NEW Apple Watch Cycling Features w/ WatchOS 10 - Tons more data!

In-depth look at all the new cycling-related features coming with Apple WatchOS 10 including power meter support, bike trainer support, and cycling live activities.
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[@dkbaj]

What’s still missing is broadcasting of the HR. I think this is the still the biggest missing feature

[@SterlingJames]

So no HR support, yet.

[@stevenqirkle]

Yup, the only feature I actually want

[@tobiasluke7]

same - have been suggesting it in their beta feedback for years and still no action. very disappointing. and for any cyclist with a power meter, i doubt ditching a dedicated head unit and going with massive iPhone is going to be a practical choice. let alone the risk of damaging your phone and primary communication/safety device rather than a dispensable bike computer in the event of a crash...

[@littlewing1208]

Looks like HR shows up on the phone from the watch no? Or am I misunderstanding what you are looking for?

[@stevenqirkle]

@@littlewing1208 we’re talking about broadcasting heart rate to a cycling computer (e.g Garmin or Wahoo), not a phone.

[@Asthbendriel]

I have to admit Apple is taking this way more seriously than I initially expected, whereas not in the same category when it comes day to day battery life, they're moving forward in the right direction for many metrics and sports and very fast. Also I first thought battery life wouldn't be anything stellar, but seems to hold well for most of the sports most of the people do now.

[@ShaneOSullivanky]

Great video thanks Des. Some things I would love to see: - VO2 max being updated similar to walking, hiking and running workouts. - varia radar support - Zwift Companion workouts saved to activity including power data and also updating FTP when Zwift writes the workout to activity.

[@DesFit]

All some great suggestions!

[@mykweb]

Loving this new update. Looking at ditching my garmin as having no end of Bluetooth connection issues with all the firmware. Going to give this a go on my next few rides. One thing I will miss will be climb pro or the gradient you can see garmin.

[@mlegrand]

Great overview Des! If Apple puts in some mapping and cycling radar support I'm going to be pretty pumped about it all. Apple seems to be estimating my FTP very low as well. 🤔 BTW, I ordered that Peak Design case and out-front mount after Apple announced this feature and it's been really fantastic.

[@DesFit]

Thanks Matt! This is a good start and looking forward to what else they’ll add in terms of cycling features. And Peak Design makes some pretty great stuff 👍

[@flooooooo0686]

Route guidance would be handy to be included in the outdoor cycling profile. Main reason I use a karoo2 during outdoor rides.

[@user-ik8wq1di8k]

Amazing review as usual! I do like this from Apple. However the main thing about using Iphone as head unit is the vibration that will damage the phone. Apple in fact states that they will not provide warranty exchange if it's from bike damage. Even road biking (MTB of cause), there's a decent amount of vibrations+ bumps which can damage your phone (notably Camera/Gyro and mics apparently) . I much rather buy a 400 AUD head unit that can do more, last longer (Battery wise) and wont get damage than using my $2k+ phone risking damage.

[@eedoamitay3341]

I hope we get more features for cycling in the apps and hopefully the algorithms and stuff get better as well

[@christophmuller830]

Very cool! The only thing missing then is map navigation support and Garmin Varia Radar to replace my Garmin bike computer with my iPhone. I have the iPhone with me anyway and just mount it on the handlebars would be perfect. How is it with the battery life of the iPhone when the display is on all the time? Does it use the battery-saving always-on display from the iPhone?

[@thani7963]

Always great to hear from you, can we set the sipped of auto/start&stop @ specific speed?

[@jacquespolette]

Also, does the watch generate VO2 max readings on cycling while using power meters? (I know Garmins do it, don’t know if Apple is going to implement it or not…)

[@grahambowes756]

Great. Thanks for that. Do you know if data collected from cycling workouts will be used for VO2 Max measurement. It would be great if they added this in. Thanks again.

[@AegenemmnoN]

I’m very excited with this update. I’ve been putting off getting a cycling computer so me being able to use my phone is great…. So that I can buy power pedals. Any inexpensive recommendations?

