For mountain bikers, a GPS mountain bike watch is essential for maximising performance and exploring new trails in complete safety. This comparison highlights the best options from leading brands such as Garmin, Suunto and Polar. Discover the key features of each watch to choose the one that best suits your needs and will accompany you on your mountain bike outings. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the perfect tool to enhance your cycling adventures.
Our selection of the best mountain bike GPS
Discover our selection of mountain bike watches to meet the needs of every mountain biker.
Garmin Fenix 7: The best GPS watch
The Garmin Fenix 7 is the perfect GPS multisport watch for mountain bikers. It combines performance and everyday functions with a 1.3-inch touchscreen, a robust military-standard casing and impressive battery life. It offers a variety of sports profiles, multi-continent mapping and advanced health monitoring.
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro boasts a brighter HD MIP screen, improved battery life, an integrated solar sensor and an LED torch. These improvements make it an even more attractive option for outdoor sports enthusiasts.
Choosing a Garmin Fenix 7 or Fenix 7 Pro means opting for a hard-wearing, versatile watch capable of tracking your performance and accompanying you in the toughest environments. These watches offer detailed analysis of your exploits and practical functions for everyday use.
Advantages and disadvantages of Garmin Fenix 7 (and 7 Pro)
| Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| ✅ Robust (military standards) ✅ Multi-continent mapping ✅ Long autonomy ✅ Advanced health monitoring ✅ LED torch and solar sensor (7 Pro) | ❌ High price ❌ Complex interface ❌ Impressive size |
Suunto Race: An alternative to Garmin
Suunto Race is a reliable and versatile GPS multisport watch. With the artificial intelligence-based Suunto Coach, it optimises your training and monitors your heart rate with a built-in electrocardiogram. It supports over 95 sports, including running, cycling and swimming.
It offers precise positioning with its GPS, complemented by a barometer and compass. Offline mapping and the 'Little Thumb' function make navigation easy. Its 1.43-inch AMOLED touchscreen and ergonomic thumbwheel make it easy to use, even in direct sunlight.
The Suunto Race boasts a battery life of 50 hours in performance mode with GPS and 16 days in normal use. It allows you to receive notifications, analyse your progress and recovery, and plan your training sessions using the Suunto application.
Advantages and disadvantages of Suunto Race
| Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| ✅ AI Suunto Coach for optimised training ✅ Off-line cartography and "little thumb" function ✅ 50h GPS autonomy ✅ Bright AMOLED screen ✅ Easy-to-use ergonomic knob | ❌ Robustness inferior to Garmin ❌ Less intuitive map navigation ❌ Less conventional autonomy |
Coros Pace 3: The Coros GPS watch, an affordable watch with premium features
Ideal for keen mountain bikers, the Coros Pace 3 is an ultra-light GPS watch that excels in rough terrain. Its latest-generation dual-frequency GPS ensures ultra-precise tracking of your outings, even in dense forest cover. Stay on course with the breadcrumb trail and deviation alerts that keep you on track.
Track your performance in real time with the built-in heart rate sensor and view your elevation profile to anticipate technical sections. The 1.2″ touchscreen remains perfectly legible in bright sunlight or at night.
With an impressive battery life of 38 hours in GPS mode, it'll be with you on your longest rides. Its COROS application lets you create your own routes and access personalised training programmes. Waterproof and robust, it's also ideal for other outdoor activities.
Summary
| Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| ✅ Highly accurate dual-frequency GPS ✅ Multisport with functions tailored to each discipline ✅ Very light (30g) and comfortable to wear ✅ Waterproof (5 ATM) for use in all weathers | ❌ No detailed mapping, only track following ❌ Autonomy reduced to 15 hours with all systems and dual frequency activated |
Suunto 9 Peak: A top-of-the-range watch
The Suunto 9 Baro Black is a GPS multisport watch designed for the most demanding sportsmen and women. With its robust design including Sapphire crystal, polyamide case and steel bezel, it is capable of withstanding the most extreme conditions. Water-resistant to 100 metres, it offers reliable protection during your outdoor activities.
This watch is distinguished by its intelligent battery management system, providing battery life of between 25 and 120 hours with GPS tracking activated. It has three predefined battery modes (Performance, Endurance and Ultra), and an integrated heart rate monitor for precise tracking of your sporting and daily activities.
The Suunto 9 Baro Black offers more than 80 sports modes, advanced navigation and measurement functions, including FusedTrack technology for optimum tracking accuracy. Its outdoor functions, such as barometer, altimeter and weather, are particularly useful for mountain and mountain bike enthusiasts.
Summary
| Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| ✅ Robust design (sapphire crystal) ✅ Smart battery modes (25 to 120h GPS) ✅ FusedTrack for accurate tracking ✅ Comprehensive outdoor functions (barometer, altimeter, weather) | ❌ Non-AMOLED screen ❌ Dated user interface ❌ High price for standard autonomy |
Polar Grit X: A GPS watch ideal for mountain biking
The Polar Grit X2 Pro is a robust, high-performance GPS multisport watch, ideal for trail runners and outdoor adventurers. It offers precise geolocation thanks to its dual-frequency GPS and detailed maps that can be accessed offline. Elixir technology analyses a range of biological markers, including an electrocardiogram, for precise monitoring of your physical condition.
