Why is a Garmin cycle computer worth getting?

[ny biker]

I have been using a Polar cycle computer for years, and I'm starting to have mechanical problems with it so I think I will have to replace it soon. I haven't used the HRM feature in years, just the basic distance, speed and cadence functions.

Since my new bike is a Madone, I will get a DuoTrap sensor for speed and cadence, since it will fit neatly on the chainstay. It works with ANT+ technology, so I need a cycle computer that also uses ANT+.

I could stay with Bontrager products and get a Node 1 or Node 2. They seem to be pretty basic wireless cycle computers, and are among the less expensive options for products that work with the DuoTrap. The Node 2 measures altitude and percent grade. I never use the altitude feature of the Polar, but percent grade might be nice to know, since some of the hills around here are pretty steep.

I'm trying to figure out if it would be worth the extra cash to get a Garmin Edge 500, or even an 800 though I'm pretty sure that's more than I can afford right now. What does the GPS actually do for you on a cycle computer?

Thanks as always for all your answers!!


(FYI, this is the DuoTrap speed and cadence sensor: http://bontrager.com/model/08298)

[OakLeaf]

I could get lost on a football field. But it's not only on roads I "ought" to know by now that the Garmin is helpful.

If I'm doing an organized ride, I can download the .gpx and be sure I haven't missed road markings - some rides are better than others. If I'm going to be in an unfamiliar area by myself, I can plan a route (looking at satellite maps to be sure of the roads), or download a public route drafted by someone local, who has knowledge of traffic patterns, etc.

Nowadays my phone gives me emergency mapping, but I'm not aware of any phone apps that let you travel a pre-set route. Plus, obviously bike computers have way more battery life than phones.

[ny biker]

My understanding of the Edge 500 is that it doesn't replace cue sheets, because it doesn't show maps or tell you when to turn.

If I'm concerned (or curious) about a new ride I will check out the cue sheet on google maps before I leave. In general I only have problems following cue sheets when there is an error or a sign is missing.

I only use the map on my phone by stopping to check it if needed. While I'm riding the phone stays in a ziploc bag in my bento box.

[OakLeaf]

I don't know much about the 500, but I do use mapping on my Forerunner 310XT on long runs. It's just a breadcrumb trail - no road maps and no turn-by-turn directions, just a picture of the track and a warning if you're off course - and it's more involved getting the maps in there than it is with the 705 - but it does work. I'd expect it's similar with the 500 and other Garmin devices that don't have road maps.

I got religious about mapping my long runs last year, after I missed a turn one 95-degree day and wound up 13 miles from home with 4 miles' worth of water. Luckily I was in phone range and DH was home.

[HillSlugger]

The DuoTrap is great! So much cleaner than the usual setups. I do use mine with Garmin; love the GPS and HR data.

[hulagirl]

I have the 310XT and have the cycle mount. It's great for triathlon training, easily swaps from wrist to bike, etc. No maps. Does cadence, speed, HR, etc.

I'm on my 5th unit. ;-)

I picked up an Edge 800 when hubby and I got our Bike Friday's. We were in Seattle for 3 weeks and I was getting sick of stopping to look at google maps on my iphone at every red light. It's not cheap, but it's great for places you aren't familar with.

I didn't expect to use it much at home here in Hawaii. Because well, it's an island and there aren't many places I can't figure out. You either head toward the mountains or not and in 15 minutes you will get to water or the end of a road. Pretty simple.

But, I find I like the size of the 800's screen much more that the 310xt. My speed and cadence are big and easy to see. I like the elevation display (we have plenty of that here!) and the temperature tracking is pretty fun too.

I also like that it does turn by turn directions and I can use it in my car. (I don't have a GPS device in my car) So it will double as something to use on the bike when we are traveling and for trips in the car. As a training tool, I like the display better than the 310xt.

I won't give up my 310xt. I still use that for triathlons.

