Stuff Fatty Loves: The Garmin Edge 500
A Full Disclosure Note from Fatty: I bought my Garmin Edge 500 from an online retailer and got no special discount on it.
Remember when bike computers had a thin little wire that ran down to your fork, where the sensor would pick up as the little magnet you attached to a spoke went by?
Except, of course, when the magnet moved and started hitting the sensor with every rotation of the wheel. Click click click click click.
Or when the sensor moved and stopped picking up the magnet.
Or when the wire broke.
Or when the battery died, in which case you would need to — since of course the battery was a completely unique size — order replacements from the manufacturer for just slightly more than the original cost of the bike computer itself, plus $8.00 for shipping. Please allow 8 weeks for delivery.
Yeah, those were the good old days.
Dawn of the GPS
And then — maybe seven or eight years ago? — affordable GPSs came out. They were just about the same size as mobile phones, which is to say about the size and weight of a brick. Four AA batteries would very nearly get you through a three-hour ride. Provided, of course, you didn’t break the giant thing off the handlebar mount.
And good luck figuring out the software.
But — like phones — the GPSs have gotten smaller. And — Unlike phones — their battery consumption has gotten stingier.
And — judging from the fact that Garmin is sponsoring a pro cycling team — they’ve wakened to the fact that cyclists are a huge and awesome target market for GPSs.
I don’t know if it’s feedback from the Garmin-Transition team that led to the Garmin Edge 500, but Garmin has nailed it.
Yep, I love the Garmin Edge 500, and now I’m going to tell you why.
Mounting It: As Easy As Shooting Rubber Bands
I am not good with tools. In fact, I tend to get sweaty and panicky when I have to do any bike maintenance beyond lubing the chain. And I am not too proud to say that I have ruined more than one bike computer simply by trying to mount it on my bike.
So when I got the Edge 500, I wasn’t looking forward to setting it up on my bike.
Until I found out that setting up the mount requires exactly no tools and — at most — two minutes of your time.
Essentially, all you have to do is rest the mount where you want it on your stem, then stretch a couple of industrial-strength rubber bands under the stem, diagonally from corner to corner.
That’s it. That’s all there is to it.
At first I was a little bit concerned — would a couple of bands be enough to secure a GPS? Well, I’ve had this GPS mounted to the stem of my fully-rigid singlespeed for the whole season, for every mountain bike ride, for the Kokopelli Trail, for the Leadville 100, for the PCP2P, and for several hometown epics, and the mount has never slipped. No band has ever broken.
Simple solutions are sometimes the best.
So, how do you attach the actual Edge 500 onto this little mount? By putting it on sideways, and then turning it a quarter turn, locking it into place. Takes no time at all, and it stays put, nice and secure.
Oh, and here’s a nice touch with the mounts: the Edge 500 comes with two mount kits, not just one. Which means that you can set one up on your mountain bike and one on your road bike, then easily move the computer between the two bikes.
Which is exactly what I do.
So now I’ve gone on for about ten paragraphs about the Edge 500’s bike mounts. But the fact is, setting up and moving the computer is a huge — and until now, problematic — part of how you use your bike computer. With the Edge 500, setting up the mounts and moving the computer between mounts is truly, genuinely simple.
Information Overload
It’s nothing new to have a lot of information available on your GPS, and the Edge 500 can provide a ton of data: Speed, temperature, time, time of day, total ascent and descent, vertical speed, cadence, calories, distance, elevation, grade, heading, heart rate, laps, and power, along with various permutations of practically all of the above.
What I like about the Edge 500 is how easy it is to customize how much data you see, what data you see, and how you can easily change what you see.
For example, for most of the Leadville 100, here’s the screen I was looking at:
Three fields, nice and big, showing just what I cared about: how long I’d been out, how much climbing I had done, and how far I had gone.
With a single button press (the Page / Menu button on the bottom-left side), though, I could go to a different custom page with eight fields:
Cuz sometimes you just want to let your inner nerd out.
