Why Cadence Is the Ultimate GPS Tracking App for Cyclists Who Ride with Their Phones

If you’re a cyclist who already carries a cell phone for emergencies, why not make it work harder for you? Instead of spending hundreds on a dedicated GPS cycling computer, you can mount your phone and use Cadence, a powerful GPS tracking app that turns your smartphone into a feature-rich cycling companion.

Key Features of Cadence

  • Extensive Customization: Cadence lets you tailor your ride screens with the metrics you care about most—speed, cadence, power, heart rate, and more.
  • Voice Announcements: A very useful feature, speaks up to 50 announcements such as  speed, total distance, and heart rate. This is where Strava seemed to fall short.
  • Strava Integration: Sync your rides directly to Strava with ease. No extra steps, no hassle.
  • Rich Data Tracking: From elevation gain to interval analysis, Cadence captures nearly everything you’d expect from a high-end cycling computer.
  • Free vs Paid: The free version covers most essentials, but the paid version unlocks advanced features like deeper analytics and additional customization.

Cadence vs Strava

While Strava is fantastic for social sharing and post-ride analysis, it’s not the best real-time cycling computer. Cadence fills that gap by offering live metrics and customizable dashboards during your ride. Think of Strava as your social hub and Cadence as your performance cockpit.

Why I Prefer Cadence Over a Dedicated GPS Device

A cell phone is practically essential these days for emergencies, navigation, and staying connected. If you’re carrying it anyway, why not mount it and use it as your cycling computer? This approach saves money, reduces clutter, and leverages a device you already own.

Weight Comparison: Garmin vs iPhone

Cyclists often obsess over weight, so let’s compare:

  • Garmin Edge 530: ~75 grams
  • Garmin Edge 830: ~79 grams
  • Garmin Edge 1040: ~126 grams
  • My iPhone 13 Mini: 141 grams

That’s right—my phone weighs just slightly more than Garmin’s largest unit. Considering you’re carrying your phone regardless, adding a mount is negligible compared to buying another device.

Drawbacks of Typical Cycling Computers

  • Limited Customization: Most cycling computers have fixed layouts.
  • Extra Cost: High-end units can cost $300–$600.
  • Redundant Device: You still need your phone for emergencies and navigation.

Cadence solves these issues by turning your phone into a fully customizable cycling computer.

Final Thoughts

If you want to elevate your cycling experience even further, a dedicated computer is still a great investment—especially for ultra-long rides or racing. But for most riders, Cadence offers an unbeatable combination of convenience, customization, and cost-effectiveness.