[@sriabhi]

This video popped up and glad i clicked play. Installing beta updates right now -july 27th 2023. Cant wait to test new features this weekend ride to nyack.

[@nicolashenriquez9967]

Hi, you find any document or detailed source about the compatibility of sensors for the bike?

[@User57655]

I get that the watch to phone workout data sync for cycling is intended to encourage 3rd party developers to see what's possible with the new APIs, but I wish Apple had built the feature out a bit more and included some navigation solution. It would have really removed the need for a dedicated bike computer.

[@DesFit]

Integrated navigation is certainly something I'd love to see in the future

[@redgar6467]

Thanks Des. Any chance you can confirm compatibility with Bontrager DuoTrap S Digital Sensor

[@DannyPimienta]

What’s the battery hit for this feature on the Apple Watch compared to a regular tracked ride on just the watch. How does the data look after ride is saved in the native app as well as 3rd party like strava?

[@handyhistorian]

I am really looking forward to monitoring my heart rate on my iPhone during BikeErg workouts instead of raising my wrist several times per minute.

[@GotDamBoi]

are they ever going to add the ability to broadcast heart rate? love my apple watch but whenever I go for a bike ride I have to use my garmin 45 to broadcast HR to my wahoo.

[@anthonykougkas5309]

@DesFit can you give us some examples of other (smart)watches that support external sensors like this? Say I want to buy some external smart sensors for biking, which platform you'd recommend the most? Garmin? Suunto? Polar? maybe something from Android Wear like Galaxy or Pixel watches? I am using a Sense 2 currently but there is no support for even an external heartrate monitor! Please advise

[@jacquespolette]

Does the Watch send workout (like a TrainingPeaks workout) power data to the smart trainer to ride in ERG mode?

[@epaminos]

Hi there, great video and thank you u so much for this. Just a quick question, in the Health app of iOS there are also two new metrics now, “cycling cadence” and “cycling speed”. I got my Garmin Cadence and Speed Sensors 2, and although the cadence is shown in Health app, the speed is not. Is yours shown there? Thanks in advance.

[@johnl1275]

So does watchOS 10 have power zones for running too or just cycling?

[@stoenchu122]

How accurate is the power meter data?

[@paulpells1864]

Does the watch have a stroke counter for table tennis or tennis that can show F/H & B/H topspin and slice/chop. I've seen some being developed as a separate gadget but they never came to fruition, thanks.

[@audio_tron]

Thanks for this detailed look at the new, long overdue cycling features. I have the "DIY Peloton" setup using the QZ app receiving bluetooth data (power, cadence, speed, distance, resistance, etc.) from an Echelon GT indoor bike. It appears the latest watchOS will be able to connect to my bike, receive its data, while my watch contributes HR and whatever else. Cool if true.

[@audio_tron]

Update: watchOS 10 didn’t support connecting to my Echelon GT smart bike that has the metric sensors built in. QZ app can connect. Apple made a deliberate choice here or it’s an oversight. Disappointing.

[@paulrichardson4598]

How have you gone through a cycling video without mentioning strava? Can it connect? How about cycling head units, can I send my heart rate to that now?

[@denizakalay4156]

Hi Des, to change from my Vantage to the Apple Watch I need to have my Watch on the handlebar (no IPhone) and see my heartbeat and power. So it is possible using Apple Health to visualize Heartbeat coming from external Sensors (Polar H10) and see Power at the same time + having the opportunity on route scouting, all in one app?

[@broccoli322]

Great video! Very informative.

[@DesFit]

Glad it was helpful!

[@garthenry]

Unfortunately a paired speed sensor is not used by the watch on outdoor cycling workouts. I was hoping it would use the speed sensor to get more accurate mileage on my mountain bike, but not luck. It seems even with a sensor paired and working, it still only uses the GPS data for mileage.

[@MikelManitius]

So much good information, thank you.

[@DesFit]

You're welcome!

[@JezArnold]

How do you get your watch on OS10? Is it developer, or public beta ? Where do you sign up?

