Cycling computers are getting more expensive by the day. While they offer an array of features, many of them feel unnecessary—gimmicks rather than essentials. But what if you already owned a device that could do it all?
You do. It’s your smartphone.
Packed with advanced technology, your phone is just as powerful—if not more so—than the best cycling computers on the market. And thanks to Cadence, an innovative app developed by cyclists, you can transform your smartphone into a fully functional cycling computer with all the tools and features you’d expect from top brands like Garmin or Wahoo.
What’s even more surprising? How far this capability actually extends…
A Fully Customizable Experience
With Cadence, you can tailor your cycling interface to your exact needs. Whether you want a full-screen map or a data-heavy screen displaying up to 24 real-time metrics, Cadence allows you to make it happen in either portrait or landscape. You can create unlimited custom screen layouts and swipe between them mid-ride. There are over 150 data points to choose from, including speed, ascent, cadence, heart rate, power, calories, sunset times, and many more.
Every element is customisable, from text colors to dark or light backgrounds, and even Heart Rate and Power Zone color schemes. Pre-made layouts for cycling, running, maps, treadmills, and current lap tracking are available, but you can tweak them to suit your personal preferences. With Cadence’s intuitive design, you get the fast response time and bright, high-quality display of your smartphone—something traditional cycling computers struggle to match.
(Image credit: Cadence)
Seamless Bluetooth Connectivity
A customisable interface is great, but what about sensor compatibility? Cadence has that covered too. The app connects with Bluetooth Smart BLE heart rate, speed, cadence, and power meters. It is compatible with top brands like Wahoo, Garmin, Polar, FAVERO, and 4iiii. Essentially, anything a dedicated head unit can connect to, Cadence can too. It also works with indoor exercise bikes, as well as bike trainers like the Wahoo Kickr and Tacx Neo. Additionally, Cadence supports radar connectivity for real-time vehicle detection. With Cadence, your phone becomes an all-in-one hub, integrating effortlessly with the sensors you already use.
(Image credit: Cadence)
Smart Radar Integration for Added Safety
Cadence isn’t just about performance—it’s about safety too. If you use a radar like the Garmin Varia, Cadence will display how many vehicles are behind you, how fast they’re approaching and how long it’ll take them to pass. You can even enable audio alerts for added awareness. These radars track up to eight vehicles at a time and are visible up to a mile away.
The pursuit for safety goes beyond your time on the bike because unlike Garmin or Wahoo you can look at radar data retrospectively. You can see how fast cars passed you, how much they slowed down and where the fastest pass happened. Stay safer on the roads without the need for expensive, proprietary head units.
(Image credit: Cadence)
Advanced Navigation & Route Planning
Why pay extra for GPS navigation when your phone already excels at it? With Cadence, you get turn-by-turn navigation powered by Mapbox, allowing you to create and follow custom routes for cycling, running, or even driving. You can save existing rides as routes and import GPX files from Strava, Komoot, Garmin, and other popular services. Cadence makes navigating simple, ensuring you stay on track without additional hardware.
(Image credit: Cadence)
Strava Live Segments: Take Your Training to the Next Level
Competitive cyclists can take full advantage of Strava Live Segments, which are fully integrated into Cadence. You can track your segment performance in real time and view your progress on both a map and an elevation graph. The app also allows you to see how far ahead or behind you are and how much further you have to go. Data points can be customized for a personalized experience, and auto-show and auto-close features enable hands-free competition. Whether you’re training solo or chasing KOMs, Cadence ensures you stay motivated and on top of your game.
Practical Considerations: Battery Life & Mounting Solutions
One common concern with using a smartphone as a cycling computer is battery life. However, Cadence has optimized power usage, and their tests show that typical battery life is 10-20% per hour depending on settings. Happily, Cadence can help you extend battery life thanks to features like auto-dim mode and dark mode. For longer rides, consider carrying a small power bank or ensuring you have a charging solution at your destination.
Mounting your phone securely is another factor to consider, but there are a myriad of options out on the market from brands like Peak Design and Quadlock. The mounts we love are ones akin to an out front mount that easily allow for your phone to occupy that central mounting position on your handlebars while keeping it comfortably in your eye line.
(Image credit: Cadence)
Why Spend Hundreds When You Don’t Have To?
If you’re considering buying a cycling computer, ask yourself why you should pay hundreds of pounds when your smartphone can do the job just as well. Cadence offers a free version, with Pro and Elite upgrades available for even more functionality.
The app is compatible with Strava and can automatically upload activities, there’s support for offline maps, you can pour over detailed statistics and charts in your ride history and being able to share your live location with friends, family or even your coach can provide those that care about you with peace of mind.
Clearly, Cadence is a seriously capable and versatile app, and the best part is, there’s still so much more functionality that we haven’t been able to cover. So, visit the Cadence website to learn more and see how it could replace your head unit. Would you consider using your phone instead of a dedicated cycling computer? Let us know your thoughts!
Visit the Cadence website to download the app
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