Review, Garmin Edge 200 GPS cycling computer

A recent bike purchase prompted a search for a simple way to log rides. The choice came down to a conventional trip computer, either wireless or wired, or something that could record routes electronically. The Garmin Edge 200 GPS cycling computer was the eventual pick, and after several weeks of use it has proved a worthwhile buy.

Why this unit made sense

The main requirements were straightforward. The device had to move easily between bikes, and it had to track rides and allow routes to be viewed online without leaning on a smartphone, whose battery rarely survives a full day in the saddle. A GPS trip computer fitted the bill.

A friend uses the Garmin 800, but maps and a price tag of around £300 were unnecessary. The Edge 200, at £87, offered the essentials for considerably less.

Living with the Edge 200

Two bike mounts come in the box. Each fixes to the handlebars or stem using a pair of very strong rubber bands, and the unit twist-locks into place and lifts off just as easily. Moving it between bikes takes almost no effort.

Setting up is simple, guided by a series of prompts the first time the unit is switched on. Those prompts quickly make clear how the controls work: four buttons, two on each side, each governing the screen functions nearest to it.

That ease of use carries over to the road. The Edge 200 takes roughly 30 seconds to pick up GPS signals at the start of a ride and then tracks the route accurately. The display is clear, showing speed, distance, time and average speed, and the unit pauses automatically whenever you stop. Once a ride is over, saving and reviewing the data on the device is straightforward, as is uploading it to the Garmin website.

Several features go beyond basic tracking:

• Training targets can be set for distance, time and calories, with an audible alert when each target is reached.
• An Auto Laps function allows times to be compared over set distances or when passing a particular location.
• A course created from a GPS file can be followed on screen, shown as a worm-like line. This feature went largely unused.

Battery life stood up well on a recent all-day ride of 70 miles. The unit was started at 8.45am and stopped at 5.30pm, nearly nine hours later, and still had 56% of its charge remaining. Following a course would no doubt drain it faster, but the performance was impressive nonetheless.

The verdict

The Edge 200 is a pleasure to use. It is simple to operate, has a clear display and lasts a full day on a ride. Routes can be saved and uploaded to the Garmin website and to other cycling apps. It is a sound purchase.

Note: the Garmin Edge 200 has been discontinued; the Garmin Edge 130 is its modern equivalent.