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Can anyone advise on the best apps etc to use on my new toy?
What about mounting options? Should I mount it out front or on the bars? Any thoughts on differences?
Tia
What model is it?
Temper your expectations of being able to use it for navigation.
I’ve used the garmin MTB mount out front and it works pretty well (can bend out if the way if you hit something). Stem cap/stem mounts depend on your stem. You don’t really want it sticking up too high.
Trailforks is handy and integrates well.
Not on bar or stem and you need to look further down - not ideal for a sneaky peak if hoofing it down a trail, but...less likely to knock it off in a crash.
- Buy a silicon case for it's protection
- Always use the lanyard to attach it to the bike or bars, depending on which mount type you use
No need for any Apps.
For MTB, the bar mount feels less exposed than "out front".
The genuine Garmin MTB mount works well too, I have mine places such that the mount is almost directly over the top cap.
Use the lanyard regardless.
Always use the lanyard to attach it to the bike or bars, depending on which mount type you use
A-effing-men brother. Mine ejected a few weeks ago and it's gone for good 😡
I tried a stem cap mount on the mountain bike and smacked it & broke it with my knee first ride out 🙄
I now use either the one that comes in the box with the rubber bands to hold it on to the bars or it goes on the 76 Projects "Enduro Mount" on the top tube. Top tube mount is more difficult to see but it keeps it out of harms way. (I did nearly wipe out my wife when she slowed down infront of me and I was looking down at the Garmin - be warned!)
On the gravel bike I use the SRAM mountain bike out front mount, but that bike is much more likely to remain upright!
I had the Trailforks maps loaded onto my Edge 2 for a while but it messed up routing so I deleted them again. I generally use it to follow GPX routes that Ive drawn or downloaded, I don't use the built in routing very often.
Yeah I'll be following gpx routes that I load onto it, so hoping the navigation will be ok that way.
Will deffo be using the lanyard after this so thanks!
Is there a way of mounting the out front mount backwards so it is like the MTB mount or is there something I'm missing in the difference between them?
Or should I just not be a miser and buy the MTB mount?
I have seen this which is a bit cheaper than the official Garmin one...
Cheapest Garmin one I can find is balfes bikes
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Oh and I have a silicon protector but it only covers the edge, not as rugged as the mous case I have on my phone, anyone recommend any good cases for it?
"Enduro Mount" on the top tube.
I lost my Wahoo (briefly) using that method. It's on the bars with a lanyard for me.
Silicon round edges cover is absolutely fine. Also the out front mount reversed works very well but does meant it is off centre and could be more likely to have a knee hit it (although I never did when I had mine like that).
Some ideas for add ons from the Garmin IQ store
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/bike-forum/garmin-iq-store/
Download a TalkyToaster map to replace the Garmin basemap. I spent last week working my way through the Cairngorms and it worked brilliantly - even when I had to do a 6km detour to avoid a grump capercallie.
Initial routes were plotted on cycle.travel.net and then uploaded to the device via the Garmin webpage. I find the drop-a-pin and navigate to it feature to be very useful when exploring the Ochils.
Also turn off phone connection on the start of a day to prolong battery life. My device is now 5 years old so top up the battery from a power bank mid-afternoon.
Save routes from gpx using this:
CONNECT.GARMIN.COM If it's your first Garmin, have you set up a Garmin Connect account and linked your Edge to it? Equally you'll probably want the Garmin Connect App on your phone & the Edge paired & linked in, it'll add a fair bit of functionality.
I'm not sure what the supposed issue with navigation is? My Edge Explore 2 navigates fine, on and off road and is the main reason I use it, I'm not particularly bothered about ride stats other than recording the ride and uploading to Strava which it does fine.
The map is not super detailed, but that's a good thing to avoid screen clutter imo. It has more than enough detail though to make sure you don't miss a turn. You can also alter the detail level in the settings.
I really like mine, it has enhanced longer rides and encouraged me to explore more without the constant faff of looking at a phone or paper map. It has a few glitches and irritations, but nothing major. Enjoy yours OP 👍
I have an Edge 840. I've always used out front mounts as I don't like to take my eyes off the road/trail for too long. The newer units have a sacrificial, replaceable mount so if it gets hit the mount will break but the shell of the unit won't. Buy a couple of spares. Always use the lanyard. I've never bothered with a case for the unit, they are pretty tough anyway. Have a really good play with it at home to learn all the ways to navigate the software - it's really annoying to be on the trail and unable to find the function you need. This also helps you discover all that it can do - they have so much functionality these days which most people hardly use.
