Garmin releases tiny GPS-enabled cycling computers

Cyclists can virtually take friends on their rides and compete with others who previously finished the same journey.

Garmin's tiny new Edge cycling computer

Cyclists can virtually take friends on their rides and compete with others who previously finished the same journey.

That’s two of the features of Garmin’s new GPS-enabled cycling computers which the company claims are the world’s smallest.

Garmin today announced their availability in Australia.

The Edge 20 and the wireless enabled Edge 25 do the basics of capturing travel metrics such as time, distance, speed, total ascend and location.

Additionally, the Edge 25 lets a rider share details in real time with friends and family. Being ANT+ compatible, it can synchronise these travel metrics with read out from a heart rate monitor, a cadence sensor and specialist speed sensor.

Garmin says the computers have been made deliberately small given the small amount of free space on a bike.

““Real estate on your bike is limited — the Edge 20 and Edge 25 are the quintessential bike computers for cyclists wanting to save space without losing valuable features,” said Matt DeMoss, General Manager, Garmin Australasia.

The computer is water-resistant but not waterproof, it weighs 25g and Garmin claims up to 8 hours of battery life.

When paired with a compatible Bluetooth device, the Edge 25 can upload activities to Garmin Connect for post­-ride analysis. There’s a live tracking feature which lets family and friends follow their rides in real time.

In line with Garmin’s traditional role as a provider of GPS navigation, Garmin Connect users can also download courses and follow them on the device and get turn indications throughout a ride.

They can compete against other cyclists on previously ridden courses.

Users of the more basic Edge 20 can upload to Garmin Connect and download courses and segments via a PC or Mac.

Edge 20 and Edge 25 cost $169 and $229 respectively.