As I already wrote in my Karoo 2 review, Hammerhead takes a bold approach to bike computers. While modern GPS bike computers cost as much as premium smartphones, many still look like they were designed in the early 2000s. Of course, they serve a clear purpose: to collect and display data during rides and store it for post-ride analysis. But at this price point, shouldn’t we also expect a more modern user experience?
Perhaps that was exactly Hammerhead’s thinking when developing the Karoo – a bike computer that is intuitive, modern, and simply enjoyable to use. The company achieved this through a combination of powerful hardware and an Android-based operating system, making the Karoo not only high-performance but also easy to use without having to learn entirely new technology. The Karoo 2 was already known for its quality and performance, but with the new Karoo, Hammerhead – now part of SRAM – brings a major upgrade to a fast-moving market.
Since last summer, I’ve been using the Karoo regularly – for training sessions, social rides, and races. I’ve used bike computers from various brands before and recently switched from the Karoo 2. Here are my impressions.
Contents
Unboxing
Unboxing the Karoo feels like opening a premium smartphone: every component is neatly arranged. Inside the box, you’ll find:
- The bike computer itself
- The improved 31.8 mm Hammerhead mount
- A Garmin-compatible quarter-turn adapter
- A USB-C to USB-C charging cable
- A safety lanyard
The packaging feels premium, but what really stands out is the build quality. The new Karoo is sleeker, slightly tapered downward, and integrates beautifully into any cockpit – a modern upgrade for any bike setup.
Display & Performance – Smooth and Powerful
The Karoo’s 3.2-inch display feels like a mini smartphone on your handlebars. With a 480 × 800 pixel resolution, it is razor-sharp – no more squinting to read your data while riding. The anti-glare Corning Gorilla Glass coating ensures the screen remains readable even in direct sunlight while being robust enough to handle shocks, dust, and off-road riding.
Under the hood, the Karoo is powered by a 2.0 GHz quad-core processor with 4 GB of RAM – on par with some tablets. This allows for smooth performance across maps, data screens, and features, even when switching between apps. The 64 GB storage provides plenty of space for maps, routes, and training data – no need to constantly delete files.
Battery Life – Long Rides Without Worry
Originally, the Karoo offered around 15 hours of battery life – already a solid number. But thanks to a recent update, the battery now lasts over 30 hours in power-saving mode – enough for a long weekend of riding or several intense training days without needing a recharge.
Admittedly, few of us spend a full 12 hours on the bike in one go. But good battery life means not having to think about charging before every ride.
We’ve all been there – you get ready for a ride and realize your battery is low. This is where fast charging comes in: if the battery runs low, it charges to 30% in just 30 minutes and reaches a full charge in 2.5 hours – similar to modern smartphones.
Features & Connectivity – Updates, Updates, Updates
The new Karoo uses Multi-Band GNSS GPS, providing faster and more accurate tracking, even in areas where other devices struggle with signal loss. Thanks to Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi, it pairs effortlessly with sensors, heart rate monitors, power meters, and training apps.
One of the most useful features is automatic climb detection (Climber). As soon as a climb approaches, the system detects it and displays detailed gradient information in real time. Additionally, the bike-specific navigation offers precise turn-by-turn directions, while live GPS tracking provides 3–5 meter accuracy – great for exploring new routes.
The user interface is fully customizable. You can create different profiles for training, racing, or casual rides. Plus, the Strava, Komoot, and TrainingPeaks integration makes it easy to plan and sync workouts.
The SRAM AXS integration adds automatic sensor detection, battery alerts, and advanced training data.
As mentioned earlier, a January update significantly improved battery life in power-saving mode. Other updates have also enabled sideloading third-party Android apps via the companion app.
I won’t go too deep into this, but those who look into it will find some creative workarounds – including one for a compatibility restriction introduced by a well-known component manufacturer after SRAM acquired Hammerhead. I’m just stating the facts here – I haven’t personally used these apps, since my bike is fully SRAM-equipped and the Karoo software covers all the essential functions I need.
Navigation – Clear Maps & Smart Routing
The Karoo’s navigation is intuitive and reliable. The high-resolution screen displays routes as a yellow line with directional arrows, while past movements are shown in gray – everything is well-organized at a glance. If you ask the computer to re-route you home, the path will then be displayed in purple.
Turn-by-turn directions appear in a small overlay window, ensuring that key information is always accessible without cluttering the screen.
The Karoo generally favors bike-friendly routes, but at times it suggests larger roads as well. During a tour in the Netherlands and Spain, I found that I occasionally had to rely on my own experience rather than blindly following the routing.
One important note: Maps must be downloaded in advance when traveling to new regions. However, they are free, so there’s no need for additional data packages.
Conclusion
The new Hammerhead Karoo continues Hammerhead’s mission of delivering high-quality cycling technology at a fair price. The Android-based system provides an intuitive, smooth, and modern user experience – combined with the best touchscreen currently available on a bike computer.
With pro-level training features, precise navigation, and high reliability, the Karoo is a powerful companion – whether for tours, training, or racing.