Other Stuff I Love About the Edge 500
There are other things I like a lot about the Edge 500 — things that make me think that Garmin really did their homework for what a cyclist would want from a GPS bike computer:
- It’s easy to use even with gloves on. The buttons are on the side, and are rubberized and clicky. There’s enough tactile feedback with these that even with full-finger gloves on, I have no problem operating this thing.
- It’s smart. If you turn the Edge 500 on but forget to press Start, it notices when you’ve started rolling. It chimes and prompts you to press Start. I don’t even know how many times at the beginning of a ride (or race!) I forget to press Start when I get going. This little reminder has come in handy dozens (at least!) of times.
- It’s helpful. The first time I went to customize the fields, I didn’t know whether I would be able to figure it out. To my surprise, the Edge 500 actually walked me through the process, telling me what steps came next. Like this:
Yep, a bike computer that doesn’t assume you keep the arcane instruction book with you at all times. What a concept. - It’s long-lasting. The specs for the Edge 500 say the battery life is up to 18 hours. Honestly I haven’t tried running it that long. But I have run it for twelve hours at a time, several times.
- It’s easy to charge. The Edge 500 comes with an AC charger, but it also can be charged from any USB port, which is what I always do. Which means that as long as you can find a computer, you can charge your Garmin. That’s not a big deal, until you forget your charger at home, and then it’s really nice to be able to not have to look for an obscure cable to recharge your bike computer.
- It’s got a backlight. If you’re riding early in the morning or late at night, that’s nice to have.
If you’re looking to quantify your cycling experience, I daresay this is a really nice way to do it. And, in short, I love the Garmin 500.
Enough so that I bought a second one for The Runner to use on her bikes.
Comment by Paul Guyot | 09.22.2010 | 3:28 pm
Perfect timing. Just this past week I have been wanting to upgrade from my base (BASE!) model Trek Incite to something with more info.
But what I found either forced you to look at too much info, or not enough. I had not seen a one where you could customize your viewing pleasure.
You have found the perfect computer for me.
Thank you. Now I have to somehow convince the wife I deserve a $200+ birthday present.
Yep, you can customize up to 3 views and 1-click switch easily between them. And you get to choose how many fields appear on each view — from 1 field to 8. It’s really nice.
As far as your wife goes, have her email me. I’ll reply, and I’m very convincing. – FC
Comment by Geo | 09.22.2010 | 3:29 pm
I’ve been using the Edge 305 on my road bike for a year or so now and it works great.
I have it set to monitor speed, distance, cadence and heart rate which is great for training. Not that I’m doing any race training, but it is nice to see over time the distance and speed averages go up while the HR goes down.
I also use their online monitoring so you can see your route on a map and keep track of all your rides so it’s easy to keep distance over the month, etc. you are doing.
But, Fatty, I notice you did not show off and show how you track your speed in Mach levels since on your epic descents you often exceed Mach 1 thanks to your handling skills and, of course, those quads.
I also have an Edge 305 and like it, and continue to use it for running. My failure to demonstrate the 500’s ability to track faster-than-sound travel was an unfortunate oversight. I apologize. -FC
Comment by Paul Guyot | 09.22.2010 | 3:34 pm
And I’d love to see a shot of it on your road bike….
Here you go. – FC
Comment by Kevin | 09.22.2010 | 3:43 pm
Can’t say enough good things about my 500! I’ve used it on all my bikes on every ride this year from casual spins to training to races.
My 2 favorite things:
1. Battery life. I ran it for the entire Dirty Kanza 200 this year, nearly 18 hours, and I didn’t get a low battery warning until 5 miles out from the finish.
2. Workout programs. I just started playing with training intervals on the thing and the options available are staggering. Take a look at that menu section if you haven’t- pretty sweet.
I agree about the battery life being a real favorite feature. I haven’t messed with workout programs, but you’ve got me interested. Thanks for the recommendation! – FC
Comment by Daniel | 09.22.2010 | 3:45 pm
Want.
