Are you sitting around and asking, “what is the best bicycle GPS watch?”
This is a good question and it’s something avid cyclists will have on their mind. It’s important to understand the value of a good bicycle GPS watch before investing in one. When you start to realize the advantages, it becomes easier to pick up on a good fit.
So, what should you be on the lookout for as a GPS watch buyer?
You will have a few things to think about and it starts with this bicycle GPS watch guide.
This guide will pinpoint the top-rated bicycle GPS watches, what makes them great, and what to look for when it’s time to make a purchase.
Best Bicycle GPS Watch
Key features:
- Comprehensive Heart Rate Monitoring
- 3 Axis Compass
- TracBack Feature for Easy Navigation
- Wide Array of Colors
Garmin Instinct is a market leader when it comes to top bicycle GPS watches right now. It’s sleek, easy on the eyes, and has all the perks necessary to keep cyclists happy. Garmin continues to set the trend with its devices and this is right up there with the best.
The 3 axis compass is ideal because it offers a combination of features for a more comprehensive experience. It takes advantage of multiple GPS systems such as GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo to deliver great results. Cyclists crave this information and it’s readily available with this Garmin product.
You can also play around with the smart notifications to get even more from the watch. It’s simply outstanding.
Key features:
- Multi-Sport Capability
- Advanced Heart Rate Monitoring
- Silicone Strap
- Weight: 49 Grams
The Garmin Forerunner 935 is a comprehensive bicycle GPS watch and has an amazing ability to win cyclists over. It’s aesthetically pleasing, uniquely designed, and offers a long list of benefits anyone will fall in love with. You can even use it with different activities such as running a 5K.
Coming in at a mere 49 grams, this is a lightweight GPS watch and works well with its durable silicone strap. Garmin has poured its heart and soul into designing a robust GPS watch. This is perfect for any cyclist and delivers multiple high-value features including advanced heart monitoring.
Key features:
- Battery Life: 30 Days (Standard Mode)
- GPS, GLONASS, and BDS Setup
- Integrated Smart Notifications
- Built-in Barometric Altimeter
The Coros Pace GPS Watch is a well-rounded, sophisticated bicycle GPS watch and it does get the job done. While this is more on the nerdier side, it delivers a plethora of settings and features anyone will start to enjoy after a while. For the professionals, this is one of the better options on the market right now.
With its integrated smart notifications and impressive barometric altimeter, it’s a well-regarded GPS watch with considerable value.
Cyclists can roam around and plan their routes without hindrance. This is going to keep track of everything and look amazing at the same time.
Tips for Buying the Best Bicycle GPS Watch
- Focus on the Features
To find a top-rated bicycle GPS watch, it’s important to start with the features. Everything can look good but the settings are a critical component of your experience with the new watch.
Which GPS watch features are a must?
You should be looking for features such as:
- Barometric Altimeter
- Silicone Straps
- 3 Axis Compass
- Advanced Heart Rate Monitor
- Smart Notifications
- Long Battery Life
These are a must when it comes to your cycling program.
If you are not seeing value in the watch, it doesn’t matter how it looks. A lot of buyers get enamored by how a watch looks on their wrist and that is what leads them down the wrong path! You have to be smart and focus on the actual value of a GPS watch and how it works when you’re cycling.
Having some or all of these features will ensure you are getting something of value.
2. Consider Your Requirements
Your requirements have to be kept in mind as a cyclist.
A great GPS watch is only possible when it meets your needs. This includes the routes you’re going to plan, the data important to you, and how everything will sync with your devices.
For example, many cyclists prefer to take their data and have it sent to a separate device. If that’s the case, you need a GPS watch that can transfer data from one place to another without hindrance. These are small details that can improve your experience as a user. Don’t ignore them while making a purchase.
It’s recommended to sit down and look at the top bicycle GPS watch features to see what is essential in your circumstance.
