DURA: Test debut of COROS’ first bike computer

120-hour battery life, integrated solar cell, GPS navigation, and re-routing – all for €289? On paper, COROS is already making a strong statement with the new DURA! We tested the new full-featured bike computer to find out if it really delivers on its promises.

COROS, known for their running-focused smartwatches, has been in the business since introducing the COROS PACE in 2018. With the DURA, the Californian manufacturer presents its first bike computer. The name says it all: DURA …? DURA-BILITY! With a built-in solar cell and a large battery that promises up to 120 hours of runtime, COROS claims you’ll almost never need to remove the bike computer from your bike. COROS aims to eliminate the fear of being stranded in the woods without power. The included locking screw supports this claim but is likely intended to comply with UCI weight regulations. By fixing the computer to the bike, its low weight of 97 g counts toward the 6.8 kg minimum weight for race bikes. We’ve tested the new COROS computer on the road, off-road, and during daily commutes to see if the DURA delivers in practice.

The new COROS DURA bike computer in detail

With the DURA, COROS primarily targets all-road adventurers, bikepackers, and ultra-distance racers. The claimed battery life of up to 120 hours makes the DURA particularly interesting for anyone who relies on reliable navigation and accurate tracking during their adventures without being left without power in the middle of nowhere. Depending on reception, the DURA automatically selects which GPS mode to use to determine the location as accurately as possible while conserving battery life. With dual-frequency GPS in use, up to 70 hours of battery life is possible. The highlight of the DURA: the integrated solar cell. Within two hours of riding, it can generate up to one additional hour of battery life.

COROS uses OpenStreetMap’s global open-source maps for navigation. These maps are divided into small rectangles and can be saved on the DURA as needed. The unit is operated via the touchscreen and integrated dial. The 2.7-inch display shows all common training data, which can be displayed in up to 64 different colors. The layout of the pages and the arrangement of the data fields can be customized. A split-screen feature allows simultaneous viewing of the map and specific training data, which can also be scrolled through using the dial.

The DURA also comes with several practical features designed to make daily life easier. One is the ability to program a bike alarm into the computer. The alarm is triggered if the bike is moved and can only be deactivated via a paired smartphone or the correct pin. This is where the very loud speaker comes into play, which is annoying for turn-by-turn directions but useful in this instance. There is also a crash detection feature, which automatically notifies pre-saved emergency contacts if a crash is detected. Additionally, if your riding buddies also have a DURA, the Group Ride feature shows the location of your companions, so you can easily regroup if someone gets dropped on the next climb to the ice cream shop.

Fully connected? Integration into the COROS ecosystem

Upon first use, the DURA requires the COROS app on your smartphone. Similar to Garmin or Wahoo, the app serves as a central interface for transferring routes to the bike computer and connecting to services like Strava or Apple Health. While routes can still be planned via Komoot, COROS offers the option to plan and transfer routes directly within the COROS ecosystem using its own app. By integrating various COROS devices like smartwatches or heart rate monitors, the app collects all relevant data – from resting heart rate to sleep data and training metrics – to calculate an individual stress and fitness score.

The power supply of the bike computer is provided by USB-C, though according to COROS, thanks to the solar power, you’ll only need it in rare cases.

Facts and figures about the COROS DURA

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 99.5 x 60.8 x 15.7 mm
• Weight 97 g
• Display size 2.7 inches
• Battery life up to 120 hours
• Water and dust resistance rated IP67 (i.e., temporary submersion up to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes)
• Connectivity BLE, ANT+, WiFi, USB-C
• Additional features: crash sensor, safety and Group Ride functions
• Internal storage 32 GB
• Available as COROS DURA with aero mount for €289

Ready for adventure? The COROS DURA bike computer in practice

Route planned? Check. Tires pumped? Check. Off we go! The COROS DURA is ready to use in a flash, thanks to the always-on mode. Unlike other bike computers, it doesn’t require any tedious boot-up process, saving time and nerves. Using the included mount, the DURA can be elegantly and aerodynamically attached to the handlebar, similar to other manufacturers’ setups. The DURA can also be mounted on Garmin or Wahoo mounts using a quarter-turn system.