Garmin Connect account and linked your Edge to it?
+Garmin Express app on PC for map/firmware updates
And don't go spending 30odd quid for a branded mount when they can be had for about a tenner on ebay/amazon!
With short stem, my out front mounted Edge Explore has never felt "vulnerable"
Komoot is good for planning and following routes and works well on Garmin devices.
I'd definitely be getting a screen protector for it. I'm on to my second now and it's stopped the screen from taking the brunt of it.
And don't go spending 30odd quid for a branded mount when they can be had for about a tenner on ebay/amazon!
Although (much like GoPro), all the official accessories are very good quality. I've bought a load of cheap silicon cases over the years and none are anything like as good as the official. The 'genuine' mounts are also very well made, but harder to justify the cost compared to the alternatives.
If you're using it for navigation then turn off the auto rerouting option because IME it will just try to take you back to the point you left the route. I'd rather just be told I've gone wrong and decide whether to backtrack or find another way to rejoin the route.
Edge 810 owner here. Following a big loop is easy, but if you're doing a twisty in the trees type ride then it can get a bit confusing. I have one of these stem mounts, my unit has sat nicely in it for a number of years without any issues.
TWEEKSCYCLES.COM As mentioned by @StirlingCrispin further up the thread, it's easy to upload routes via Garmin Connect and turn off Bluetooth to save battery.
oo the auto reroute option .. i have forgotten to turn that off.. basically useful if you are following a route ie in a race or such like were any deviation would be a fail, but for doing a nice xc route it's shocking when it goes wrong, or thinks you are wrong and needs to catch up.
re navigation also, yer on the 530 at least, it's not great for finding specific trails from trailheads etc... its more useful for riding around the south downs
Ah yes, auto re-route... I used my Garmin to try a new route from home I'd plotted last week, and because I went out of the back gate rather than front door it kept trying to take me back home rather than following the route!
Best tip is to learn how to customise the views so you see only what you want. Then you'll wish you'd bought a smaller one 😉 . I've had 500, 810, 520 and now a full time 130. Apart from mapping the 130 does all I want. It's also tiny. I use K-edge out front mounts on everything. On and off road. I don't use a lanyard as it's very small, and I don't use a case as it was cheap. Breadcrub trails are fine for road, loaded as GPX in New Files manually on the device from my laptop. Off road is more challenging so ride with someone else!
If you have poor reading vision, the B&W 130 has better contrast than the colour models, and on 3 data fields (power, HR and cadence for me), the numbers are HUGE.
Although I'm just a pootler, I've had no issues with the O-ring mounts that come with the head unit (Explore 2 for me) & have it fixed to the bars.
If it takes a knock it'll most likely just rotate around the bars a bit.
The new top tube mount (with strap & bolt options) that debuted with the Edge MTB is available on the Garmin site although it looks like it'll be a few weeks before they're ready to ship.
+Garmin Express app on PC for map/firmware updates
Unless your Garmin is very old and you are relying on the USB connection only, Garmin Express hasn't been required for a while. Connect on your phone or the Connect web page can do everything you need.
Double check the tiny bolts for the mounts. Brand new, genuine Garmin out front mount. Fitted it, and on first ride, within 1 mile, the quarter turn adapter rattled free of the mount so the Garmin, plus fitting fell off. Saved by the lanyard. Had to ride the 205km sportive without Navigation until I got to a feed where I could get some tape.
What Edge device is it?
I have a Edge Explore 2, bought purely for the mapping capability. It sits on the headset mount that came with my Orbea Rise. Never had any issues with it falling off/getting scratched
I use either OS Maps or Strava to create a route and then load the GPX in to Garmin Connect. I bought the Talky Toaster maps, was something like £12. Navigation is simple and straight forward both on and off road.
The only issue I have had with the Edge Explore 2 is that the charging port can come open from vibration
It's the 840.
all the official accessories are very good quality
I meant stupidly priced stuff like K-Edge! Even Garmin branded mounts are a more sensible price. No advantage whatsoever in having a aluminium, coloured mount.