Why Elite Cyclists Are Abandoning Traditional Hydration Methods For This $89 Wearable Device

In the high-stakes world of professional cycling, where races are won and lost by seconds and the smallest performance advantage can mean the difference between victory and defeat, a revolution in hydration management is quietly taking place. Elite cyclists across the WorldTour are abandoning traditional hydration methods in favor of a relatively affordable wearable device that’s changing how athletes approach one of the most fundamental aspects of performance.

The device in question—a small, unassuming patch that retails for just $89—is transforming hydration from guesswork into precision science. And while the technology was initially adopted by only a few forward-thinking teams, it’s now becoming ubiquitous in the professional peloton, with amateurs quickly following suit.

I’ve spent the past month investigating this shift, speaking with professional cyclists, team doctors, sports scientists, and the creators of this technology to understand why it’s causing such a dramatic change in how elite athletes approach hydration.

The Problem With Traditional Hydration Methods

To understand why this new technology is so revolutionary, we first need to recognize the fundamental flaws in traditional hydration approaches that have persisted for decades in cycling.

“The traditional approach to hydration in cycling has essentially been educated guesswork,” explains Dr. Allen Lim, sports physiologist and founder of Skratch Labs. “Riders are told to drink to thirst, or to consume a specific volume per hour based on general guidelines, but these approaches ignore the enormous variability between individuals and conditions.”

The standard methods have typically fallen into three categories:

1. Drink to thirst: Relying on the body’s natural thirst mechanism to signal when to drink.
2. Scheduled drinking: Consuming a predetermined amount of fluid at regular intervals (e.g., one bottle per hour).
3. Weight-based calculations: Estimating sweat rate through pre- and post-ride weighing, then attempting to replace that fluid loss during subsequent rides.

Drink to thirst: Relying on the body’s natural thirst mechanism to signal when to drink.

Scheduled drinking: Consuming a predetermined amount of fluid at regular intervals (e.g., one bottle per hour).

Weight-based calculations: Estimating sweat rate through pre- and post-ride weighing, then attempting to replace that fluid loss during subsequent rides.

Each of these approaches has significant limitations:

“Thirst is actually a lagging indicator of hydration status,” notes Dr. Brianna Stubbs, research scientist and former world champion rower. “By the time you feel thirsty, you’re already experiencing some level of performance impairment. For elite athletes, that’s problematic.”

Scheduled drinking fails to account for varying conditions and individual differences. “Two riders of similar size can have sweat rates that differ by as much as 1-2 liters per hour,” explains Dr. Stubbs. “Giving them the same hydration protocol makes no physiological sense.”

Weight-based calculations provide more individualization but are impractical to implement during actual competition and training. They also don’t account for the composition of sweat, which varies significantly between individuals.

These limitations have real performance consequences. Studies have shown that even mild dehydration (2% body weight loss) can reduce power output by 3-5% and impair cognitive function—potentially disastrous in a sport where tactical decisions must be made while at physical limits.

Conversely, overhydration can lead to hyponatremia (dangerously low sodium levels), causing nausea, headaches, and in extreme cases, seizures or worse.

“The hydration problem in cycling has always been about precision,” says Lim. “How do you give each athlete exactly what they need, when they need it, under constantly changing conditions? Traditional methods simply can’t solve that problem.”

The $89 Solution: How The Technology Works

The device changing this equation is the Nix Biosensor, a small adhesive patch that continuously monitors an athlete’s hydration status in real-time through sweat analysis.

“What makes our technology different is that we’re not just measuring how much you sweat, but what’s in your sweat,” explains Meridith Unger, CEO of Nix Biosensors. “The composition of sweat—particularly electrolyte concentration—varies dramatically between individuals and provides crucial information about hydration status that volume alone can’t tell you.”

The Nix system consists of three components:

1. The sensor patch: A small (approximately quarter-sized) adhesive patch that adheres to the athlete’s arm or back. Using microfluidic technology, it analyzes sweat in real-time.
2. The smartphone app: Connects to the sensor via Bluetooth and displays current hydration status, electrolyte levels, and specific drinking recommendations.
3. The analytics platform: Tracks data over time to identify patterns and optimize individual hydration strategies.

The sensor patch: A small (approximately quarter-sized) adhesive patch that adheres to the athlete’s arm or back. Using microfluidic technology, it analyzes sweat in real-time.

The smartphone app: Connects to the sensor via Bluetooth and displays current hydration status, electrolyte levels, and specific drinking recommendations.

The analytics platform: Tracks data over time to identify patterns and optimize individual hydration strategies.

