It doesn’t matter if you’re new to Mountain Biking or not, if you’re ready to buy a bike computer/watch, you’re basically stepping into a multiverse. That’s no exaggeration, even when you stick to one manufacturer. Take the current Fenix 7 line up of Garmin wearables as an example. If you’re on the market, you’ll be facing a choice of 14 different watches under that model name alone.
Admittedly, it’s one of their larger lines (the Forerunners number in the teens as well) and when it comes down to it, some of the segmentation is pretty straight forward. Starting your search by looking at watch size is always good because it comes down to simply matching one to your wrist/body size and personal preference.
But the hard truth is a mountain biker can’t make the best choice for them until they know what each watch or bike computer line is all about. And Promountain Bike is here to help.
Whether you elect to go with a watch or a bike-mounted computer, you will be getting:
- A fantastic array of training and performance feedback features
- Some of these even offer an informed window into future performance
- Accurate GPS functionality with maps and in-depth route data
- All the “normal” functions you’d expect from a smart watch
- And more!
So, if you’re ready to take your riding to new heights with the help of a Garmin bike computer or watch, we’d like to set the stage and give you a bit of a road map into that world.
Garmin Bike Computers
There is significant overlap in functionality with their wearables, but the benefits of Garmin’s bike computers are worth considering:
- Much larger screen real estate
- Information more clearly presented
- Offers a few features that aren’t possible on watch displays (eg: Climb Pro)
- Offer a disconnect from data and analysis when you’re off your bike, which is very important to some riders
- Consistently accurate readings/recording when paired with a compatible heart-rate monitor (HRM), while a watch on the wrist can experience hiccups while on rough MTB trails
Garmin Edge 1040
In a Nutshell
Launched in 2022, the Edge 1040 is the creme de la creme of the company’s bike computer stable and, for Garmin aficionados, the best in the cycling world at the time of writing. And they have a compelling argument for that claim.
The 1040 launched with a screen that matched that of its predecessor, the Edge 1030 (which is still well worth considering), at 3.5 inches but comes with an overhauled user interface (UI) and some significant strides in terms of functionality when used out in the real world.
Inside Look
Selected specifications and characteristics:
- $749 for solar and $599 for non-solar
- Solar model has 64GB storage, non-solar has 32GB
- Redesigned User Interface
- 3.5 inch screen
- 133 gram weight
- Maximum battery life of 45 hours (with Multi-Band GPS on and Solar)
- USB-C connection/charging
- Polar Glass on solar version puts solar panels across the entire front surface
- Outer edges have 100% solar capability while the screen has 15%
- Metal backmount
- Multi-band (ie dual frequency) GPS option for increased accuracy (uses more power)
- Pre-loaded maps
- Garmin’s entire catalog of downloadable maps is accessible
- Improved operation/calculation speed over prior models
- New searchable option for “Bike Shops” and “Water Stops”
In the Real World
The Edge 1040 allows for courses/routes to be preloaded into the device, which will then give riders the ability to see what is coming up ahead of them in terms of climb/descent intensity and gradient.
With previous models, if you find yourself without a preloaded route, nothing was displayed about what’s ahead. The software has been leveled up and now even if you don’t have anything loaded, the 1040 will give you a heads up about what is coming up, if you so choose to ride that way.
Then when you cross what it deems to be the beginning of a climb, it will load in the gradient and elevation stats so you see the full shebang. This is a very good upgrade/evolution to a function known as ClimbPro, and it’s a real win in our book.
This “auto route selection” works almost every time. On climbs where there is a clear end and the trail keeps going in one direction without any other choice, it nails it. But when there is choice and you decide to follow an alternate route, the computers may choose incorrectly and things get messy for a bit. It does this by choosing the most likely route you will take from shared ride data, and Garmin have said that they will be fine tuning the function over time. Overall, still a good and needed step.
Other great features include the ability to search for climbs nearby (Climb Explore function), even during a ride, and filter your results by search radius, terrain type, difficulty and more.