Once you have these details in hand, you can start to assess what is available on the market. The best options are always going to include most of these features and will leave you happy with the purchase.
By having a simple checklist, you’re going to know what the finest GPS watch features are and how they’re going to add value to your cycling experience. A great cycling GPS watch isn’t easy to find and it starts with a checklist of requirements.
3. Don’t Forget the Size
The GPS watch size is something you want to consider right away.
Most watches come with an adjustable strap making it easier to play around with how it settles on the wrist. However, you want to take a look at going with a strap that’s lightweight and easy to manage during a cycling session.
Remember, this is not the same as wearing a traditional watch. With a GPS watch, you want to make sure it is settling nicely on your wrist and not getting in the way. There’s nothing worse than pushing through a difficult cycling route and then realizing the watch is slipping off of your wrist!
If you are going to be spending money on a new watch, make sure it is well-sized.
There are times when riders end up breaking their watches because they didn’t think about how it settles on their wrist. You have to stay alert and make sure the investment is a good one and is going to last once it is put on.
In general, a silicone strap does well and is often used by high-end brands such as Garmin. There is a certain quality with the strap and it tends to adjust well when put to use. If you can find a strap made of this material, it can help with the sizing.
4. Aesthetics Matter
While everything up to this point mentions the features, what about the watch’s appearance?
Yes, the watch should look good and this is something to keep in mind as you figure things out. Don’t only look at the features and then end up with something that makes you hurl when you look at it! You want to make sure the watch is easy on the eyes and also has a great list of features.
This is why you only want to go with the best where you get a bit of both.
Aesthetics aren’t something to scoff at. Yes, they are going to play a role in your decision and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. However, you shouldn’t make it the only thing you look for during the buying process. Many times, a good-looking GPS watch isn’t going to be enough to deliver results and isn’t going to have the right features for cyclists.
With the finest GPS watches, you are going to get the opportunity to pick and choose between different designs/colors. Go with one of them and you’ll be happy.
5. Assess its Durability
Imagine spending hours scouring through different guides, reading up on GPS watch features, and making a purchase only to see it break down in a month!
Is that what you want to deal with?
The watch’s durability has to be on your mind during the buying process. In general, the best watches are made of high-grade material and can take a beating without breaking down. Those are the ones you want to go with and the leading brands such as Garmin do deliver in this regard. They don’t cut corners making it easier to cycle with the watch on your wrist.
Most of the time, you are going to be aggressively using the GPS watch. It makes sense to think about this detail as soon as you start looking at different options.
Along with making sure it is made of the right material, also take the time to see how it’s put together. This means it should have a certain sense of seamlessness to it, which won’t break down because the parts are loose.
Everything should flow nicely and look compact.
6. Compare Bicycle GPS Watches
Don’t just go with the first GPS watch in front of you!
Instead, you want to settle in and realize this is going to take a bit of your time. There’s nothing wrong with doing research, seeing what is out there, and then making a decision. As long as you do this, the final watch is going to be a great one.
A good watch for cycling is all about its features and how it works for your needs.
With so many options, you will want to think about which one is good and is perfectly balanced. Until you find this, you are not going to be happy. This is why more and more buyers compare watches to see which one is good.
As you sit down, start with the features and see how they compare to each other. Something like its build, battery life, and overall look can be a good starting point. You can easily start to filter through watches before coming up with 2-3 that stand out.
Once you do this, you can start to get pickier. You can start to look at additional details such as its weight, types of features, and price.
This will ensure you end up with a quality GPS watch for bicycling.
Final Thoughts
If you are asking, “what is the best bicycle GPS watch?” then it is time to start here. The watches listed here are going to ensure you end up with a smile on your face during that first cycling session.
It will make life easier and is going to offer amazing value too.
Stay patient, look at the various options, and then go with a watch that is worth it.
As a cyclist, you are lucky to have so many options to choose from. There’s a good fit for everyone whether you are a beginner or a professional.
