We’re all searching for the Holy Grail of cycling computers – a head unit that’s as intuitive to get to grips with from initial unboxing, as it is through each pedal stroke, and to the end of every ride – and beyond.
The Hammerhead Karoo nails that brief. With a supremely usable touchscreen and buttons, peerless connectivity, data-rich interface, class-leading navigation, more than 35 hours battery life, and an attractive price, it’s the kind of cycling computer you’d be lost without. The most advanced – yet intuitive – cycling computer out there.
Here’s what makes it the instinctive choice for thousands of riders on road, gravel and beyond…
Function and connection
It’s not often you can say there’s beauty in a product’s functionality, but the Karoo’s advanced, intuitive interface makes planning, performing and sharing rides a joy. Of course, it’s ANT+ compatible, allowing you to reliably connect heartrate monitors, power meters and the like, but where the Hammerhead unit goes above and beyond is in its sheer usability.
The fully customisable interface features a super-clear, smartphone-quality 3.2in Gorilla Glass touchscreen that’s a doddle to operate with fingertips, and which reacts to ambient light conditions. Maps and directions are never less than clear, regardless of how you customise the display.
Wearing full-finger gloves? Not a problem; the head unit’s features are also accessible with responsive side-mounted buttons. Riding for more than just the fun of it? The Karoo makes hitting training goals a cinch, with automatic syncing for TraningPeaks and TrainerRoad.
The computer that listens
Beyond its inherent usability, one of the unique strengths of the Karoo is its bi-weekly software updates, regularly adding new features informed by real world user feedback, and its use by some of the planet’s most demanding pro riders.
This forward-thinking approach builds on, and benefits from, the strength of the Karoo community, demonstrating a thirst for improvement and a commitment to the head unit’s strengths on the road. Put simply, this computer packs the most agile software on the market.
Joined-up thinking
The Hammerhead Karoo was designed alongside the all-new SRAM RED AXS electronic groupset – the knock-on benefit of Hammerhead now being part of the American component manufacturer’s portfolio of brands.
In practice, this means you can configure your wireless groupset – from shifters to chainrings – from the head unit of the Karoo. It offers quick and easy sign-on, automatic sensor pairing, and battery management, as well as – obviously – compatibility with other brands’ wireless groupsets.
Route to glory
In the modern era of road riding, a cycling computer is nothing without navigation. And the Karoo has that covered like nothing else. Reliable, cycling-specific GPS-powered navigation ensures you never miss a turn, and you can ride safe in the knowledge that the head unit will present you with instant, automatic rerouting if your plans change.
Beeper notifications tell you when it’s time to turn, and even warn of approaching traffic. Crucially, for those of us who love a climb, the Karoo will even auto-detect ascents, providing a comprehensive gradient profile which allows you to meter your efforts.
Got a thirst for adventure? The Karoo lets you easily build your own route – whatever the surface or terrain – through the Hammerhead Dashboard, allowing riders to add custom points of interest. You can even download your routes for use on other devices.
Ultimate companion
As well as class-leading functionality at your fingertips, the Hammerhead Karoo talks with your mobile phone to offer astonishing scope for freedom, flexibility – and security – with its iOS and Android-compatible companion app.
Data-rich live tracking allows you to share not only your location with loved ones, but also your current and average speed, ride time, ascent and battery life, for ultimate peace of mind.
Meeting pals at the coffee shop? The companion app lets you instantly navigate to a shared pin from Google and Apple Maps. It also allows simple route upload and syncing without Wi-Fi, as well as handy features like intuitive re-routing.
Is there nothing this compact computer can’t do?
• The Hammerhead Karoo costs £450, and is available here