Comment by Sean | 09.22.2010 | 3:49 pm
Amazon has 2 different ones for sale.
Garmin Edge 500 GPS-Based Cycling Computer ($340.00)
Garmin Edge 500 GPS Bicycle Unit ($228.00)
Can someone tell me the difference between these? Aside from the $100 price difference.
The $340 one comes with heart rate monitor and cadence sensor accessories. Those are worth getting only if that’s data you care about. I got mine with the HR and cadence monitor accessories, but never use them.
You can find which packages include what by looking at the part number in the Amazon.com store and then checking that part number against the list on the Garmin site.
- FC
Comment by Brandon | 09.22.2010 | 4:06 pm
Pretty sweet and comes with HR monitor and speed/cadence sensor!
http://www.shopslipstreamsports.com/garmin/garmin-edge-500-argyle.html
The Garmin-Transition team has always been a terrific Friend of Fatty. I love the idea of supporting them with a team version of the Edge 500 (and the price is good too!). Thanks for the link! – FC
Comment by annette | 09.22.2010 | 4:13 pm
thanks for the review, I was just thinking today I would like a new computer for my mtn ride. I think it’s poignant you noted that you purchased this yourself, except now I think you really should get one for your “sponsorship”. kudos to you.
Comment by Teri | 09.22.2010 | 4:39 pm
Love, LOVE, LOVE my Garmin! Got tired of futzing with my VDO, which kept malfunctioning. Finally bought the Garmin 500 last spring and it satisfies my inner geek.
t.
Comment by dug | 09.22.2010 | 4:45 pm
“So now I’ve gone on for about ten paragraphs about the Edge 500’s bike mounts.”
you cheated. you use unreasonably short paragraphs.
That’s.
My.
Way.
– FC
Comment by Paul Guyot | 09.22.2010 | 6:07 pm
So here’s a very lame questions about GPS units like this…
Is there a risk that if you’re riding on some extremely overcast day that the unit will not be able to pick up the satellite?
Like my old DirectTV, or the Onstar in my truck?
Comment by S Schroedl | 09.22.2010 | 6:22 pm
This looks wonderful. Thanks for the detailed discription and how well you like it. I use a Garmin 60SX for all my hiking. But it is too bulky for my bike. I’m jealous of all you who have long stems on your bikes to hold something like this Garmin 500. I have a very, very short stem and very narrow handle bars on my road bike. No room to add anything to the stem. Wonder if the ‘mount’ can be turned to use it in the other direction on the handlebars?
Comment by Jenni | 09.22.2010 | 6:32 pm
Paul Guyot- I have the Garmin 705 and have to say I have occasionally experienced a longer-than-ideal GPS acquisition, somtimes it hangs at 100% and never actually acquires a signal. That being said, I can’t speak for the 500 model, but my 705 is worth its weight in gold, which is almost as much as it cost.
Comment by Hrsgrl | 09.22.2010 | 6:34 pm
Wow. Never seen fatty so chatty!
Comment by Darren | 09.22.2010 | 6:36 pm
I have the Garmin Forerunner 305 so I can handlebar mount it or wrist strap it for running/hiking. Garmin products are amazing! The customizable screen is the best feature in my book. Thanks for the review FC!!!
Comment by Kevin | 09.22.2010 | 6:41 pm
@Paul Guyot I think Garmin uses a modern GPS radio that can keep satellite lock in some hairy conditions. I try to let mine acquire fix in a fairly open area, but even in slightly obscured spots it will see enough SV’s for good accuracy.
In use, under heavy tree/cliff cover on trails, I have yet to have the thing flake out on me. It will occasionally log an oddball point 10′ off from where it should be but that’s really dang good for a commercial gps unit.
