Cycling Gadget Reviews
RANKED: Smart Ring vs Watch vs Bike Computer. We ranked the best 5 options for cyclists for 2026
We spent the last six months testing dozens of different cycling tech. #1 surprised us all…
Our ultra strict criteria matters
Whether you’re training for your next gran fondo or squeezing in dawn patrol miles, the right tech can make every ride smarter. We tested the leading options across ride metrics, recovery insights, comfort, AI integration and coaching to find out what truly helps cyclists perform better in 2026. Below are our top picks—ranked. Each section explains who it’s for, what we loved, what we didn’t, and why it landed where it did.
1. OVERALL BEST: Helios Smart Ring by THRIVE
The Helios Smart Ring is the best cycling tech of 2026
Features: 100% Smart features + AI
Battery Life: 96%
Price: Best Value for Money + Free set of smart cycling lights
AI Utility: Best integration of AI we have seen - Remarkable
Overall: AAA++
Why it’s #1: Helios is the first ring we’ve used that meaningfully bridges on-ride performance with deep health & recovery—then layers an AI cycling coach (THRIVE AI) that actually coaches you in real time through a deep integration of all your health and performance metrics. It’s the only device here that aims to replace both your wellness tracker and your traditional bike-computer workflow. Truly ground-breaking technology.
Best for: Cyclists who want one wearable to track rides + sleep + recovery with real-time coaching prompts.
Highlights:
Cycling mode: live ride metrics, zone guidance, auto-logging.
Health stack: HRV, sleep stages, recovery/readiness, stress trends.
AI Coach overlay: real-time coaching (ease up, hold zone, fuel reminders, conversations/discussion, ongoing real-time advice) + post-ride insights.
Comfort: zero-screen, featherlight; easiest to wear 24/7 and to bed, ultra premium titanium in 3 stunning finishes.
What we loved:
24/7 wearability makes recovery data more consistent.
On-ride prompts feel like riding with a coach in your ear—without another screen. The AI coach will truly improve your performance.
Completely consolidates three things most cyclists juggle: computer metrics, health ring, coaching app.
Our take: If you’ve ever wished your “bike computer + health tracker + coach” lived in one place, this is it—and it’s shockingly easy to live with.
2. Apple Watch Ultra 3
Features: 60%
Battery Life: 75%
Price: $$$$$$$$
AI Utility: Good
Overall: B
Why it’s #2: The most versatile do-everything smartwatch. Excellent general fitness, solid HR and GPS, notifications, and third-party cycling apps.
Best for: Riders who want a smartwatch first, with good fitness features and everyday utility.
What we loved:
Bright screen, snappy UI, great app ecosystem.
Good multisport tracking and safety features.
Daily convenience (payments, calls, music).
Room for improvement:
Battery life on long rides can be a constraint.
Sleep tracking is fine—not elite.
Still benefits from a dedicated bike computer for racing/navigation.
Our take: A great everyday smartwatch that covers casual to serious training—but it’s not the minimalist’s dream for sleep or an all-in cycling solution and is crazy expensive.
3. Garmin Edge 1050 Bike Computer
Features: 50%
Battery Life: 55%
Price: $$$$$
AI Utility: Bad
Overall: C
Why it’s #3: The gold standard for navigation, power data, and race-day execution. Nothing beats a top Garmin for maps, ANT+/BLE accessory support, intervals, and structured workouts on the bars.
Best for: Riders who want full-screen navigation, complex workouts, and deep power/cadence analytics on device.
What we loved:
Best-in-class maps, ClimbPro, and sensor ecosystem.
Bulletproof for long rides, races, and training plans.
Data depth: power curves, lap analysis, workouts on-device.
Room for improvement:
Not designed for sleep/recovery; you’ll need another wearable.
Screen + mount adds cockpit clutter; not ideal for minimalists.
Coaching layer feels more “rules-based” versus truly personal.
Our take: Still decent. If you live in structured intervals and navigation, this stays relevant—just know you’ll need add a second device for recovery.
4. Whoop 5.0
Features: 45%
Battery Life: 60%
Price: $$$$$
AI Utility: Average
Overall: C
Why it’s #4: Favored by high-performance athletes for strain & recovery trends, continuous HR, and community benchmarks. Great if you like coach-like recommendations without wearing a watch.
Best for: Data-driven cyclists who prefer strap-based HR and granular recovery scoring.
What we loved:
Strong day-to-day strain vs recovery guidance.
Broadcast HR to head units; useful during rides.
Comfortable, screenless, stays out of the way.
Room for improvement:
Ongoing subscription adds up.
Interface emphasizes training load but less cycling-specific nuance.
Not a replacement for a bike computer (maps/workouts).