[@syedalikazim]

Thank you 🙏 for a very informative video. I do have a question about cycling Power on Apple Watch… Will it estimate it using Speed & Cadence sensor even if we don’t have a power meter (paddle/crank)? Or we need to pair it with Power meter?

[@user-gl4ws8bg6z]

This is cool but I like to just ride and then look at the data collected by my watch later. I tend to glance at my heart rate occasionally during my ride but I have to watch where I'm going.

[@shwnperera]

Does this update sync accurately with the segment in Strava pro

[@batan07]

Is there a limit to the amount of sensors you can pair? Say, speed, cadence and power at the same time?

[@ivanteo1973]

I wish apple includes an ANT+ connectivity.

[@cenk82]

Battery drain of the iphone or phone heat issues?

[@AurelianNaQ]

Any news on connection options with Garmin Varia ?

[@StalwartMan]

Thank you so much.

[@nayahc1]

Have there been any confirmed cases of how much battery the watch consumes when an external sensor is connected?

[@notaspectator]

Hey thanks for this, its end of May 2024, watchos has received many updates, how do you find the cycling specifically? i have u2

[@RNon21]

Does this update let you see the ebike battery percentage?

[@markphillips5800]

Do any of the Apple watches track VO2max on a stationary bike?

[@dlochs]

Wonder why they don’t add maps to the biking app on iphone. Really need that!!!!

[@venerdian]

How did you actually connect the sensor? I couldn’t see any of my Garmin speed and cadence sensors on the health devices in bluetooth. Also is this only working on ultra? I’ve got series 7 on OS 10.

[@leslie7922]

Had power on my watch for like 8 years already lol

[@donbethel7675]

Is there anyway to delete, or add to the race routes. I only have 4 and they are from a year ago and are very short. I want to be able to add my new routes, but can't find a way. Do you know of a way. Can you ask Apple? Thanks

[@peterullinger2814]

Next, do power zones for running, Apple. Without them, running power is pretty cumbersome to use - surely too cumbersome to use for most people. Without 3rd party support, there´s only a small chance to get somewhat actionable informations out of the mere number on the watch screen.

[@ChrisPhillipsDrumLessons]

Nothing ever shows up in Bluetooth on my Apple Watch

[@EriksBerzinsLV]

I wonder if they fixed the XC Skiing workout - this workout did not track distance :/ Like the indoor workout.

[@TurboLevoWei]

一直覺得手機一定可以連結這些傳感器 然後寫出一款可以跟Garmin Edge系列碼表一樣的功能 這樣就不用再外掛碼表了

[@9to5high]

what is wrapped around your right bicep? Looks like some sort of fabric and piece of metal

[@eblake57]

Will this work with a 3rd party display bluetooth

[@dineshnadar5214]

How about a Cycling computer from Apple similar size of the Karoo 2 running on iOS ❤

[@StavrosMakris]

Would love to see a video on the best bike trainers!

[@DesFit]

I’ll see what I can do!

[@GreenEyeStudios718]

@@DesFitwhat mounts are you using on your bike beside the peak design.

[@hiddesdome8489]

What if I use only one power Meter e.g. on the left pedal? Actually it shows me only half power 😢

[@candayuzgun]

Can we upload recorded activities to Strava??? Thanks.

[@WhooNiki]

Wish it would work on the apple watch 3 too🙈

[@Gufolicious]

Looking jacked des

[@kenshomi2]

My ultra shows it’s sharing with my phone. No prompt on my 14 pro my activity is being shared? Is there a setting I need to enable ? OS 10 & 17.0.1

[@markcurphey]

But still no V02 Max ? A giant gap that keeps me on Garmin :-(

[@surfnsocal]

can confirm speed and cadence work from a Schwinn IC4 bike in the latest public beta. However power will not show up. i’ve been using MPaceline and Kinetic for over a year and both apps capture speed, cadence and power. so close Apple…

[@megan8494]

Thank you for this! What are those other mounts you have there?