Performance feedback features on the Garmin Edge 1040 include:
- In-depth customization of what information is displayed
- Navigation and elevation is very accurate
- A revamped Training Status function that calculates:
- Your VO2 Max and Acute Load stats
- Your Cycling Ability, categorized into Anaerobic Capacity, Aerobic Capacity and Aerobic Endurance
- Cycling Ability can be applied to courses that are loaded or saved on your device
- Estimated times, splits, power output during the course and more, all adjusted for your “goal effort” slider setting to indicate how hard you want to push
- Cycling Ability can be applied to courses that are loaded or saved on your device
- Create events and set up a training regime leading up to that event (eg: a race)
- The device creates daily workouts for you in phases
In the End
So, is Garmin’s flagship bike computer still a winner the year after its initial launch? The answer is a resounding YES. However, there is a big BUT, because as you’ll see below, Garmin has given its big dog some direct in-house competition from the Edge 540/840, which pack all the features of the 1040 into a smaller package and smaller price point.
Garmin Edge 540/840 Solar
In a Nutshell
The Garmin Edge 540/840 can easily be considered the best value for money biker computer, definitely within the Garmin bike computer line up and arguably across all brands. The reason is because, in terms of features and software, it is identical to the top-of-the-line 1040 but comes in at a much lower price point while only “sacrificing” size.
Inside Look
Garmin has created some heavyweight contenders disguised as middleweights here, because these computers punch well above their apparent power. Buy an Edge 540 or 840 and you’re getting all the software and functionality of the big boss Edge 1040 in a smaller form factor.
Priced at $450 and $550 respectively for their Solar editions, the Edge 540 and 840 have the same dimensions and seven-button setup, the only difference is that the Edge 840 has a touch screen. Without Solar, each cost $100 less.
Having the same buttons on the touch screen version is new for Garmin, who usually have fewer buttons on touch-enabled models. We see this as very positive and it actually works in favor of the 840 because when you’re on the move the buttons offer a much more tactile and precise alternative to the touch screen. Then, when you’re moving slowly or stopped, the touch screen’s ease of use shines.
The smaller units do not share the same metal mount on the back of the devices, but they have made it so the plastic mounts are removable via a pair of screws. So, if you break a mount somehow, it can be replaced.
In the Real World
Like their more costly 1040 sibling, the 540 and 840 allow for courses/routes to be preloaded into the device, which will then give riders the ability to see what is coming up ahead of them in terms of climb/descent intensity and gradient.
All models in the 540/840 range benefit from the updated features and performance feedback functions that come with the Edge 1040, including:
- ClimbPro activation showing upcoming climbs even if a route is not loaded
- Auto route selection based on shared ride data – an imperfect development but still welcome
- Climb Explore function that lets you search and filter nearby climbs
- Display layout customization
- Accurate navigation and elevation
- A revamped Training Status function that calculates:
- Your VO2 Max and Acute Load stats
- Your Cycling Ability, categorized into Anaerobic Capacity, Aerobic Capacity and Aerobic Endurance
- Cycling Ability can be applied to courses that are loaded or saved on your device to analyze how you would perform, providing:
- Estimated times, splits, power output during the course and more, all adjusted for your “goal effort” slider setting to indicate how hard you want to push
- Cycling Ability can be applied to courses that are loaded or saved on your device to analyze how you would perform, providing:
- Create events and set up a training regime leading up to that event (eg: a race)
- The device creates daily workouts for you in phases
In the End
It’s a tough debate. Buy a Garmin Edge 1040 and have a bigger screen and more battery life, or save up to $200 and have the same functionality but in a smaller package?
If you ask us, we think the Garmin Edge 540 and 840 take the cake. They have all the tricks and the smaller display does not impact usage much in our experience. BUT, and it is a big but, there is no substitute for comfort out on the trail. If the 1040 was priced $500 higher, we’d say go for the smaller computers all day long, but the difference is not that large if you like what the bigger one has to offer.
Garmin Watches
Wearables. Smart Watches. Precursor to the Borg. Whatever you wish to call them, watches geared toward athletes these days are fantastic tools. They’re a body sensor, scientist and nagging trainer/coach rolled into one then wrapped around your wrist.
You don’t have to be an elite athlete, as long as you’re serious about your health, performance and the great sport of Mountain Biking, your life will be changed when you buy a Garmin Watch.
If you’re on the fence because you like having something mounted to your bike while you ride, aftermarket watch mounts are an easy solution, which will necessitate the use of an HRM to get heart rate data.
With a breadth of models to choose from, which is the best Garmin watch for mountain biking and for you?
