Debuting this Tour de France is the new Garmin Edge 520, the world’s first GPS cycling computer featuring live Strava segments. The 520 features a color screen, a revised interface strategy, an extended battery life, and a myriad of other exciting features that the Edge 510 fan-men and women among us have been begging for. It interfaces with ANT+ trainers and your existing Vector pedals for greater tracking capability. Meet your new best friend to beat your best friend after the jump…
By far, the most plugged feature of this cycling computer is Garmin’s integration of Strava live segments into the interface, meaning that you can actively challenge your own records, or course records as you ride. Your Edge 520 will count down until a given Strava segment and give active feedback as to your performance against the record (this capability will be extended to Edge 510, Edge 810, and Edge 1000 in a later update) as is currently available with Garmin segments.
This extended capability carries into several other areas also. Users will have the capability, through Bluetooth, to instantly share rides on social media and upload rides to Garmin Connect- same as before. More relevant to the solo riders, however, is the Live Tracking features which allow your concerned loved ones to track your progress during long, lonely rides in real time (I know my parents would have loved that when I was younger). The Edge 520 also features smart capability, routing text and call notifications directly to its interface so you don’t accidentally miss important contacts.
Exciting for many endurance riders is that the battery life lasts up to 15 hours on a single charge- so it won’t crap out on you partway through your epic all-day gravel odyssey. Also, for those users who were having issues with the touch screen surface, the Edge 520 features seven pretty substantial buttons around the perimeter of the device.
The Edge 520 links up with your existing Vector pedals to give advanced, power based analysis on your training. This includes distribution of time in each zone, estimates on cycling specific VO2 max and functional threshold power as well as “cycling dynamics,” which gives further in-depth feedback on time in and out of the saddle and pedal stroke form. The Edge 520 will also link up with your fancy ANT+ indoor trainer for system control and data, as well as existing ANT+ heart rate monitors, speed sensors, cadence sensors and power meters, and the system integrates with the new Garmin Varia smart cycling devices (lights, remotes, and cameras).
The new Edge on the block will be available for MSRP $299 as a single unit, $399 if you would like the heart rate strap and cadence/speed sensor package. Both the solo device and bundle are available for pre-order now.
