No, I’m not going to recommend that you get a setup like the one at left. But suffice it to say, I do spend a lot of time biking with various GPS units. And whether you are a road biker or a mountain biker, there’s a GPS that will work well for you, and you only need one on your handlebars! Either type of cyclist will have special needs, so let’s take a look at the options for each:
GPS for road bikers
GPS Cyclometers
The lower level Garmin Edge series is comprised of cyclometer-type GPS receivers. All of them have high-sensitivity chipsets for superior satellite reception in urban canyons and under canopy. While they are excellent cyclometers, they aren’t all that great as navigation devices (more on navigation options below). If you are primarily wanting to track your performance though, they can be an excellent choice.
A new model is the Garmin Edge 200 (seen at right), which is a basic cyclometer, though you don’t have to calibrate wheel size or mess with wires (yay!), plus you can upload your tracks to online maps and see where you’ve been and get some basic stats.
The Edge 500 adds a barometric altimeter and lets you add a heart rate monitor.
Models with turn-by-turn routing
If you want something for navigating the roads you’re riding, you’ll probably want a GPS with turn-by-turn navigation. Several Edges offer this capability. The newest model is the Garmin Edge 800 (shown at left), which brings a touch screen interface and extensive mapping capabilities to the Edge series. The previous generation includes the Garmin Edge 605 and Edge 705, the first models with color screens and mapping capability (maps purchased separately).
GPS for mountain bikers
If you want something that is primarily a training partner, the Edge series (described above) is a great choice. But most mountain bikers getting a GPS will want one that has better backcountry navigation features. Here are my top choices:
- The Garmin GPSMAP 62s (at right) has all the latest features, such as advanced track navigation, and the ability to add Garmin custom maps or BirdsEye aerial imagery. I prefer it to touch screen models such as the Garmin Oregon 450 simply because it’s easier to operate (and change screens) on the fly.
- The DeLorme PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator is a special case. This combo allows you to communicate with the outside world, even where there is no cell signal. If you venture far off the beaten track, or go it alone, this one is hard to pass up.
- Don’t want to spend as much? Consider the new Garmin eTrex 20, which brings a bevy of new features to a low-cost unit.
And no matter which unit you end up with, remember that there are plenty of free topo maps available for Garmin mapping units.
Related posts:
after reading numerous reviews and postings, I cannot find something that directly answers what I’m looking for, which is a gps device to use primarily when biking on a rail trail or some other off-road (not mountain biking) use. Some trails in the DC area at least connect with other trails, and some sort of navigation would be nice so I can get back to where I started without being lost. Would also like to keep track of time and distance. Another nice thing would be able to do the same thing while walking/hiking, but that’s not as critical to me.
There are some trail navigation options out there. If Garmin’s 24K regional maps have the trails, they will be routable. Ditto for DeLorme and their Topo USA product.
The newer Garmin units also have some nice advanced track navigation functionality, which would allow you to download a record of someone else’s ride and upload it to your GPS as a track/trail that you could then follow…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/07/navigating-tracks-on-the-new-garmin-handhelds.html
I believe the rails to trails website offers .gpx files for many trails.
Most handheld GPS will keep track of time and distance.
thanks, appreciate the quick response! I guess I’m still confused about which Garmin unit would be best. The original one I was looking at was the Edge 205/305, but those only draw a line of your route (not with a map). Then I saw the Edge 605, which has maps, but has some horrible reviews on Amazon, and is very expensive. Then I saw the Dakota 10/20, which appears to have applications built in specifically for biking and hiking (and car?), but all the reviews and info just talk about it’s use as a hiking tool. Seems like there are other possibilities too, but I can’t keep track.
Hmm, I may not be the best person to ask, as I might be a bit biased. I’ve never really been a fan of the the Edge series. They seem more like cyclometers to me — workout data first, with navigation being more of an afterthought. I’d go with something like the Dakota 20 or Oregon 450 (incredible sale at REI thru 9/6, BTW). My reviews of both were conducted primarily on mountain bike, so reading them may give you more perspective.
I’m still uncertain which model is best suited for me. I need to download preplanned bicycle touring routes that follow rural sideroads. So basically an auto type unit with long battery life that’ll fit on a handlebar, viewable in sunlight, that will give turn by turn navigation with cyclo-data secondary, and accept all the way points of a downloadable custom preplanned route. Big problem with the old Nuvi 200 series is that while it can accept custom routes from Google Maps for example, it’ll only accept the start and end points, then calculate it’s own route – useless for my purpose. Ultimately, the goal is to convert our dozens of paper-based cycling routes to a digitized format that can be downloaded to a cycler’s turn-by-turn navigation unit.
