For many, putting on you heart rate strap has been a part of your preparation for as long as you can remember. For me, it goes back at least 35 years using a Polar watch and chest strap, well before heart rate was integrated into the old Vetta computer that was wired onto my Trek TX900 road bike or 930 mountain bike. It is still an important metric used to track training and performance, and Wahoo has a new chest strap aimed to make it more comfortable and environmentally friendly. The new TRACKR Heart Rate is the first of a new line of sensors to help you collect data both outdoors and on the trainer, or any time you are training.
Sensors are one of those things that you don’t think about much, until they are not working. Many times, it’s because that coin cell battery is dead. For the TRACKR Heart Rate, the new sensor is now rechargeable using a dedicated charging cable that connects to the pod, and is rated to last for over 100 hours of activity. Instead of popping a new battery in, you can now plug it in and let charge like you would you ELEMNT computer. Coin cells can be a pain to find in a pinch, can be a choking hazard for kids, and have an environmental impact once they have been used up.
Reliability and accuracy are the two key requirements of any sensor. With new and improved processing technology, the TRACKR ticks both boxes. It is IPX7 rated to protect it from your sweat and the elements, and features an advanced detection algorithm to provide accurate, real-time heart rate data to your device. It uses both ANT+ and can connect to multiple devices through Bluetooth, allowing you to connect to a cycling computer, watch, phone, exercise equipment, or any other device that connects through those protocols. So whether you are out on your bike, running with your watch, or maybe inside using your phone or tablet and an app, you’ll be connected.
Comfort is another focus. If it isn’t comfortable, you won’t wear it. The previous design used the pod itself to connect either side of the band. The new TRACKR Heart Rate wraps around you with a soft, stretchy band, and connects on the side with a plastic hook through a loop in the band. It is adjustable with a sliding plastic buckle. The sensor pads are built into the strap, and two metal snaps connects the pod to the sensors. To be honest, this is all pretty standard, but is none the less, a comfortable design.
“We are thrilled to launch the TRACKR Heart Rate monitor, ” said Gareth Joyce, CEO of Wahoo. “Our goal was to create a device that athletes can rely on for accurate data, unmatched comfort, and seamless integration with their training ecosystems. TRACKR HEART RATE is designed to meet the needs of the most demanding athletes, providing them with the tools to optimize their training and achieve their performance goals.”
The TRACKR Heart Rate is the first part of the new TRACKR line that will launch later this year and into 2025. No word on what else will be included, but I’d expect to see things like speed and cadence sensors, and maybe something like a cadence pod for running. Wahoo says the new line will “enable endurance athletes to build their personalized ecosystem for indoor and outdoor training to precisely measure their unique performance goals.”
The TRACKR Heart Rate is available now. Pricing is $89.99.
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
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