Search
shop

Hammerhead Karoo 2 – could it be the best cycle computer available?

The Karoo 2 is out and it looks to improve on an already solid platform. Could it the best cycle computer you can buy right now?
Last updated -

For many reasons, we loved the original Hammerhead Karoo cycle computer. The Karoo 2 is out now and it looks to improve on an already solid platform. Is the Karoo 2 the best cycle computer you can buy right now?

We reviewed the original Karoo back in 2019. It’s very obvious that a lot of work has gone into the development of the latest model. The whole package has shrunk in dimensions considerably.

The basics:

  • Price: £359
  • 3.2” Display with 16.7 million colours, 292 psi, 480×800 resolution
  • Smartphone-like capacitive screen with mud and rain droplet rejection
  • Fully button controllable if required
  • Water and dust proof to IP67 rating
  • 12 hour ride time from 2,500mAh battery with USB-C fast charging
  • 32GB storage
  • Bluetooth, ANT+ and WiFi connectivity
  • Beeper
  • Hammerhead mounting system and supplied with quarter turn Garmin mount adapter
  • Simple route creation, sync and upload
  • Strava live segments
  • Fully customisable data field and ride profiles, EG MTB, Road, TT
  • Live tracking
  • Plan a workout

Why is the Karoo 2 better?

The physical size was the main issue that we had previously with the original Karoo. It was a chunky device but you overlooked its size because everything else was just much better than the competition. The Karoo 2 has a far smaller chassis, trimmed down in every profile. When you sit the two devices together you can clearly see the difference.

Hammerhead Karoo 2
The new Karoo 2 on the right

The original Karoo utilised a Garmin twist mount which made sense given the availability of third party bar mounts. The new model has the new Hammerhead mounts which does away with the need for the a protruding twist mount. It looks clean and feels very secure when locked in place.

The added beeper on the new model is a very welcome improvement. In fact, it was hugely debated when the old model was launched as to how people would manage without a beeper. We survived. In fact, it would connect via bluetooth headphones or enabled helmets (Coros) and deliver faultless prompts and direction guidance.

Just those two areas alone make the new head unit the stand out choice.

What Hammerhead delivered originally has been tweaked and slimmed dramatically to create an even better version of an already great cycle computer. What Hammerhead did really well first time out was the Dashboard on the computer or phone, where you can create routes with apple-like simplicity.

Hammerhead Karoo 2 Screen Size

Routes can be uploaded from sites such as Strava simply by copying and pasting the URL from Strava into the Hammerhead dashboard. This syncing of data was a pleasurable process and nothing has changed on that front. If you have the GPX file, you can drop and drag this to upload the route and of course, you can manually create your own on the map.

New to the Karoo 2 is the mounting system which Hammerhead state is more streamlined and secure. There has been comment about this feature where riders have multiple bikes and you would need additional mounts or swap the Karoo mount between rides. Karoo have included a Garmin adaptor so it’s not a huge deal.

When it came down to it the user experience, the screen and smartphone like quality outweighed everything else.

The Karoo 2 has continued all the positive elements and is now smaller and has a beep. Perceived shortfalls answered. Karoo 2 is arguably the best cycle computer on the market.

In use it’s just like having a smartphone on your bars. Responsive and fast to navigate. The rain rejection feature works well and stops random screen activity.

When it’s not on your bike the easy to attach lanyard adds a level of security and the grippy rubber panel that forms the buttons and extends fully around three sides of the computer means it does not feel like a bar of soap! A simple but effective detail.

The screen has a matt anti-glare coating and this is effective in bright daylight conditions.

Out on the road, the new beeper feature now alerts you to upcoming navigation guidance. This is a welcome addition even if there were decent work-arounds on the original head units. Simple but welcome.

Data display is fully customisable on the unit. Select how many fields of ride data you want to display and in as many layouts as you can imagine, as much data or as little as you need.

Regular updates for your Karoo 2 update over wifi or mobile network and take minutes to update. Routes sync between computer (cloud) and device and are easy to search on the unit.

Is it the best cycle computer currently out there? It’s certainly a joy to use and all the features make it stand out above rival models. Once again Hammerhead have raised the bar and delivered a fantastic product. To answer the question, yes it is the best cycle computer right now – well, for me at least!

Find out more at the Hammerhead website.

Written by
Andy Tomlinson
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
FORM Smart Swim 2 PRO lens close up
FORM Smart Swim Pro 2 Goggles review: can these high tech goggles actually help you to train smarter and swim faster?
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
TRIFIT VORTEX tri suit
The small but mighty tri brand you NEED to know about: Why TRI-FIT are on a mission to disrupt the triathlon apparel scene
latest News
Hayden Wilde happy T100 Singapore 2025
Hayden Wilde – is he BACK for T100 London after injury nightmare?
Sam Laidlow run Roundhay Park IRONMAN Leeds 2025
‘I’m ready for it’ – Sam Laidlow on why triathlon is hitting new heights in 2025 ahead of IRONMAN World Champs
Alistair Brownlee Olympics Triathlon London 2012 Podium Gold
Olympic icon Alistair Brownlee reveals most British thing ever when it comes to fuelling recovery
Lionel Sanders IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2025 celebration finish line
Lionel Sanders provides BIG update on triathlon comeback
Gwen Jorgensen World Triathlon Cup Tongyeong 2023 run
Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen issues last call for scholarship fund for young athletes
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...