Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Cyclists will love this elegant smartwatch that doubles as a bike computer

As a gadget nerd, it has been interesting to track the evolution of the smartwatch over the past couple of years. For the most part, these devices have struggled to attract a mainstream audience, remaining largely popular only with the early adopter crowd. At the moment, it appears that only the Apple Watch has found any measure of success in this increasingly crowded field, although even that could be fleeting.

Of course, the lack of demand for smartwatches hasn’t stopped other watchmakers from trying to capitalize on the trend, with some going to great lengths to attempt to set themselves apart from the competition. An example of this is an elegant looking device called the Moskito, which recently launched on Kickstarter. In many ways, this gadget performs just like any other smartwatch, providing notifications of incoming messages, alerts, and phone calls when worn on your wrist. But, when attached to your bike, it also serves as a full-featured cycling computer capable of tracking speed, distance, average pace, and more.

Recommended Videos

At first glance, the Moskito looks a lot like a standard analog watch. That’s because it sports an analog face, rather than a digital screen like most other smartwatches. Under the hood, the Swiss-made watch features precision quartz movement powered by six bidirectional motors, and it has analog hands and a dial, too. But, the watch also includes a Bluetooth 4.0 chip for pairing with an iPhone or Android device, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is capable of keeping it running for anywhere from six to 24 months depending on usage.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

When using the Moskito, users can set it to one of three different modes. In “time” mode it acts like any other watch, displaying the date and time, including seconds. But with the simple push of a button, the device can switch to “speed” mode, which is how it functions as a bike computer. In this mode, the second hand displays the current speed, while the minute hand shows distance covered in either kilometers or miles, and the hour hand continues to display the current time. The third mode is “chronograph,” which indicates the total amount of time riding.

The watch comes with one of two different bands: a standard leather version and a more sporty nylon option, as well as a bike mount. When in “time” mode you wear the Moskito like any other watch, with the day, date, and current time displayed. But when you’re ready to ride, you simply pop it out of a housing on the band and snap it into place on the bike mount before switching it over to “speed” mode as you start your ride. This turns the device into a beautifully crafted analog speedometer that is unlike anything else out on the road.

M O S KI T O – Swiss Analog Smart Watch & Bike Speedometer by Moskito — Kickstarter

Because the Moskito connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, it can be used to track and store the data from your rides. That way you’ll be able see how fast you were actually going during your workouts, and the total distance you managed to travel too. That data is compatible with both Strava and Garmin Connect, so you can upload your training rides to those platforms to share with others, while also tracking performance over time.

The designers behind the Moskito have set a lofty goal of raising nearly $150,000 to get their smartwatch-bike computer off the ground. So far, they are about a third of the way towards that goal, with a few weeks yet to go in the Kickstarter campaign. If they are successful, they hope to begin shipping the device in October of 2017. It won’t be cheap however, as this Swiss-made chronograph is expected to retail for $765 when it becomes available. Early bird supporters can claim their Moskito for as low as $528 if they reserve one now.

Kraig Becker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kraig Becker is a freelance outdoor writer who loves to hike, camp, mountain bike, trail run, paddle, or just about any other…
Aventon Abound SR combines thoughtful design, enhanced security, and smart connectivity
Aventon Abound SR hero image with couple on the e-bike

Electric bikes are nothing new at this point, and while there are many styles, few purportedly do-it-all, and even fewer actually offer smart or more advanced features. They tend to do one thing particularly well, like cruising, carrying cargo, or sightseeing -- like city riding -- but the biggest way they push the envelope is by offering that long-range electric power. The Aventon Abound SR, a new do-it-all bike, goes far and beyond anything that's come before it.

For starters, it's the first bike equipped with Aventon's electronic control unit (ACU) which empowers intelligent safety features. That gives you 4G and GPS tracking built-in, plus remote locking, an alarm system, and much more. But also, this top-of-its-class bike is incredibly versatile and is suitable for everything from commutes to tough exercise rides and daily routines. It features a top speed of 20 miles per hour, has a range of up to 60 miles per charge, and can carry a payload of up to 440 pounds. Impressive, indeed. Let's take a closer look and get a little more friendly with it, shall we?

Read more
Velotric: One of our favorite e-bike brands is having a huge sale right now
Velotric T1 ST Plus bike couple riding on the road

Take a minute to browse through the e-bike category, and you'll see lots of options but not many that I would classify as accessible. As far as technology goes, they can be pretty expensive, especially compared to your everyday traditional pedal bike. So, it makes sense that most people would wait until the holiday season, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday, to get a great deal on a new bike. Prices are at their lowest ever, and it's a great time to save some money. But guess what? You don't have to wait until later in November to save big because Velotric, a premium-quality e-bike maker, is hosting a huge sale right now. You can head over now to take a look, otherwise, we're going to explore some of those Velotric e-bike deals that are available.
save Now
 
What are these "Lower-Than-Black-Friday" Velotric e-bike deals?

Velotric is claiming these deals are "better" than Black Friday, so they better be good, right? Don't worry, they are. For example, you can grab the Velotric Go 1 Ebike for $400 off, while still getting it in a bundle that includes two free gears. That price is currently $1,299, normally $1,700. The Go 1 features a 500-watt motor, supports a maximum load of 440 pounds, and can travel up to 55 miles on a single charge. Pretty impressive. It's also designed to lug cargo, like a picnic basket, day bag, or even camping gear. That's mostly thanks to a lower center of gravity for the frame and hydraulic suspension system.

Read more
Yamaha offers sales of 60% on e-bikes as it pulls out of U.S. market
Yamaha Pedal Assist ebikes

If you were looking for clues that the post-pandemic e-bike market reshuffle remains in full swing in the U.S., look no further than the latest move by Yamaha.

In a letter to its dealers, the giant Japanese conglomerate announced it will pull out of the e-bike business in the U.S. by the end of the year, according to Electrek.

Read more