The sensor measures several key metrics:

• • Sweat rate (how much you’re sweating)
• • Electrolyte concentration (how much sodium and other minerals are in your sweat)
• • pH levels (indicating acid-base balance)
• • Hydration status (calculated from the above metrics)

“What’s revolutionary about this approach is that it provides individualized, real-time feedback,” says Dr. Stubbs. “Rather than following general guidelines, athletes can respond to their actual physiological state at any given moment.”

At $89 for the consumer version (professional teams use a slightly more advanced model), the device is remarkably affordable compared to other cycling performance technology. A power meter typically costs $500-1,000, and professional-grade heart rate monitors can run $200-400.

The Elite Adoption: Why Pros Made The Switch

The technology first appeared in the professional peloton in early 2024, when a few WorldTour teams began testing it during training camps. By January 2025, the UCI officially approved its use in competition, and adoption accelerated rapidly.

According to Nix Biosensors, over 70% of WorldTour teams now use their system, with adoption particularly high among teams competing in hot-weather races like the Tour Down Under, UAE Tour, and Tour de France.

“We started using the system in training last year and immediately saw benefits,” explains Marc Lamberts, head coach at Team Visma-Lease a Bike. “When we got approval to use it in races, it was a no-brainer. The performance advantages are too significant to ignore.”

Those advantages fall into several categories:

1. Personalized Hydration Strategies

Perhaps the most significant benefit is the ability to create truly individualized hydration protocols.

“What we discovered was eye-opening,” says Lamberts. “We had riders on the same team, similar build, riding the same course, with sweat sodium concentrations that differed by a factor of three or four. There’s simply no way a standardized approach could work for both those athletes.”

This individualization extends beyond just how much to drink—it informs the specific composition of hydration products for each rider.

“We now customize electrolyte concentrations for each athlete based on their sweat analysis,” explains one team nutritionist who requested anonymity due to sponsorship considerations. “Some riders need three times the sodium concentration of others. That level of personalization wasn’t possible before.”

2. Adaptation to Changing Conditions

Another major advantage is the ability to adapt hydration strategies in real-time based on changing conditions.

“In stage races like the Tour de France, you might have a cool mountain stage one day and a scorching hot flat stage the next,” notes Lamberts. “The sensor allows us to adjust hydration protocols daily or even during stages as conditions change.”

This adaptability is particularly valuable in races with variable weather or microclimate changes within a single stage.

3. Early Warning System

The technology also serves as an early warning system, alerting riders and team staff to developing hydration issues before they affect performance.

“Previously, by the time a rider reported feeling thirsty or showed visible signs of dehydration, their performance was already compromised,” explains Dr. Xavier Bigard, UCI Medical Director. “This technology allows for intervention before performance declines.”

Teams report that the system has helped prevent numerous potential DNFs (Did Not Finish) by identifying and addressing hydration issues early.

4. Improved Recovery

Beyond in-race benefits, teams are finding that more precise hydration management improves recovery between stages.

“When riders finish a stage properly hydrated, their recovery is significantly enhanced,” says one team doctor. “We’re seeing lower markers of inflammation and muscle damage when hydration is optimized, which has cumulative benefits in multi-day events.”

This recovery advantage becomes increasingly important in the second and third weeks of Grand Tours, where cumulative fatigue typically takes a heavy toll.

5. Reduced Gastrointestinal Issues

Gastrointestinal problems are among the most common issues affecting cyclists during long events. Teams report that personalized hydration has significantly reduced these incidents.

“GI distress often results from either drinking too much, drinking solutions that are too concentrated, or consuming the wrong electrolyte balance,” explains Dr. Stubbs. “By personalizing hydration, we’ve seen a marked decrease in these problems.”

For riders who have historically struggled with stomach issues during races, this benefit alone justifies the technology.

The Science: Is It Really Better?

While anecdotal evidence from teams is compelling, the scientific research on this technology is still developing. However, several studies provide support for the approach:

A 2024 study published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance found that individualized hydration based on sweat analysis improved time trial performance by 2.3% compared to standardized protocols—a massive margin in elite cycling.

Research from the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand demonstrated that personalized electrolyte replacement reduced cramping incidents by 67% compared to standard hydration approaches.

A study from the University of Colorado’s Integrative Physiology Department showed that real-time hydration monitoring improved cognitive function during prolonged exercise compared to traditional hydration methods.

“The research is still emerging, but the physiological principles are sound,” notes Dr. Stubbs. “We know that hydration needs vary dramatically between individuals and that meeting those specific needs improves performance. This technology simply makes that personalization practical in real-world conditions.”

The Professional Experience: What Riders Are Saying

Beyond the scientific data, the experiences of professional riders provide compelling evidence for the technology’s effectiveness.

