Up next in 10
Cadence Smartphone App Review
Aug 26, 2025
The best bike computers are getting incredibly expensive and the brands making them are packing in features which either seem to be unnecessary or already exist within your smartphone. So, why is it we even buy head units? In this video, Sam Gupta takes a look at Cadence, an app designed to replace your bike tracker and unlock all the functionality that exists within your phone. Cycling GPS computers are incredibly good at navigating us while out on the road, however many of us already use our phones to navigate us while driving, so it makes sense to save your money and instead just buy a robust cycling computer mount for your bike or even replace your cycling computer altogether.
View Video Transcript
0:00
The best cycling computers are only going one way in price, and that is up. Sure
0:06
their functionalities are also getting more extensive, but it's almost to the point of
0:11
having features for the sake of it. However, we all most likely own a device which is just
0:18
as competent as many of the best cycling computers. I am, of course, talking about
0:24
your smartphone. These things cost as much as, if not more than, the best cycling computers
0:32
And for good reason. They are packed full of tech and with it, so much capability
0:37
What you need are the right tools to unlock all of that capability. And happily
0:43
there's an American company called Cadence that has managed to do such a thing. It has created an
0:49
interface that will feel familiar while including all of the same tools and features you'd expect to
0:55
find on any Garmin or Wahoo device. What may surprise you is just how far that functionality
1:02
actually extends. First off, we have to speak about that interface because you can create as
1:10
many customized screen layouts as you like and then of course you can swipe between them while
1:16
you're riding. You can have up to 24 data points at the same time or just choose one
1:22
to have full screen. Happily Cadence does come with multiple pre layouts to get you started However be prepared to spend a bit of time getting it just right for you because there are over 100 different data points to choose from and each data field can be customized from text color to light or dark background colors and heart rate and power zone colors too
1:47
I think you get the idea though. You really can make the interfaces your own and since you're using a mobile phone, you get to enjoy a fast response time when you're interacting with the app
1:56
Not to forget, you have a nice bright display when you're riding during the day
2:02
While a fully customizable interface is very cool, it's somewhat to be expected for an app
2:09
But what may surprise you is just how compatible it is with external devices
2:14
For example, if you use a heart rate strap, you compare that to the app
2:19
And the same goes for speed, cadence and power meter sensors too
2:22
It also works for exercise bikes like the Schwinn IC4 and Bowflex C6, as well as indoor trainers like the Wahoo Kicker and the Taxed Neo
2:33
But once again, it doesn't even stop there because if you have a radar fitted to your bike like a Garmin Verrier or a Brighton Guardia, then even those will connect
2:45
As soon as a radar is paired and connected, the main screen will show how many vehicles
2:51
are behind you and how fast they're approaching, just as they do on a head unit
2:56
You can even set up audio alerts for added awareness. There one fundamental tool we need a GPS computer to do and that is navigate However it probably quite likely you already use your phone to do a lot of navigating be it in the car or just when you out on foot
3:13
So why not employ it for use during your rides too? Within Cadence, you can create custom routes with turn-by-turn navigation
3:22
It will work for your rides, your runs, and even driving directions
3:26
You can save existing activities as routes or import GPX files from all the usual places like Strava, Kamu, Garmin and of course plenty of others
3:37
However, if you're already out and you just want to head to a nearby cafe, then you can just enter your destination into the app and the app will take you there
3:44
lastly i doubt it will come as any sort of surprise that with all of this functionality
3:51
you can also make use of strava live segments while you're out training cadence allows you
3:58
to view all nearby segments and then switch between them in a very detailed interface you
4:04
can view your location in comparison to your segment efforts on both a big map and an elevation
4:10
graph. You can see how far ahead or behind you are and how much further you have to go. And of course
4:16
you can fully customize the data points on the live segment screen for your own personalized
4:21
view. Let's not forget, once you've completed a ride, Cadence can automatically sync your
4:27
activities to Strava It clear that Cadence has found a way to unlock all the potential your phone holds as an alternative to a head unit Thanks to mounting systems like the quad lock phone mount or even more budget friendly options like the ones I have here it easy to secure
4:46
your phone and if you want to protect it from the weather then there are plenty of waterproof cases
4:51
out there too. Of course you will go through your phone's battery a little more quickly so my advice
4:58
would be to ensure you either have a way to charge up at your destination or instead carry a small
5:03
power bank. Typical battery life when using Cadence is around 10 to 20% per hour depending on device
5:10
and settings but Cadence does have battery saving features like dark mode and auto screen dimming
5:18
If you are considering buying your first hedge unit then I would encourage you to seriously
5:23
consider using your phone as an alternative. As technology has developed the limitations from
5:30
even just a few years ago are actually no longer present and by going down this route instead you
5:36
could stand to save hundreds of pounds. Cadence is free to use however there are pro and elite
5:44
versions of the app that unlock more functionality. You can compare the differences between the
5:49
membership levels over on the Cadence website to which I have left a link to down below. I've not
5:55
been able to touch upon all the features that Cadence offers such as detailed ytics
5:59
live tracking, and the standalone Apple Watch app. There's simply too much to cover in just one video
6:06
Let me know your thoughts on this though. Would you ever consider using your phone
6:11
rather than a dedicated cycling computer
#sports