Garmin Edge

Garmin Edge 550 and 850, the next generation

Garmin Edge 550 and Edge 850, the latest iteration in the Garmin range have arrived. Both models offer bigger (slightly), brighter screens and heaps of other features, which I’ll list below. For me – a rider of a certain age – having a bigger, brighter screen is a must. Wait until you’re my age and you’ll appreciate a clear, easy to read display!

The 850 and 550 sit in the middle of the the Garmin Edge range. Not as stripped back as the 130, but without the 1050’s plethora of features. At 54.6×92.2×16.8 mm I prefer them for race situations, as opposed to the bigger 1050, 1040 and Edge units. Those premium units are great for navigating with their larger screens, but a bit OTT for racing.

Garmin Edge 550 and 850 features

• Free Garmin Cycling Coach plans in Garmin Connect adapt based on specific course demands and the rider’s training and recovery, providing recommended training adjustments.
• Riders can now see how their cycling ability, which can help them understand their strengths and weaknesses as a cyclist, progresses over time and how it compares to the demands of a course.
• Smart fuelling alerts prompt riders to hydrate and refuel in-ride based on their current fitness, course demands, heat and humidity when using power guide or following a workout.  
• Monitor the weather in-ride and make more informed decisions with real-time weather updates, including wind direction and radar overlays.
• New GroupRide data comparisons show how speed, heart-rate, power, cadence and more stack up to the rest of the group. In addition, existing GroupRide features allow you to compete, communicate and stay connected with fellow riders.
• After a ride, cyclists can check their post-ride summary to see how much time was spent in each gear with new Gear Ratio Analysis (when paired with electronic shifting).
• For those who like to ride off the beaten path, mountain bike ride profiles help better track ride performance. Enduro and downhill profiles enable 5 Hz GPS recording while descending, helping cyclists view the lines they took in greater detail. Meanwhile the timing gates feature helps see splits in real time for each lap or run.

Garmin Edge 850

• Built-in speaker: Provides cyclists with a digital bike bell, audible turn-by-turn navigation, workout prompts and more.
• Responsive touchscreen: In addition to buttons, cyclists can also use the touchscreen to pan and zoom on the map, quickly and easily report road hazards and swipe between screens.
• Garmin Pay™ Contactless Payments: Pay for a mid-ride snack or coffee break with the tap of the Edge3.
• On Device Course Creator: Cyclists can now create a course point-by-point directly on their device via touchscreen.

Edge 550 and 850: Smarter Safety on the Road

The new Garmin Edge 550 and 850 aren’t just about training stats, they’re also stepping up when it comes to rider safety. A feature already available on the 1050 is road hazard alerts. These are added by Garmin users and let you know about possible hazards ahead. On my usual Sussex routes, that mostly means potholes. However, when I was riding in Portugal the alerts were often for animals; basically code for “watch out for dogs”!

Another feature we’ve come to rely on is LiveTrack. This helps my partner see where I am when I’m out on solo rides. And while we’ve (thankfully) only triggered incident detection once, we were definitely glad it worked when it needed to.

Both models also work with Garmin’s Varia radar and camera systems, which we’ve been testing. They give you a heads-up when traffic’s coming from behind, plus you can control the lights or camera straight from the Edge screen. It even records video while you ride.

The Edge 550 is priced at £379.99, and the Edge 850 comes in at £469.99. Both are available now, look out for a review in the future.