BikeOn CycleClick Power Meter Review Part 1: Indoor Testing

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Introduction

As a triathlete, I'm always interested in technology that makes training easier, more affordable, and less complicated. Power meters have become one of the most valuable training tools for cyclists and triathletes, but they can also be one of the most expensive upgrades. Pedal-based power meters, crank-based systems and spider power meters can easily cost several hundred pounds and moving them between bikes isn't always straightforward.

That's why the BikeOn CycleClick immediately caught my attention when I spotted it on Kickstarter.

The concept is refreshingly different. Rather than replacing pedals, cranks or chainrings, CycleClick clips directly onto your bike's chain and measures power from there. The promise? Pro-level power data, quick installation, compatibility with multiple bikes and a price tag significantly lower than most traditional power meters.

Like many Kickstarter projects, the journey from backing the campaign to receiving the product took longer than originally anticipated. That's fairly normal in the world of crowdfunding, where turning a prototype into a mass-produced product often uncovers unexpected challenges.

My CycleClick finally arrived in late May. Shortly afterwards, BikeOn informed customers of a small issue involving one of the plastic mounting components. To their credit, they were proactive in communicating with customers and are sending replacement parts. Until the updated parts arrive, they've advised users not to ride outdoors.

As a result, this review focuses entirely on indoor testing. Once the replacement parts arrive and I've had the chance to put the CycleClick through its paces on gravel trails and roads, I'll publish Part 2.

BikeOn CycleClick Power Meter at Chilitri

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What Is CycleClick?

CycleClick is the world's first chain-mounted power meter. Instead of measuring force at the pedals, crank or spider, it measures chain tension and chain speed, then calculates power output from those measurements. BikeOn claims accuracy of ±1%, Bluetooth connectivity, cadence tracking and compatibility with most major cycling apps and head units. The company has also added over-the-air firmware updates, meaning the device can continue to improve after purchase.

One of the biggest selling points is flexibility. If you own multiple bikes, you can move the power meter between them in seconds rather than buying separate power meters for each bike.

What's in the Box?

Inside the package I found:

• 1 x CycleClick power meter unit
• Installation kit including mounting hardware
• Universal mount components
• Retention arm and locking ring
• Four rubber rings
• Spacer and rubber cushion
• Ladder mount and cable ties
• Carrying pouch
• Five chain cleaning brushes
• QR code linking to the instruction manual

The packaging is neat and professional and gives a good first impression. Everything feels well organised and it's obvious that BikeOn have thought about making the product travel friendly. 

CycleClick Unboxing Video by Chilitri

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Installation and Setup of the CycleClick

One of the headline features is that installation should take less than a minute.

For once, marketing claims and reality were surprisingly close.

I watched the installation video, gathered the supplied parts and had the unit mounted in just a few minutes. The process was straightforward and required no specialist tools. Compared to fitting crank-based or pedal-based power meters, it was refreshingly simple.

The unit is rechargeable via USB-C. One small point worth mentioning is that the charging cable isn't included in the box. Most of us probably have several USB-C cables already, but it's worth noting.

BikeOn CycleClick Installation Video

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The BikeOn Power App

The BikeOn Power app is available for both iOS and Android and acts as the hub for setup and data management.

Pairing was quick and painless. The app recognised the power meter immediately and guided me through the setup process. The interface is clean and intuitive, even for less tech-savvy riders.

The app allows you to:

• View live power data
• Monitor cadence
• Connect additional sensors like the speed sensor and heart rate monitor
• Record rides
• Import FIT files
• Export workout data
• Update firmware

Everything worked smoothly during my testing.

The BikeOn CycleClick App

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Indoor Testing of the CycleClick

For indoor testing I mounted the CycleClick on my Boardman CX bike, which was not my normal indoor training bike. The plan was to test the CycleClick both indoors and outdoors, so I fitted it to my gravel bike instead. I found a spare indoor trainer skewer and put it on my Elite Tuo smart trainer. This is the first time I have used it on the trainer, and it was a bit tricky as it has off road tyres – not ideal!

My test setup included:

• BikeOn CycleClick power meter
• Boardman CX bike with Kenda 700 x 35c hybrid tyres
• Elite Tuo smart trainer
• Apple iPad to run training Apps
• Motorola Edge 40 neo running Android 15 for the BikeOn App
• BikeOn Power App (Android and iOS)
• COROS Heart Rate Monitor Band
• COROS Pace 3 watch
• CYCPLUS Speed Sensor

I had to purchase a Cycplus speed sensor because while CycleClick measures power and cadence, it does not provide speed data on its own. You can purchase a low cost speed sensor and a device to measure both left/right balance sensor but the postage was very high, so I went with the Cycplus sensor instead.

Cycplus Speed Sensor on the Boardman CX at ChiliTri

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BikeOn Indoor Training App Compatibility

One of my biggest questions was compatibility.

Would it work reliably with the platforms most cyclists actually use?

The answer was yes.

I successfully connected CycleClick to:

• Zwift
• Wahoo SYSTM
• TrainingPeaks Virtual
• MyWhoosh

In fact, I found CycleClick easier to locate and pair than my Elite trainer on several occasions.

The only minor hiccup came when connecting through Wahoo, where I needed to adjust the device naming format. Once that was done, everything worked normally.

Testing on Zwift at ChiliTri

ChiliTri Spicy 45 Indoor Cycling Workout with Spotify Playlist

Comparing Power Readings

During indoor sessions I ran the CycleClick alongside my Elite Tuo trainer so I could compare readings.

