1. WITHINGS STEEL HR SPORT REVIEW: BEST HYBRID FITNESS TRACKER MODEL
Most sports watch companies rely on size.
This model is an exception. It may look like a normal wristwatch, but the Withings Steel HR Sport comes with some fitness tracking tech.
The fitness tracker is presented on a small round monochrome OLED screen that displays text notifications and heart rate information, as well as tracking speed and distance, although it will rely on your smartphone's GPS data. Plus, you get a nice analog watch face complete with ticking hands.
The tracker will also count steps, while its companion app lets you select six of 30 activities that you can send to your watch for real-time selection. By letting you view your progress through your phone, it will also give you an idea of how well you sleep.
Just don't expect additional sensors or anything like that to be connected. However, despite the lack of functionality of the more familiar sports watch, this watch can last up to 25 days between charges. Plus, the design of the tracker is made in a laconic style of an urban environment, not a gym. The presence of interchangeable straps allows this tracker to be worn with clothes in both business and sports styles.
Of the advantages, it is worth noting the presence of interchangeable straps, various sensors (including an altimeter), as well as a wide choice of various sports activities. A plus will be their democratic price from 14 thousand rubles in comparison with expensive models of smart watches.
2. HUAWEI WATCH GT 2
Huawei has decided battery life is the best place to focus its efforts and claims its new GT 2 watch will run for two weeks between charges.
Two weeks of battery life means 90 minutes of continuous heart rate, sleep and workout monitoring with GPS tracker per week - covering everything from cycling to gym workouts and swimming.
Of course, if you are cycling 90 minutes a week is not that much, and in order to ride and record more metrics, you will have to charge the GT 2 more often. But what is quite incredible is that the GT 2 can record such GPS-enabled activities, such as cycling up to 30 hours continuously.
The device offers heart rate tracking and independent GPS tracking, and offers on-screen display of various indicators of the user's physical activity. With a democratic starting price of 20 thousand rubles, this is the most impressive smartwatch on the market at the moment.
However, there is a downside, namely that Huawei has not provided any compatibility for Strava or other fitness apps that cyclists love. Indeed, we tried our best to export the GPX file from the watch, and apart from some serious programming know-how, we simply could not figure out how to do it in the usual ways.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FITNESS TRACKER OR SMARTWATCH FOR CYCLISTS
WHAT POINTS TO PAY ATTENTION TO
Cyclists' needs for a smartwatch or fitness tracker are likely to be slightly different from those of the mainstream consumers - most likely runners and triathletes.
Features such as GPS, altimeter and heart rate tracking will be much more useful for cyclists looking to track rides and analyze training data.
Bluetooth or ANT + compatibility means the watch can use data from external sensors. This functionality means the watch can be a standalone alternative to a GPS-enabled computer or rely on a smartphone's capabilities to track activity and fitness.
However, simpler devices that track heart rate, sleep, and general activity metrics will still offer useful data about a user's exercise and general well-being. Such a device could be a good addition to a cycling computer, but it is unlikely to offer similar functionality.
Also, some smartphones are not compatible with apps like Strava and MyFitnessPal. Many will not export GPX files for use with third-party tutorials.
Comfort is always important, which is why it is important to ensure that the watch has an ergonomic fit and that interchangeable straps are just as important as battery life. Some brands, like Garmin, also sell handlebar mounts so that the watch can be positioned like a bike computer.
