Tariffs Impact Wahoo’s Latest Cycling Radar — But You’ll Only See It at Checkout
Once again, tariffs have made their mark on the tech industry, and this time, Wahoo is bearing the brunt. The fitness technology brand, renowned for its cycling computers and accessories, has discreetly imposed a significant surcharge on its newest release — the TRACKR Radar — owing to heightened import duties. Instead of inflating the retail price, Wahoo has integrated the extra expense into the shipping charges, which now commence at an eye-opening $50 for customers in the U.S.
As highlighted by the cycling site DC Rainmaker, the TRACKR Radar is priced at $199.99. However, when you land on the checkout page, the shipping fees unveil the actual total. Economy shipping kicks off at $50, while faster options climb as high as $85. This implies that U.S. purchasers will be shelling out a minimum of $250 prior to taxes for the gadget.
In contrast, customers in Europe benefit from considerably lower shipping rates — beginning at €0 for economy and €10 for express — indicating that the U.S. price increase is linked to recent tariff adjustments. Specifically, the Trump administration’s 145% tariffs on imports from China seem to be the main issue.
Wahoo isn’t the only one grappling with the repercussions of these tariffs. Mashable has previously documented similar hikes from tech companies such as Anker, Asus, Microsoft/Xbox, Wyze, and even adult toy manufacturers.
Ray Maker, the blogger behind DC Rainmaker, provided Mashable with screenshots illustrating the concealed surcharge. A message on the checkout page states: “A service charge has been applied to this product. This charge has been included in the shipping total.” Following the link directs users to a Wahoo support page detailing that recent global supply chain modifications have compelled the company to enforce a service charge on orders dispatched from U.S. warehouses, noting escalating delivery expenses.
The TRACKR Radar is produced in China, while Wahoo’s recently launched BOLT 3 and ROAM 3 GPS models are manufactured in Taiwan and feature a more modest $15 shipping fee. This variation in manufacturing locations likely clarifies the differences in shipping costs.
While Wahoo has chosen to conceal the tariff-related expense within shipping fees, other retailers have adopted a more forthcoming stance. Outdoor equipment retailer REI, for instance, simply lists the TRACKR Radar at $250, showcasing the entire cost upfront.
Mashable has contacted Wahoo to verify whether the price increase is explicitly due to tariffs and will provide updates on this story pending a response from the company.
For more insights on how tariffs are influencing tech prices — from postponed Nintendo Switch 2 preorders to iPhone 16 buying frenzies — keep an eye on Mashable’s continuing coverage.