[ehirsch83]

I have the 500 and I love it! I used to use a Cateye V3 and didn't understand the need/want for a Garmin. Now that I have it- I couldn't live without! I love being able to upload my data and look at it- see cadence,hr, speed- route, temperature outside. etc. Really helps give a good overview of your ride and helps gauge not only progression but how you are feeling each time(and did you need to fuel more b/c heat got intense,etc.)

[nscrbug]

I also have a Garmin 500, and I like it well enough. The GPS on the 500, doesn't necessarily offer much in the way that a "true" GPS would...such as on the 800. But you can upload your rides to the Garmin Connect website and it will paint a Google map of where you just rode...pretty cool feature, I suppose. I like the fact that you can customize the screens (there are 3) to contain which data fields you want to display. My only gripe, is that the HRM has never worked accurately for me...it always shows my HR at or below 100bpm regardless of how hard of an effort I'm putting forth...which in turn, calculates my calorie burn incorrectly. But I've been told that this may have something to do with the set-up and entering my resting/max HR. To be most accurate, I guess you're supposed to do a lactate threshold test, which I'm too lazy to do. So I just pay no attention to the HR or calorie numbers anymore. Other than that, it's a great unit.

Linda

[ehirsch83]

Linda,

Send it back to Garmin! It should read your HR accurately. No matter if it is at 98 or 198.

[nscrbug]

Linda,

Send it back to Garmin! It should read your HR accurately. No matter if it is at 98 or 198.

I bought it from PBK (in the UK)...would I send it to Garmin directly? I honestly don't think there is anything wrong with the unit. I think it has more to do with the way I set up my profile and entered my resting/max HR. It probably is reading my HR correctly...as my HR tends to run a bit on the low side regardless of what type of activity I'm doing.

[ehirsch83]

Call Garmin's customer service and ask

[ny biker]

I'm thinking that the most useful aspect of the Garmin would be if I could upload a ride and then print out a cue sheet of it, with street names for each turn and distances between them. Is this possible?

I looked at ridewithgps.com and didn't see an option to generate/print a cue sheet.

The other features seem like they might be interesting, but for my purposes not necessary or worth the added cost.

[Pedal Wench]

I'm thinking that the most useful aspect of the Garmin would be if I could upload a ride and then print out a cue sheet of it, with street names for each turn and distances between them. Is this possible?

I looked at ridewithgps.com and didn't see an option to generate/print a cue sheet.

The other features seem like they might be interesting, but for my purposes not necessary or worth the added cost.

Well, you can upload a ride, but the Garmin itself will display a cue sheet with street names and the distance until the turn. As you ride, you can cycle (pun!) between a screen with the regular display - speed, time, average speed, whatever you want to customize it with, a map screen with your route highlighted, and the cue sheet.

[ny biker]

Well, you can upload a ride, but the Garmin itself will display a cue sheet with street names and the distance until the turn. As you ride, you can cycle (pun!) between a screen with the regular display - speed, time, average speed, whatever you want to customize it with, a map screen with your route highlighted, and the cue sheet.

I thought it just showed a breadcrumb with no street names. I'm looking at the Edge 500.

Anyway I'm thinking I want a printable cue sheet so I can share the ride easily with others. I tend to take cue sheets from club rides and edit them to meet my distance goals, change the start point, minimize high-traffic roads, etc. Which leaves me with a list of turns but no indication of mileage at each turn. I can work with that, but it's not so helpful if I need to share it with others.

A printout would also work as a backup for the inevitable day when the Garmin is not working...

[OakLeaf]

Printable cue sheets don't come from the device in any case, they come from whatever you use to generate the route.

Mapmyride seems to do it for some routes and not for others - I don't know what makes the difference. I'm surprised ridewithgps doesn't - I do know they have been doing a lot of work on their site, so you might check back. On your desktop, DeLorme Street Atlas will do it, Garmin Base Camp might. If you're a AAA member, I think you can do that on their site, too.