With over 150 sports profiles, this watch optimises each session and tracks your progress and recovery 24 hours a day. Compliant with military standards and waterproof to 100 metres, it can withstand the most extreme conditions.
It has a battery life of up to 10 days in smartwatch mode and 43 hours in high-performance mode with GPS. Its high-resolution AMOLED touchscreen and sapphire crystal glass ensure excellent legibility and durability.
Advantages and disadvantages of Polar Grit X2 Pro
| Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| ✅ GPS accuracy (dual frequency) ✅ Offline cards ✅ 50h GPS autonomy ✅ High-resolution AMOLED screen ✅ Resistance to military standards | ❌ Limited battery life (43h in high-performance GPS mode). ❌ Fewer advanced navigation options |
Garmin Fenix 8: Garmin's new technological monster
La Garmin Fenix 8 has established itself as the new benchmark for top-of-the-range outdoor watches. This latest iteration retains the robust DNA of the range while refining its design, with a case resistant to extreme conditions and a screen offering exceptional readability in bright sunlight.
In technical terms, the watch stands out for its multi-GNSS which provides surgically accurate tracking, even in difficult conditions such as dense woodland or urban canyons. Performance analysis has also been improved, particularly for trail runners, with a refined VO2 max measurement that takes into account the difference in altitude.
Autonomy, a crucial factor for ultra-trailers, has reached new heights with a ultra-fast charging allowing you to recover an hour's GPS recording for just ten minutes' charging. The watch can operate for up to 48 hours in high-precision GPS mode and for up to 30 days in standard connected use, setting the bar very high for the competition.
Advantages and disadvantages of Garmin Fenix 8
| Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| ✅ Ultra-precise GPS (multi-GNSS) ✅ Ultra-fast recharge ✅ Impressive battery life (48h GPS) ✅ Advanced performance analysis (VO2 max, ascent) ✅ Robust design and perfect legibility | ❌ Very high price ❌ Complexity for beginners ❌ Imposing size and weight |
Why use a GPS watch for mountain biking?
There are many advantages to using a GPS watch for mountain biking. It allows you to track your performance in real time, including distance covered, speed, altitude and calories burned. Thanks to the GPS function, you can explore new trails without worrying about getting lost, as you'll always have access to your exact position and the ability to retrace your steps. What's more, these watches are often equipped with heart rate sensors and other fitness tracking tools, helping you to better manage your effort and optimise your workouts. Finally, the robustness and durability of these watches make them ideal for the extreme conditions encountered when mountain biking.
How do you choose your mountain bike watch?
Choosing a mountain bike watch depends on a number of key criteria. First, consider the battery life, especially if you're planning long rides. Make sure the watch is water and shock resistant, especially if you're riding in rough conditions. The GPS should be accurate and, ideally, support several satellite systems for better coverage. Additional features such as heart rate tracking, offline maps and pre-loaded sports profiles for various types of activity are also important. Finally, check the watch's ergonomics: a sunlight-readable screen and an intuitive user interface can greatly enhance your experience.
Which brand of watch should I choose?
The choice of brand depends on your specific needs and budget. Garmin is renowned for its robust and versatile watches, such as the Garmin Fenix 7, which offers a wide range of functions and excellent battery life. Suunto, with models such as the Suunto 9 Baro Black and the Suunto Race, stands out for the precision of its instruments and the robustness of its watches, which are ideal for extreme conditions. Polar, with watches like the Polar Grit X2 Pro, offers innovative options for tracking fitness and sports performance. Each brand has its strengths, so it's important to choose the one that best suits your needs and personal preferences.
What features does a mountain bike watch have?
A connected watch designed for mountain biking must first and foremost have a Accurate GPS and reliable mapping. These two elements are fundamental for following your routes with complete peace of mind. A barometric altimeter is also essential for accurately measuring the difference in altitude, which is essential for mountain biking.
La resistance to extreme conditions is essential: your watch must be robust and resistant to shocks and bad weather. At least IPX7 certification is recommended to guarantee water resistance. Autonomy is also a crucial criterion: choose a model that offers at least 10 hours of use in GPS mode so that you don't run out of battery on long outings.
To track your performance, the watch must incorporate a heart rate sensor and measure basic data such as speed, distance and time. The navigation and guidance function is particularly useful for exploring new trails with confidence. Finally, synchronisation with a mobile app makes it easy to analyse your data after your outings.
For more experienced mountain bikers, some watches offer advanced functionalities such as tracking pedalling dynamics or detecting jumps. These options, although not essential, can enrich your experience and help you to progress in your cycling.
What is the best price for a MTB watch?
The ideal budget depends on your level and your needs:
- Between €200 and €300: Entry-level watches with essential functions (GPS, cardio, altimeter). Suitable for beginners and occasional cyclists.
- Between €300 and €500: Good value for money, with advanced features and longer battery life. Recommended for regular use.
- Over €500: Top-of-the-range watches with comprehensive functions, excellent battery life and premium materials. For demanding or competitive mountain bikers.
The investment should be consistent with your riding style. A €300-400 watch is generally an excellent compromise for most mountain bikers.
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