Description Take your ride to the next level with the Edge 305 - Garmin's GPS-enabled, personal trainer and cycle computer. From competitive road racing to mountain biking, the cyclist-friendly, lightweight Edge ...
Summary: I and others have had a big problems with the heart rate monitor. I is not accurate. They have replaced this unit 3 times and still heart rate is very bad. One second it is correct at 140 bpm, then next second it is 90. I have replaced batteries tried many positions and even gels for the contacts.
If you are serious about using a heart rate monitor you there is a very good chance you will be disappointed with this unit.
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Reviewed by: Little Bunny Foo Foo(Unregistered User)
Bike Setup: Felt F90 with Oval Concepts R500 handlebars & Slam Aero bars, Speedplay X5 pedals, Shimano 105 5603 crank, Shimano WH-R560 wheels, seat that I have had for ages.
Summary: I purchased a bundle with both the cadance/speed and the HRM.
This is by far the best purchase I have ever made for my cycling/fitness needs. It became very easy to record how much I rode, track when I rode and follow how hard I was pushing my body. It allows up to 8 things to be shown on screen, which is really more than I need, but it is a nice thing to have. Post workout I can see just how hard I was working in what as it will show heart rate and cadance along with my gps map location.
The first unit I purchased let the ghost out after a week, but I had been using it in temps as low as 20F. The unit that Garmin replace it with has functioned fine.
Strengths: Very detailed recording of heartrate and distance. Battery life has never been an issue, but the longest rides I go on are about 4 or so hours. It seems I have about 33% power left after that point.
I also like how you can have different bike profiles and screens for each bike. it makes it very easy to swap back and forth between my slower touring bike and my racing bike.
There are other features that I have yet to use (ghost competitor), mostly because biking in the northwoods during winter is rarely the same, so it's hard to compare things unless I'm doing roller training indoors.
I have never had any issues with the cadance/speed sensor or the heart rate strap not communicating with the device.
Weaknesses: Crappy program. Doesn't give as much flexibility as Sport Tracks (a freeware program that I highly recommend). However, not all of the functions work well within sporttracks. In order to get the full usage of the data recorded I must use both Garmin's Training Center and Sporttracks. I have not bothered with motionbased yet because of how much I like sporttracks.
The altimeter should be used as a general measurement and not anything accurate.
Cannot read power information.
Similar Products Used: Cheap ($30) cyclocomputers with cadance and speed.
Bike Setup: Somehow my bike review showed up on this page down below...maybe it was the beer.
Summary: Bought brand new on Ebay with a $75 dollar mail in rebate. It was pachkaged as a bundle -- meaning it came with Heart and Cadence sensors. I LOVE IT!!!!! This thing is great! The sensor is very sensitive and will pick up inside a building if you are close to a window. I didn't need this nice a computer, but I am glad I purchased in now. I have never used a heart rate monitor before. The first day I used it I was surprised by the wealth of data this thing collected and graphed. My riding has improved as I now can watch my heart rate and cadence combined. Without exercising any harder, and maybe now even less strenuous, my commute route times have improved markedly. I really didn't think a computer could make this much difference in riding.
Strengths: This device will be hard to beat. There are 605 and 705 models that have color screens and a few other bells. But for the money and information obtained...this is easy to justify. Would do over again without question.
Weaknesses: Wish it had temperature. I know that sounds goofy, but it takes so much other data that temperature would be nice.
Similar Products Used: couple different cateye...can't remember the models
specialized...again I can't seem to recall the model
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Summary: Having cycled extensively throughout my life I have had the opportunity to use different brands of cycling computer. In competition I have relied on Polar products. I have now tried the Garmin Edge 305 and it is without doubt the best cycling computer available. Just a few of the things I liked best :
- It was the most easy installation procedure I have encountered, with a stem mount option.
- The interface is so intuitive the manual is virtually superfluous.
- All critical data can be displayed at once. Nice big screen ( contract adjustable ).
- Wireless yet giving heart, speed and cadence... the latter two from the one sensor unit ( unlike Polar or Cateye ).
- Auto-lap function via gps.
- Mac software.
Strengths: Has everything required plus a GPS. Looks sharp. And, finally, a company that release Mac OS software ( because for me Windows is like riding a bike made from cast-iron )
Weaknesses: None so far.
Similar Products Used: Vetta, Cateye, Polar
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Bike Setup: SRAM Force everywhere with a compact crank set and a 11-26 cassette. I'll probably change it to a 11-23 after a few months. Kysrium ES wheels. Reynolds Pro anatomic carbon bars. ITM stem. Zeus carbon post with a Fisik saddle. DA pedals
Summary: I stepped up considerably from a Performance Forte after putting a few thousand mile on it. This bike is worth every cent I put toward it. I used to dread climbs, now they seem to pass without loosing both legs and lungs. The bike is very stable, maybe neutral to slightly negative when entering corners downhill. This is just fine by me as some of the other bikes I demo'ed were too "nervous." This is the best riding bike out of the bunch I tested for speed, road chatter and comfort. I used the bike for a commuter and lunch time exercise, and weekend rider.
Strengths: Lite weight, very stiff, muted road chatter, incredible ride, great looks.
Weaknesses: Price
Similar Products Used: My old mule a Performace Forte with Cane Creek wheels and 105 everywhere.
Demo'ed the following:
1. BH Speedrom -- nice ride, front end too soft (Ultegra SL).
2. BH Connect -- nice bike...my second choice (SRAM Force).
3. Felt F3 -- too nervous (DA).
4. Scott CR1 -- lite but too aggresive (DA).
5. S-Works Tarmac -- so so (Ultegra)
6. S-Works Roubaix -- very soft ride but almost too relaxed (DA).
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