There is a lot to consider:
- Functions
- Ease of use/User Interface
- Size
- Weight
- Battery life
- Navigation accuracy
The pride of the fleet is currently the Garmin Enduro 2, a bulky but well-designed watch stacked with features that easily rival Garmin’s best bike computer, the Edge 1040. Riders shouldn’t let the 1040’s bright lights (it does have a very capable flashlight) blind them to the rest of the options. If you choose to buy any Garmin watch that fits your needs, it will be capable of taking your life into new territory.
Garmin Enduro 2
In a Nutshell
To understand how Garmin wanted their new flagship watch to stand out from the crowd, you don’t even need to turn it on. In the box, just like with the original Enduro, you’ll see that there are two bands included. Is that a big deal? Yes.
You get one silicone band that is pretty standard but of good quality that you would expect from Garmin, while the other is the UltraFit band, a supremely designed and well thought out nylon strap. It is very comfortable, stays securely fastened, has just the right amount of stretch, seems to repel odors, and weighs 20 grams less than the silicone band. Anyone who tries the UltraFit band tends to fall madly in love with its feel and quality. As of yet, while Garmin does sell the UltraFit separately, it does not come in alternative sizes/widths other than 26 mm.
Inside Look
Comparing the Enduro 2 to its predecessor, the Enduro 1, is an impractical exercise because the two are worlds apart. The OG Enduro lacked the map functions that emerged in the Fenix 6 series onward.
The Enduro 2 watch is essentially a Fenix 7X – which is no slouch itself – and has “base” features/characteristics that include:
- Battery life upwards of 34 days (46 days using solar) if using the base smartwatch functions, upwards of 150 hours in GPS-mode, 81 in Multi-Band
- Music
- Garmin Pay
- WiFi
- Downloadable maps
- Skiing and golf maps are preloaded
- Touchscreen
- Built-in solar
- Multi-band GPS (dual frequency)
- Sapphire glass
- 17mm case thickness
- Flashlight (twice as bright as the Fenix 7X)
In the Real World
Garmin added other quality-of-life features that make it a substantial leap forward over the first Enduro, which have subsequently made their way into other model lines such as the Fenix 7 and Epix. Useful developments you’ll find on the Enduro 2 include:
- There are now chevrons (arrows) that show the direction of travel along the selected map course – a small but very welcome addition
- SatIQ – a function that chooses the most suitable GPS settings for you depending on location/signal strength, which can greatly improve battery life when Multi-Band GPS is not necessary
- Auto Rest Timer that starts/stops automatically when you come to a stop during a ride
- What’s really cool is if you manually go into rest mode with a button press, when you start again, the watch will continue automatically! Thumbs up, Garmin!
- Grade Adjusted Pace adjusts your pace depending on trail gradient, a common feature with other software but new to Garmin at the time
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro
In a Nutshell
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro series adds 3 additional watches to an already stacked Fenix line up. One may think this makes it even harder to choose the right Garmin watch for you but in actuality, maybe not.
With the added features we’ll talk about below, we feel that Garmin has almost made the decision for us, and if we were leaning toward the Enduro 2 to begin with, the new Pro series of the Fenix and Epix lines are a clear clarion call to reconsider.
Let’s check out why.
Inside Look
Garmin’s Fenix 7 Pro line is essentially the Enduro 2 with less battery life, but in addition to the great navigation, performance feedback functions and comprehensive smartwatch features, the Pro brings some pretty robust upgrades.
Sizing:
Fenix 7S Pro – 42mm
Fenix 7 Pro – 47mm
Fenix 7X Pro – 51mm
Note: the 7 Pro and 7X Pro come in both stainless steel/gorilla glass and titanium/sapphire versions.
You will get all the smartwatch functionality that can be found in the existing Fenix 7X model.
