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New Garmin EDGE 1030 automates ride routing, maximizes training with Firstbeat

Garmin edge 1030 gps cycling computer with route recommendations and training data from Firstbeat
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The new Garmin EDGE 1030 GPS cycling computer aims to connect you to your ride like never before. In addition to pairing itself with the usual performance devices like heart rate straps and power meters, it also connects to their Varia radar and headlight, and your phone. Using all of that, it can then connect you to better rides.

Called Trendline, the device will pull popular routes for both road and mountain bikes from the cloud and offer suggestions on where to ride. Those are shown on its large 3.5″ color touchscreen on the built-in maps with turn by turn directions and even warnings for sharp turns. Ambient light sensors adjust screen brightness in real time, keeping it easy to see.

Garmin edge 1030 gps cycling computer with route recommendations and training data from Firstbeat

The ride recommendations come from Garmin Connect, which pulls from “billions of miles of ride data”. Their online Course Creator has also been updated, which they say now offers easier route creation on road, gravel and mountain bike trails. Then, when you’re ready to ride, you can have it show your pre-formatted routes, share them with friends, or let it offer a few alternate suggestions based on your desired direction of travel and distance. If you’re a Strava Premium member, it’ll also let you pull Strava Live Segments and routes directly onto the device, as well as see your KOM and segment performance in real time.

A new Rider-to-Rider messaging system lets you send preformatted messages to other 1030 users without having to pull out your phone.

BETTER TRAINING DATA FROM YOUR HEART RATE & POWER METER

If you’re ponying up the $599 for this device ($699 with HR strap bundle) in order to train harder and smarter, you’ll be happy know there are two systems integrated into the device. First, it has TrainingPeaks Connect IQ preinstalled, putting daily workouts directly on your device to guide you through it in real time.

They’ve also partnered with Firstbeat to offer a full suite of training analysis, including VO2 max, Training Status, Performance Condition, FTP (all of which also require a power meter),   Stress Score, Training Load, Aerobic/Anaerobic Training Effect, and Recovery Time.

Training Load reveals the accumulated physiological impact of training over a rolling 7-day period of time in terms of the amount of restorative and adaptive work stimulated through physical activity. Once enough data has been collected, Training Load feedback will also include an indication of whether your current training load is optimal for you.

Training Status tells you how your training is going by analyzing changes in fitness levels (VO2max) in light of current and historical Training Load data. This data can reveal whether training efforts are productive, unproductive, or maintaining current levels. It will also automatically warn you when you are overreaching and at risk for overtraining.

“These new metrics onboard the Edge 1030 give cyclists a chance to see what is happening below the surface at a physiological level” says Aki Pulkkinen, Firstbeat head of consumer products. “The ability to quantify training loads scientifically means that what you do on a bike becomes simultaneously visible and manageable. Putting that data in the right context unlocks a whole new frontier, deepening the way cyclists look at and evaluate training, and most importantly it means better, scientifically informed training decisions.”

Garmin.com

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JBikes
JBikes
6 years ago

Not sure the cost to develop these devices, but if Garmin and others forgo focus on simpler/cheaper devices like Edge 20/25, I can see this focus on smart-phone like design being a downfall.
At some point people will just use their smart phones that are be custom tailored by ever updated apps from a variety of produces, rather than be tied to Garmin and their single updates. Especially when one considers two $600+ devices instead of one.
Although maybe not quite there, eventually, there will be no function a smartphone can’t perform equally or better than a dedicated cycle computer than has too many functions for long battery life. Many new phones are similar hitting impact and immersion/spray specs…and this trend will continue.

Wiscomark
Wiscomark
6 years ago
Reply to  JBikes

I’ve yet to encounter a smartphone that can give me the same battery life as a Garmin when you have GPS and Bluetooth turned on, along with the screen staying on. Phones also aren’t as durable or waterproof as a Garmin. In addition, I don’t want something as large as my phone mounted to the front of my bike.