Comment by Spiff | 09.22.2010 | 6:55 pm
Hey, Fatty! What kind of computer software did the 500 come with? My Forerunner 205 software is pretty lame. I quickly discovered SportTracks (free) and more recently Garmin’s own Garmin Connect. Both are pretty good for training logs and other geeky pursuits.
Comment by Louis | 09.22.2010 | 7:25 pm
Fatty, first of all I feel your pain! My wife rides as well so I have to buy 2 of everything! Also, I’m a sucker for matchy – matchy. I just wish I could keep up with her!
We love our Garmin Edge 500s! All the accolades mentioned so far, we ditto. I would add that the graphics on the download website are way cool! Occasionally I ride repeats on a local hill that generates an elevation or heart rate graphic that looks like an EKG. The return trip even looks like a flat line, appropriate for how I feel. One complaint is that the Edge 500 will program for 3 bikes but only comes with 2 bike mounts. I have to put in at plug for the Trek Duo Tap. This chainstay integrated sensor virtually eliminates the problem of magnet-sensor mal-alignment.
Comment by jb | 09.22.2010 | 7:25 pm
I too love my Garmin. I highly recommend Strava.com as a place to stick all those files you’re generating. It’s all the things that Garmin connect should be, but isn’t. Very very cool.
Comment by Squirrelhead | 09.22.2010 | 7:38 pm
The Garmin looks sweet! I will add it to my list of wants for sure. I can see me adding that to my toys next year for sure. Thanks for the write up.
Comment by evil3 | 09.22.2010 | 7:45 pm
“And — judging from the fact that Garmin is sponsoring a pro cycling team — they’ve wakened to the fact that cyclists are a huge and awesome target market for GPSs.”
I would say that bike riders are a bigger market as people who drive look for the shortest way to get some place and most of the time that is the same route that they take every day. However bikes riders don’t know which way we want to go, and we just head out and ride around aimlessly until we are ready to go home, in witch point we need the gps to get us back home. Also with the gps it lets us show every one / tell (it doesn’t matter if they care or not as they will still get the amazing story anyways) about are amazing ride that was just tat epic.
Anyways I am really impressed how much technology has improved in just a few years time. Not only are things smaller then ever, but they are for the most part easier to use (even gaming systems get better and better. I still have my gameboy color lol).
Comment by Isela | 09.22.2010 | 8:02 pm
This is a great gadget to have! Thanks for the review.I will put it in my “Christmas wish list”
Comment by Yahoo!Rob | 09.22.2010 | 8:16 pm
So, if you have the cadence monitor option, then I assume you have to deal with the magnets on your cranks right? Same with the heart rate monitor, you have to wear the chest strap? I mean the thing is magical, but not THAT magical, right?
Comment by lauren | 09.22.2010 | 8:20 pm
My only gripe about the Garmin Edge 500 is that they released the black and silver version of it about four months after I bought my Cannondale, which is – ta dah!! – black and silver. So I have this bright blue boxy thing mounted to my handlebars and it looks a little odd.
Comment by McDeb | 09.22.2010 | 8:34 pm
If you think the 500 is nice, you gotta check out the 800 due out soon. Color touch screen baby!
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=160&pID=69043&ra=true
Let the drooling begin!
Comment by Carl | 09.22.2010 | 8:39 pm
Love mine too! I love all the stats you can look at after the ride. I have an almost new 605 collecting dust because I wanted the HR monitor.
If nobody answered Paul yet, I have never had it not work because of weather – including in the hail at LIVESTRONG Philly.
Comment by Carl | 09.22.2010 | 8:42 pm
P.S. I have a Garmin for my car, a 500 for my bike, a 605 for my closet and a Oregon 550t for geocaching… Maybe I need one to be able to find all my Garmins…
Comment by Joel | 09.22.2010 | 8:45 pm
Sorry I’m a such a luddite, but just to be clear…will this (a.)track my routes and let me see where I’ve been on a map(perhaps with the help of some kind of computer software) and (b.) let me input routes/way points and tell me where to go?