Our take: A good recovery ecosystem—best as a companion only
5. Oura Ring
Features: 50%
Battery Life: 40%
Price: $$$$
AI Utilit: Average
Overall: C-
Why it’s #5: The benchmark wellness ring—sleep, HRV, readiness—beautifully packaged. For cyclists who prioritize recovery, Oura offers polished insights and strong app UX.
Best for: Recovery-first cyclists who want elite sleep tracking and day-to-day readiness trends.
What we loved:
Best-in-class sleep & HRV visuals.
Very comfortable 24/7, especially overnight.
Long battery life; elegant form factor.
Room for improvement
Cycling workout capture is limited; often needs a separate device.
No real-time on-ride coaching; insights are mostly post-hoc.
Data can feel siloed unless you wire up multiple apps.
Our take: A beautiful recovery companion. However it has not developed significantly since its initial launch.
WHY WE CHOSE THE THRIVE'S HELIOS SMART RING AS THE BEST CYCLING TECH PRODUCT FOR 2026
With so much cycling tech on the market, you might wonder why we crowned the THRIVE's HELIOS as the best. The answer is simple: no other tech delivers the perfect blend of performance, innovation, and value quite like this one. Beyond its unbeatable price, cutting-edge smart features, unmatched battery life, and elite AI integration, the HELIOS seamlessly integrates into a cyclist’s routine, elevating both training and health metrics in a way that other tech simply can’t match.
Take my daily routine, for example. I start my ride at 5 a.m. sharp, heading out in the dark on cold winter mornings and finishing the day the same way. Before using the Helios smart ring, I was mostly guessing—how hard to push, when to back off, whether I was actually improving or just accumulating fatigue. Now, Helios tracks my heart rate, recovery, and readiness continuously, giving me a clear picture of how my body is responding before I even clip in. Instead of riding blind, I know exactly when to push and when to ease off, which has made my mornings more focused and far less draining.
On weekends, the difference is even more noticeable. Riding with my group used to mean trying to keep up while quietly wondering if I was overreaching. With Helios, my training intensity is guided by real biometric data, not ego. The ring feeds my metrics directly into the THRIVE app, where an AI coach adjusts my effort in real time and reviews each ride afterward. Friends have commented on how consistent my pacing has become, and I’ve noticed fewer burnout weeks and stronger performances across longer rides.
The best part? Helios doesn’t feel like another gadget I need to manage. I don’t think about charging it constantly, and I don’t need to interpret complex charts—it simply works in the background, quietly improving how I train, recover, and ride. Whether it’s my daily commute or long weekend sessions, Helios hasn’t just fit into my routine—it’s fundamentally improved it. THRIVE is offering an incredible deal on the HELIOS: 60% off for those who click the link below.
This is hands-down the best cycling tech deal of the year, and with limited quantities available, we’re confident it won’t last long. If you’re serious about upgrading your ride, now is the time to make the switch to the THRIVE HELIOS Smart Ring—the gold standard in cycling tech for 2026.
Richard B. Coffey
United States
Best ring on the Market
"
THRIVE have been great to deal with. Shipping took a little while, but the Helios ring itself has exceeded my expectations and the customer support has been excellent. Any questions I’ve had were handled quickly, which is a big plus. The ring is incredibly accurate and comfortable to wear, especially for early morning and long rides. Being able to see my recovery and readiness before training has completely changed how I approach my sessions."
Kevin Rose
United States
Very light and with so much tech!
“I wear the Helios ring every day, not just on the bike, and it works perfectly. I use it alongside my bike computer, and the extra biometric insight has been a game changer. I regularly rely on the recovery and sleep data to decide how hard to push, and the app works seamlessly. Overall, it’s a really well-priced, high-quality product. I’m already looking at adding more THRIVE gear to my setup.”
Liam George
United States
Suprisingly Robust!!!!
“I was honestly a bit sceptical ordering a smart ring from a brand I hadn’t heard of before. I assumed it might be cheaply made or unreliable. I was completely wrong. The Helios ring has lived up to every claim on the website and is still performing perfectly after months of daily use. I ride off-road a lot, so it gets knocked around more than most wearables, but it’s held up incredibly well.”
Mavrick Smith
United States
Great Ring
“I’m still learning everything the Helios ring can do, but I absolutely love it. It’s sleek, comfortable, and genuinely useful. The insights feel practical rather than overwhelming, and I like that it quietly works in the background without needing constant attention. I’m excited to keep exploring the features as I spend more time with it.”
THRIVE FARINA 3 TOP REVIEWS
Very happy with the purchase and price. Had another more expensive
brand, but this is actually better! - Patricia, 34
I charge this ring once a week! It’s
amazing. I cant see myself using a bike PC ever again - Rob, 42
I love this ring, it is the true package - Nancy, 27