AFAIK, all GPS units will recalculate routes according to the algorithm built into the unit and the maps. One way to avoid this is to add enough via points, to force it to go the way you want.
I’m not a big fan of the Edge series, but their courses (.crs) file type may solve this. You might want to ask at https://forums.garmin.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20
If you find out, I’d appreciate you posting the info back here.
Oh, another way would be to follow a track on one of the Garmin units with advanced track navigation…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/07/navigating-tracks-on-the-new-garmin-handhelds.html
I would like to get a GPS for use in the following applications in this priority:
1.) Mt. Biking on off-road trails
2.) Hiking
3.) typical city navigation use.
I’m have been looking at the Edge 800 vs. Oregon 450. I decided the 450 is better suited for what I want to use it for. Then I read your recommendation for the GPSMAP 62s. So now its a show down between those 2 units. What are your thoughts… what advantage(s) would one have over the other… which screen is easier to read when mounted on a bike? Are they both as accurate?
Did you see this post?
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/07/garmin-gpsmap-62s-or-oregon-450.html
The 62s may be a little easier to see, and definitely easier to change pages on the fly. The Oregon 450 is much better in the car, except that it has no night mode.
The Oregon 450 may be a little more accurate, but that distinction will likely go away as the 62 series firmware matures over the next few months.
On that line, has anyone looked into the Magellan models: they appear to have both off-road and road capability, but the description on the website is limited
http://gpstracklog.com/2011/01/magellan-explorist-710-review.html
I am looking at a few different gps models but find it hard to find to choose as a newbie, since my needs are diverse. Basically, I will be taking two trips this year. One is a big cycle tour from munich to barcelona, mostly along established roads in Europe, the other will be offroad in Central Kazakhstan. What should I buy?
That’s tough. If it was all on or off road, it would be easier to say. Maybe the Dakota 20 with City Navigator maps for Europe and whatever topos you can find for Kazakhstan.
Thanks for the answer, thats good service! I was looking at that one too. whatever I decide, will make sure you get some affiliate revenue
!
Cool! Thanks! If you have any other questions along the way, just give a shout.
Hi Rich,
Thanks for the excellent webpage. I’ve just purchased a Oregon 450, largely based on all your reviews, and am very pleased with it.
Question though: I’ve created a route with Bikeroutetoaster and downloaded it as .gpx file onto the unit. I’ve checked the internal memory and the files are being correctly saved in …/GARMIN/GPX. However, the imported route doesn’t show up in the Garmin (can’t find it) while routes created from within the Garmin work just fine.
All the forums I’ve read say that .gpx files in …/GARMIN/GPX should get automatically loaded at start-up. Any idea what’s going on?
Regards,
Adrian
Glad you’re enjoying the 450 — great unit!
That site appears to be designed more for Forerunner and Edge fitness devices, which use courses rather than routes and tracks. Before we go any farther, check to see if it is in the track manager, rather than the route manager. Also, did any waypoints from the route show up?
I’m still confused after reading the thread. Here is my need. Any help offered would be much appreciated I am planning a self-guided bicyling tour in Tuscany for later in the year. I don’t speak or read Italian. Hence, I am looking for a good GPS to (1) plan my routes (including recommending and plotting routes that keep my on quiet roads to the extent possible in getting to my desired destination); (2) give turn-by-turn directions; and (3) help navigate me when I get off course. From what I read above, it seemed as if the GPSMAP 60cx is the model I want. I see in your review that it works on a handlebar mount, but I don’t see the mount, and looking at the image of it, it does not appear as if it’a a device that fits (and remains secured) easily on a bicycle while doing long-distance touring. Tell me what I’m missing. Note: the only cyclometric specs that I particularly will be caring about is an odometer, distance traveled on a particular leg of the trip, current speed, and average speed. A good mapping device that helps me navigate on good, bicycling roads in an area I don’t know are much more important. In fact, I’d be willing to sacrifice purchasing a GPS that provides cyclometric metrics for a decent mapping GPS by using my current Cateye computer. I already have a GPS in my car so I don’t care about a model that does double duty. I have no problem in knowing I have to buy software in addition to the hardware in advance of making the acquisition as long as I can get what I need. I’d also be curious as to why you recommend this unit over the Garmin 605. Thanks in advance.
