Garmin Edge 1000: What the Connected Bike Means for Cycling

Cycling technology has come a long way since we developed our first Edge computer in 2005 and is evolving faster than ever. The same technology developments that bring connectivity to many aspects of our lives, such as high-speed data connections, low-energy wireless protocols, and smaller hardware components, are changing the sport of cycling as well. A connected bike, and the data that can be gathered from it, can help cyclists achieve better performance, increase safety, avoid injuries, and have more fun on the road.

“Crunching data has become a major part of my job and helps us decide who is best suited for a race,” said Robby Ketchell, director of sports science for Team Garmin-Sharp, which Garmin has sponsored since 2008. “The fitness data that we are accumulating is only the beginning of a new, data-driven age in cycling that makes training safer and more effective. Increased connectivity and social media provide tools that will improve the way that we look at and analyze our performance.”

The new Garmin Edge 1000 cycling computer takes a major step forward toward a fully connected bike, integrating with a whole array of sensors and devices, most of which use the ANT+ wireless protocol. It serves as a digital hub that connects to our Vector pedal-based power meter, the Shimano Di2 electronic shifting system, the VIRB action camera, a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, and the new Edge remote control on the handlebar. This not only gives cyclists real-time access to valuable data, it also provides opportunities to analyze cycling behavior, adjust training plans for better effectiveness, as well as track and capture rides.

The Digital Hub

The Edge 1000 is built for the conditions on a bike and controls everything seamlessly. Its 3-inch high-resolution touchscreen display is sunlight-readable and comes with an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts brightness to changing light conditions. The touchscreen also is optimized for gloves and wet days[1]. The Edge remote control allows cyclists to control their Edge 1000 without removing their hands from the handlebar.

Connected to Electronic Gear Shifting

The Edge 1000 is Garmin’s first cycling computer that integrates with Shimano Di2 electronic shifting systems to display current gear on its screen. This not only makes it easier to adjust to changing gradients, it also allows cyclists to provide useful information to bike mechanics when issues arise. The Edge 1000 will be able to collect data from the electronic shifting system, which will help riders identify the exact gear they were in during a ride, a training interval, or a particular climb. They will also be able to correlate this data to power, cadence, heart rate, and speed, to help make better training decisions.

Measuring Power Output

The Edge 1000 also pairs with our unique pedal-based power meter that measures total power (in watts), left/right balance, and cadence. Easily installed, Vector is accessible to riders of all levels and provides unparalleled data to improve performance. A preloaded power-based workout that comes on the Edge 1000 helps determine a cyclist’s functional threshold power (FTP), the maximum power level one can maintain through a one-hour workout without fatiguing. This allows cyclists to customize their workout program to their precise fitness level. Without this information it is easy to under- or over- train, which could make the workout less effective. The possibilities for how Vector’s unique force data could be used in the future are virtually endless. Users could detect their signature of when they become fatigued, determine if they are properly fit to their bike, measure the level of effectiveness of their pedal stroke, and more.

Live Tracking and Social Media

The Edge 1000 offers a suite of connected features when paired with a cyclist’s smartphone and the Garmin Connect Mobile app. LiveTrack, for example, allows friends and family to follow races and training activities in real time. Users can invite followers using email or social media, so they can view live data on a Garmin Connect tracking page on a smartphone, desktop or tablet. Once they receive an email invite, they can click to follow and see cyclists’ stats like speed and distance, heart rate (optional), cadence and power (optional), and location on the map. If riders go out for a solo early morning ride, LiveTrack can give loved ones the peace of mind knowing where they are at any time. The Garmin-Sharp professional cycling team uses this LiveTrack feature during its training rides—giving team management and coaches a real-time look at their efforts.

New social media features allow cyclists to compete in unique and fun ways. After a ride, users can instantly share and analyze their workout or race on the Garmin Connect Mobile smartphone application. Garmin Connect is our our free online fitness community, where users can not only analyze their workouts but also share them with others and leave likes and comments. The new Edge 1000 segments feature also allows riders to compete and challenge themselves on segments from Garmin Connect. Segments are portions of a ride that users can save or download in Garmin Connect to see how they perform compared to others. Each segment has a leaderboard that shows who was able to achieve the best performance. With the Edge 1000, users can even download segments to their device to virtually race their previous best, the overall segment leader’s time, or another rider’s time. The video below shows the segments feature in action.

Record Rides with Data Overlays

The Edge 1000 can act as a remote to start/stop recording and take stills with the VIRB and VIRB Elite action cameras, allowing cyclists to capture HD videos of their rides. What makes the VIRB Elite stand out for cyclists is its ability to record data from built-in and connected sensors, such as heart rate, speed, altitude, G-Force, cadence, and power. Users can display this data in the video as an overlay, which is a great way to capture, relive and analyze rides. The VIRB Edit software makes it easy to share videos with family and friends via social media.

VIRB can easily be mounted to a handlebar or a helmet. It is not only rugged and has a water rating of IPX7 without an extra case, it can also record over 3 hours of HD footage, and captures high-resolution 16MP stills (even while recording video at the same time).

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