We explain one by one, from Garmin Edge 1030 to Edge 130

This game is now over

The Garmin Edge bicycle computer is one of the most popular choices for cyclists.

Over time, Garmin has increased the feature set on its GPS bike computer and expanded these to all models except entry-level models.

So what does the Garmin Edge series offer and which is right for you?

At the very least, the bike computer allows you to keep track of where you have been, how far and how fast. It usually has a GPS chip to track your location, although some cheap models will pair with a smartphone and use the device's GPS data. 

However, all Garmin Edge computers have their own GPS chip and obtain position data from Glonass, Galileo, and standard GPS satellite constellations.

The basic data can be enhanced with a large number of additional functions. 

Most computers will provide you with maps so you can plan and follow routes, and provide turn-by-turn navigation. The cheaper model only has breadcrumb trails and will not superimpose your route on the basic map. 

You can also wirelessly pair your computer with peripheral devices such as heart rate monitor belts, speed and cadence sensors, and power meters to get more information about your performance.

Entry-level Edge models use buttons on the side of the device for control, while more expensive models include a touch screen. As you move the range up, the screen will also become larger and change from black and white to color.

All Garmin Edge computers allow you to control Garmin’s Varia front and rear lights, and the rear unit uses radar to warn you of approaching vehicles via the computer. Most of the range can also be used to control Garmin Virb action cameras.

You can also link your computer to the Garmin Connect web application, where you can view and analyze your data and plan your route. 

There is also a supplementary Garmin smartphone app. This allows you to pair Edge with your phone, they will talk to each other, and the computer will show you notifications of incoming calls and text messages. The app can also share your location and other indicators with other riders and family members at home.

The Garmin Edge series starts with a basic model with a simple black and white screen. Expanding the range allows you to have larger and larger devices, with larger format color touch screens and more available training data. In other words, even the basic model contains many Garmin functions.

In addition to providing standalone computers, Garmin also sells bundles for each Edge model. 

These pack the Edge computer with other kits, such as a sensor pack, which adds a heart rate monitor belt and speed and cadence sensors. 

Choosing the mountain bike kit, you will get a special off-road bracket, a silicone cover for the computer and a remote control, so you can operate without removing your hands from the handlebars.

Garmin recently did some cleanup work on its Edge series and discontinued some older long-term models, so you may not see some familiar names below. 

We will start with the simplest and most affordable Garmin Edge computer, and then work from there.

If you only need basic riding data without a lot of extra features, Garmin Edge 130 can just meet your needs. 

This means you will not spend a long time setting it up instead of enjoying your journey. 

Edge 130 is also very compact, weighing only 33 grams, and overall dimensions of 62 x 40 x 17 mm. 

You will get an ultra-clear 36 x 27 mm monochrome screen. It is not a touch screen, the device is controlled by five buttons on its side, but the resolution is higher than Garmin's more expensive models.

You can upload a pre-drawn route and display it as a breadcrumb route without a base map. However, you will be notified when you are about to turn.

The connection is via ANT+ and Bluetooth, the latter allows you to pair your computer with your phone. 

This will provide you with incoming call and SMS notifications, and it will also allow you to push your location to a predefined list of email addresses via LiveTrack.

Garmin stated that the Edge 130 has a battery life of up to 15 hours.

Garmin Edge 130 Plus builds on 130 and adds an accelerometer that allows the device to include mountain bike indicators and event detection, as well as the Climb Pro function, which displays the contour of the climb from the preloaded route.

There is still no basic mapping on the 130, so you can only use the breadcrumb mapping, but the device retains the same ultra-clear screen as the 130.

After Garmin opened up its API, the synchronization between the best cycling apps such as Strava and Komoot has been greatly improved. The battery life is actually reduced to 12 hours, but this should be more than enough for most riders.

Future firmware updates will also allow 130 Plus to control the smart trainer.

The 63g Garmin Edge 520 Plus is a bit larger than the Edge 130, with dimensions of 73 x 49 x 21 mm and a 47 x 35 mm color screen. It is still controlled via a series of buttons (seven in total) instead of the touch screen.

The 520 Plus has more features, including displaying Garmin's bicycle map basemap, so you can get turn-by-turn navigation on the road and off-road. Like Edge 130, there is Strava Live Segment compatibility (although to use it, you need to be a paid Strava subscriber). 

By pairing a computer with a power meter, you can also track functional threshold power (FTP) and other performance indicators. It will also be paired with SRAM and Shimano electronic kits to show the ratio you use.

