GPS for road bikers

GPS for road bikers

GPS Cyclometers
The Garmin Edge series is comprised of cyclometer-type GPS receivers. All of them have high-sensitivity chipsets for superior satellite reception in urban canyons and under canopy. While they are excellent cyclometers, they aren’€™t all that great as navigation devices (more on navigation options below). If you are primarily wanting to track your performance though, the Edge series is an excellent choice.
The newest models are the Garmin Edge 605 and Edge 705, which add color screens and mapping capability (maps purchased separately) to the features found on previous models. The 705 adds a heart rate monitor, barometric altimeter
and the ability to share data wirelessly with another Edge 705. The 705 is also compatible with an optional cadence sensor and power meter. For a detailed look at the new Edge models, be sure to check out my hands-on review of the Edge 605.


The first-generation Garmin Edge 205 and Garmin Edge 305 (pictured at left) have a monochrome display and lack the mapping capabilities of the 605 and 705. The 305 will give you more accurate data on elevation gain than the 205, thanks to its barometric altimeter.
The Edge 305 actually comes in three models;€” the 305CAD includes a cadence/speed sensor, the 305HR includes a heart rate monitor, and the Edge 305HR+ comes with both.

GPS receivers with turn-by-turn routing
If you want something for navigating the roads you’€™re riding, you’€™ll probably want a GPS with turn-by-turn navigation. The ones we’€™ll look at below won’€™t give voice-prompted directions, but they will “chirp”€ when a turn is approaching and give notification on screen too.
The eTrex Legend HCx is a good, budget minded choice, but the button layout on a GPSMAP 60Cx is much easier to manage while in a handlebar mount. In order to do turn-by-turn routing though, you’ll need Garmin’€™s City Navigator software. Yes, you’€™ve got to buy the GPS and software, but hey, the 60Cx and Legend HCx can do double duty in your car. Because of this, you might want to buy City Navigator with the auto kit (the mount is for the 60 series in the package I’m linking to). Once again, the 60Cx is better suited to this because of it’s more user-friendly button layout, and it has a larger screen too. TIP: Be sure you get the latest version of City Navigator if purchasing this mapping software.

GPS for mountain bikers

If you want something that is primarily a training partner, the Edge series  is a great choice.

But most mountain bikers getting a GPS will want one that has better navigation features.

The Legend HCx and Vista HCx are great choices for mountain bikers. The Vista HCx adds a barometric altimeter and electronic compass. With a larger screen and a better button layout while on the bike, the GPSMAP 60Cx or 60CSx are great choices too. The latter also adds an electronic compass and barometric altimeter. These units don’€™t come with any kind of detailed map though. Fortunately, there are free topo maps available for most states for Garmin units.

A new introduction, the Delorme PN-40 (shown above, at right), is another good option for mountain bikers. It can accommodate aerial imagery and real USGS topos.

Touchscreen units

In the past, I’ve been reluctant to recommend any of the new touchscreen units, due to visibility issues. I was pleasantly surprised by the new Garmin Dakota 20 however, and it is the first touchscreen model I’m recommending. It won’t be as bright as an eTrex or 60C(S)x, but the touch screen interface is awesome. Another model to consider, with a larger screen, is the Garmin Oregon 450. It’s the first Oregon unit I’m recommending for bikers. These newer touch screen units have some awesome new features, and they are well worth checking out.

Garmin touchscreen Edge 800 GPS

Back in the day, cyclists keen to keep a record of their travels had to employ a map for directions and listen to the relentless click of a metal wheel clip nudging against a mechanical device for recording the miles travelled, but Garmin’s touchscreen Edge 800 cycling GPS unit cuts a far more modern dash.

Cycling in colour
Their new touchscreen-based Edge 800 comes with a 2.6-inch colour display, and offers new mapping options like Garmin’s BaseCamp route planning and BirdsEye Satellite Imagery for keeping riders on track.
“Whether you’re on the road, in the mountains or around the city, Garmin’s touchscreen Edge 800 puts the most important information of your ride at your fingertips,” spake Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales.
“Thanks to its simple mounting system, improved mapping and route-planning capabilities, and the GPS-based features that make wires and calibration obsolete, we can easily say that one Edge fits all.”

Calibrate ye not

The Edge 800 needs no fiddly calibration to set up, so riders can use it on different bikes, with the unit able to be positioned on the handlebars or stem via a low profile mount.Maps are loaded via microSD card.
Garmin say that their high-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix can snappily acquire and lock on to satellites, and the Edge 800 also displays temperature readings, changes time zones automatically with the battery lasting for up to 15 hours on one charge.
The Edge 800 should be available in October, with Garmin offering two configurations: a standalone version for $449.99 or a pricier $649.99 bundle that lobs in a wireless speed and cadence sensor, a City Navigator microSD card, and Garmin’s new premium heart-rate monitor strap.

Do You Know What Cycling GPS Units Can Do for You?

Cycling GPS units can save you time trying to figure out where you are. Let alone where you want to go.

They are the map! Asking for directions is a thing of the past.

Every person's dream is to not have to ask for directions again.

Bike GPS units make your handle bars and your life less cluttered.

Heart Monitors Too....

Keep everything all in one unit. With a Garmin bicycle GPS computer you get a heart monitor, bike speed sensor and GPS all in one unit.

This simplifies your life and your handle bars...

So you can get the most out of your ride.

Leaving you to concentrate on beating your friend up the next hill or to the next stop sign!

A Riding Partner...

Who will never keep you waiting! No matter when you want to ride, the Garmin Virtual Partner will be ready when you are.

Ever waited for a friend to show up to go riding? And you wait, and wait some more.

You can now turn your waiting time into riding time!

Your time is valueable and does not deserve to be wasted.

Your new partner might even push you harder than your old ones did.

Now you can ride when it fits your schedule best and still have a partner.

Feel Good About Your....

Goals give us inspiration and motivation to become better. You can plan ahead what you want to accomplish for a particular workout.

As you ride you can see how your doing as you're doing it.

You can now have a sense of statisfaction by accomplishing your goals and see progress while you workout.

Feel good about your workout and yourself! Garmin cycling GPS units can help!

Up For a Challenge...

You can get better and improve faster by challenging your personal best!

These cycling computers allow you to push yourself to a new personal best.

When your feeling up to the challenge you can continue to break old records. All the while you are molding a better, faster you!

Nothing gets you more excited than beating a record!

Feel the excitement and sense of accomplishment by winning over and over again!

Garmin Edge riding computers equip you with the ability to clearly see your objective and accomplish it!

Accept the challenge today and see how fast you can create a better, faster you!

You will even impress your bicycling buddies on how quickly you are improving.

Go for it you deserve it!

Make sure you put a GPS unit at the top of your must have cycling equipment list!