Stay connected on the road with two new Garmin cycling computers
Garmin has added to its already rich portfolio of cycling computers two new devices.
The Edge 130 is a rugged and compact gizmo with an extremely minimalistic form factor. Measuring just 4.1 x 6.3 x 1.6 cm (H x W x D) and weighing a mere 33 grams, the cycling computer still manages to pack an impressive array of technology.
With GPS, GLONASS, Galileo satellites and an altimeter, you’ll know exactly how far, fast, hard and high you’ve ridden. All this information is viewable on the 1.8” Memory in Pixel (MIP) display that, Garmin says, is just as easy to read in sunlight as it is in low-light conditions. Navigation features include turn prompts, breadcrumb maps and downloadable on and off-road courses.
Edge 130 can pair with a smartphone to provide text messages and incoming call notification. These will appear on your device screen so you can see them at a glance and keep right on riding. You can also set it up to provide weather alerts and more.
Battery life is up to 15 hours and the computer sells for just under $200 on Garmin’s website. At the time of writing estimated availability is between 3 and 5 weeks.
Also new in the lineup is the Edge 520 Plus. An updated version of the popular Edge 520, the feature-packed device comes with everything you get on Edge 130 and more.
Advanced options for cyclists include Garmin Cycle Maps with turn-by-turn directions for on and off-road courses. This includes new rider alerts for sharp turns and other obstacles. Pre-loaded Strava Live Segments allow you to compete second by second against your own previous best and Strava friends. And you can stay connected with LiveTrack and GroupTrack, smart notifications, rider-to-rider messaging and built-in incident detection.
Then there are some advanced performance features such as cycling-specific VO2 max as an indicator of your fitness ability, and recovery time so you know exactly how long to wait before your next ride. You will need a heart rate strap for these, though. For even more performance data, 520 Plus is compatible with ANT+ power meters.
Just like on the Edge 130, battery life is close to 15 hours. The 520 Plus will set you back $280 on Garmin’s website and the wait for your device will be somewhere between five to eight weeks.
Both of these devices provide everything a cyclist needs. They’ll play nice with various Varia cycling accessories, too, such as the rearview radar and smart bike lights. By pairing these devices with your Edge, you can create a much safer riding environment.
This also includes the newly update model of the Varia RTL510 which launched alongside the two bike computers. Acting as an eye at the back of your helmet, the radar tail light easily mounts to most road-use bicycles to provide visual and audible alerts of approaching vehicles (up to a distance of 140 meters). So you will be easily spotted by drivers the gizmo offers daylight visibility up to a mile away and is visible within a 220-degree range.
Varia RTL510 costs $200 and also has the same 15-hour battery life in flashing mode (or 6 hours in solid or night flash mode).
For more about these and other products check out the Garmin website.
Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!
