Best Cycling Watches In 2018 | 8 Top Solutions For Cyclists
What’s the point of cycling if you aren’t tracking your performance? Any athlete, for that matter, will tell you that the key to reaching your fitness goals is keeping track of your progress. And what better way to do it than using one of the best cycling watches?
There are loads of different cycling watches out there. Most of them have standard features while other gems have some handy extras. We’ve found the best cycling watches of 2018. We’ve rated and reviewed them on their features, cost and of course, their functionality. If you are ready to take your cycling to a new level of awesomeness, you’d better invest in one of these bad boys!
| PRODUCT | DESCRIPTION | RATING | PRICE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Garmin Forerunner 935Connects to external speed via Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ | £££ | Check Price | |
  | Suunto Spartan HRFlat design that is perfect for cycling and water-resistant | ££ | Check Price | |
  | Garmin Fenix 5 GPSA performance widget shows your training stats | £££ | Check Price | |
  | Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness WatchBattery life of up to five days | ££ | Check Price | |
  | Lezyne Micro Drive GPS ComputerTracks basic lifestyle data and syncs with other devices | £ | Check Price | |
  | POLAR Unisex Adults’ V800 GPS Multi-Sports WatchTarget training planning and Polar training programmes | ££ | Check Price | |
  | Apple Watch Series 3Displays notifications and runs an accelerometer and gyroscope | £££ | Check Price | |
  | TomTom Spark 3 Multi Sport GPS Fitness WatchIncludes route exploration that allows you to find new routes | £ | Check Price |
Lezyne Micro Drive GPS Computer
Tracks basic lifestyle data and syncs with other devices
£
POLAR Unisex Adults’ V800 GPS Multi-Sports Watch
Target training planning and Polar training programmes
££
TomTom Spark 3 Multi Sport GPS Fitness Watch
Includes route exploration that allows you to find new routes
£
Getting Up Close and Personal with the Best Cycling Watches of 2018
Now that you have a better idea of the watches we’ll discuss, how we’ve rated them, and their key features, we’ll take a closer look at each of them. Are you ready to decide which of these watches will become your handy cycling companion?
#1 Garmin Forerunner 935
First on our list is the Garmin Forerunner 935. It’s a bit pricey, but it is totally worth it if you are a triathlon athlete or a professional cyclist. This Garmin watch is fit for any sport and can track your pace, time and distance. One of the perks of Garmin products is their accuracy. This handy device features several sport tracking modes including cycling, treadmill, lifting and even swimming.
Some of the other features you will be able to benefit from are the watch’s built-in thermometer, altimeter, barometer, heart rate monitor and compass. Discover new routes and track your progress with the Garmin Forerunner 935.
#2 Suunto Spartan HR
Our second recommendation is the Suunto Spartan HR. It may be a bit expensive, but it is more affordable than the Garmin Forerunner 935, and it has just as many features and benefits. Use your Suunto Spartan to track your progress in over 80 types of sports, including running, swimming and of course, cycling. The watch allows you to track your heart rate, calories burned, sleep patterns and navigate your route with built-in GPS.
What we love most about the Suunto Spartan HR is its flat, functional design. It doesn’t feel heavy and it won’t hold you back while you are cycling. You will also be able to integrate your stats with apps and other devices while connecting everything to a social community. The Suunto Spartan HR is a remarkable cycling watch that won’t disappoint.
#3 Garmin Fenix 5 GPS
Another high-end contender in the race is the Garmin Fenix 5 cycling watch. Regarding features and functionality, the watch is the same as the Forerunner 935. But (and it is a big but), it is different in its design. This tough smartwatch is made with a steel grip design and a stainless-steel bezel.
As mentioned, you get all the same features including the GPS and loads of fitness activities including cycling. Apart from it being a solid watch that will definitely stand the test of time, we also love the fact that it includes a performance widget that will keep you in the know regarding your training progress. If you have a bit of money to spend on a cycling watch, this would be a great pick.