In the Real World
Useful additions to the Fenix Pro line include:
- All 3 sizes get a new and improved LED flashlight, a feature only on the top model previously – the new one is brighter
- This flashlight may seem like a gimmick, but it is very useful
- New Endurance score added to performance feedback features, adding to VO2 max and training load
- Analyzes multiple data points to give you a rating
- Hill Score metric added which analyzes your climb performance but this doesn’t apply to cycling (We thought we’d include it for the multi-disciplined outdoor warriors out there)
- Map overlays
- Shading the maps to visually distinguish terrain height differences, which can be easier to read than using the contour lines
- Weather function can overlay rain, temperature, or wind direction onto the map
- Only accessible through the weather widget and cannot be viewed during workouts
- New layouts that allow split screen and also perimeter positioned information displays
- All Pro models get Multi-Band GPS, solar charging and 32GB of storage, as opposed to the varying specs in previous Fenix 7 lines
- New 5th-gen heart rate sensor with 6 LEDs (up from 2 in previous gen)
- Uses 2 LEDs during normal usage
- Uses all 6 LEDs during workouts to give noticeably improved accuracy over previous models
- Metallic contacts are present which seems to indicate Garmin wants to add other sensor functionality pending approval from health authorities
- Next generation display
- Brighter but also more energy efficient, which means it shouldn’t impact battery usage
- Garmin Chroma Display (Memory In Pixel) reflects ambient light and sunlight for great visibility outdoors and better energy efficiency compared to LED displays
In the End
On its own, the Fenix 7 Pro line is eye-catching and an attractive upgrade. But considering this. All the upgraded software features such as map overlays, endurance score and more will be rolled out as updates for all the existing Fenix 7 models, which are seeing price reductions across the board alongside the rollout of the Fenix 7 Pro models.
This is actually a win. If you want a fully capable watch with all the latest Garmin software gizmos, you can get significant savings when you buy Garmin Fenix 7 models outside the Pro line up. If the flashlight, next-gen heart rate sensor and Multi-Band GPS are all something you want, then the Pro line is where you will land.
Now, the real competition may come from another model entirely. The new Epix Pro also comes in 3 sizes, and essentially shares every function of the Fenix 7 Pros but has a crispy bright AMOLED display that some riders may prefer. More on that below.
Garmin Epix Pro
In a Nutshell
Okay, so it’s time to take a look at the Epix Pro line up. Let’s start off by saying the Pro ranges of both the Fenix and Epix have the same core ingredients with different seasonings. But just because you’ve had one chicken dinner recipe, doesn’t mean you’ve had them all. The devil is in the details when you’re after a watch that suits who you are.
Garmin really aren’t just lazily stuffing the same tech into all their wearables and trying to paint over the similarities. Once you get down to the nitty gritty, you can see their nuanced approach that allows everyone to have amazing functionality in their watches, with key differences that make each line stand out for their own particular reasons.
Inside Look
Like the Epix models released before it, the Epix Pro is about offering an AMOLED display. There are three sizes under the Pro moniker, all with the new and improved heart rate sensor and the updated flashlight, the latter being a function that sounds gimmicky but turned out to be very useful and popular enough that Garmin is now throwing it into new models as a must-have.
Sizes:
They are all called simply Epix Pro with no name differentiation across
- 51mm
- 47mm
- 42mm
All the sizes come in stainless steel/gorilla glass and titanium/sapphire versions. The GPS/GNSS chipsets do not differ across stainless steel and titanium this time, all come with Multi-Band GPS and 32GB of storage.
In the Real World
With identical features and functionality between the Fenix Pro and Epix Pro lines, it really does come down to a preference in how you want your Garmin watch display to look. Now, while the Epix may have crisper colors and a clearer look to it, this does not mean the Fenix Pro watches are less clear. Remember, they have the updated Garmin Chroma Display (Memory In Pixel) which uses ambient light and has great contrast.
The difference you’ll see will be in the richness of colors and a crisp digital look the Epix Pro displays have that differentiate them from the Epix Pro. It is a simple question of what you feel better using.
The AMOLED displays on the Epix Pros do draw more battery, with Garmin claiming the following numbers:
Epix Pro 42 lasts up to 10 days just using smartwatch functions, down to 4 days with Always On Display (AOD) turned on.
Epix Pro 47 lasts up to 16 days just using smartwatch functions, down to 6 days with AOD turned on.
Then there is the Epix Pro 51, which jumps up to 31 days using just smartwatch functions, down to 11 with AOD turned on. This is thanks to the implementation of the big boy battery from the Enduro 2.
Epix Pro models do not benefit from solar technology due to the AMOLED screen real estate taking up the whole front, but funnily enough it is this lack of a solar layer and the thinner cross section of the AMOLED that allows the Enduro 2 battery to go into the Epix Pro 51.
Remember that the battery life will plummet to a matter of hours if you turn on any of the navigation functions, with Multi-Band GPS pulling the most energy.
However, with real use, having a daily workout that lasts about an hour or so, with AOD activated, the numbers turn out to be quite accurate, with some feedback showing the 51mm lasting 10-11 days. Everyone except riders who go on days-long expedition-like rides will be absolutely fine using the Epix Pros.
