Although I am a fan of collecting data from my workouts and other fitness experiences, a rear bike radar means more to me than the bike computer itself. A few years ago, I was introduced to bike radars with a Garmin Varia. It provided me with awareness of the cars approaching behind me, and also flashed to bring attention to me riding and the drivers approaching my bike.
Wahoo released its first bike radar and tail light with the Wahoo Trackr Radar, and I’ve been testing it for my bike commute and workouts for the past couple of weeks.
Also: This compact bike computer brings pro features to casual cyclists – and it replaced my smartwatch
Bike mirrors are helpful, but they can also be distracting and may not provide a clear picture of what is going on behind you. A bike radar, on the other hand, senses vehicles approaching up to 164 yards behind you and then indicates the vehicle on the side of the bike radar display.
The Trackr Radar connects to Wahoo bike computers but also to other brands and even other brand sport watches, so you do not need to have Wahoo products to use the affordable Trackr Radar. However, the Wahoo smartphone app is required to manage the Trackr Radar’s settings and firmware updates, so make sure to download it for the most optimal experience.
In addition to showing you a visual representation of approaching vehicles and how close they are to you, the Trackr Radar also flashes brightly as cars enter the detection zone so that drivers are made aware of your presence. This has proven important for me since my town does not have dedicated bike lanes, and I am required to ride on the side of the road with traffic.
Another feature that I have not seen on other bike radars, but one that can be helpful to the vehicle behind you and to other bike riders, is the brake light functionality. As your bike decelerates quickly, accelerometers in the Trackr sense that you are stopping and activate the brake light.
There are two widely separated LEDs, top and bottom, so that the brightness is maximized and you are made more visible to approaching vehicles. Battery life varies between 10 to 20 hours, dependent on the flash mode that you select. I enabled the battery extender mode so that no light shines if there is no vehicle behind, and then, when a vehicle approaches, the quick alert option for flashing turns on.
Mode memory also means that the light returns to the last mode used, reducing the need to mess with the settings each time you use the bike radar. The Trackr Radar is also certified to IPX7, so I will be able to use it in Washington, where it is wet much of the time.
Also: Infinite battery life means you can leave this bike computer mounted at all times
Another mode that I appreciate is the standby mode, where the light defaults to a “light sleep” condition and looks like it is off. However, once you turn on your bike computer, the Trackr activates and will start working as soon as you start riding. Wahoo stated that the Trackr can be in this standby mode for several months, so you really never have to worry about turning it off.
The Wahoo Trackr Radar is fairly light at 3.5 ounces, and various rubber post inserts are included to mount the quarter-turn bracket. I used the largest insert, aero, for my round seat post, but it wasn’t quite wide enough, so the insert wrapped around the post a bit awkwardly. With the rubber strap, everything is held securely in place, but a better insert may be warranted.
ZDNET’s buying advice
If you ride your bike on the road or on busy trails, a bike radar and rear light are essential accessories. The Wahoo Trackr Radar is relatively affordable and provides excellent functionality to help you ride safely.
The brake light functionality is a nice touch and can be useful when riding in groups, too. If you own a Garmin, Coros, Hammerhead, or Wahoo bike computer, you can connect and enjoy the functions of the Wahoo Trackr Radar.
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CNET: Tariff Pricing Tracker: We’re Watching 11 Products You Might Need to Buy
Smartphones are among the most affected by the new US tariffs, with devices imported from China and Vietnam facing steep duties that could raise retail prices by 20% or more. Brands like Apple and Google, which rely heavily on Asian manufacturing, may either pass these costs on to consumers or absorb them at the expense of profit margins.
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