JBikes
JBikes
6 years ago
Reply to  Wiscomark

For a while I had yet to encounter a personal computer under $2k with more than 2GB memory…

I’m not saying Garmin should abandon this market now (or maybe ever), but it will eventually be eclipsed by smart phones for the majority of users. If they fail to update their simpler lines, other competitors will take over market share.

Cg
Cg
6 years ago
Reply to  Wiscomark

Agree but there are battery pack cases. I use them for golf since gps trackers drain battery. I don’t like the idea of a huge phone on my stem but Garmin devices are getting bigger.

antoine191
6 years ago
Reply to  Wiscomark

My galaxy S7 is better than my Edge 820. Around 5 hours screen on. For longer ride i have to let the screen go black from time to time depending on how long the ride is. However the S7 touchscreen does not work in the rain.

tyler
6 years ago
Reply to  JBikes

Jbikes – read here. challenges are – weight complexity battery life fragility and cost, believe it or not. smartphones are cheap because theyre sold/built in volumes orders of magnitude higher than what a smart-phone-based bike computer would be.

http://keithhack.blogspot.com/2017/05/startup-musingspricing-your-product.html

Pinko
Pinko
6 years ago
Reply to  JBikes

JBikes, I agree with you 100%.
Garmin should give up trying to produce smart-phone like stuff. Because their software just does not work. Simple stuff is good, I personally use an etrex 20 for when I really need navigation in the mountains and never failed.

myke2241
myke2241
6 years ago
Reply to  Pinko

Their software is fine. That is like say will I think think they should give up making cockpit computers because a cell phone is powerful enough to fly a plane. Cell phones are great for checking your strava feed but let’s save it incase you actually need to call someone after you crash

Casper
Casper
6 years ago
Reply to  JBikes

I agree that a smartphone could do the trick (eventually). But a smartphone is like a multitool that can do all kinds of stuff, but isn’t really good at a specific task (except phoning, maybe).

A few years back I attended a 300km (approx. 185 mile) road race, some of which during heavy downpour, at night. My Garmin 705 had no issues during the entire race. But I wouldn’t trust a smartphone to keep the screen on for 14 hours while logging ANT+ and GPS signals, and I certainly wouldn’t do it in heavy rain.
I know the distance is further than normal, but it’s just to show that a smartphone battery rarely lasts as long as dedicated bike computer.

A smartphone app CAN be customized to your specific needs, but most apps like strava, endomondo, fitbit etc. still has limited customisation. My garmin is way more customisable than any of my phone apps. Even my Garmin Fenix3 has more features and customization than any usefull apps I’ve found.
The build quality of a bike computer is also far stronger than a fragile smartphone.

I’m not saying that a smartphone isn’t good enough for some, but I still prefer a dedicated bike computer. which is why Garmin still produces these.

Joey B
Joey B
6 years ago

Completely satisfied with the Wahoo Bolt after many years of Garmin use. The Bolt does everything I want and is super easy to use with the dedicated phone app. After experiencing touch screen problems with both a 1000 and an 820, I prefer buttons.

tyler
6 years ago

garmin asked for moderation on their press release?

Kristi Benedict
Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  tyler

No, comments with links are held in moderation until approved. Same for all posts.

Pinko
Pinko
6 years ago

“The new Garmin EDGE 1030 GPS cycling computer aims to connect you to your ride like never before”
…is it a saddle?
Because saddle, pedals and grips are the only things connecting me to the ride?

That said I had the 1000 as navigation, it failed on me in the middle of a mountain and I barely made it home alive. It then failed me on a 200 miles backcountry ride and I barely made it home alive.
Thank you REI for the 1 year return policy.

myke2241
myke2241
6 years ago
Reply to  Pinko

You should try the 1030 and what the results are. Guide that hate into a enjoyable ride. But seriously I am conflicted. The hammerhead could be better. I may end up buying both.

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