Save time and check out these Cyber Monday Smartwatch deals

Smartwatches can do everything a GPS head unit can do and more - here's why we cyclists love them

Cyber Monday smartwatch
(Image credit: press image)

Smartwatches have been a surprise hit for Cycling Weekly's Black Friday and Cyber Monday bike deals pages in the last few years. It seems that cyclists can't get enough of them, even though they're are often aimed at running or multisports and have names like 'Forerunner'. 

We shouldn't really be surprised any more. GPS watches are getting ever more sophisticated: their functionality is as good as cycling computers if not better and because they're on your wrist 24/7 rather than stuck to your handlebars only while you're riding they can be much smarter, tracking not only your performance but also your fitness, your breathing, your blood oxygen level, your sleep... for data collection watches can't be beat.

Wahoo Elemnt Rival smart watch379.99now $299.99 (save $80)

Wahoo Elemnt Rival smart watch $379.99, <a href="https://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/sport-watches/elemnt-rival/buy?rfsn=4045189.07f5e1&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4045189.07f5e1&subid=hawk-custom-tracking" data-link-merchant="wahoofitness.com"">now $299.99 (save $80) When I reviewed the Wahoo Elemnt Rival watch I gave it 4.5/5 and it's getting a space in this year's Editor's Choice list of our favourite products. I called it: "A sports-focused watch with the trademark clean design and usability of Wahoo’s cycling computers, reliable pairing and syncing, an intuitive app and exceptional battery life." With $80 off - a rare deal direct from Wahoo, I'd say go for it!

Garmin Instinct: $299.99 $163 at Amazon (save $136.99)

Garmin Instinct: <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=107654&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FGarmin-Instinct-Features-Monitoring-Graphite%2Fdp%2FB07HYX9P88%3Fref%3Ddlx_early_gd_dcl_img_31_57a9227d_dt_sl5_f1%26tag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"">$299.99 $163 at Amazon (save $136.99) The military standard GPS is more than your average GPS watch as it features three axis compass and multiple global navigation satellite systems. Use with your smartphone or on its own to stay connected and on track. Measures all fitness data, turn by turn navigation and track back, so you never get lost off grid again. Perfect for bikepackers and at a great price too. 

Garmin Forerunner 745: $546.99 $418.99 at ProBikeKit&nbsp;(save $128)

Garmin Forerunner 745: <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=3986&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.probikekit.com%2Fbicycle-computers-gps-hrm%2Fgarmin-forerunner-745-multisport-watch%2F13127923.html" data-link-merchant="probikekit.com"">$546.99 $418.99 at ProBikeKit (save $128) The classic multisport watch for those of us who like to indulge in other sports off the bike (though of course not all at the same time). The 745 supplies all the usual fitness tracking, including the ability to pre-programme workoutsand record races thanks to its multi-satellite system support, as well as pairing with your phone, playing music and the other things that the best watches excel at.

Garmin Fenix 6S Pro:$820.49 $609.99 at ProBikeKit&nbsp;(save $210)

Garmin Fenix 6S Pro: <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=3986&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.probikekit.com%2Fbicycle-computers-gps-hrm%2Fgarmin-fenix-6s-pro-gps-watch%2F12662072.html" data-link-merchant="probikekit.com"" target="_blank">$820.49 $609.99 at ProBikeKit (save $210) The Fenix 6S Pro is rugged enough to withstand multiple sports and active lifestyles, but has an aesthetic that makes it subtle and attractive enough to be an everyday watch (it also comes in black). Needless to say, it's packed full of features, GPS navigation, comprehensive fitness metrics, pairs with your smartphone and you can pay contactless at the store with it. This is akin to a having personal PA and PT on your wrist.  

Garmin Venu:$199.99 $129.99 at Amazon (save $70)

Garmin Venu: <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=107654&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FGarmin-Smartwatch-Touchscreen-Display-010-02427-01%2Fdp%2FB08FRPT1KK%3Fref_%3DOct_DLandingS_D_4a9bcb5b_62%26smid%3DATVPDKIKX0DER%26tag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"">$199.99 $129.99 at Amazon (save $70) Even more refined looking than the Fenix is the Garmin Venu, just with slightly fewer features. It's fair to say it's a holistic system of tracking your body's health and now comes with a $70 saving. Of course it's smartphone compatible for easy connectivity on the move, including call text and social media alerts and contactless payment for cash/card free transactions. You can even participate in a coached workout or upload your own, when synced with the Garmin Connect app.