[@DesFit]

The other mounts on my bars are for bike computers, specifically those are Garmin quarter turn mounts but they work with many bike computers. Thanks!

[@nutrinos]

I'm concerned about the battery drain on the iphone ?

[@Steven_Pelham]

You have to have a power meter to track power on Apple Watch, right? I initially thought there would be some type of power estimate based on weight, HR, etc. like you see on Strava after a ride has been uploaded. Great vid, thx!

[@DesFit]

Correct, you need a power meter on the Apple Watch. The estimated power on Strava is in the same neighborhood as the ballpark but maybe not in the ballpark itself ;) It can't take into account variables like wind so it's something to be taken with a grain of salt. Thanks!

[@mikec9162]

Unfortunately to my knowledge there is no desktop dashboard or Garmin Connect compatibility.

[@mikad6110]

If I load it up to Strava, they didn’t show the power :(

[@Gabrielslee]

This is amazing! Any idea if this feature will be available I’m Malaysia? Would be worth just going with this than investing into a new bike computer.

[@DesFit]

I don't think the cycling related features are region-dependent. I can't imagine a reason they wouldn't be available everywhere unless there's local laws restricting cell phone use on handlebars?

[@BenjaminWasHere]

Blood Pressure Please

[@dandicristina1389]

Why not get a garmin computer or a wahoo I don’t like using my phone as a computer even though I use it for Strava

[@channel8048]

I think using the phone is great. However, I tried that before and the phone quickly overheated from being in the sun. I wonder if there is a way to prevent this.

[@ketle369]

Move to a less sunnier place 😂. I think for real cyclists a dedicated head unit still is the way to go. Only thing I’m missing is HR broadcasting so I can ditch my HR strap. I will still use my Wahoo Bolt and HR monitor for training, but maybe I’ll just use the watch when commuting and add a hr warning ⚠️ so I don’t ride in huger zone than zone 2.

[@NickBotha]

I really like the iPhone display 🍺

[@tkdadidas]

Sorry for this question but how do you get the workout to display on your iPhone in the first place? Ive tried everything and up until I just watched this video I didnt even knew you could do that

[@DerNeddeMann]

It pops up on the Lock Screen once the workout is happening

[@art-van-delay]

Interesting. What if you already have connected a wahoo bolt to your sensors, do they support multi-connection to more than one device? Or can I connect my wahoo to the apple watch to aggregates the collected data? That'd be interesting.

[@DesFit]

If your sensors have ANT+ as well as BT then you probably won't have any issues if you're connecting them via ANT+ to your Wahoo Bolt, leaving the BT connections on your sensors open to connect to your Apple watch.

[@danspieth]

Is there a way to get the Apple Watch to share heart rate with a cycling computer like Element Bolt or Roam?

[@BryanBryan7]

I want this answer also?

[@ericlessard3628]

I use Strava as a middle man to upload data to my training software, have you had trouble uploading power data from the watch to Strava?

[@DesFit]

That’s not syncing over at this point in time to Strava, likely just a beta thing

[@am7jeremy]

Will the cycling/power meter feature for Watch OS10 be available for non Ultra watches?

[@DesFit]

Yup, any Apple Watch that supports WatchOS 10

[@frankreyes4]

No fat on this video. Perfect

[@DesFit]

👍

[@nkeet89]

Surprising to see you still wearing a whoop. Is it part of a long term test or is it a daily wear?

[@DesFit]

Just some follow-up tests. It's offering more features now at a lower price so wanted to do a long-term revisit.

[@Zane_Zaminsky]

@@DesFitI purchased WHOOP 4.0 because of the Stress Monitor and Strength Trainer, and I think the device and app are terrific! 😉

[@IbrahimObertoLucero]

Today I was able to check the improvements in WatchOS 10 data collection, but I see that I cannot synchronize my route in STRAVA

[@FernalAnthony]

@DesFit i the power meter functionality only available on the Ultra watches, or will normal Apple watches receive this functionality too?

