Garmin 500 Edge Questions
#1
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From: Cleveland Ohio
Bikes: 02 Klein Att SS, 02 Klein Att MTB, 15 Trek DS 8.6
Garmin 500 Edge Questions
I have been researching GPS/computers for my bike and I think I have narrowed it down to the Edge 500. I do have several questions that I'm hoping someone here can help me with. First, what is the purpose of a secondary speed sensor? Doesn't the GPS provide your speed? Or is it just more accurate with a speed sensor? And if using a secondary speed sensor does that provide more accurate mileage also? Secondly, If I decide to go with a secondary speed sensor, I would like to use the Duo Trap S since it is a nice clean look. Will the Duo Trap S be compatible with the Edge 500? Thirdly, can I use either MapMyRide or Strava (or both) with the Edge? And my last question is what is the best out front mount for the Edge 500? Thank you, gjmen
#2
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Madison, AL
Bikes: 2010 Felt DA, 2012/6 Felt F5, 2015 Felt AR FRD
I have been researching GPS/computers for my bike and I think I have narrowed it down to the Edge 500. I do have several questions that I'm hoping someone here can help me with. First, what is the purpose of a secondary speed sensor? Doesn't the GPS provide your speed? Or is it just more accurate with a speed sensor? And if using a secondary speed sensor does that provide more accurate mileage also? Secondly, If I decide to go with a secondary speed sensor, I would like to use the Duo Trap S since it is a nice clean look. Will the Duo Trap S be compatible with the Edge 500? Thirdly, can I use either MapMyRide or Strava (or both) with the Edge? And my last question is what is the best out front mount for the Edge 500? Thank you, gjmen
2. I believe that if you have the sensor, ir automatically calculated the meters of development using the GPS + sensor information for calibration.
3. If it is ant+ compatible, most probably.
4. Yes, you can upload files directly from the garmin device to the strava website, or use garmin connect in conjunction with strava.
5. That is probably a personal choice, but many like the SRAM quick mount, it's cheaper than the garmin branded mount.
#3
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Joined: Jun 2013
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Bikes: One with square wheels
First, what is the purpose of a secondary speed sensor? Doesn't the GPS provide your speed? Or is it just more accurate with a speed sensor?
The secondary sensor is more accurate, especially at low speeds. When testing out my 500 w/o the secondary sensor when I would stop for stop signs it would jump up to 149mph. Now I am fast, but not that fast
And if using a secondary speed sensor does that provide more accurate mileage also? Most likely, but the gps is very accurate with mileage as well. There should be minimal difference between the two. Overall I am glad I have the speed/cadence sensor (even though I only really care about speed
Secondly, If I decide to go with a secondary speed sensor, I would like to use the Duo Trap S since it is a nice clean look. Will the Duo Trap S be compatible with the Edge 500?
I believe all ant+ sensors are compatible with the 500, do not quote me though. I have the garmin sensor and it is barely noticeable. The thing I notice the most is the magnet on the spoke, which is an easy fix.
Thirdly, can I use either MapMyRide or Strava (or both) with the Edge? You can sync using computer software. The 510 can go right off the unit into your strava with wifi/blue tooth, but with the 500 you need that middle step of the computer.
And my last question is what is the best out front mount for the Edge 500? k-edge and barfly make very solid mounts. I have the barfly mount for my virb and have no complaints. Both K-edge and Barfly now have (or are coming out with) computer/camera combo mounts, so that is something to look into as well.
The secondary sensor is more accurate, especially at low speeds. When testing out my 500 w/o the secondary sensor when I would stop for stop signs it would jump up to 149mph. Now I am fast, but not that fast

And if using a secondary speed sensor does that provide more accurate mileage also? Most likely, but the gps is very accurate with mileage as well. There should be minimal difference between the two. Overall I am glad I have the speed/cadence sensor (even though I only really care about speed
Secondly, If I decide to go with a secondary speed sensor, I would like to use the Duo Trap S since it is a nice clean look. Will the Duo Trap S be compatible with the Edge 500?
I believe all ant+ sensors are compatible with the 500, do not quote me though. I have the garmin sensor and it is barely noticeable. The thing I notice the most is the magnet on the spoke, which is an easy fix.
Thirdly, can I use either MapMyRide or Strava (or both) with the Edge? You can sync using computer software. The 510 can go right off the unit into your strava with wifi/blue tooth, but with the 500 you need that middle step of the computer.
