The host unboxes the highly anticipated Hammerhead Caro bike computer and shares first impressions after ditching their trusty Garmin. They walk through the sleek packaging, included accessories, and key features that have made them jump ship, plus explain why top gravel and bikepacking riders are making the same switch.
Key Takeaways
- Hammerhead's navigation map offers better contrast and clarity on gravel trails and in urban areas compared to Garmin, especially in bright sunlight—a game-changer for off-road navigation
- The Caro includes auto-climb detection that works without pre-planned routes, helping you spot upcoming pitches in real-time during races or unplanned rides
- The Caro uses a proprietary mount system different from Garmin and Wahoo, but Hammerhead offers adapters if you've already invested in other brands' mounts
- Battery life is claimed at 35 hours, though real-world performance depends heavily on brightness settings and connectivity—worth testing in the field before relying on those numbers
- Top professional gravel and bikepacking riders like Alex Wild and Keegan Swinson have switched to Hammerhead, signaling a shift in the industry toward this platform
Expert Quotes
"I couldn't see where I was going on the Garmin navigation on gravel trail...the map was just too cluttered and the routing colors just didn't give you enough separation"
"It feels like going from the first time when I went from an old school Nokia 3310...and then you got an iPhone for the first time—that's what it feels like"
"The Caro feels pretty legit and have a bit of smile on my face"