[@DesFit]

Any Apple Watch that supports WatchOS 10

[@nesvarigi]

It shows time as 88 minutes instead of 1h and 28min. Does it always represent time in minutes?

[@2caballos]

On the current OS it switches after 89m59s to 1h30m if I remember correctly

[@GregoireM]

Thanks for this video. Does Bluetooth pairing require an Ultra Watch? Or does it work with series 9 or older?

[@DesFit]

It does not require an Ultra. The WatchOS 10 features are available all the way back to the Series 4.

[@GregoireM]

@@DesFit Good to read, thank you!

[@LuisMartinsmw]

If it wasn’t for the garmin radar support this would replace my head computer

[@VisualRituals]

I dont know how this was missed - but Strava is blocking the feed import for cycling power meter data from Watch OS 10

[@DesFit]

It’s not about blocking and more about adding it to the integration. I’m sure now that it’s public that’s ok the list.

[@lankymario7189]

only thing I want is to let the watch to broadcast HR to my bike computer.

[@KevinExizt]

can the apple watch connect to any power meter like pedal and crank?

[@DesFit]

As long as it’s Bluetooth

[@yogigillette]

Are the new Apple features compatible with Strava? Seems like it competes with Strava. I like to keep track of my rides in Strava

[@DesFit]

Power data currently doesn't sync over to Strava using the native Health workout sync but that may just be a beta thing. Strava is more of a social platform as well as a place for athletes to keep track of their training, where these cycling related features extend the functionality of an Apple Watch to help it compete more in the sports-focused watch market, like Garmin watches. Strava is more of an agnostic place to collect and share data from numerous devices regardless of manufacturer.

[@MigsLife]

@@DesFit Will Strava import the speed and cadence data gathered from external sensors?

[@ReverbUser42]

This is huge for me. I was just about to buy a cheap cycling computer to display speed and some metrics because reading it off my watch is hard. Thanks apple. This is alright

[@markwebster243]

Will it combine with the garmin varia?

[@DesFit]

No such support at this point in time

[@kuau714]

Though it still can't broadcast HR over Bluetooth bummer

[@eberger02]

Think there’s a free app called ‘echo’ that does that. I don’t think optical sensors at the wrist are that accurate so I haven’t tested it though. I have a discrete optical sensor which goes higher up my arm. In theory I think it’s possible though.

[@rivoltalucifer8810]

Can you pair garmin varia/radar to the apple watch?

[@DesFit]

Nope

[@NeedForSpeed.2004]

I don’t really use this feature much but apparently riding a 4 wheeler counts as cycling and therefore I’m exercising.

[@thediscoman2001]

bit to late now iv just bought another watch

[@diondias47]

Can we connect external HR sensor?

[@DesFit]

Yup!

[@joemurphy4489]

How buggy is the current public beta? Unsure should I update watch and iphone to os10

[@DesFit]

Some oddities here and there which is to be expected but haven't lost any workouts or anything like that

[@User57655]

Battery life definitely takes a hit, if you can live with that then they seem ok

[@zedsprocket5857]

Does the power metric work indoors buddy 👍

[@DesFit]

Yes, power meter data can be collected both indoors and outdoors when the Apple Watch is paired with a cycling power meter.

[@WorstSanta]

Does it control smart trainer in ERG mode with structural training?

[@DesFit]

It does not provide smart trainer control, it just can collect the data being transmitted

[@movdqa]

Can the Apple Watch read power metrics from the Keiser m3i?

[@DesFit]

It should pick it up as long as your power meter transmits via bluetooth

[@movdqa]

@@DesFit It does transmit via Bluetooth but you typically have to use an app to display the information. It has been generally difficult to get the bike to work with other devices though it has Bluetooth. You usually need some specific software on the client side. There are also different versions of the bike - in an earlier generation, Keiser sold a converter box and now that converter functionality is in the base model. I do not really know what that converter box does as I don't have one but it's supposed to allow you to connect the bike with some other devices.

[@DesFit]

Hmm, sounds like you may have an edge case with that trainer. Unfortunately I don’t have one to do any testing.