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Just looking at different options for navigating / recording my MTB rides.
Have seen a Garmin edge for £178 and a wahoo element plus V2 for £70 just wondering if these are useful for MTB rides.
Thanks
I’ve had an Edge 1030 for about a year. It’s one of those things that I didn’t think I needed but now I’ve got one, I’d struggle to be without.
Used both over the years. Fine for recording MTB rides. My wahoo doubles as the live track device on the motorcycle too !
There are multiple options of Edge (and presumably the Wahoo equivalent). I’ve got a 530 which is great for logging rides, but is a bit limited for navigation (can do breadcrumb trail but that’s about it).
The 530 should have a base map
Depends on the model of Edge? A 130 can do it but isn't great for navigation as it's quite small to see and doesn't have a basemap. Anything above that like a 540, 840, 1050 (or previous models) is big enough and will have a basemap. Personally I'd prefer a touchscreen, which would mean the 840 rather than 540.
I've almost stopped using my Edge 830 in favour of a Fenix watch, unless I really don't know where I'm going. It can do navigation and has a better map but obviously it's not hugely practical riding along one handed looking at a watch for directions.
I've used an Edge Explore for years now, great piece of kit, my only gripe is there's a bug in the battery saver mode where it crashes. This means battery life is less than ideal for the epic rides (6hrs+), which I've mitigated with a portable charger strapped to the top tube.
If I had to buy again now I'd go for a 540, mainly due to much better battery life, and button control. Most people probably prefer the touchscreen but I'd rather have buttons for when I'm wearing gloves.
I’m currently navigating from my watch. But it’s not ideal. Too easy to miss a turn. If i had a fenix I’d just strap it to the bars but the epix just turns off its display. I think I’ll get an 840. Pricey but the members discount here helps lots.
It's an edge explore 2 that's 175
Will look at the 5/840 dunno if I can stretch to the 1040
I have a Wahoo Roam. Brilliant for following new routes and exploring. Could probably find a used one for less than £200.
I've got a 530 for mainly road duty but use a forerunner watch for on the mountain bikes. Had the 530 since it came out and never had an issue with it.
I’ve had two bar mounted Garmin items. I didn’t get on with either as the combination of touch screen and buttons confused me! There were also too many features, I’m still a paper map user and only needed a means of recording my rides for my personal improvements, heart rates and interest.
I bought a secondhand Garmin Instinct solar 2 from the classifieds on here and it does everything that I need and then it uploads it to my phone/ipad and Garmin Connect. Good battery life, very tough and I wear it all the time - still got more features than I could ever use though!
It's an edge explore 2 that's 175
The edge explore 2 is great. Good battery life, good for navigation, interface is fast enough. If you pair it with Komoot on your phone then it's even better I find. Remember though that both of them rely on OpenStreetMap for their data so it might not be 100% accurate. Part of using these devices is learning how to not be locked down to them and be willing to take a different path if necessary. For following a gpx it's great
Does anyone *not* use a cycle computer?
Well all I've been doing so far is komoot on my phone for navigation, but as I'm doing longer rides it's getting tight on battery life.
Edge 530 use openstreetmap, it's quite detailed. Download this https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/software/express/windows/ and plug it in your pc and it'll update the maps. You can get gpx routes on their by uploading to garmin connect or copying them across as files with it plugged in
It's an edge explore 2 that's 175
Will look at the 5/840 dunno if I can stretch to the 1040
For that sort of deal I'd just get the Edge Explore 2, unless you need some of the more advanced features of other models.
Never use one on my MTB any more. I don’t need mapping for my rides and just log them using phone/watch.
Use an Edge 510 for every road ride and commute, though. Mainly because it provides some distraction/targets/info. Might get a newer one later this year. Hopefully an updated edge 5xx or discounted 540.
Does anyone *not* use a cycle computer?
*Raises hand.
CBA with the data, comparing it to previous rides etc. I ride for fun, not statistics, and tend to ride where I know where I’m going, or with someone that does.
If I do get lost, I can use my phone to find my way back
Edge 540 here, I like it, very happy with nav and battery life. but TBH it sounds like the OP has relatively basic requirements.
I reckon a 530 would be adequate if you can find one for a good price. An explore V2 if you want a touch screen and the battery life meets your needs…
Check the DC Rainmaker review for anything you are considering, and always assume the battery life will go down by 1/3rd for navigation and/or as the device gets older.
Yeah I'm just looking at replacing my phone on my handlebar as I'm starting to do longer rides where the battery life is getting close to capacity while following the route on komoot.
No computer here either, most of the time.
Blevo sometimes.
I have a bell though :-()
I've only recently started using one, an Edge Explore 2. For navigating mostly rather than stats or data. I do record my ride for reference but my Garmin watch was fine for that so it's just a nice addition. I don't use it for mtb as I usually know where I'm going. Though I might for a long XC ride if I wasn't sure of the route. For road and gravel it's great.
I'm often following a .gpx when exploring new routes. It's great to not to have to stop to look at a phone or paper map for navigating and just enjoy the ride. I quite enjoy exploring then plotting new routes on OS Maps at home of an evening, beer in hand. Then downloading the file and riding it the next day.
There are a few glitches! I've learned never to press yes for "do you want to navigate to the start of your route". If I do it sends me in never ending circles back to the start of the route, not letting me actually do the ride! It sometimes gets confused if I plot a circular route or one that crosses over itself, trying to send me back to the start prematurely.
It occasionally stops recording the altitude. I've discovered that calibrating the altimeter then switching it off and on again cures that. These are irritating but now I'm aware of them and have discovered workarounds, it's OK. Overall I'm pleased with it and it definitely adds value to my road and gravel rides.
Thanks for all the responses,
I'm going for this bundle with the blue light card discount
I can't add the picture but is a Garmin edge 540 bundle for 272.99
Does that seem sensible?
How much extra for an 8– series? I went from a 520 to 840, obviously 2 generations newer but the touch screen of the 8- is a massive benefit to me.
for the latest ones DCrainmaker I think says the software is very clearly designed for a touch screen and the 5- feels a bit clunky to control it just with the buttons.
£65 more...
540 cancelled, 840 ordered
Haha
Thanks for helping me convince my wife to spend more money on my cycling habits 😂