Garmin Edge MTB – First Thoughts

Garmin Edge MTB’s headline new features include 5Hz recording, and Timing Gates, totally new to Garmin. These two innovative moves provide dedicated features for recording high-speed activities and segment timings. Whilst they will be of immediate interest to some downhill MTB riders, they will probably also be later replicated on other Edge x50 devices and (watch) sports profiles, in a combination of obvious and more subtle adaptations for skiing and triathlon, respectively.

Readers thinking this is the Edge 850/550 should perhaps view it as an Edge 150 – i.e., the smallest, bottom-of-the-range Edge. The Edge 850 (touch) will be with us soon, and likely so will the Edge 550 (buttons). However, Edge MTB is not the Edge we expected; nevertheless, it is a welcome focus on MTB riders for the first time..

This is a pretty cool move by Garmin. With caveats, the upgrade of the smallest format Edge makes sense as a button-only variant. It also serves as a lower-cost introduction to the latest generation of Edge technology, offering an option for those specifically needing a smaller-format device. I’ve seen several TT riders using the old Edge 130; only a few metrics of data are required in TT, so why get a larger, heavier format?

Garmin’s new high frequency precision recording – what 5Hz recording means for sports

Garmin further sweetens the deal with a more rugged product and several novel, new mounting options. We get a rubberised shell, Gorilla Glass, a top tube mount, and an out-front mount that can also twist rearward, placing the Edge over the head tube cap.

Garmin Timing Gates – another new feature for June/July 2025

There is a downside, of course. Several of the new cycling and physiological features have been deliberately omitted. You won’t get all the race-related features, such as power guide and primary event, nor some physiology features like Load focus, Acute Load, Training Status, and cycling ability. Two other notable omissions are ClimbPro Explore (you still receive ClimbPro when following a route) and the lack of WiFi workout uploads and WiFi map downloads.

Overall, I would say that it offers nice differentiation from other Edge units and a wealth of the usual features – you don’t need any of the missing features.

Then comes the price. At $399, this is a relatively expensive “entry-level” bike computer! Of course, it’s not entry-level at all; it’s just the cheapest Garmin Edge in the current range.

Garmin Edge Full Features and Key Specifications

Here are its key features

General Design and Hardware

• Rugged, compact design with dimensions of 50.4 x 77.8 x 19.8 mm, weighing just under 60g.
• Features a scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass lens and colour screen (2.13-inch diagonal and 240x320px resolution).
• Equipped with seven fully enclosed buttons
• Comes with a new top tube mount in addition to a standard handlebar mount and a tether.
• up to 14 hours of life in demanding use cases.

Core Mountain Biking Features

• Two new mountain bike-specific profiles: Enduro MTB and Downhill MTB, in addition to standard road, gravel, and eBike profiles.
  • The Enduro ride profile tracks total ascent and descent from each run and for the ride overall.
  • The Downhill profile automatically laps each time a descent is finished.
• 5 Hz GPS recording: This records five GPS points per second only when the device detects that you are descending in Enduro or Downhill ride profiles. This provides greater detail about the lines you take down the trail and also leads to more precise peak speed measurements and more detailed acceleration data, initially only available in Garmin Connect
• Timing Gates feature: Allows users to create up to 10 timing gates on a course manually. The Edge MTB tracks split times for each sector and overall lap time, providing real-time feedback (ahead or behind targeted splits). Courses can be saved for future use and shared with other compatible Edge units. This feature is designed for a single, continuous route.
• MTB Dynamics: Tracks mountain biking metrics such as jump count, jump distance, and hang time.
• Grit and Flow metrics: Grit rates the difficulty of a trail, while Flow measures how smoothly you ride it.
• Post-ride trail breakdown: Provides details about all trail types ridden, their difficulty levels, and time spent on them.

Navigation and Mapping

• Preloaded Garmin TopoActive Maps for paved and unpaved pathways and streets, and offers worldwide MTB trail data from Trailforks.
• Preloaded with Trailforks maps and the enhanced ForkSight mode to give details about upcoming trails at junctions, including trail names, difficulty levels, elevation profiles, distance, and primary direction of travel.
• Supports surface-specific routing for mountain, gravel, or road.
• Trendline Popularity Routing.
• Provides turn-by-turn directions and alerts.
• The Back to Start feature helps you navigate back to the starting point if you get lost or want to return early.

Training and Performance

• Supports downloadable training plans, daily workout suggestions, and advanced workouts.
• Tracks VO2max when used with a compatible power meter / heart rate monitor.
• Provides Recovery Time insights based on the latest training (with a compatible heart rate monitor).
• Features Garmin Coach training plans for various cycling types, including adding strength workouts.
• Includes the ClimbPro feature to show remaining ascent and grade during a climb, helping gauge effort.
• Supports Cycling Dynamics for advanced performance metrics.
• Power meter compatible and tracks FTP (Functional Threshold Power).
• Offers primary and secondary workout targets.
• Auto Pause and Auto Lap automatic timer functions.
• Interval training and Race An Activity features.
• Segments and Auto scroll.
• Physio TrueUp for syncing physiological data across Garmin devices.

Safety and Tracking

• Incident Detection sends a message with your location to emergency contacts in the event of an on- or off-road incident. The GroupRide feature also alerts you to incidents of other riders in your group.
• LiveTrack feature allows loved ones to follow your location in real time and view data like speed and course plans.
• GroupTrack and Group Ride (Cycling) features enable staying connected with others, including in-ride messaging, live location tracking, competitions, and awards.
• Bike alarm: A PIN-protected alarm notifies you via your smartphone if your bike is moved.
• Compatibility with Varia devices, including rearview radar, radar camera, and smart lights, to enhance visibility and awareness.
• inReach device compatibility allows communication via satellite (requires subscription).
• Road Hazard Alerts from other cyclists, with the ability to contribute your edits.
• Provides Weather alerts.
• Includes Assistance and Find My Edge features.

Connectivity and Smart Features

• ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity for sensor pairing and data transfer.
• The Connect IQ Store (on-device) allows you to download custom data fields, widgets, and apps.
• Smart Notifications receive texts and alerts from your paired smartphone.
• Controls smartphone music.
• VIRB camera remote control.
• Smart trainer compatibility to track indoor rides.
• eBike compatibility is supported by ANT+ technology-compatible eBikes.
• Electronic shifting connectivity for select systems (e.g., Shimano Di2 Synchro Shift, SRAM AXS), allowing control of the Edge and viewing battery life.
• The extended display feature allows a Garmin watch to share data screens with the Edge device.
• Real-time settings sync with Garmin Connect mobile.
• Supports Garmin Share. (routes)

Take Out

The key decision points when buying the Edge MTB are its size, price, or overall suitability for off-road biking. You can trust that the Garmin ecosystem is highly capable, encompassing nearly every feature you could think of.

Garmin’s pricing targets the Edge range well away from the budget end of the market. Although expensive, Edge MTB logically sits beneath the larger, more expensive models in the Edge range; however, I find the omission of a relatively small number of features somewhat pointless. Will someone get a larger Edge to get ClimbPro Explore and WiFi? Perhaps the only two features you might miss.

The lack of a touchscreen is valid for a small device like this. However, Garmin’s menus can be tricky to use with buttons when accessing features other than the most common ride options.

Overall, I like what I see here, and I expect many off-road riders will also be pleased that Garmin is now considering them more carefully than before.

Price: $399, 399€, £339

Garmin Edge MTB

Small format, off-road GPS bike computer

$399

£339

+other retailers

Sources & Resources

• Product page: Garmin.com
• Product Manual: Garmin Support
• Thoughts from dcrainmaker
• An explainer from GPlama