QUARQ TyreWiz
The new TyreWiz digital gauge system connects inline to an existing valve and monitors air pressure in real-time and transmits via BlueTooth or ANT+ the data to a cycling computer or a smartphone. The unit is lightweight at 10 grams each, durable, and powered by a replaceable CR1632 coin cell battery that lasts for 300 hours. It uses their TyreWiz smartphone app (iOS and Android) which provides data to the user for personalized recommendations and pressure alerts. The system offers access to highly accurate real-time tire pressure data to make decisions that can affect rolling resistance, traction, tire wear, and rider comfort. The TyreWiz will be available starting June 1st and will come with two sensors with batteries and valve core removal tool and will retail for a very pricey $199.
Thoughts
When you set up the unit within the app, it wants to know whether the sensor is in the front or rear, the width and size of tire, and the rider and bike weight. With that entered data the app provides a recommended tire pressure. It fits on any Presta valve, though due to the TyreWiz additional height I might be better with a stubbed out valve to keep things shorter. Currently, it appears only the Garmin Edge bike computers are compatible with Wahoo ELEMNT and BOLT available shortly.
You can see your tire pressure in real time on your bike computer, which is pretty darn useful. It will let you know your current base level if it’s dropped below your optimal personal level, perhaps showing a slow leak or allowing to feel the bike performance and maybe thinking the pressure needs to up or down. I think the resulting data could be useful to evaluate pressure variances overall during a ride, checking what happens during a race, a training ride or for just out for fun. Also, you can examine what’s happens on a cold and hot day, or what happens when the temperatures wildly fluctuate during the ride.
It’s a pretty pricey offering at $199, and maybe if it were in the $100 range, it would be more palatable. My central question for mountain biking purposes is how does it work with tire sealant? If it clogs up the sensor causing erroneous data to be passed along, then it’s not very functional. They claim it won’t clog up with tire sealant.
Sort of a geek toy that might be useful in some circumstances or situations.
Features & Benefits
- Designed for road and mountain bike riders.
- Personalized tire recommendations in the smartphone app for iOS and Android.
- NFC pairing for fast and easy connection by BLE to a phone
- Data reported with +/- 2% accuracy at .1 PSI resolution.
- Broadly compatible with tires that use a Presta-style valve core.
- Inexpensive, user-replaceable CR1632 battery lasts for 300 hours.
- IP67 dustproof/waterproof rating.
- Box includes valve core removal tool for installation.
Essential Details
- Works with any tire that uses a removable Presta valve core: both tube and tubeless, and tires with anti-flat sealant.
- For all bike riders, regardless of their experience or bike’s intended use.
- Data can be read on a cycling computer or smartphone with the app for iOS and Android.
- Smartphone app displays personalized recommendations, current tire pressure, and low/ high-pressure alerts.
- The retail package includes two sensors, batteries, and a valve core removal tool.
- Use it for every ride to find the perfect combination of tire, wheel, and pressure in changing terrain and conditions.
- Include LED lights to indicate when pressure is outside the target range.
For further information refer to quarq.com
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