Apple Watch Series 4?
 

Yes, the strava watch app is capable of tracking rides including gps speed, altitude, and heart rate. The signal is not as strong and sampling rate is a little slower than a dedicated computer (at least on the series 3), but coming from nothing, it will definitely be an improvement.

If you're going to get one anyway, sure, try it. If you're getting one primarily for this purpose, get a dedicated cycling GPS unit instead.

You can do that with an apple watch 2 and 3 as well if you want to save some shekels.

I think I've tried it and gave it up as not really functional. I really, really prefer having a garmin on my handlebars. Shockingly, the garmins are cheaper too unless you go crazy.

I use an apple watch series 2 on the bike quite a lot. Works fine for most riding. I do not use it "exclusively."
I find its GPS distance accuracy to be within about 1% over legitimate mileage (20-50) relative to a calibrated on-handlebar cyclocomputer measuring wheel rotation. And that has its own accuracy uncertainty.
Not enough error for me to care. Some folks, of course, do care about that. Whatever.

I usually use it with the Strava watch app, but sometimes just use the Apple workout app. Always in conjunction with the handlebar cyclocomputer, cause the watch can be hard to "read at speed" on the smaller fields (like HR).

Yep, I'm sure the Garmins are much much more accurate, but they're not much good at anything else, and my apple watch is the ultimate augmentation to my phone for messaging, notifications, timers, alarms, Siri The Dog (separate conversation!), even my Weber Grill Temp Probe.

The watch does not yet support Strava Beacon or RoadID eCrumb, as far as I know, and I like that type of connection since I ride solo most of the time. No navigational or routing support, either, but I don't need that.

The watch would not be a great choice to support a dedicated race-training program with a lot of measurement. For a typical "I'm getting fit and healthy" rider, it's very very useful, and not limited to two-wheeled activity.

Series 3 is capable of all that as well...I prefer to use an on bike computer though. That way, the info in right in front of me the whole time.

Thanks guys, might need to pick one up. I'd like to use it for both cycling and running.

As mentioned above, I have a series 3 with GPS, but it is not my primary computer for cycling. I still use the polar suite with cadence, speed, HR, etc; and do not think the watch can replace a dedicated bike computer.

Running, however, is a different story. It is so nice to go out running and leave everything behind by my watch and a set of bluetooth headphones. The watch takes care of GPS, HR, and can stream music without any issue. Its been great not having to hold anything in my hands.

I use the watch 3 with Strava and am happy with it. Less happy with the bastards who always ring just as I'm in sight of the top of a steep incline!

I do use a cheap bicycle computer for speed/distance covered info, which is important for touring.

I have apple watch 2 . I really like
Rick

I'm a big fan, but it didn't start out that way. I have the cellular Series 3 which means I can leave my phone at home. I have a bike computer I use for my training rides, but when I ride to the store or other errand - of have my bike computer crash - the Series 3 does just fine. I also use the Strava app.

Here's the thing - at first, I was kind of ho-hum about them. But they grow on you and become part of your daily life. Now? I wouldn't want to be without one ever. They're that integrated into my day - weather, appointments, messages, alerts, phone, etc...

Depends on how long your rides are. Apple watch is not known for its high battery life.

That's exactly what I found. The only problem is that I feel like an idiot talking to my watch when someone rings. Wouldn't be without it now, however. If they enabled use of the e-sim in other countries I'd never take my phone abroad again, but that may be network dependent..