Cycling
Best speedometer overlay app for cycling videos on iPhone
Real-time GPS speed, distance, altitude: baked into your cycling videos in one tap.
In short
SplitRig overlays your real-time GPS speed, distance, altitude, and pace directly onto your cycling videos as you record: baked into the saved file, no editing required. Updates twice a second from the iPhone's GPS, draggable and resizable. Free for iPhone 11 and up. Stays on-device. Your location data never leaves the phone.
Free · no subscription · no ads
Why cyclists want speedometer overlays
Speedometer overlays turn a cycling video from "I went on a ride" into "I averaged 32 km/h on this descent." The number on screen converts a personal experience into objective content. For coaching, racing recap, training journals, and YouTube/TikTok cycling channels, the speedometer is essential.
The catch: most cycling apps record GPS data separately from the video, so creators have to overlay the speed number in post-production using DaVinci, Final Cut, or third-party services. SplitRig bakes the speedometer directly into the recording.
How SplitRig's speedometer works
The speedometer reads your speed from the iPhone's built-in GPS, the same location source the Maps app uses. Two details that matter:
- Updates twice a second: smooth enough that the number doesn't feel laggy on screen.
- Baked into the video as you record: the speed value is written into the footage at the moment of capture, not added afterward.
The widget displays current speed in km/h or mph (following your iPhone's measurement system) at any size you choose, in any position on screen.
Set it up
- Open SplitRig. Tap Widgets in the bottom bar.
- Tap "Speedometer" to enable.
- Drag the widget anywhere on screen. Pinch to resize.
- Hit record. The speedometer updates live in your video.
Position is remembered per orientation. Set it once, and it stays in the same spot for every future ride.
Beyond the speedometer: the full activity widget set
SplitRig has eight overlay widgets: seven live metrics designed for outdoor activity, plus the SplitRig logo.
- Speedometer: current speed, updated twice a second
- Distance: total covered, in km or miles
- Duration: recording elapsed time
- Altitude: current elevation, perfect for hill rides
- Pace: minutes per km/mile
- Goal Gauge: set a distance target (e.g., 25 km loop), the bar fills as you go
- Sound Level: ambient audio meter, useful for traffic-aware city rides
- SplitRig Logo: optional, comes off free in one tap
Enable as many as you want at once. Each is independently positioned, resized, and baked into the same final video.
Cycling-specific tips
- Mount portrait or landscape based on platform. For YouTube long-form cycling vlogs, use landscape. For TikTok/Reels recaps, use portrait. SplitRig records in either orientation natively.
- Handlebar mount preferred. The handlebar gives a stable point of view that matches what your eyes see. Chest mounts work but bob with pedaling cadence.
- Use Action Cam mode for descents. The ultra-wide + the steadiest stabilization level handle high-speed shaking without smearing.
- Pair with Apple Watch. Start/stop the recording from your wrist when you can't reach the phone safely.
- Add the Goal Gauge for training rides. Set the target distance, the visual bar adds dramatic tension to the recap.
Long rides: battery and settings
Three habits keep SplitRig recording through a long ride:
- Plug in if you can. Most cyclists carry a USB battery or use a handlebar-mounted power bank. The iPhone happily records while charging.
- Enable Eco Mode to dim the screen after 10 seconds of recording. Saves significant battery on long rides.
- Pick the Long Recording preset in Camera Settings for long rides. It is built for long shoots.
SplitRig sets no time limit and saves your ride as it records.
Privacy: location stays on device
The speedometer reads location data on-device only. Your GPS coordinates are never transmitted, stored on a server, or shared with any third party. SplitRig has no analytics, no accounts, and no cloud component. The video stays on your iPhone until you choose to share it.
This is unusual for cycling apps. Most cloud-based cycling platforms (Strava, Komoot, etc.) require an account and track your routes on their servers. SplitRig stays out of that loop.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a speedometer to my cycling video on iPhone?
Use SplitRig. Open the app, tap Widgets, enable Speedometer. The widget shows your real-time GPS speed and is baked directly into the saved video file, no editing required. Free for iPhone 11 and up.
What's the best speedometer app for cycling?
SplitRig is the strongest pick for cycling speedometer overlays on iPhone. It bakes the speed into the video as you record, updates twice a second, supports km/h or mph (it follows the measurement system of your iPhone), and works alongside six other live metrics: distance, altitude, pace, goal gauge, and more.
Does SplitRig work without an internet connection?
Yes. The speedometer uses GPS (which works offline), the recording happens entirely on-device, and SplitRig requires no account or cloud sync. Perfect for backcountry rides without cell coverage.
Can I see distance and altitude on my cycling video?
Yes. SplitRig has eight overlay widgets: seven live metrics (speed, distance, duration, altitude, pace, goal gauge, sound level) plus the SplitRig logo, all positionable.
Does the speedometer work indoors on a turbo trainer?
No. GPS needs a view of the sky, so on an indoor trainer the speedometer reads zero and distance stays at 0 m. The non-GPS overlays (duration, sound level, SplitRig logo) keep working, and the dual-camera recording itself is unaffected.