In the End
So, if the AMOLED rings your bell, you’ll have to sacrifice some battery life, but practical testing shows that this won’t matter except for the really adventurous who are out in the boonies for days/weeks on end.
All the bells and whistles, plus a gorgeous display. What more could one ask for?
In Conclusion
One thing is for sure, you can’t go wrong with Garmin. They have some stiff competition from other manufacturers but with the quality of their navigation and continuous refinement of every feature and design they offer, we at Promountain Bike have grown to have great confidence in all Garmin devices.
With that in mind, while we have covered the top models above, we highly recommend at least having a quick look at the entire range of Garmin mountain bike products. Their quality is high enough across the board that you are sacrificing very little by going for something smaller or cheaper.
If you ask for our honest opinion regarding the Garmin watches and bike computers covered above, we definitely have favorites.
The Garmin watch we would choose:
- Garmin Fenix Pro (whichever size suits you) : Packed to the gills with the very best Garmin features and functionality, the only thing the Garmin Enduro 2 flagship model has over this is battery size, and the Fenix Pro line up is still outstanding in that category anyway.
Fenix Pros also beat out the Garmin Epix Pro series for us due to integrated solar charging.
The Garmin computer we would choose:
- Garmin Edge 840 Solar : Software functions on par with the bigger 1040, we feel the screen size is not enough of a draw to spend more on the flagship model. The 840 also wins over the 540 because it has a touch screen alongside the exact same button layout, giving you more versatility in operation.
You could be a complete newbie to the realm of MTB, or a hardcore rider with calves of cabled steel and lungs as vast as Africa’s savannas, but there will be questions that always stay relevant. One of those questions that burns the most is, “Which bike computer is the best?”
To answer such questions properly, dear reader, we must think like scientists. What do scientists do? They dig deeper. They find the questions within a question.
In this case, one of the most attention-grabbing “inner-questions” is:
“Which Garmin bike computer is best for me?”
Oddly specific, we know, but think about it, if you choose the best within each category, then you can compare between categories. And plus, Garmin is one of the preeminent bike computer and watch brands.
It’s 2023 and the amount of information available to riders through bike computers is phenomenal.
Truthfully, it isn’t hard to argue that this is information overload for some, and if you feel that way, there is nothing wrong with seeking out something simpler that gives you the data and analysis that suits you as an individual. We at Promountain Bike are staunch proponents of using what suits you, even if that means fitting a tiny, old-school system to your bike that shows nothing more than speed, time, distance and maybe cadence. You’re the one in the saddle and you answer only to yourself when it comes to what stats you want and when.
On the other hand, we are the first to say that if you are dedicated, modern computers give you stats that allow you to analyse your rides to the minute detail and thereby gain a deeper understanding of yourself as a rider and athlete. But doný buy a top of the line computer to follow a trend, there are plenty of options that will give you what’s best for you and then you can use the money savings elsewhere.
So, let’s dive in.
Garmin’s Bicycle Computers
There was a time when you could argue whether the device stuck to your bike was a “computer” but those days are long behind us. The current lineup of Garmin’s bike computers are so powerful and so useful that we sometimes imagine they are shaking their digital heads at us half the time or silently saying, “We told you so!”
Some of us doubted the accuracy and true effectiveness of a small computer telling you about your body and your rides, but it doesn’t take long before you’re all in, trust us.
Garmin continued to keep themselves at the tip of the spear when they released the Edge 1040, which took over the flagship role from the 1030 in 2022. It is available in both solar and non-solar editions.
The updated software and interface on the 1040 marked a significant leap forward and offers exceptionally layered fitness and ride tracking that not only gives you a window into the past and present, but also projects into the future, showing your potential on rides you plan to tackle.
Where Garmin has shifted direction is in their decision not to update previous model lines with the new software, something they did quite consistently before. However, the 1040’s functionality did make its way into the Edge 540/840 models, which essentially mirror the flagship’s capability but in a smaller form factor.
Garmin Edge 540/840 Solar
In a Nutshell
The Garmin Edge 540/840 can easily be considered the best value for money, definitely within the Garmin bike computer line up and arguably across all brands. The reason is because in terms of features and software, it is identical to the top-of-the-line 1040 but comes in at a much lower price point while “sacrificing” size.
