Wahoo TRACKR RADAR Review

Staying visible is the key to safety on the road. But, having eyes on the back of your head also helps. Wahoo’s new TRACKR RADAR brings Wahoo’s class-leading user-experience to the bike radar party and does it with functionality you won’t find elsewhere.

Wahoo TRACKR RADAR Features:

• Detects cars up to 150m away
• Unique features like brake light, quick alert and battery saver
• High-flash mode is 53 lumens
• Mode memory remembers the last ride setting
• IPX7 waterproof design
• MSRP: $249

Wahoo delivers a smarter radar

For years, the Garmin Varia was basically the only bike radar option on the market. Last year, the Trek CarBack hit the streets and this year, the Wahoo TRACKR RADAR comes in swinging a big stick with unique features I’m really digging.

Let’s start off with the form-factor of the TRACKR RADAR. Well, of all the attributes of this radar, the size is the elephant in the room. The combination of the mount and unit is huge. Aftermarket mounts may reduce some of the bulk, but if you’re lucky enough to have a Cannondale SuperSix EVO, it actually tucks nicely right into the little notch at the rear of the aero seatpost. Rubber inserts are included for round/aero, D-shape, and flat seatposts. Out of the box, it comes with the round/aero insert, which works great with the SuperSix and other aero seatposts.

It honestly took me a couple of tries to figure out how to use the attachment clip on the rubber strap. Initially, I thought it was a lever and I couldn’t figure it out, so I pulled the opposite side from the mount. I eventually figured it out — don’t be like me and just pull the ribbed clip forward to release it. Easy peasy. 

Of course it has a USB-C charging port and it’s easily charged when needed. While I do have a brand new Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM V3 in for review, I’ve been working my way through the COROS DURA and the new Hammerhead Karoo first, so you’ll have to wait for that review. But, since the Wahoo TRACKR RADAR is compatible with each of those head units, consider this the non-Wahoo TRACKR RADAR review. In short… it works great, so don’t worry about staying on-brand with this unit.

Battery drain has been vexing throughout my testing. When idle in the garage, it will burn through battery at about a 15% per day clip. I thought it was due to being paired to the DURA, but has done the same thing with the new Karoo Hammerhead just one time, but since. Is it turning on overnight and depleting battery? Dunno. I do know that while riding, it burns about 10% battery per hour with “Battery Saver” and multi-flash enabled. That mode will decrease the luminosity while no cars are detected, which is a very cool feature. Firmware updates have been regular, so maybe the battery drain issue will be discovered and addressed soon?

Digging in further for on-bike performance, the TRACKR RADAR is outstanding. I have found the Trek CarBack to be awesome at detecting vehicles from a longer distance, but the built-in settings on the TRACKR RADAR put this over-the-top. Let’s start with the Brake Light function. I love that vehicles and other riders will be notified that I’m slowing down — such a nice touch. And, the Quick Alert Light that blinks obnoxiously when a vehicle is first detected is also genius. I’ll take anything I can get to see and be seen on the road.

With all the bells-and-whistles that Wahoo gave this unit, I’m surprised that they didn’t put in a brighter light. While the 53-lumen high flash mode is admirable, it falls short of the Garmin Varia’s 65 lumens and gets beaten to a pulp by the Trek CarBack’s 90 lumens. I think Wahoo could do better.

Like other units, it does get false positives when the sun is shining directly at the radar (early mornings while riding west, for example). And, it will also miss vehicles traveling at your same speed. As always, verify, verify, verify and don’t just blindly trust the radar for your safety. I’ve found it to be 95% accurate, but there is a margin for error with all radars, so double-check.

As with other radars, when a vehicle is coming at a high rate of speed, an alert will sound and be shown on your chosen head unit. I love that added peace-of-mind when I’m head’s down and focused more on my watts than vehicles. Optimizing on-bike battery life is also possible by changing the light pattern or brightness — or for night use. For me, I 100% of the time opt for the most obnoxious blinking during daytime hours. I do that with each radar or light I use. I’m glad the TRACKR RADAR remembers my last setting and rolls with it.

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