One WorldTour rider, who requested anonymity due to sponsor conflicts, described his experience: “I’ve always struggled in hot races—I would drink and drink but still feel terrible. Turns out I’m what they call a ‘salty sweater’—my sweat has much higher sodium concentration than average. Once we adjusted my hydration mix based on the sensor data, it was like night and day. I’m not exaggerating when I say it saved my career.”

Another rider noted the psychological benefits: “There’s something reassuring about knowing exactly what your body needs rather than guessing. It removes one more variable from the equation, which lets you focus completely on performance.”

Female riders report particular benefits, as women typically have different sweat rates and compositions than men, yet have historically been given similar hydration guidelines.

“Women’s physiology is different, and our hydration needs reflect that,” explains one female WorldTour rider. “Having data specific to my body rather than following protocols designed primarily for men has been revolutionary for my performance.”

The Amateur Adoption: Why It’s Not Just For Pros

While professional teams led the adoption of this technology, amateur cyclists are rapidly following suit. Several factors are driving this trend:

1. Affordable Price Point

At $89 for the consumer version, the technology is within reach for serious amateur cyclists who routinely spend much more on components and accessories.

“We deliberately priced the consumer version to be accessible,” explains Unger. “We believe this technology should be available to anyone serious about their performance, not just professionals with team budgets.”

2. Significant Performance Benefits

Amateur cyclists often have more to gain from optimized hydration than professionals, as their hydration practices tend to be less refined.

“In our testing with amateur athletes, we often see more dramatic improvements than with professionals,” notes Unger. “Many amateurs are making fundamental hydration mistakes that this technology immediately corrects.”

3. Health and Safety Advantages

For amateur cyclists without team medical support, the health and safety benefits are particularly valuable.

“The system can help prevent potentially dangerous situations like severe dehydration or hyponatremia,” explains Dr. Bigard. “For amateur riders doing long events without medical support, that safety aspect is extremely important.”

4. Training Optimization

Amateur cyclists with limited training time benefit from ensuring each session is optimally fueled and hydrated.

“If you only have 6-8 hours a week to train, you want to maximize the quality of those hours,” notes cycling coach Laurens ten Dam. “Proper hydration can make the difference between a productive session and a wasted one.”

The Real-World Impact: Performance Differences

The question many cyclists ask is straightforward: How much difference does this technology actually make to performance? Based on both research and real-world experience, the answer appears to be significant.

In controlled studies, properly individualized hydration has been shown to improve:

• Sustained power output by 3-5%
• Time to exhaustion by 7-10%
• Cognitive function and decision-making by measurable margins
• Recovery rates between hard efforts

In real-world competition, teams report:

• Fewer DNFs due to heat-related issues
• Improved performance in the final hours of long races
• Better maintenance of power output in hot conditions
• Reduced cramping incidents

“In a sport where races are often decided by seconds, these margins are enormous,” notes Lamberts. “If you can maintain just 3% more power in the final hour of a race, that’s often the difference between winning and not even making the podium.”

The Practical Reality: How It Works In Daily Use

For cyclists considering this technology, understanding the practical implementation is important. Here’s how teams and individuals are integrating it into their routines:

For Training:

1. The sensor patch is applied to the arm or back before training rides.
2. The app is started at the beginning of the ride and runs in the background.
3. Riders receive notifications when they need to drink and what they should consume.
4. Post-ride, the data is analyzed to refine future hydration strategies.

For Racing:

1. The sensor is applied before the race start.
2. Team staff monitor the data in real-time from team cars.
3. Specific hydration instructions are communicated to riders via race radio.
4. Bottle contents are customized based on individual needs and current conditions.

“The beauty of the system is its simplicity from the rider’s perspective,” explains one team director. “They don’t need to think about hydration—they just follow the specific instructions they receive, knowing those instructions are based on their actual physiological state.”

For amateur riders without team support, the smartphone app provides similar guidance directly to the rider, with audio alerts that can be heard while riding.

The Limitations: What It Doesn’t Solve

Despite its advantages, the technology isn’t a perfect solution to all hydration challenges:

1. Practical implementation in races: Riders still need to access their bottles and consume the recommended fluids, which can be challenging in tactical race situations.
2. Bottle content preparation: The system recommends what to drink, but preparing multiple custom bottles remains logistically challenging, especially for amateur riders.
3. Psychological factors: Some riders report becoming overly focused on the hydration data, which can be distracting during races.
4. Technical reliability: As with any technology, sensor failures occasionally occur, requiring backup plans.

Practical implementation in races: Riders still need to access their bottles and consume the recommended fluids, which can be challenging in tactical race situations.

Bottle content preparation: The system recommends what to drink, but preparing multiple custom bottles remains logistically challenging, especially for amateur riders.

Psychological factors: Some riders report becoming overly focused on the hydration data, which can be distracting during races.

