Choosing a Cycling GPS

by Frank on November 28, 2009
in Gear

By Henrik Moltke

The entrance and explosion of personal GPS units has changed the way we navigate the world. Do you own one? Have you used one. Chances are you’ve at least seen one.

What, then, does this mean for athletes? What does it mean for cyclists?

Here’s what it means: Enhancement. Sport GPS units provide athletes with the opportunity for better benchmarking, tracking and enhancement. Using them adds flexibility and possibility to your cycling workout that you never had before. You can track elevation changes, speed, routes, cadence, heartrate and tons of other variables that can affect your training.

Which one, then, should you use?

This is an important question to answer, as there are many units available. Each unit offers different features making them better for different types of cyclists. I’ll give the most popular units an overview to help you determine which GPS is right for you.

Bike GPS

Here’s the rundown:

Garmin Edge 205

For the most basic of GPS monitoring, the Garmin Edge 205 measures your speed, distance, time, calories burned and altitude. It displays this data in real time on its screen as well as storing it for later review.

Garmin Edge 205

Features:

Easy to install – Snap to your ride and go.
High-sensitivity GPS receiver tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons, making it extremely reliable for distance and speed information.
Virtual Partner – Create a virtual partner to race against
Set courses to easily race against your previous workouts
Auto Pause – pauses the timer when you slow down or stop and resumes when you speed up again, so you can focus on your ride, not on starting and stopping your GPS.
Auto Lap – Automatically start timing on a new lap when you pass a certain location

Pros: Easy to use, basic functionality, Virtual Partners, Laps
Cons: No directions, on-screen maps
Who’s It For? All cyclists looking to up their training. This unit is especially perfect for a beginner
How Much? $170 new at Amazon

Garmin Edge 305

The Edge 305 isn’t that different from the 205, honestly. The biggest difference between the two is that the 305 comes with a wireless heart monitor and cadence sensor, which are invaluable for any serious training attempts.

Garmin Edge 305

Features:

Easy to install – Snap to your ride and go.
High-sensitivity GPS receiver tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons, making it extremely reliable for distance and speed information.
Virtual Partner – Create a virtual partner to race against
Set courses to easily race against your previous workouts
Auto Pause – pauses the timer when you slow down or stop and resumes when you speed up again, so you can focus on your ride, not on starting and stopping your GPS.
Auto Lap – Automatically start timing on a new lap when you pass a certain location
Heart Rate Monitor – Keep track of your heart rate and export this data for analysis
Cadence Monitor – Monitor your cadence with the self-calibrating cadence sensor

Pros: Heart and Cadence monitoring, Easy Install, Benchmarking
Cons: No Maps, Routing
Who’s It For? Serious cyclists and anyone looking to take their training to the next level.
How Much? $258.97 New at Amazon

Garmin Edge 605

The Garmin Edge 605 combines the computer data and tracking with advanced mapping and navigational capabilities. You don’t have to worry about where you’re at, when you can rely on the included base maps and additional maps to guide you. The screen is easy to read in sunlight, and the unit rugged. You can even add topographical maps for off-road riding.

Garmin Edge 605

Features:

Easy to install – Snap to your ride and go.
High-sensitivity GPS receiver tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons, making it extremely reliable for distance and speed information.
Virtual Partner – Create a virtual partner to race against
Set courses to easily race against your previous workouts
Auto Pause – pauses the timer when you slow down or stop and resumes when you speed up again, so you can focus on your ride, not on starting and stopping your GPS.
Auto Lap – Automatically start timing on a new lap when you pass a certain location
Heart Rate Monitor – Keep track of your heart rate and export this data for analysis
Cadence Monitor – Monitor your cadence with the self-calibrating cadence sensor
Advanced Mapping Capabilities
Turn-By-Turn Directions

Pros: Turn-By-Turn Directions, Easy to Use, Advanced Mapping
Cons: May be too feature intense for some riders
Who’s It For? Commuters, Day-Riders and Tourers. This GPS is perfect for anyone going on extended trips or riding in unknown territory.
How Much? $349 New at Amazon (Doesn’t include HR and Cadence Monitors)

Garmin Edge 705

The Garmin Edge 705, like the 605, measures your speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb and descent, and records this data for your review. Where it differs, is that it also includes a barometric altimeter to give the most accurate elevation readings. This unit is by far the most robust, giving you access to the most accurate ride-data available. You can also share this information wirelessly with other 705 users.

Garmin Edge 705

Features:

Easy to install – Snap to your ride and go.
High-sensitivity GPS receiver tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons, making it extremely reliable for distance and speed information.
Virtual Partner – Create a virtual partner to race against
Set courses to easily race against your previous workouts
Auto Pause – pauses the timer when you slow down or stop and resumes when you speed up again, so you can focus on your ride, not on starting and stopping your GPS.
Auto Lap – Automatically start timing on a new lap when you pass a certain location
Heart Rate Monitor – Keep track of your heart rate and export this data for analysis
Cadence Monitor – Monitor your cadence with the self-calibrating cadence sensor
Advanced Mapping Capabilities
Turn-By-Turn Directions
Accurate Elevation Change Readings with Barometric Altimeter
Share Ride Info Wirelessly
See Your Power Output with ANT+ Power Meters

Pros: High Accuracy, Robust Features
Cons: High Price, but you get what you pay for.
Who’s It For? This unit is definitely for serious riders. It’s perfect for race training and its rich features make it perfect for long rides and tours.
How Much? $479.95 New at Amazon

Choosing a Cycling GPS