Comment by Joel | 09.22.2010 | 8:49 pm
Dear Carl: Can I buy your 605?
Comment by NYCCarlos | 09.22.2010 | 9:06 pm
Anyone have an opinion on whether or not the turn by turn and mapping data are worth the extra money to drop on the 605, 705, or 800? I’d love to hear about it!!!!
My crappy computer just kicked it and I’m in the market.
Comment by Peter | 09.22.2010 | 9:19 pm
Fatty, did you ever have one of those counters that actually clicked against a spoke? That was on my road bike in 1976. I have had two Garmins. First the big and clunky gps60c, which I loved it’s logic, but after three months of riding, some connection inside broke and it would shut off crossing bumps. Then Garmin replaced it with an Edge 705. The mount actually shattered crossing a railroad track sending the gps to the ground at 18 mph. Luckily it was not damaged, but now I use a leash on it besides the new mount Garmin sent me.
Comment by ChefJT | 09.22.2010 | 9:45 pm
Been riding with (first) a 305, and (now) a 705 and have loved them to death. The new 800 or 805 is coming out next, with a touch-screen display. Ans…I saw a tweet that Garmin just acquired a company that is producing a pedal-baded power meter, so look for that in the near future as well!
Comment by ChefJT | 09.22.2010 | 9:47 pm
AJoel: My 705 tracks all my ride data and I then upload it to my Garmin connect account (free), and I can show maps of my rides as well as average and max HR’s, cadence, power (if you have a power meter), milage, speeds…you name it.
Comment by ChefJT | 09.22.2010 | 9:49 pm
@jb. i also upload to Strava and to daily mile. Personally, I prefer daily mile. Kind of like FaceBook for athletes.
Comment by ChefJT | 09.22.2010 | 9:52 pm
@spiff. Check out dailymile and Strava. Strava has a fee involved, but I read somewhere there will be a no fee version for 2011. As I mentioned above, I really like daily mile and garmin connect, both of which are free.
Comment by Philly Jen | 09.22.2010 | 9:53 pm
THE place to go for in-depth product reviews of the Garmin 500, 705, and 800 is the DC Rainmaker blog:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com
Ray’s reviews are epic! (Plus you will find frequent cameo appearances by cupcakes on his website, so that makes him a kindred spirit to Fatties everywhere…)
Comment by Jeremy | 09.22.2010 | 11:10 pm
Somewhat ironically, I got my Garmin Edge 500 with a gift card I won at the 2009 LIVESTRONG Challenge as I was one of many representing Team Fatty. I bought the HR strap and I even take the thing to the gym for spin class. The heart rate strap is much more consistent for me than I ever got with a Polar (which actually works with the bikes at the gym) and I can unleash my inner nerd to track my heart rate over time in the class which I could not do with my Polar (though I could have if I had ponied up an extra $100+). The speed-cadence sensor is a little touchy and the arm is fragile so be extra careful with the setup and tightening on that accessory.
Comment by Lori Scheel | 09.22.2010 | 11:52 pm
I love my older model Garmin but it does not chirp when I forget to turn it on. My husband, however, does.
Comment by Johan | 09.23.2010 | 2:56 am
@Paul Guyot: I have a 705. Like others I find that once in a while it struggles to acquire a GPS signal upon startup. Surprisingly turning the 705 off and on again solves the problem. Once the 705 acquires a signal I have never lost it, even under overcast skies, trees etc.
@ Spiff and @Joel: Garmin Connect is great for uploading ride data and displaying your route on a map, along with speed, heart rate and cadence (if you use the appropriate monitors), etc.
@Yahoo!Rob: “Yes” you have to wear the chest strap.
@NYCCarlos: I use the maps and turn-by-turn directions a lot. Especially now that i have moved to a new city. On my road bike it gets me home from where ever I happen to have ridden to. On my commuter bike I enter the address of my intended destination and it gets me there. I prefer the list view for directions but you may prefer the map view. Definitely worth it for me.