And my last question is what is the best out front mount for the Edge 500? k-edge and barfly make very solid mounts. I have the barfly mount for my virb and have no complaints. Both K-edge and Barfly now have (or are coming out with) computer/camera combo mounts, so that is something to look into as well.
#4
Above comments are accurate, but I'll add that a Duotrap sensor will definitely work with the 500 as we have one set up here like that.
Where the wheel sensor comes into play is mainly at slow speeds, where gps wander and uncertainly will make speeds inaccurate and can cause issues with triggering auto-pause, if you use auto pause. It can also improve distance measurement over very tortuous tracks, where "smart recording" might miss some distance due to quick zigs and zags. You can switch the recording to once every second, but that creates much larger files.
With any Edge, including the 500, you can upload your ride data (called activities) to any of the on-line sites like Strava, Garmin Connect, Ride With GPS, Map My Ride, etc... You can even set up Garmin Connect to automatically transfer your activities to STRAVA.
Where the wheel sensor comes into play is mainly at slow speeds, where gps wander and uncertainly will make speeds inaccurate and can cause issues with triggering auto-pause, if you use auto pause. It can also improve distance measurement over very tortuous tracks, where "smart recording" might miss some distance due to quick zigs and zags. You can switch the recording to once every second, but that creates much larger files.
With any Edge, including the 500, you can upload your ride data (called activities) to any of the on-line sites like Strava, Garmin Connect, Ride With GPS, Map My Ride, etc... You can even set up Garmin Connect to automatically transfer your activities to STRAVA.
#6
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From: Cleveland Ohio
Bikes: 02 Klein Att SS, 02 Klein Att MTB, 15 Trek DS 8.6
Thanks for all the help, all questions were answered. But now have one more. (and probably more to come). The Garmin out front mount comes with a 25.4 mm adapter which I will need for one of my bikes. Does the SRAM mount come with an adapter? I also like the fact that the Garmin mount has a hinged mount so it looks like I wont need to remove all the components on the bars to install the mount. Is he SRAM flexible enough to flex open to install with out removing components and accessories from my bars? Thanks, gjmen
#7
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Bikes: One with square wheels
Thanks for all the help, all questions were answered. But now have one more. (and probably more to come). The Garmin out front mount comes with a 25.4 mm adapter which I will need for one of my bikes. Does the SRAM mount come with an adapter? I also like the fact that the Garmin mount has a hinged mount so it looks like I wont need to remove all the components on the bars to install the mount. Is he SRAM flexible enough to flex open to install with out removing components and accessories from my bars? Thanks, gjmen
What things do you have on your bars? My barfly virb mount was mountable w/o removing my light.
#8
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From: Cleveland Ohio
Bikes: 02 Klein Att SS, 02 Klein Att MTB, 15 Trek DS 8.6
Grips, brake lever, shifter and remote lock-out. No a big deal, but if I don't need to remove, it would definitely make it easier to move from bike to bike. Thx gjmen
#9
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The k-edge/barfly would slip on the right side of the stem, and they are pretty sleek. All the prices are the same so it may be worth swinging by the lbs and checking out some mounts.
#10
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From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
The SRAM mount open wide enough to get around the bar. It doesn't come with spacers. There are two versions of the SRAM mount. The road version is longer than the mountain one (it's not wildly longer but it's noticeable).
The speed sensor is more accurate for fast changes in speed. It also will register "speed" when you are on a trainer. Many people do without it (people with the 200, which can't use the sensor).
The Duotrap is an ANT+ sensor. It's understood that people will use Garmin devices with it.
The speed sensor is more accurate for fast changes in speed. It also will register "speed" when you are on a trainer. Many people do without it (people with the 200, which can't use the sensor).
The Duotrap is an ANT+ sensor. It's understood that people will use Garmin devices with it.
#11
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Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 36
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From: Cleveland Ohio
Bikes: 02 Klein Att SS, 02 Klein Att MTB, 15 Trek DS 8.6
The SRAM mount open wide enough to get around the bar. It doesn't come with spacers. There are two versions of the SRAM mount. The road version is longer than the mountain one (it's not wildly longer but it's noticeable).
The speed sensor is more accurate for fast changes in speed. It also will register "speed" when you are on a trainer. Many people do without it (people with the 200, which can't use the sensor).
The Duotrap is an ANT+ sensor. It's understood that people will use Garmin devices with it.
The speed sensor is more accurate for fast changes in speed. It also will register "speed" when you are on a trainer. Many people do without it (people with the 200, which can't use the sensor).
The Duotrap is an ANT+ sensor. It's understood that people will use Garmin devices with it.
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