycling?
Yes, Apple watches are ideal for cycling. They can track bike rides and e-bikes, offer turn-by-turn biking directions and offer advanced safety tools like fall detection.
What is the best device for Strava?
The Garmin Fenix 6X Pro is highly suitable for Strava.
What is the best GPS watch for running and cycling?
The Garmin Forerunner 955 is the best all-rounder GPS watch for running and cycling.
Can you use a Garmin watch for cycling?
Yes, all Garmin smartwatches have at least one cycling mode making them ideal for outdoor activities.
How long do fitness trackers last?
Typically, fitness tracking devices last up to 5 years, depending on the overall quality and usage.
Conclusion
Cycling is a great form of exercise, and the right fitness tracker can transform your cycling sessions into more productive and efficient sessions.
All seven models listed above are some of the best products currently available in the market and offer excellent value for the money.
If you ever need a fitness tracker, this article can provide insight to help guide your choice.
