A few days ago, I picked up a brand new madone, and now feel compelled to spend even more money. I've been planning to upgrade my computer for a while, to something that has a HR monitor and can export a ride profile to my PC. For the past year, I've been typing my info into an excel sheet, but I think I've reached a point where full analysis of rides can be justified.

I haven't really considered anything with GPS, but wouldn't immediately eliminate the Edge 500, or something around that price point. What computers do you use that export to PC? How do battery lives compare?

i use a garmin 705 and i love it. plenty of battery life and i love garmin connect as a way to see how slow i really am, but in reality the only features i use are ride time, current hr, and current cadence.

Well, I'm a noob, so take this with a grain of salt. I purchased a Garmin 500 and find that after my 1 hr rides, the battery is close to full power. In fact, after I upload the ride to my computer, it's fully charged again. (It charges when hooked up to my computer).

I like the fact that I can upload my ride to both GarminConnect and MapMyRide for tracking and analysis. It's very simple to use and the firmware is intuitive.

I have a Garmin 500 and love it. The specs from Garmin say the battery life is 18 hours. Based on how much was left after a century last weekend mine probably would get close to that. Thats without cadence, power, or heart rate though. If you use those features I would guess that battery life would decrease slightly.

For full post ride PC analysis, you want the Garmin edge 500 or better. I just got one and love it for post ride analysis.

I've had the Garman 800 package for about a month, and after about 450 miles love it. It takes some getting used to taking it off the bike, to recharge it, but have left it on between two 40+ mile rides over four days with no problems.

Just got back from a vacation in Florida. I really enjoyed downloading some rides locals had posted on the net, into my 800, and riding them solo. Only one wrong turn over the two weeks, and that was when I was riding a route the second time and thought I knew it, so I wasn't watching the GPS closely.

The edge 500 or 800, or the FR60 are the answers to the question you've asked. I'd recommend the Edge 500, but if you really really really don't care about GPS and don't mind a wrist watch, there is the FR60, which supports HR and cycling sensors as well as the running food pod. It makes the exact same 'fit' files that the edge 500/800 make and all the data can be uploaded to the web. Personally I use my FR60 only for running since I already had an edge 500 for the bike, plus the EDGE can display up to 8 realtime numbers at once rather than the 3 of the FR60.

Also, in a year from now when you come on here posting you now want to get a power meter for your ride, all of these will be ready to support it.

I have the same question but i'm really only looking for the basics plus cadence

I went with a cateye v3, which has time, distance, speed, cadence, HR, all wireless. It's been great for the past year, but knowing that come next season I'll probably spring for a power meter, I regret not spending the extra $$ right away. I think I'd also get at least some use out of the additional benefits of the garmin. Now i'm in the same boat...although I won't be buying one until 6-9 months from now, I've started looking into which garmin to purchase. 500, 705, and 800 all look great.

Edge 500

Garmin 500 or 705. The 705 if you want/need on-board maps and turn by turn guidance. Even with the 500 you can plan a route, download it to the 500, and follow it on the screen, though no roads will be depicted and there are no turn warnings or instructions.

And since you got a Madone, you're going to want the slick Duo-Trap ANT+ wheel and cadence sensor that mounts in the left chainstay. It's speaks Garmin.

What do you mean when you say you can follow it on the screen? This summer I'll be cycling across America to raise money for a cancer charity, and it just occurred to me turn by turn directions might be a nice thing to have.

Cateye Strada wired w/ cadence. One battery, zero interference issues.

Garmin Edge 500 FTW

ive been getting the itch to get an edge 500 as well. anyone know where the best (read cheapest) place to pick one up online is?

I have gone on about 6 trips totaling about 150 miles and my Garmin Edge 800 still has about 85% battery. I also have an FR60 for workouts in a gym or running.

And as mentioned before since you have a Madone get the Bontrager Duo Tap Sensor. You barely know it is there.

Got to ask, what Madone did you get?

Garmin Edge 500 is what im buying with my tax refund, trust me ive been looking forward to this for quite some time now

Just picked up a Garmin Edge 500 this weekend, and I'm already won over. Its a great piece of technology.

Just stop thinking and get the Garmin. You won't regret it. for me, the 500 is great.

The 4.7

I think I'm in love..