frontpagephoinix | Staff posted Apr 29, 2026 07:05 AM
Item 1 of 3
Item 1 of 3
frontpagephoinix | Staff posted Apr 29, 2026 07:05 AM
Garmin Edge 540 Compact GPS Cycling Computer
+ Free S&H$250
$350
28% offAmazon
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Was a lot quicker on my Wahoo devices.
But nowadays, I now just choose my course at the beginning of each ride and hit the Start/End button at the end, so if I would have just dealt with the buttons during configuration, I probably would have been fine with the 540 and saved myself some money.
Worth mentioning: if you don't need niceties like advanced metrics or dynamic routing, the Explore 2 is $300 MSRP (less during sales) and has a significantly larger screen with touch. Its battery life is about half the 540's, but unless you're in the saddle for 16+ hours at a time, you can still charge between rides. Seems like a solid option for more casual riders.
But nowadays, I now just choose my course at the beginning of each ride and hit the Start/End button at the end, so if I would have just dealt with the buttons during configuration, I probably would have been fine with the 540 and saved myself some money.
Worth mentioning: if you don't need niceties like advanced metrics or dynamic routing, the Explore 2 is $300 MSRP (less during sales) and has a significantly larger screen with touch. Its battery life is about half the 540's, but unless you're in the saddle for 16+ hours at a time, you can still charge between rides. Seems like a solid option for more casual riders.
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- Any data on the unit, you can see without pulling up your wrist, pulling out your phone, etc.
- It's really nice for navigation - for the aforementioned reasons. Espeically if you upload your route ahead of time.
- It does good bike-specifc metrics, that are more relevant on your ride than what most exercise trackers display.
- If you're serious about training, it'll integrate with cadence sensors, power sensors, and obviously HR monitors and display all that data intuitively.
- If you care about strava, it can tell you how far ahead/behind you are on your personal best, or your friend's time, or the overall best times on any segments you choose. Nobody would be impressed by my Strava times, but it's pretty motivating to see "if I go just a bit faster I can beat Bob's time!"
I have a Garmin bike computer and use it on probably about half my rides. It's most useful if you're on a training plan, or doing longer rides (and especially events/races) in unfamiliar places.It's best attribute for me is battery life, something that got worse with the 850's screen, so I will not be "upgrading" anytime soon.
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