#4 Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch
Our fourth recommendation is a tad more affordable and has loads to offer cyclists. The Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch is stylish and functional. It tracks various types of activity, including steps, calories burned and distance, and it has multi-sport tracking, which means you’ll be able to use it on your cycling routine.
The one thing that is a bit annoying about this watch is the fact that you need to connect to your phone for the GPS feature to work. We consider it a minor obstacle though, as the watch can pick up your phone’s signal from up to 6.1 m away. It remains a great watch and a great buy for any fitness freak out there, take it from us!
#5 Lezyne Micro Drive GPS Computer
The Lezyne Micro Drive GPS is more affordable than other models on the market, and it has a striking resemblance to something that Robocop might have worn. Regarding design, it is not the sexiest fitness watch out there, but it does its job pretty well.
Look at it this way, this watch is a smaller version of the state-of-the-art cycling computers made by Lezyne, and it fits on your wrist! One thing that makes the watch a bit less attractive when compared to others on this list is the fact that it does not have as many pre-loaded activities that it can track. But, if you are only looking for a watch for cycling, this one has everything you need. The Lezyne Micro Drive GPS watch is worth adding to your cycling gear!
#6 POLAR Unisex Adults’ V800 GPS Multi-Sports Watch
In at number six on our list is the POLAR V800. This smartwatch only has three settings: triathlon, swimming and cycling. But of course, if you’re a dedicated cyclist, that wouldn’t be a problem. It’s a bit more affordable than other watches we’ve looked at, and if definitely does its job well. The standout feature is the target training planning and Polar training programmes you’ll have access to, which are great for keeping your game face on at all times.
The POLAR V800 is water resistant and durable, so you won’t have to worry about damaging it when doing a heavy MTB course. Track your calories, distance and race pace with this handy device that will also give you access to helpful route guidance. It’s no Garmin, but it sure is a great buy and deserves to be on our list!
#7 Apple Watch Series 3
Another high-end product on our list is the Apple Watch Series 3. Now, if you are one of those Mac fanatics out there, you’re probably already busy buying the watch. Those of you who don’t own any other Apple devices might have to think twice before buying this snazzy device. That’s right folks, you’ll need at least an iPhone 5s or later with updated software for the watch to function optimally.
Of course, we have nothing bad to say about this cycling watch, it’s got all the right features and all the bells and whistles to make any cyclist’s heart beat faster. Get all your notification directly to your watch while it tracks your progress, monitors your heart rate and navigates on your behalf. It’s truly a smartwatch that can do all that and more.
#8 TomTom Spark 3 Multi Sport GPS Fitness Watch
And last but not the least, we have the very popular, highly functional and affordable TomTom Spark 3. It’s perfect for any cyclist who can’t be bothered with any extras. As with the majority of these smartwatches, it has a GPS tracking function and tracks your time, distance and pace. Whether you swim, cycle or hit the gym, the TomTom is a reliable companion to monitor your progress.
And you don’t even have to wear it exclusively while cycling either. It tracks your every move, calories burned and daily activity. The design is also sleek and stylish, and you won’t look like your heading to the gym while wearing it. This is a decent option for any beginner or professional cyclist out there.
Conclusion
And that concludes our roundup of the eight best cycling watches of 2018. As you can see, the majority of these devices have multiple activity tracking functions which come in quite handy if you are an active and passionate athlete. If you are looking for something that caters to cyclists, the Lezyne Micro Drive GPS watch is probably your best bet. It’s not our favourite regarding design, but it does an excellent job of tracking your progress and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
What do you look for in a cycling watch? Do you focus on features, or do you prefer having a watch with a long battery life? Whichever your preference, you will find the one you’re after on our list. Happy cycling!
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Tom Purton is a fitness junkie. Testing the latest and greatest products on the market and writing reviews in the strength, nutrition, running and many more. For more information about the latest reviews check out Ghost Fitness.
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