Inside Look
Garmin has created some heavyweight contenders with middleweight builds here, because these computers punch well above their apparent power. Buy an Edge 540 or 840 and you’re getting all the software and functionality of the big boss Edge 1040 in a smaller form factor.
Priced at $450 and $550 respectively for their Solar editions, the Edge 540 and 840 have the same dimensions and seven-button setup, the only difference is that the Edge 840 has a touch screen. Without Solar, each cost $100 less.
Having the same buttons on the touch screen version is new for Garmin, who usually have fewer buttons on touch-enabled models. We see this as very positive and it actually works in favor of the 840 because when you’re on the move the buttons offer a much more tactile alternative to the touch screen, which is great to have when riding isn’t as intense or you’re not moving.
In the Real World
Like their more costly 1040 brethren, the 540 and 840 allow for courses/routes to be preloaded into the device, which will then give riders the ability to see what is coming up ahead of them in terms of climb/descent intensity and gradient.
With previous models, if you find yourself without a preloaded route, nothing was displayed about what’s ahead. The software has been levelled up and now even if you don’t have anything loaded, the 540 and 840 (and of course 1040) will give you a heads up about what is coming up, if you so choose to go that way. Then when you cross what it deems to be the beginning of a climb, it will load in the gradient and elevation stats so you see the full shebang. This is a very good upgrade/evolution in our book.
This “auto route selection” works almost every time. On climbs where there is a clear end and the trail keeps going in one direction without any other choice, it nails it. But when there is choice and you decide to follow an alternate route, the computers may choose incorrectly and things get messy for a bit. It does this by choosing the most likely route you will take from shared ride data, and Garmin have said that there will be fine tuning over time. Overall, still a good and needed step.
Other great features include the ability to search for climbs nearby (Climb Explore function), even during a ride, and filter your results by search radius, terrain type, difficulty and more.
Features that are brought over thanks to the same software as the Garmin Edge 1040 include:
- In-depth customization of what information is displayed
- Navigation and elevation is very accurate
- A revamped Training Status function that calculates:
- Your VO2 Max and Acute Load stats
- Your Cycling Ability, categorised into Anaerobic Capacity, Aerobic Capacity and Aerobic Endurance
- Cycling Ability can be applied to courses that are loaded or saved on your device
- Estimated times, splits, power output during the course and more, all adjusted for your “goal effort” slider setting to indicate how hard you want to push
- Cycling Ability can be applied to courses that are loaded or saved on your device
- Create events and set up a training regime leading up to that event (eg: a race)
- The device creates daily workouts for you in phases
Garmin Watches
Wearables. Smart Watches. Precursor to the Borg. Whatever you wish to call them, watches geared toward athletes these days are fantastic tools. They’re a body sensor, scientist and nagging trainer/coach rolled into one and wrapped around your wrist.
You don’t have to be an elite athlete, as long as you’re serious about your health, performance and the great sport of Mountain Biking, your life will be changed when you buy a Garmin Watch.
With a breadth of models to choose from, which is the best Garmin watch for mountain biking and for you?
There is a lot to consider:
- Functions
- Ease of use/User Interface
- Size
- Weight
- Battery life
- Navigation accuracy
The pride of the fleet is currently the Garmin Enduro 2, a bulky but well-designed watch stacked with features that easily rival Garmin’s best bike computer, the Edge 1040. Riders shouldn’t let the 1040’s bright lights (it does have a very capable flashlight) blind them to the rest of the options, any of the options that fits your needs will be capable of taking your life into new territory.
Garmin Enduro 2
To understand how Garmin wanted their new flagship watch to stand out from the crowd, you don’t even need to turn it on. In the box, just like with the original Enduro, you’ll see that there are two bands included. Big Deal? Yes.
You get one silicone band that is pretty standard but of good quality you would expect from Garmin, while the other is the UltraFit band, a supremely designed and well thought out nylon strap. It is very comfortable, stays securely fastened, has just the right amount of stretch, seems to repel odors, and weighs 20 grams less than the silicone band. Anyone who tries the UltraFit band tends to fall madly in love with its feel and quality. As of yet, while Garmin does sell the UltraFit separately, it does not come in alternative sizes/widths other than 26 mm.