I’m not sure I would recommend it over the Edge. The Edge series, paired with City Navigator maps, seems to do a pretty good job of street routing. But then, so does the 60CSX.
As far as mounts go, some people find the stock Garmin mount a bit less than secure, and go with a RAM mount instead.
Follow-up to the other Matt’s question. I also am planning on touring in Tuscany and tend to do 1-2 self-guided tours a year. I’ve just started doing my homework into a GPS for basically the same reasons that the other Matt stated. On the Adventure Cycling website forum, the gurus there do not recommend the Edge, largely because of its limited mapping capabilities, including a maximum of 100-way points. Hence, why do you see the 605 as a toss-up to the 60Cx?
It was just for his particular use case. IIRC, the 605 does fine for turn-by-turn navigation on roads, making it an okay choice for road biking. I would never recommend an Edge for backcountry nav / mountain biking though.
You make a good point about the waypoint limits BTW.
Thanks Rich for the prompt reply. After looking at the thread, I can now in retrospect that I was the original “other Matt.” Who knew I learned so fast? Let’s come back to the specs:
(1) 2+ self-contained tour in Tuscany on roads (no mtb; no major hiking)
(2) Future uses will be similar self-contained road biking tours (about 1x-2x/year) for at least the next 5 years.
(3) Day and evening club rides (30-100+ miles) in different areas around DC region (including most on back roads to which I’m not that familiar).
Not interested in keeping account of my stats. Navigation is more important, especially when I get lost or go off the beaten track to explore (or both!). Looking for only basics: current speed, average trip speed, trip distance, odomoter, max trip speed. Not sure about altimeter — probably would be nice but not essential.
Turn-by-turn directionsl would be very helpful, as I have bad eyes, making it hard to read cue sheets at times. Would like to keep list of any routes created as well as download maps/cue sheets developed by others.
Currently have Garmen for my car; works great!
To date, when I get lost, I use my Blackberry, click on Google maps and ultimately get reoriented. Blackberry will not work in Italy given it’s through Verizon. It also is not all that efficient but does the job and is cheap.
Here are options for Tuscany and beyond:
(1) Continue to rely on paper maps/cue sheets and cyclometer. If in U.S., use Blackberry as back-up in emergencies.
(2) Purchase a GPS principally for navigational capabilities, including potential to develop sequence of routes over 100 way points for supporting longer self-contained tours (60cx I presume).
(3) Purchase a GPS principally for navigational capabilities but also as replacement for current basic bicycle computer, recognizing limits of 100 way-points.
Final question: how much “juice” do I get for 100 way-points?
You know, I’m not sure I have the best perspective to answer your question. I have found Edge models extremely frustrating, but haven’t worked with “courses.” Instead, I’m more familiar with waypoints, tracks and routes. I’d go with a handheld over an Edge in a heartbeat, but that’s just me.
Hmm, I was going to suggest searching online for your routes and see if you could find more .crs or .gpx files, but it looks like Garmin is now using .tcx instead of .crs. So you might want to do a few searches for .tcx vs .gpx to see what format touring riders prefer.
I think this will help too…
https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?t=8276
Thanks a lot, Rich. I appreciate the promptness, clarity, and honesty in the responses. I’ll go do the homework. You’re not the only one who I have read who has recommended a handheld strongly over the Edge.
Cheers,
Matt
Hi Rich,
amazing site. So glad I came across it!
However, being new to GPS and all this i’m a bit confused as to what is right for me.
In April i’m cycling from the UK to New Zealand for about 1 year so i’m looking for something that will help me get there for a good price. I was looking at the edge 305 as a couple of people who are touring carry one. However, on the specs it says that i can not add maps nor does it come with any base maps. This is something I might need, although I have never tested any GPS stuff before.
Any suggestions for this 1 year trip?
Thanks again
update… I like to look of the Garmin Dakota 20 GPS
I’d definitely prefer the Dakota to the Edge, but I’ve never been a fan of the latter. Be aware that you’ll need to budget for maps, or use a free source like OSM. Managing maps for that long of a tour could be an issue too, unless you’ll have a laptop along.
i will have a laptop yes.
It might be a good idea to buy City Navigator Europe (I’m assuming you’ll be cycling through quite a few European countries). If you get the micro-SD card it won’t be locked to one unit and you could sell it after your trip.
Sounds like a great way to spend a year BTW!
