Garmin GPS Computers

GPS enabled bike computers are awesome.  They use satellite data to figure out where you are, how steep the hills are, and how fast you’re going.  Some of them can talk to your wattage meter or heart rate monitor, and with a GPS, you should never get lost again

Basic Garmin

Garmin always offers a simplified interface that’s designed to cater to technophobes or more casual cyclists.  The most basic models will show you three lines of information: current speed, trip distance, and ride time, and one additional line at the bottom of the screen that can toggle between average speed, altitude gain, and calories burned. A pace arrow also indicates whether you’re moving faster or slower than your average speed.  The base Garmin will be simple, but it is still a GPS, so you can map and analyze your ride on the computer at home.

Garmin 510

Garmin 500 series

The 500 series (I think the 530 is the current one) will give you GPS position, speed, distance, elevation, stopwatch and clock. It has an altimeter to track how much climbing you do as well as the gradients on those nasty hills.  The 520 or 530 will also display the current temperature and (if you’re on a realllly long ride), changes in time zones.  When paired with a heart rate strap it can track changes in your heart rate and can calculate the number of calories burned.  Like all Garmins, there are no wires, magnets, or complicated mounts to deal with.  The touch-screen works really well, even with cycling gloves on.

Garmin 800

The touring models will be the most elaborate GPS units.  You’ll watch yourself progress on a color map and get turn by turn directions.  You’ll get all of the features found on Garmin’s less expensive models, plus a number of extras.  It will show your wattage, heart rate, elevation, and all of the other bike computer functions through a customizable color touch screen.  Like all Garmins the big touring models will be tough, waterproof, and you’ll get a screen that resists scratches.

Classic Cycle’s prices on Garmin are probably the same or slightly higher than those you’ll find online, but if you buy from us, we’ll install your new GPS on your bike and show you how to use it.