Wahoo Tickr heart rate monitor review

Thinking of investing in a heart rate monitor to gain access to more reliable data than you can get from your triathlon watch? James Witts tests the Wahoo Tickr to see if it’s the answer you’re looking for.

Wahoo Tickr review

In days of yore, heart-rate straps accompanied a product. Then Steve Jobs and his tech contemporaries created smartphones and apps, leading to stand-alone straps like this from Wahoo, the Tickr being one of the first ones to market back in 2014.

Simply download the Wahoo app and, via your Tickr, you can turn your phone into a multisport training tool.

Alternatively, the Tickr’s ANT+ and Bluetooth compatible, meaning it syncs with your bike computer whether it’s Wahoo or not (we tested on our Garmin and it synced seamlessly).

Battery life is impressive – up to 500 hours – but the clipless nature of the sensor and battery unit means this isn’t designed for swimming. But hold fire on discounting the Tickr as it’ll come into its own this off-season as you ride indoors, because it effortlessly syncs with the likes of Zwift to display your heart-rate data.

Throw in the power data emanating from your smart bike or smart trainer and for less than £40 you’ve turned your indoor riding into a holistic set-up.

We tested the Tickr but triathletes might want to splash out an extra £25 on the TickrX (£64.99). Not only does it give you cycling cadence, but also running metrics similar to the likes of the Garmin HRM-Pro Plus.

This syncs to whatever multisport watch you possess as long as your watch is ‘smart’ enough.

Verdict: An impressive training tool for a good price.

Score: 89%

Also consider…

Garmin HRM Pro Plus

If you’re looking for something that’ll deliver across all three triathlon disciplines, you may want to consider the Garmin HRM Pro Plus.

It not only provides basic data like steps, all-day heart rate and calories burnt, but also detailed swim data.

Add to that a range of running data, such as ground contact time and run power, and you’ll quickly have more info than you know what to do with.

Connectivity is via Bluetooth and ANT+, and it’ll link with platforms like Zwift, plus your multisport watch.