The battle of cycling data is getting interesting.
For a long time, Garmin was the obvious choice for cyclists who wanted to go beyond simple GPS tracking. Apple, for its part, remained primarily associated with daily activity tracking, running, and fitness.
But gradually, the Apple Watch has started to speak the language of cycling.
And the gap is closing.
APPLE CLEARLY WANTS TO ATTRACT MORE CYCLISTS
The Apple Watch is now capable of handling data much more relevant to cycling training: power, cadence, power zones, FTP, heart rate, and other metrics can be part of the experience depending on the equipment used.
The watch can also connect to compatible Bluetooth cycling accessories.
Result: for cyclists who already own an Apple Watch, the need to immediately buy an additional sports device becomes less obvious.
And that is probably where the shift is most significant.
Apple is no longer just looking to record your ride. The brand also wants to support your training.
BUT GARMIN KEEPS PUSHING FORWARD
The problem for Apple is that Garmin is obviously not standing still.
The recent Edge 550 and Edge 850 clearly show the direction taken by the brand: cycling navigation, Garmin Cycling Coach plans, performance analysis, real-time weather, and even custom alerts for nutrition and hydration during the ride.
Garmin also continues to develop its cycling ecosystem: Edge bike computers, power meters, Varia radars and lights, heart rate monitors, and other connected accessories.
And that is precisely where the difference remains significant.
CAN A WATCH REALLY REPLACE A GPS BIKE COMPUTER?
For many cyclists, increasingly, yes.
If the goal is to record rides, track your effort, and analyze your main data after cycling, an Apple Watch can already cover a large part of the needs.
But as soon as rides become longer or more complex, the dedicated bike computer retains a clear advantage.
A map constantly visible in front of you, data accessible at a glance, navigation specifically designed for cycling, and compatibility with an entire ecosystem of accessories remain difficult to replace with a watch on the wrist.
The Edge 550 and 850, for example, boast up to 36 hours of battery life in power-saving mode.
On a two-hour ride, that's not necessarily a deciding factor.
On a long-distance event, a big day of gravel riding, or a bike trip, it can be much more so.
APPLE IS CATCHING UP TO GARMIN, BUT NOT EVERYWHERE YET
The novelty is therefore not that Apple has "beaten" Garmin.
It's rather that the choice is finally becoming interesting.
For the casual or multisport cyclist who already owns an Apple Watch, buying a dedicated GPS immediately is becoming less and less essential.
For those who ride for a long time, regularly follow routes, use a rear radar, work precisely on their training, or want all their information directly on the handlebars, Garmin retains a very concrete lead.
The boundary is moving.
And if Apple continues to invest in cycling at the same pace, the next device Garmin will really need to watch out for might not be a new GPS bike computer.
It will be the watch that millions of people are already wearing on their wrists.
