Garmin launches premium Edge 1030 Plus bike computer with 24-hour battery life

Garmin bike computer
(Image credit: Garmin)

Garmin has launched two new bike computers, including a premium model for serious mountain bikers with super-long battery life that can last up to 24 hours between charges, even under heavy use.

The Garmin Edge 130 Plus is an all-purpose bike computer with GPS, GLONASS and Galileo satellite navigation to help you stay safely on course in places where an ordinary cycle computer might lose connectivity.

You can see routes preferred by other cyclists or plan your own ride, and the Edge 130 Plus can direct you safely back home once you're done exploring. Accident detection lets an emergency contact know if you've taken a fall, and tracking lets them monitor your location in real time.

You can also connect the computer to your phone and receive text messages on its 1.8-inch screen; no need to fumble for your phone in the middle of your daily commute or weekend joyride. 

The Garmin Edge 1030 Plus is made with mountain bikers firmly in mind, and is the model that can keep you rolling for up to 24 hours between charges.

You can create new courses right on the device's color screen, or see other riders' preferred routes, with turn-by-turn navigation to help you prepare for sharp bends, but if you choose to stray off the beaten track, you can pause the directions while you go exploring. No more annoying warnings that you're off course while you're trying to check out an interesting new trail. When you've finished exploring, the computer can redirect you safely back onto your original route.

Stay connected

Out for a group ride and starting to lag behind? The Edge 1030 Plus can warn your friends or clubmates that you're starting to get separated so you can pause for a cafe break, or split into two groups to keep going safely.

Once you're done, all of your ride data will be uploaded to your Garmin Connect account, plus Komoot and Strava (for those all-important club segment challenges).

Much like a dedicated fitness tracker, the computer can calculate recovery time, training load, training focus and estimated V02 max. You can choose to receive warnings when it's time to reach for your water bottle or an energy gel, too.

Both computers are available now. The Edge 130 Plus ranges in price from £169.99 (about $200 / AU$300) to £239.99 (about $300 / AU$450), while the Edge 1030 Plus ranges from £519.99 (about $650 / AU$950) to £599.99 (about $750 / AU$1,100).

Cat Ellis

Cat is the editor of TechRadar's sister site Advnture. She’s a UK Athletics qualified run leader, and in her spare time enjoys nothing more than lacing up her shoes and hitting the roads and trails (the muddier, the better)