It's a pleasure to ride on a quiet road. Cars are few and far between, and you can enjoy long stretches in peace.
But you don't always hear a car coming from behind. Wind rushes past your ears and your tyres make noise, especially on gravel. A car may already be approaching before you can hear it.
A bike radar alerts you through your bike computer. You'll see the approaching vehicle on the screen and hear an alert too.
That's why I wouldn't head out on the road without a radar. I want to know when traffic is approaching from behind. It's just as useful on gravel rides and commutes.
Price has often been the problem with bike radars. Nearly €200 is a lot of money, even when the benefits are clear. It's easy to put off buying one.
My shop now has two options for around €100. The CYCPLUS L7 costs €99 and the Magene L508 costs €109. Alongside them is the Wahoo TRACKR RADAR at €189.
Magene L508 is my recommendation for most cyclists. I think it offers the best balance of price and features. It costs just 10 euros more than the CYCPLUS L7 and works with either a compatible bike computer or a phone app.
CYCPLUS L7 is worth considering if long battery life is your priority. Wahoo TRACKR RADAR is the more expensive option for riders who prioritise radar tracking accuracy. It has earned praise in tests for stable tracking and distinguishing multiple vehicles.
All three combine a radar and a rear light in one unit. The light helps others see you, while the radar tells you about approaching traffic.
With the Magene L508 and CYCPLUS L7, you can also hear radar alerts through Bluetooth headphones. Your phone acts as the link: connect the radar to a compatible phone app and your headphones to the phone. That way, you can hear an alert when a car approaches, even without a separate bike computer.
Wahoo TRACKR RADAR does not currently support this way of using radar alerts. It requires a compatible bike computer or sports watch to receive them.
I think the Magene and CYCPLUS are reasonably priced. If the price has put you off buying a radar, it's worth taking another look now.
If you use a saddle bag, it can be difficult to find space for a radar on the seatpost. The Lupine UFO saddle bag is a good option here.
It has a Garmin-style mount at the back, which the CYCPLUS L7 fits straight onto. The Magene L508 also fits when you rotate the mount 90 degrees. No separate adaptor is needed.
This puts the radar behind the bag. Inside, there's room for things like an inner tube, tyre levers and a multi-tool.
See the bike radars in my shop. If you'd like help choosing a radar that works with your bike computer, let me know which model you have and I'll help.