While the start is smooth, route planning caused some headaches during testing. For instance, Komoot integration presented issues, with imported routes incorrectly identified as running tracks, resulting in missing turn-by-turn directions and some unplanned shortcuts across cow fields. Editing routes in the COROS app requires patience, and the functions are not as intuitive as one might expect. Although COROS routes sync seamlessly with the DURA, planning them is more complicated. Particularly challenging is planning the route through specific waypoints without automatically selecting the fastest route suggested by COROS. Deleting route segments is also less straightforward than on Komoot. You may spend more time planning routes on the DURA than actually riding them.

If one strays off course, the COROS DURA’s smart re-routing feature steps in, using Google Maps and real-time traffic data to get back on track – a brilliant idea in theory. In practice, though, there are some snags: re-routing is slow. Depending on how far off course one has gone and how quickly the data is available, it can take longer than desired, and one might miss the next best turn-off while the DURA is still calculating, requiring it to recalculate again. It also requires a stable internet connection – which, in remote areas like one might encounter on a trans-alp ride or a bikepacking trip through Swedish woodlands, can be in short supply.

The COROS DURA integrates seamlessly into the COROS ecosystem. Pairing with a COROS smartwatch and heart rate monitor is smooth, with the smartwatch automatically taking over heart rate monitoring the moment the DURA is powered up. Syncing with the app is quick, and the data is presented clearly. Numerous analysis tools, like VO2 Max, fitness tests, FTP tests, and sleep analysis, offer comprehensive insights into performance and make one feel like a real pro.

While riding, the battery life is impressive. Even on ultra-long bikepacking tours, the DURA keeps going, and thanks to the solar function, you get extra power on the go. It’s possible to return from a test ride with more battery life than when you started. COROS claims that for every two hours of riding, the solar cell adds one hour of battery life. On sunny days, the DURA can even recharge while you take a break. In our test, this was difficult to measure precisely, but the battery level remained unchanged after several longer rides. With a realistic battery life of 70 hours, even when using dual-frequency GPS and ANT+ accessories, the DURA won’t let you down.

The display is easy to read in all conditions, though the graphics could use more refinement, and the maximum brightness is slightly lower compared to other bike computers. The housing is of high quality, and the design is sleek but notably large – especially considering the relatively small display. That’s understandable, though, as the solar panel needs space. The DURA’s interface is clearly structured and easy to use, although it’s unlikely to win any design awards. The map layout could be more informative, particularly the elevation profile. The wildly varying colors make it difficult to assess gradients accurately, and the map provides little to no information on street names or types of paths, so you may find yourself veering off the intended route and into a field. When that happens, the DURA’s alarm will sound – so loud that it might even scare the birds in the trees.

On the go, the controls are mostly intuitive, though the dial can be finicky at high speeds. The touchscreen is also somewhat sluggish – faster response times would be appreciated. It’s unfortunate that the map can only be operated via the touchscreen, as the dial would be ideal for zooming. Overall, the DURA shows a lot of promise and could become a true Swiss Army knife for cycling adventures – though it could use a little more refinement to fully realize its potential. Hopefully, future software updates will resolve some of these issues.

Conclusion

For ultra-racers and adventurers, the COROS DURA is a solid companion with impressive battery life and practical features. However, the external dial and interface could be more user-friendly, and re-routing – especially with weak internet connections – could be more reliable. At €289, the DURA offers great potential, although some features aren’t quite fully developed. For those looking for an affordable, long-distance-focused option, the DURA’s solar function and always-on mode make it a good choice nonetheless.

More information at coros.com

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Words: Jan Fock Photos: Jan Richter