Thanks for all fo this info. Amazing site! I’m trying to help some friends plan for a bike trip in France. They want a road bike GPS unit to help navigate from town to town. From what I read on your site, it would seem that the Oregon 450 might be the best device for their use. But I also found the TomTom Urban Rider, which could presumedly be purchased in the France (or Europe) version, and then add US maps for use here. Any thoughts on that, or how it might compare to the Oregon 450 for strictly road-based use? Thanks again!!
I’ve no experience with the Rider. For biking, I prefer the Garmin GPSMAP 62s to the Oregon 450, as its easier to change pages on the fly, since you don’t have to look at the unit to do it.
Hi.
i am in the army so who knows were ill end up. but i travel alot between colorado.
i am looking for a GPS that i can take wiht me for hiking in the forests of michigan and the mountins of colorado.
I will be needed it for my mountin bike trips to!
i am also looking at pulling duble duty as for it would be my car gps to.
now according to your erlyer anwsers it looks like the GPSMAP 62s would be in the right direction?
Thanks for all the help!
Yes, mountain biking definitely pushes it towards the 62s, since its so easy to change screens on the fly. It’s a great unit.
I started this string, and never bought anything because it was too confusing (too many similar choices, too many conflicting opinions). I recently saw an Edge 605 offered for $200, so I decided to do some more research. I can say it’s just as confusing now.
But here is the best I can determine for someone like me. I want something small that easily goes on a bike, and could also maybe be taken along on a run/walk. Seems like the Edge units, Dakota 20, and eTrex units are the smallest/most convenient? My main use is basic stats (speed and distance stuff) for rides/runs around the neighborhood. Is it true that pretty much all the options do that? Also want to be able to go off on a series of unfamiliar, interconnected rail trails and not have to pay attention to all the turns I make on the way out, and be able to easily find my way back (back-track). Do all of them do that too? Another possible use is maybe have something for the car when I’m trying to get somewhere and I don’t have Mapquest printouts. Not sure if I want to ever get into the bike “training mode”, which if I do it seems obvious to go with one of the Edge units.
Is there anyone out there who could recommend the best option?
Thanks!
Yes, those three series are the smallest for your needs. They all offer the basic stats. The Dakota and eTrex mapping units offer backtrack functions. Not sure about the basic eTrex H or the Edge models. For auto use you would probably want to add some of Garmin’s City Navigator maps (or their new 24K topos series, which includes highway maps).
thanks again Rich. I did some more thinking and research and am pretty sure I’m not into “training”, so the Edge is out. So now I’m debating between the Dakota 20 and the eTrex Legend HCx. Seems like they’re pretty similar functionally and size-wise, but the Dakota has a bigger screen (so maybe better in the car?) and the touchscreen, which you really seem to like. However, the Dakota appears to be much more expensive. Did I also read in one of your reviews that you thought the Dakotas would replace the eTrex? Which one would you pick?
I’d probably go with the Dakota, due to some of the new features, which may or may not be important to you…
http://gpstracklog.com/2011/04/five-reasons-to-upgrade-your-garmin-handheld.html
For auto use, the touch screen will be much better. There is a Dakota 20 Hike & Bike bundle available with highway maps that I’ve seen as low as $230.
Wow! I see hike and bike bundles for the Dakota 10, but not for the 20. I see the 20 by itself at one place for $230, but everywhere else closer to $300. Maybe I should wait a while?
Yeah, and the sales come and go. You just missed a Cabelas.com deal for the Dakota 20 for $169. It could be a couple months or more before we see a good Dakota sale again.
Rich – I thought I sent a comment in asking about the nuvi 500 as another option, but that doesn’t appear to have shown up. Anyhow, from your review and others I’m thinking that is not as good for me as the Dakota 20, because it’s not as good for carrying around. I also don’t like that it has a special, somewhat expensive battery, and you would really need to purchase a backup.
Yeah, I’m not a huge fan of the nuvi 500.
Rich – I went ahead and ordered a Dakota 20. Just wanted to say your website provided invaluable assistance as I tried to sort out all of the options and information that is out there. Thanks again!
Cool! Give a holler if you have any questions. And once you’ve used it awhile, please come back and let us know what you think.
will do!
I am not very familar with GPS devices, but I am in need of something that I can carry on my bike that will track my course and elevation, which I can then download and print out as maps and elevation charts. Also I occasionaly ride in unfamilar areas, so navigation would come in handy. Will most of the GPS devices with altimeters do this? What would be my least expensive option for this?