Before the Enduro sauce is thrown in, the watch is essentially a Fenix 7X – which is no slouch itself – and has “base” features that include:
- Music
- Garmin Pay
- WiFi
- Downloadable maps
- Skiing and golf maps are pre-downloaded
- Touchscreen
- Built-in solar
- Multi-band GPS (dual frequency)
- Sapphire glass
- Flashlight (twice as bright as the Fenix 7X)
Garmin added other quality-of-life features that make it a substantial leap forward over the first Enduro, which have subsequently made their way into other model lines such as the Fenix 7 and Epix. Useful developments you’ll find on the Enduro 2 include:
- There are now chevrons (arrows) that show the direction of travel along the selected map course – a small but very welcome addition.
Garmin Edge 540/840 Solar
In Brief
Yes, the “Solar” means it charges with the energy of the sun! Like Superman.
Much of the 540’s functionality and features mirror the high-end Edge 1040 that was released in 2022, with the benefit of a price tag that is much smaller than its older sibling. Still, $450 ($550 for the touch-enabled 840) is nothing to scoff at, even if this model is the “cheapest” on our list. We are firm believers in spending a little when it comes to bike computers. You’ll usually be thankful you did later, and what you use from your wallet, you make up for in how long you use the computer – spending more is essentially future-proofing.
The 540 and 840 both come in non-solar versions too, each costing $100 less than the solar enabled ones with no difference in size and dimensions. Battery life stats come in at 48 hours non-solar and 78 hours on the solar, but it should be noted that using Multi-Band GPS will reduce battery life.
In the Real World
In practice, the solar charging feature doesn’t take the place of wired charging, not by a long shot. It takes direct overhead sun to see the units using the full solar capability, once there is some cloud or trees around, or the sun dips toward the horizon, the efficiency of the solar charging drops off a cliff. So, approach the solar feature as a sort of trickle charge on long rides with good sun and make sure you charge the unit with the wire before use. For those who go on shorter rides or don’t ride much during midday, it may be worth saving some money on the non-solar editions.
Like their more costly 1040 brethren, the 540 and 840 allow for courses/routes to be preloaded into the device, which will then give riders the ability to see what is coming up ahead of them in terms of climb/descent intensity and gradient.
With previous models, if you find yourself without a preloaded route, nothing was displayed about what’s ahead. The software has been levelled up and now even if you don’t have anything loaded, the 540 and 840 (and of course 1040) will give you a heads up about what is coming up, if you so choose to go that way. Then when you cross what it deems to be the beginning of a climb, it will load in the gradient and elevation stats so you see the full shebang. This is a very good upgrade/evolution in our book.
This “auto route selection” works almost every time. On climbs where there is a clear end and the trail keeps going in one direction without any other choice, it nails it. But when there is choice and you decide to follow an alternate route, the computers may choose incorrectly and things get messy for a bit. It does this by choosing the most likely route you will take from shared ride data, and Garmin have said that there will be fine tuning over time. Overall, still a good and needed step.
Other great features include the ability to search for climbs nearby (Climb Explore function), even during a ride, and filter your results by search radius, terrain type, difficulty and more.
Features that are brought over thanks to the same software as the Garmin Edge 1040 include:
- In-depth customization of what information is displayed
- Navigation and elevation is very accurate
- A revamped Training Status function that calculates:
- Your VO2 Max and Acute Load stats
- Your Cycling Ability, categorised into Anaerobic Capacity, Aerobic Capacity and Aerobic Endurance
- Cycling Ability can be applied to courses that are loaded or saved on your device
- Estimated times, splits, power output during the course and more, all adjusted for your “goal effort” slider setting to indicate how hard you want to push
- Cycling Ability can be applied to courses that are loaded or saved on your device
- Create events and set up a training regime leading up to that event (eg: a race)
- The device creates daily workouts for you in phases
Unlike previous touch screen models, the 540/840 have all the buttons that come with the non-touch versions, giving you full freedom to use the computers as you see fit.
In a Nutshell
The Garmin Edge 540/840 can easily be considered the best value for money, definitely within the Garmin bike computer line up and arguably across all brands. The reason is because in terms of features and software, it is identical to the top-of-the-line 1040 but comes in at a much lower price point while “sacrificing” size.
Garmin Enduro 2
In Brief
This is Garmin’s flagship watch and it comes with every bell and whistle in the company’s arsenal at the time of its release in 2022. It’s pretty much like having a team of trainers and scientists out on the trails with you and studying you in your sleep, but much less creepy.