Comment by buckythedonkey | 09.23.2010 | 2:58 am
705 for me. I love the fact that I can head to somewhere I don’t know, search for a route (from places like bikely.com), upload it to the Garmin and get out and ride. Fantastic kit!
Comment by TimD | 09.23.2010 | 3:12 am
My favourite bike computer is a Sigma. It auto starts and shows speed plus flip-flop between trip and total distance. At rest it flip-flops time and total distance for a bit, then just time. Trip distance resets after about an hour or so of no movement. No buttons, no faff.
Comment by Cardiac Kid | 09.23.2010 | 6:25 am
I have a Polar CS600 (thats awesome) that mounts the same way but do you find that the computer is just a touch too far down on the stem?? I’m not sure if its me or the Polar but I would love it even more if it was 2 inches higher.
Comment by Buckshot77 | 09.23.2010 | 6:48 am
Fatty- here’s another hint on the battery charging that I’ve found even better than using a computer. A number of the older motorola cell phones use a mini-usb plug. Grab a car charger for one of those and it works great to charge your Garmin. I’ve had several instances where I get ready to roll out to a race only to realize my 705 is low on battery so I’ll plug it in while driving and be ready to roll when I get there.
Comment by Doug (WAY upstate NY) | 09.23.2010 | 7:14 am
I had a Edge 205 and upgraded to a 705 this year. Best thing I ever got for my bike. I tend to bring my bike with me when I go away. I can pre-map rides, upload them to my Garmin and ride them when I get to the new place.
It also allows me to track and record my rides which I do using SportTracks. To me they are like photographs from places I visit. Weird? Geeky? Unusual? I guess so. But most people don’t understand why I ride anyway, so who cares :D
Comment by Matt | 09.23.2010 | 7:21 am
So FattyMcFat, the real question on the 500 is – did Garmin fix the obvious flaw of the 305 (and maybe other models) not having a cumulative odometer? My understanding is that with the 305, the only way to track total mileage (i.e., annual) is by uploading everything into G-connect (or equivalent software)and tracking it there. I read on the interwebz that Garmin realized this (significant) oversight after the 305 was released..
Pingback by El Tour de Tucson Starts Today « 2K in 2K10 Unfat Project | 09.23.2010 | 7:43 am
[...] it’s a base model Bontrager – I love looking at all the other computers and thanks to Fatty @ Fatcyclist.com, have set my sights on a Garmin Edge 500. For less than $250, the Edge 500 gives you more information than you’ll ever need, but also [...]
Comment by Alice | 09.23.2010 | 7:46 am
Great post, Fatty! I’ve been considering this exact model, but was still researching for more information. This answered most all of my questions. One question though – am I correct in assuming this can also be mounted on handlebars? My stem is pretty short and I’m not sure it’ll fit there. Thanks for the great info!
Comment by Andrew | 09.23.2010 | 7:53 am
Good review Fatty,
I’ve been thinking about getting one of these for sometime. I’ll be honest the two mounts are a selling point for me.
Cheers
Andrew
Comment by Joule | 09.23.2010 | 8:19 am
The best thing about it is that it works with several ANT+ power meters.
Comment by Jeff | 09.23.2010 | 8:56 am
@Alice – yes you can mount it on the stem or the handle bars. I have actually have it mounted on the top tube for one of my bikes. My stem is occupied by another computer, and the handlebars on that bike are sculpted (like a wing bar but more so).
As Philly Jen said, dcrainmaker.com Garmin reviews are awesome (but long).
Also check the video review of the Edge 500 out on Competitive Cyclist:
http://www.competitivecyclist.com
If you want to follow a course or get home, or need turn-by-turn, the Edge 500 is not what you want. Look at the 705 or the new 800. The Edge 500 can follow a course, but no maps, so it is very simplistic.
I use the Egde 500 in conjunction with an iBike power meter to really get my geek on.