A model with an altimeter should give you more accurate elevation info. The Garmin eTrex Vista HCx (older model) or Dakota 20 or Oregon 450 would be the cheapest options. The latter goes on sale for around $250 occasionally. We might see some good sale prices by the end of the month. I track them at http://bestgpsdeals.net. Reasons to buy an newer model and not the Vista HCx…
http://gpstracklog.com/2011/04/five-reasons-to-upgrade-your-garmin-handheld.html
Hi,Rich: I have a Garmin nuvi 500. It is waterproof and I can use it for driving, cycling, and walking. I bought it primarily for the car so with the car charger, it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t have a long battery life. However, I have also started using it for cycling. I enjoy seeing all the data it provides as I ride my bike. The problem is that the battery life is dismal. I will charge it the night before and after two and a half hours, it has a low battery. So while I love the unit, I am thinking I might need something with a much longer battery life that I can still also use for driving, cycling, and hiking. Any suggestions?
One big (size and price-wise) option is the new Montana series…
http://gpstracklog.com/2011/08/garmin-montana-first-looks.html
Otherwise, I like the Oregon 450, combined with City Navigator maps…
http://gpstracklog.com/2009/04/dual-use-gps-for-road-and-trail.html
I have a Garmin Etrex Venture, old but still good. I use it on my bicycle and it serves the purpose. I am interested in getting a newer unit with perhaps more sophistication. I have tried/tested several units and find an annoying problem with most of them. I do mostly trail riding and haul my bike to the trail head with the car. At the end of the ride I turn off the GPS unit, mount the bike on the car and drive home. With most new units when I turn the unit on at home I see they have drawn a straight line “As the crow flies” between where I turned it off at the trail head and where I turned it on at home. They also add the distance of this useless line to the odometer. My Etrex does not do this. Garmin says their new sophisticated units will draw this line also and they see nothing ridiculous about it. DeLorme units don’t draw this line but I just don’t like some of the features of their unit. Any suggestions?
The best ways I know of to deal with this are (1) save the track at the end of the ride (the new units don’t truncate them to 250 points) or (2) use a program like TopoFusion to download tracks. I love their import tracks dialog. And you can use the free version for that too.
I have recently bought a Garmin 62s mainly based on some of the points raised here at this site which confirmed that this would be the best choice (thank you!).
So far I find it a marvelous device but find that as a Company Garmin seems to not publish some detailed specs that I would really find beneficial in my situation.
I will be using the 62s on a bike trip and so far use it with rechargeable Ni-cads. That works well but I would like to have the gps on all the time while riding. This brings me to my questions.
I am considering buying an “E-Work” by Busch & Muller to hook up to my Son 20 hub. (I have a 20″ wheel molten so the Son will be putting out the correct output with this hub) The E-Work will split the hub output to the lights and device when the lights are on – however the device needs to be set to a particular voltage and amperage both.
That is my first problem. Does anyone know what the car charger voltage and amperage is? I can’t seem to find that information anywhere.
Secondly, I would like to double check that the Garmin 62s CAN be run from power while operational. When it is put to the 5V out on the USB bus the device turns off. I am worried since Garmin does not address the situation directly that it could be that the 62s can only be recharged while off. Does anyone know the answer to that?
Lastly, if the 62s can be charged on the go and operational at the same time, are there any particular requirements as far as the internal batteries are concerned? What I mean is are Ni-Cads fine or does one have to buy Garmins rechargeable battery?
Thanks for any input and advice or tips that anyone may have. I’m running out of time to improve this before I leave for my trip and hope I can make this great GPS perfect!
I don’t know if I can help with the other questions, but you can use it on external power using Spanner mode…
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=267285
I’d like a unit that will allow my wife to monitor my location and progress while on the roads. She does not like me riding alonde and this may help her fears.
You can use a smartphone or something like this…
http://gpstracklog.com/2011/06/garmin-gtu-10-gps-tracker-review.html
My husband mountain bikes and has an old Garmin Vista that he is looking to upgrade. He needs the topo maps for biking. The Edge 800 looks interesting but has some concerns about wear ( he is hard on things). what are the big differences in the Dakota or Oregon? Can they be bike mounted?
If he cares more about tracking his fitness stats, get the Edge. If, like me, backcountry navigation is the prime issue when mountain biking, get a handheld like the Dakota, Oregon 450, GPSMAP 62s or eTrex 20/30. All can be bike mounted. Deals are being posted on this site and at my GPS Deals site.