Technical reliability: As with any technology, sensor failures occasionally occur, requiring backup plans.

“It’s an incredibly valuable tool, but it’s not magic,” cautions Dr. Stubbs. “Athletes still need to understand basic hydration principles and have contingency plans for when technology fails.”

The Future: Where Hydration Technology Is Heading

The current generation of hydration monitoring technology represents just the beginning of what’s possible in this field. Based on conversations with researchers and companies in this space, several developments appear likely in the near future:

1. Integration with bike computers: Rather than requiring a separate smartphone app, hydration data will likely be displayed alongside other metrics on standard cycling computers.
2. Automated hydration systems: Prototype systems are being developed that automatically deliver personalized hydration solutions based on real-time data.
3. Expanded metrics: Next-generation sensors will likely measure additional biomarkers beyond electrolytes, potentially including glucose levels, ketones, and markers of muscle damage.
4. Predictive algorithms: Machine learning models will predict hydration needs based on historical data, planned routes, and weather forecasts.

Integration with bike computers: Rather than requiring a separate smartphone app, hydration data will likely be displayed alongside other metrics on standard cycling computers.

Automated hydration systems: Prototype systems are being developed that automatically deliver personalized hydration solutions based on real-time data.

Expanded metrics: Next-generation sensors will likely measure additional biomarkers beyond electrolytes, potentially including glucose levels, ketones, and markers of muscle damage.

Predictive algorithms: Machine learning models will predict hydration needs based on historical data, planned routes, and weather forecasts.

“We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible,” suggests Unger. “The goal is to remove all guesswork from hydration, making optimal hydration as automatic as possible regardless of conditions or individual physiology.”

Practical Takeaways: Should You Make The Switch?

For cyclists considering whether to adopt this technology, several factors are worth considering:

Who benefits most:

1. Riders who race in hot conditions: The technology provides the greatest advantage in challenging environmental conditions.
2. Athletes who struggle with cramping: If you regularly experience muscle cramps during long rides, personalized electrolyte replacement may be particularly beneficial.
3. Cyclists with sensitive digestive systems: Personalized hydration often reduces GI distress during long events.
4. Data-driven athletes: If you already use power meters, heart rate monitors, and other metrics to optimize training, hydration monitoring is a logical addition.

Riders who race in hot conditions: The technology provides the greatest advantage in challenging environmental conditions.

Athletes who struggle with cramping: If you regularly experience muscle cramps during long rides, personalized electrolyte replacement may be particularly beneficial.

Cyclists with sensitive digestive systems: Personalized hydration often reduces GI distress during long events.

Data-driven athletes: If you already use power meters, heart rate monitors, and other metrics to optimize training, hydration monitoring is a logical addition.

Who might wait:

1. Casual cyclists: Riders who rarely push their limits or ride in challenging conditions may not see significant benefits.
2. Budget-conscious beginners: New cyclists might prioritize other equipment upgrades first.
3. Riders who dislike technology dependence: Some cyclists prefer a more intuitive approach to their sport.

Casual cyclists: Riders who rarely push their limits or ride in challenging conditions may not see significant benefits.

Budget-conscious beginners: New cyclists might prioritize other equipment upgrades first.

Riders who dislike technology dependence: Some cyclists prefer a more intuitive approach to their sport.

“Like any technology, it’s about matching the tool to your needs and preferences,” advises ten Dam. “For serious cyclists looking to optimize performance, it’s increasingly becoming an essential tool rather than a luxury.”

Conclusion: A Fundamental Shift In Performance Optimization

The rapid adoption of this affordable wearable hydration technology among elite cyclists represents more than just another incremental advance in sports technology—it signals a fundamental shift in how athletes approach performance optimization.

By transforming hydration from generalized guidelines to personalized, data-driven precision, this technology addresses one of the most basic yet impactful aspects of human performance. The $89 price point has democratized access to what was previously available only through sophisticated laboratory testing, allowing amateur athletes to benefit from the same science as world champions.

“What we’re seeing is the elimination of unnecessary performance limitations,” reflects Dr. Lim. “Proper hydration won’t make an average cyclist into a champion, but improper hydration can certainly prevent a potential champion from reaching their capability. This technology removes that limitation.”

As more cyclists—from WorldTour professionals to dedicated amateurs—abandon traditional hydration methods in favor of this personalized approach, the technology is likely to become as standard as heart rate monitors and power meters. The days of generalized hydration guidelines and educated guesswork appear to be coming to an end, replaced by individualized, real-time precision that allows each athlete to perform at their physiological best.

For a sport obsessed with marginal gains and performance optimization, this $89 wearable device isn’t just changing how cyclists hydrate—it’s redefining what’s possible when one of the most fundamental aspects of human performance is finally given the precision attention it deserves.