Now, before anyone emails me, this isn't a scientific accuracy test. My bike was fitted with hybrid tyres, which can influence smart trainer readings, and I wasn't using a laboratory setup.

What I was looking for was consistency and sensible data.

Throughout my rides, the numbers tracked closely enough that I felt comfortable using the CycleClick for training purposes. The power data appeared stable, responsive and believable rather than jumpy or erratic.

A full accuracy comparison will have to wait until Part 2 when I can compare outdoor recordings against other devices.

Example power curves in BikeOn App

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A Budget Indoor Training Option?

One thing that really stood out to me is how affordable this could make indoor training.

Pair a CycleClick with a basic turbo trainer and a speed sensor and suddenly you have access to power-based training without investing in an expensive smart trainer. This set up will be around

You'd still need to change gears manually to hit power targets during structured workouts, but for athletes on a budget, that's a very attractive proposition.

The BikeOn CycleClick Power Meter at ChiliTri

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First Impressions After Several Indoor Sessions

After multiple indoor rides, a few things stood out. What I Liked:

1. Easy installation

This really is one of the simplest power meters I've ever installed.

2. Good connectivity

Bluetooth pairing was reliable throughout testing.

3. Useful app

The BikeOn app feels polished and includes everything most riders need.

4. Multi-bike potential

For athletes with road, gravel and winter bikes, the ability to swap a single power meter between bikes is genuinely appealing.

5. Affordable entry point

CycleClick could make power-based training accessible to a much wider audience. The power meter is $249/£189 /€218.

What you get when you order the BikeOn CycleClick (ChiliTri)

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Areas Still To Be Tested

The big unknown remains outdoor durability.

The unit relies on a number of plastic mounting components and, while they seem perfectly adequate indoors, I want to see how they cope with:

• Gravel riding
• Trail vibration
• Wet weather
• Mud
• Repeated bike washing

BikeOn's decision to redesign and replace one of the mounting parts suggests they're taking durability seriously, which is encouraging.

Karen's Boardman CX Bike - Ready for CycleClick Testing Outside!

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Conclusion

After several weeks of indoor use, my initial impression of the BikeOn CycleClick is positive.

The concept works. Installation is really simple, connectivity is excellent and the app performs well. For riders looking to start training with power without spending a fortune, CycleClick offers something genuinely different from the established pedal and crank-based options.

Is it ready to replace a premium power meter from Garmin, Favero or 4iiii? That's a bigger question and one I can't answer yet.

What I can say is that for indoor training, it has been easy to use, reliable and surprisingly polished for a first-generation product from a young company.

The real test starts next.

As soon as the replacement mounting parts arrive, I'll be taking the CycleClick out onto roads, gravel tracks and trails on my Boardman CX. I'll also be testing compatibility with both my COROS Pace 3 and my trusty Garmin Edge 1000 to see how it performs in the real world.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

Karen Parnell is a Level 3 British Triathlon Federation Coach, IRONMAN U Certified Coach, qualified NASM Personal Trainer and holds an MSc in Sports Performance Coaching. Karen has a Certificate in Coaching Female Athletes from World Triathlon. She specialises in helping endurance athletes improve performance, strength and long-term health through evidence-based coaching.

Need a training plan? I have plans on TrainingPeaks and FinalSurge:

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I also coach a very small number of athletes one-to-one for all triathlon and multi-sport distances, open water swimming events, and running races. Email me for details and availability. Karen.parnell@chilitri.com

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BikeOn CycleClick FAQ

Q: What is the BikeOn CycleClick?
A: CycleClick is a chain-mounted power meter that measures power output and cadence without requiring new pedals, cranks or chainrings.

Q: How easy is it to install?
A: Very easy. I had it fitted and paired within a few minutes by following the installation video. No specialist tools were required.

Q: How much is the BikeOn CycleClick?

A: You can purchase it directly from their website now (rather than Kickstarter) and the price is $249/£189 /€218.

Q: Does it work with Zwift?
A: Yes. During my testing, it connected successfully to Zwift, Wahoo SYSTM, TrainingPeaks Virtual and MyWhoosh. The screenshot below is me riding on MyWhoosh using the CycleClick.

Q: Does CycleClick measure cadence?
A: Yes. Cadence is built in, so you don't need a separate cadence sensor.

Q: Do I need a speed sensor?
A: If you want speed data, yes. CycleClick measures power and cadence but not speed. I used a separate Bluetooth speed sensor from CYCPLUS without any issues.

Q: Can I use it with a dumb trainer?
A: Yes. Combined with a basic turbo trainer and speed sensor, CycleClick offers a relatively low-cost way to train with power indoors.

Q: Does it work with sports watches and bike computers?
A: I successfully connected it to my COROS Pace 3 watch. Outdoor testing with additional devices, including my Garmin Edge 1000, will be covered in Part 2.

Q: Is it suitable for outdoor riding?
A: BikeOn has advised users to wait for an updated mounting component before riding outdoors. My outdoor testing will be covered in Part 2 of this review.

Q: How accurate is it?
A: BikeOn claims ±1% accuracy. My indoor testing showed consistent and believable power readings, but I haven't yet completed a detailed accuracy comparison against other power meters.

Q: Would I buy one again?

A: Based on indoor use alone, yes. The ease of installation, reliable connectivity and affordable price make it a very interesting option. The final verdict will depend on how it performs outdoors. I would also get the Left/Right balance sensor for more data.

Q: What's the biggest advantage so far?

A: Being able to add power measurement to a bike in minutes without changing pedals, cranks or wheels. For athletes with multiple bikes, that's potentially a game-changer.