Comment by Jenni | 09.23.2010 | 9:06 am
NYC Carlos- GET IT! One of my absolutely favorite features of the 705 is allowing it to create the route to where I’m going, even though I know the way. This has made some of the most enjoyable rides I’ve ever had because it will route me a usually beautiful, scenic way that I’ve never been. It’s an awesome feature for going out and just exploring- I ride to get lost and then let the Garmin take me back home whenever I feel like turning around.
You can set the screen options to allow you to see how long it will take you to get where you’re going, how many miles left til you get there, and my favorite, what time sunset (or sunrise) is. I use that for squeezing in rides at the end of the day so I’m not stuck riding in the dark.
Comment by Cache Cyclist | 09.23.2010 | 9:09 am
The edge 500 is sweet! It provides tons of data and the battery easily lasted through Lotoja! As far as letting the inner nerd out, I used mine in conjunction with my senior project. I built a bike trainer to simulate courses that I have ridden before. I can upload the data to the computer and it ran my trainer!
Comment by Travis | 09.23.2010 | 9:30 am
Garmins are amazing. I started with an edge 305 and have recently upgraded to the 705. It has all the 500 bells and whistles, but with a basemap and turn-by-turn…in the event you’re not paying attention to where you’ve ridden and need help finding your way home.
I’ve also recently purchased the forerunner 310xt. A waterproof gps watch is AMAZING…for us fatty triathletes.
Comment by Kevin | 09.23.2010 | 9:59 am
For the guys w/ 705’s, have you had bar/stem mount problems? The guys I ride with that have them have had to return theirs several times because the mount is a little delicate.
Comment by Jenni | 09.23.2010 | 10:06 am
Kevin-
I did once. The little tab broke. I called Garmin (when I’m frustrated with them I call them Grrmin) who told me a mount was like $15 or something.
I promptly tweeted my displeasure and Garmin contacted me immediately and gave me a free replacement mount.
Yay social media!
Comment by Bill | 09.23.2010 | 10:45 am
I am sensing a trend here:
“… The Runner out to a bike shop and bought her an equivalent pair of these shoes… ”
and
“… I bought a second one for The Runner to use on her bikes.”
Comment by Jennifer | 09.23.2010 | 10:52 am
Thanks Fatty! I just bought one for my hubby for Christmas. And…I’m now officially DONE with shopping for him! Thanks again!
Comment by Allan | 09.23.2010 | 10:53 am
Call me a curmudgeon, but I think the good old days were when one could just enjoy the ride without having to quantify everything about it. I also think electronic shifting is stupid.
Comment by Les | 09.23.2010 | 11:16 am
Without reading the review, I had ordered one (500) a couple days ago of the ebay.
CAnt wait to use it!
Comment by Bryan | 09.23.2010 | 11:24 am
“Remember when bike computers had a thin little wire that ran down to your fork, where the sensor would pick up as the little magnet you attached to a spoke went by?”
Remember? Am I the only one still using that setup?
Comment by Brian | 09.23.2010 | 1:23 pm
@Bryan: I’m still using that setup on my commuter bike. Maybe it’s just us Brians/Bryans who are doing so.
Comment by D. | 09.23.2010 | 1:58 pm
Post up your Garmin Connect link!
Comment by Andrew | 09.23.2010 | 1:59 pm
Sold! Plus overnight shipping for my ride on Saturday! Thanks for the review!
And just for good measure, I’m writing one more sentence so I can add a yet another exclamation point! Or two!!
Comment by Kevin | 09.23.2010 | 3:47 pm
@D. I second that. Here’s mine:
Http://connect.garmin.com/explore?owner=xhx
Comment by Gomez | 09.23.2010 | 9:19 pm
I love my 500. When I got it I also purchased the HRM strap (Deluxe!) and cadence sensor. Someday…someday I will get a PowerTap. Because I…Love…Data.
Didn’t get the 705, who needs maps? Just ride. But having data afterwards is wonderful. If I start riding, and forget to start timer? The 500 reminds me, telling me that it has sensed motion, and would I like to start the timer? It’s wonderful.
