Cycling computer or gps watch

[Veebee]

If you ride alot and enjoy looking at data then get the Edge.

[Dexter-morgan]

Yes you can in short, you can make your watch broadcast your heartrate and receive it by the edge.

If can hijack a little from the OP,

 

I have a Garmin Fenix 5x currently that I use for cycling, but have also been debating with getting and Edge of sorts. Let's say I get an Edge 130, can the 2 devices pair together? where the watch acts as a HR monitor and the Edge for all the other data? And further, will the Edge use the same Garmin connect app (i.e. all data displayed on the same app)?

[JuddMan]

Thanks guys, I think I've just about made my mind up.

 

I am still new to road cycling, so the watch will do for now, but will definitely keep an eye out for specials on a device and jump on. 

[Sechaba]

Watch: versatility, pairs with PM & multi screens of which you can determine how fast or slow it shows you data screens.

 

Been using Fenix 3 through J2C, Sani, Epic, Munga rides & now 5. No issues at all. Get a handle bar mount.

[Yyyy]

my 2 cents

 

If you can only have one and have the budget get a mid to high tier watch.

 

Its way more versatile and useful for other activities as well

 

Most watches in that range can pair with Power meters, HRMs, speed and cadence sensors have multi custom screens that can display multiple data and you can even get a handle bar mount for it (eg like a quick release set for garmin https://buy.garmin.com/en-ZA/ZA/p/557702#devices).

 

 

Only issue is that higher tier bike computers tend to have bigger screens and display even more data.

[mecheng89]

Edge

Forerunner 45 is going to let you down if you want to red data while you're cycling, the screen is just too cramped. It's designed to be used as a running watch, so best use it for that purpose alone. 

The only real Forerunners that can confidently do both is the 735XT, 920XT, 935 and 945, ie. multi-sport watches. I have the 945 and even then got annoyed, so I bought myself a cheap as chips Lezyne outfront GPS unit with a big enough screen. 

[ChristiaanSt]

I had Edge520 for a long time and switched to watch (735xt) and I wont go back to Edge.

 

I have a data field installed on watch that gives me more info than the edge. I even have my indoor trainer transmitting power readings to my watch as well. 

[Dexter-morgan]

One nice feature of the Edges are following a course, you can see climbs coming and how long the climbs are, nice little feature of the 530/830/1030 is the Mountainbike feature, it shows flow and grit and records any jumps you have made, just a nice to have.

[madmarc]

I been questioning this as well - I have an edge 520+ which i mainly use for outrides. I hardly ever read the data while riding other than distance, ave speed and ave HR every now an again. the real data i read after the ride.

 

I used it on the IDT mainly to upload HR to Disco for points - my training apps upload to both Garmin Connect and Strava. Recently i rebuilt the paincave and had to move to BT connection as i'm running everything off an Iphone 6+ cast to a 50" HDTV - So the Garmin Ant+ HRM chest strap and 520 were shelved for IDT work as they are Ant+. My problem was still getting my HR data to Disco as they wont accept anything from TR / ZWIFT or STRAVA and the data uploaded to Garmin connect indicates its from a 3rd party app so Disco wont accept that either.

 

Currently my workaround is an old fitbit i fired up and wear it all the time - when i do an IDT session it records and uploads to Disco.

 

My 520 now lays on the shelf begging for an outride - So i been thinking of flipping it and getting a Garmin watch which i can wear all the time and it serves both my IDT an outride needs

[Pieter-za]

I am reluctant to mount my watch as it might damage the oHR 'lens'?

 

Have anyone experience using this ​QuickFit® Quarter-turn Bike Mount

Edited July 10, 2020 by Pieter-za

[Yyyy]

I am reluctant to mount my watch as it might damage the oHR 'lens'?

 

Have anyone experience using this ​QuickFit® Quarter-turn Bike Mount

not that specific brand but im using the quick release from Garmin for the 935 which is similar (https://buy.garmin.c.../557702#devices)

 

Works well , no issues.

 

Although on close inspection, those ones look like it has a plastic hold/release lever where as garmin uses a solid metal one. 

Edited July 10, 2020 by YaseenEnos

[PhilipV]

If you don't plan to use it for running or hiking, then get the edge.

 

I run occasionally, so I have a watch. But I also mostly use it as a data logger and only occasionally check my data when riding, so taking a peak at the watch isn't an issue.

[JuddMan]

2nd train of thought I've just had..

 

For me, I'm not exactly interested in reading HR data etc while on the bike. For me, what I would like to look at while riding is perhaps the time, speed, and distance data.

 

With that being said, would wearing the watch on the bike to analyse afterwards and just have a 'cheap' basic bike computer be a fair combo?

[Jehosefat]

2nd train of thought I've just had..

 

For me, I'm not exactly interested in reading HR data etc while on the bike. For me, what I would like to look at while riding is perhaps the time, speed, and distance data.

 

With that being said, would wearing the watch on the bike to analyse afterwards and just have a 'cheap' basic bike computer be a fair combo?

 

'Cheap' basic bike computers usually have tiny screens as well so you might as well just pop your watch onto your handlebars and save a few hundred bucks.

[Frosty]

As someone that uses a watch (735XT) as my primary device, I don't have a problem reading the data. It shows all the metrics I need, including power. While I have a 310XT on my stem, it merely serves as a second device for convenience. 

 

If you're thinking of the 130, include the Lezyne Mega C or XL in your research, as they are priced the same, but this unit is on par with the 5xx series Garmin and Wahoo devices. Only problem is that it's not compatible with Discovery - if that's what you need to do.

[NeverNotRolling]

As someone that uses a watch (735XT) as my primary device, I don't have a problem reading the data. It shows all the metrics I need, including power. While I have a 310XT on my stem, it merely serves as a second device for convenience.

 

If you're thinking of the 130, include the Lezyne Mega C or XL in your research, as they are priced the same, but this unit is on par with the 5xx series Garmin and Wahoo devices. Only problem is that it's not compatible with Discovery - if that's what you need to do.

Just had a look now at the Lezyne Mega, thanks for that input. Anybody here have one? Thoughts?