Wahoo Elemnt Rival smart watch£349.99now £299.99 from Wahoo (save £50)

Wahoo Elemnt Rival smart watch £349.99, <a href="https://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/sport-watches/elemnt-rival/buy?rfsn=4045189.07f5e1&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4045189.07f5e1&subid=hawk-custom-tracking" data-link-merchant="wahoofitness.com"">now £299.99 <a href="https://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/sport-watches/elemnt-rival/buy?rfsn=4045189.07f5e1&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4045189.07f5e1&subid=hawk-custom-tracking" data-link-merchant="wahoofitness.com"" data-link-merchant="wahoofitness.com"">from Waho<a href="https://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/sport-watches/elemnt-rival/buy?rfsn=4045189.07f5e1&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4045189.07f5e1&subid=hawk-custom-tracking" data-link-merchant="wahoofitness.com"" data-link-merchant="wahoofitness.com"" data-link-merchant="wahoofitness.com"">o (save £50)<a href="https://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/sport-watches/elemnt-rival/buy?rfsn=4045189.07f5e1&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4045189.07f5e1&subid=hawk-custom-tracking" data-link-merchant="wahoofitness.com"" data-link-merchant="wahoofitness.com"" data-link-merchant="wahoofitness.com"" data-link-merchant="wahoofitness.com""> When I reviewed the Wahoo Elemnt Rival watch I gave it 4.5/5 and it's got a space in this year's Editor's Choice list of our favourite products. I called it: "A sports-focused watch with the trademark clean design and usability of Wahoo’s cycling computers, reliable pairing and syncing, an intuitive app and exceptional battery life." It's pretty rare to find Wahoo products discounted, especially the latest ones like this, so I'd hurry.

Garmin Forerunner 645 Music Running GPS Watch: £349.99 £185 at Wiggle&nbsp;(save £164.99)

Garmin Forerunner 645 Music Running GPS Watch: <a href="https://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-forerunner-645-music-running-gps-watch?utm_source=affiliate-window&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=TechRadar&utm_term=Future+Publishing.&utm_content=Editorial+Content&awc=1857_1634915912_fa471b6d041896edbb2c2a15cf9b2d8b&sv_campaign_id=103504&sv_tax1=affiliate&sv_tax2=5497%7C5509%7C159115%7C397877&sv_tax3=Future+Publishing.&sv_tax4=0&sv_affiliate_id=103504" data-link-merchant="wiggle.co.uk"">£349.99 £185 at Wiggle (save £164.99) Judging by the name you might that you may not think this is a more running-specific GPS watch than many, but that's not the case at all. You can use the Forerunner 645 for cycling, swimming and more. With its built in heart rate monitor there's no need to wear a chest strap either - though as we know the chest strap is best for accuracy. Overall, a great discount on such a versatile product. 

Garmin Fenix 6s Pro: £599 £449.99 at Wiggle (save £149.01)

Garmin Fenix 6s Pro:<a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=1857&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wiggle.co.uk%2Fgarmin-fenix-6s-pro-multisport-gps-watch" data-link-merchant="awin1.com""> £599 £449.99 at Wiggle (save £149.01)There's a tidy £60 saving to be had on the multisport, multipurpose smart watch from Garmin. Choose between black or white and rose gold, the watch features a huge level of data metric measurements for fitness monitoring, and teams it with the same practical features as you would find on a smartphone, including calls, text, messages and contactless payment. 

Garmin Forerunner 935:£389.99now £249.99 at Wiggle (save £140)

Garmin Forerunner 935: £389.99, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=1857&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wiggle.co.uk%2Fgarmin-forerunner-935-multisport-gps-watch" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"">now £249.99 at Wiggle (save £140) The Forerunner 935 has activity profiles not just for cycling but for running, swimming, cross-country, trail running, hiking, strength training and many more. It also has Garmin's status performance monitoring tool that evaluates your training load and indicates whether you're productive, peaking or overreaching. Plus all the usual ride metrics - and now at an incredible price.

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Simon Smythe

Simon Smythe is a hugely experienced cycling tech writer, who has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2003. Until recently he was our senior tech writer. In his cycling career Simon has mostly focused on time trialling with a national medal, a few open wins and his club's 30-mile record in his palmares. These days he spends most of his time testing road bikes, or on a tandem doing the school run with his younger son.