Comment by Gomez | 09.23.2010 | 9:20 pm
One more thing: when I flew to Colorado in July, and rented a road bike there, I took my Garmin with me. Just rubber-banded it onto the stem, and go. Awesome!
Comment by Niall@Brisvegas | 09.24.2010 | 2:12 am
Been after one for a while and finally spent up with Probikekit in the UK. Best price I could get and nearly AUS$200 cheaper than over here! Ridden on four occasions to and from work since it arrived on Tuesday last and I wonder now how I ever got a long without it. Got a 80km ride on Saturday and 140km on Sunday to come this week to. Then more training for the 100km Brisbane to Gold Coast smashfest on 10/10/10 followed up by the 250km Around The Bay In A Day in Melbourne a week later. The thing is going to cop a flogging but I am sure it will fare better than me. Best thing about it though will be using it on the 100 Miles of Nowhere in 2011…
Comment by Mike | 09.24.2010 | 9:43 am
I have a Garmin Vista HCx and love it. It mounts great on my handlebars and has a couple of very distinct advantages over the Edge series:
- It uses AA batteries, so I can always swap them out as needed and can always have a fresh set of rechargeables ready. In contrast, Garmin’s cycling-specific products suffer from the fatal iPod flaw: the battery is sealed inside, so after a few years when it inevitably stops holding a decent charge, you are expected to toss the entire unit and buy a new one.
- The Vista has great support for maps, tracklogs, routes, waypoints, etc. All stuff that the Edge doesn’t do at all. When I’m going on a trail I haven’t done before, I map it out ahead of time and load the tracklog onto the GPS. It’s always easy to glance down at the handlebars and see that I’m going the right way on the trail. It’s also nice when exploring in general – if nothing else, you can get back to where you started by following your current track back. And street maps are nice when you’re on the road in an unfamiliar area, too.
Comment by John Lauber | 09.28.2010 | 8:38 am
I love my Garmin 500. Alas, it didn’t survive a recent crash, but Garmin has a great “repair” (i.e. replacement) policy and service department. For significantly less than new, they will replace it. Here’s hoping no one else needs to take advantage.
It works for running too, just not like some of the other Garmin models.
Comment by Sean @ Learn Fitness | 09.30.2010 | 9:38 am
Thanks for this posting … after reading it and the review at DC Rainmakers blog I pulled the trigger on a Garmin 500. I can’t wait to give it a ride tonight or this weekend on my first century ride.
Keep up the awesome site!
Pingback by Garmin out, Cateye in… for now « 2K in 2K10 Unfat Project | 10.4.2010 | 4:31 pm
[...] I read review after review after review, and guess what? I no longer want the Garmin Edge 500. Yes, Fatty loves the thing. But Fatty is a special dude. And while there were several reviews saying they loved the thing, [...]
Comment by 36couper | 12.25.2010 | 3:02 pm
My wife bought me a Garmin 800 for Christmas. I can’t figure out how to display heart rate. The heart rate monitor is detected but I’d like it displayed on the screen. Any experience with this?
Comment by C.COOK | 03.6.2011 | 11:53 pm
I agree that you should buy the unit with the add-ons you will use. If you are going to use the cadence and the HR. Then get the Bundle unit.
If you just see yourself using the heart rate – Like me!
I bought a BONTRAGER ANT+ sensor which was $50 and just works great! – PLUS the Bontrager one is just like the garmin soft strap not the full chest strap unit.
Comment by DRRavis | 03.25.2011 | 11:28 am
I still prefer my
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Do What You’re Doing Anyway, Change a Life (For Free) | 06.20.2011 | 1:16 pm
[...] you’ve got a Garmin GPS (supported devices listed on the +3 Network FAQ page), like the Garmin Edge 500 I love) that you’ve been recording your rides on, make sure you’ve got it plugged into a USB [...]