There is only one Garmin Edge Explore, and it's huge. In terms of appearance, it is most similar to Edge 1030, with a large-size color touch screen, a weight of 116g and a battery life of up to 12 hours.

The price of Edge Explore is less than half of Edge 1030's. Many performance functions of the latter are removed and focus on navigation, including Garmin Cycle Map and turn-by-turn navigation. You can also create a route on the device itself. 

You can get basic knowledge of speed and distance, and you can connect with peripheral devices via ANT+ or Bluetooth.

Best for: Riders who want the functions of a Garmin mainframe computer but are compact.

Edge 530 is slightly larger than Edge 520 Plus, weighs 76 grams, and has a slightly larger screen of 51 x 38 mm. At the same time, the battery life is increased to the claimed 20 hours. 

It improves training focus, increases effectiveness measures and maximum oxygen uptake, as well as recovery time. It also adds the ClimbPro function, which will tell you the distance to climb and how steep you are ahead. 

Bicycle alarm is also a good safety feature, it can tell you through your smartphone whether the bicycle was moved when you were away. 

It is also the first model with a built-in WiFi connection, so you can exchange data wirelessly without connecting to your computer with a USB cable.

Like the Edge 520 Plus, there is a color screen with a base map. Edge 530 does not have a touch screen. For this, you need to upgrade to Edge 830 or Edge 1030.

Garmin Edge 830 is the first model in the Edge series that can control its functions through a touch screen. Compared with the 79-gram Edge 530, it is larger, but not much heavier, and is equipped with a larger 74 x 48 mm color touch screen.

We also found that entering destinations on the device is relatively easy, although the route calculation is not very good, although its Trendline route is based on the most popular roads and trails for riders.

Edge 1030 provides you with a comprehensive feature set in Garmin's largest format. That is 114 x 59 x 19 mm, with an 89 mm diagonal color touch screen, and weighs 123 grams.

The battery life is about 20 hours, but it can be extended by an additional external battery, which is connected through a terminal on the computer base. 

You can store up to 200 hours of riding history. If you need more storage space, Edge 1030 is the only model that can add a MicroSD card.

The large screen means that you can hold up to ten data fields at the same time and change them on the fly. In addition, you can also get a very detailed base map, and turn-by-turn navigation will remind you of dangers such as sharp bends ahead.

At the top of the Garmin Edge tree, the new Edge 1030 Plus provides you with every feature you want in a bicycle computer in the same overall format as the upcoming Edge 1030. 

Compared with the old model, the new computer has an updated processor and an improved touch screen.

Battery life has also increased to 24 hours, but if you run the computer in lite mode, this can be extended to 48 hours. 

The SD card slot has been removed, but the internal storage space has grown to 32GB. TrailForks is also installed on the equipment as standard.

Other brands of bicycle computers are also worth considering. A few years ago, bicycle computers were Garmin, and now there are alternatives such as Wahoo and Lezyne. In some cases, they provide other features, such as better aerodynamics, or lower prices. 

You can also get many functions of the bicycle computer in the GPS watch/smart watch, and if you like sports other than cycling, you have more functions.

Garmin has a comprehensive product line, but other notable brands include Fitbit, Suunto and Polar.

Garmin recently organized a lot of its Edge series, reducing its products to six. The smallest entry-level Edge 25 and the replaced Edge 1000 series are gone forever, and the 1030 takes over luxury features.

The following is a complete list of discontinued models as of May 2020:

Other brands of bicycle computers are also worth considering. A few years ago, bicycle computers were Garmin, and now there are alternatives such as Wahoo and Lezyne. In some cases, they provide other features, such as better aerodynamics, or lower prices. 

You can also get many functions of the bicycle computer in the GPS watch/smart watch, and if you like sports other than cycling, you have more functions.

Garmin has a comprehensive product line, but other notable brands include Fitbit, Suunto and Polar.

Garmin recently organized a lot of its Edge series, reducing its products to six. The smallest entry-level Edge 25 and the replaced Edge 1000 series are gone forever, and the 1030 takes over luxury features.

The following is a complete list of discontinued models as of May 2020:

Paul has been cycling since he was a teenager and has been writing about bicycle technology for nearly a decade. Before it was invented, he liked gravel, riding a cross-country bike through the south hills, and along a muddy path through Chiltern. He also dabbled in cross-country mountain biking, and then returned to cycling.

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