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Garmin’s Edge MTB was something of a surprise when it launched, with many expecting the release to be a replacement for the Edge 1050.
This new mountain-bike specific model has trail-focused features, with two new rider profiles for enduro and downhill added alongside 5Hz GPS recording for increased accuracy on the trails.
For those looking to shave time off their favourite descents, a standout feature is the ability to set up split times down a trail, enabling you to see how far off the pace you are on the track.
I’ve only had the chance to use the Edge MTB on a short road ride, but I have included some initial impressions of Garmin's latest bike computer.
MTB-specific design
The Edge MTB doesn’t only benefit from MTB-specific features; it also has a more rugged design consisting of a rubberised outer case that covers the buttons, keeping dust and splashes at bay.
Garmin has also considered the higher crash rate in mountain biking, making the mount replaceable should you tear the computer off the bar.
Expecting the Edge MTB to be put through some abuse, the screen is also made from Gorilla Glass to ensure it holds up to the rigours of mountain biking.
The unit itself is smaller than the Edge 540, with a 2.3in screen and 58g weight.
While this screen size limits how far you can see ahead when navigating, it’s still very visible on the bar thanks to a brighter display.
Overall, the design feels very durable and practical in the hand.
Garmin has also introduced a new mount to the Edge MTB, which straps to the top tube of your bike to keep it out of harm's way.
Enduro and downhill features
The new ride profiles open up two popular segments of mountain biking, which have previously been ill-catered for by GPS computers.
Both utilise the computer's 5Hz recording ability, albeit not at all times, in order to save battery life.
In Enduro mode, your climbing and descending elevation are recorded separately. You have to manually select when you are climbing or descending by using the bottom left button. This changes the GPS recording from 1Hz to 5Hz.
Downhill mode does this automatically and uses data to determine when you have jumped on a lift or uplift shuttle, cutting this out of the activity, similarly to Garmin’s Alpine Skiing / Snowboarding activity types.
The feature that most excited me when the computer launched was the ability to set up timing gates on trails. Garmin says this is only possible due to the accuracy of 5Hz GPS tracking.
While you need to roll or walk down a trail to set these up initially, once you have them stored, you’ll set off the green or red lights every time you hit the trail.
A full run time is shown at the end, alongside the split times, with data also found on the Garmin Connect App.
I’m interested in whether this will improve my times on local trails or change my approach to certain segments.
Classic features
The Edge MTB carries over most of the features you’d expect from any Garmin bike computer, and a short ride experience says it lives up to those expectations.
There are some training-focused features that have been dropped, however, so if you’re looking for those, the Edge MTB might not be for you.
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