The Garmin Enduro 2 price tag may be a real eye-opener, but considering that it has incredible battery life while essentially mirroring the cycling functionality of the Edge 1040 (and 840/540 series for that matter), while also being a great smartwatch, you’re still getting some heft bang for your buck.
In the Real World
A smartwatch of this calibre is definitely geared toward those operating at the extreme fringe of their discipline or disciplines, at the very least a hardcare amateur hiker/trail runner/road cyclist/mountain biker/outdoorsman or any combination of those.
What’s so special about the Garmin Enduro 2 – and any other watch in their lineup for that matter – is that it goes everywhere with you. For MTB riders, what a smartwatch lacks in practicality while in the saddle (having to glance at one’s wrist, smaller screen size etc), it makes up for in its continuous and fuss-free data logging and analysis. It’s right on your wrist during most, if not all, of the day, which gives you in-depth insight into the quality of your time out off the bike too.
The Enduro 2 tracks the quality of your rest and your sleep and factors it all in to assess your ongoing physical condition and preparedness at any given time. For some of us here at Promountain Bike, that is what tips the scales toward a Garmin watch rather than a Garmin bike computer. It has a constant finger on your pulse, literally. It lets you look at your MTB and fitness journey through a microscope at any time you please.
If you’re on the fence about whether to buy the Garmin Enduro 2, the deciding question should be whether layered analysis and personal stats excite you or not. Should you be in the “yes” category but really wish the watch didn’t have to be on your wrist while you ride, there is the option of buying a sturdy 3rd-party handlebar or top-tube mount and link your watch to a Garmin Heart Rate Monitor (HRM). The benefits of using an HRM are more secure contact between the sensor and your skin, and more accurate readings.
In practice, the solar charging feature doesn’t take the place of wired charging, not by a long shot. It takes direct overhead sun to see the units using the full solar capability, once there is some cloud or trees around, or the sun dips toward the horizon, the efficiency of the solar charging drops off a cliff. So, approach the solar feature as a sort of trickle charge on long rides with good sun and make sure you charge the unit with the wire before use. For those who go on shorter rides or don’t ride much during midday, it may be worth saving some money on the non-solar editions.
Like their more costly 1040 brethren, the 540 and 840 allow for courses/routes to be preloaded into the device, which will then give riders the ability to see what is coming up ahead of them in terms of climb/descent intensity and gradient.
With previous models, if you find yourself without a preloaded route, nothing was displayed about what’s ahead. The software has been levelled up and now even if you don’t have anything loaded, the 540 and 840 (and of course 1040) will give you a heads up about what is coming up, if you so choose to go that way. Then when you cross what it deems to be the beginning of a climb, it will load in the gradient and elevation stats so you see the full shebang. This is a very good upgrade/evolution in our book.
This “auto route selection” works almost every time. On climbs where there is a clear end and the trail keeps going in one direction without any other choice, it nails it. But when there is choice and you decide to follow an alternate route, the computers may choose incorrectly and things get messy for a bit. It does this by choosing the most likely route you will take from shared ride data, and Garmin have said that there will be fine tuning over time. Overall, still a good and needed step.
Other great features include the ability to search for climbs nearby (Climb Explore function), even during a ride, and filter your results by search radius, terrain type, difficulty and more.
Features that are brought over thanks to the same software as the Garmin Edge 1040 include:
- In-depth customization of what information is displayed
- Navigation and elevation is very accurate
- A revamped Training Status function that calculates:
- Your VO2 Max and Acute Load stats
- Your Cycling Ability, categorised into Anaerobic Capacity, Aerobic Capacity and Aerobic Endurance
- Cycling Ability can be applied to courses that are loaded or saved on your device
- Estimated times, splits, power output during the course and more, all adjusted for your “goal effort” slider setting to indicate how hard you want to push
- Cycling Ability can be applied to courses that are loaded or saved on your device
- Create events and set up a training regime leading up to that event (eg: a race)
- The device creates daily workouts for you in phases
Unlike previous touch screen models, the 540/840 have all the buttons that come with the non-touch versions, giving you full freedom to use the computers as you see fit.
In a Nutshell
The Garmin Edge 540/840 can easily be considered the best value for money, definitely within the Garmin line up and arguably across all brands. The reason is because in terms of features and software, it is identical to the top-of-the-line 1040 but comes in at a much lower price point while “sacrificing” size.
