Garmin Edge 130 Plus endurance test

With its compact and lightweight appearance, the Garmin Edge 130 Plus, Garmin's smallest Edge computer, is reminiscent of a good old bicycle speedometer. However, as mountain bikers are now in a digital and smart world the Garmin Edge 130 Plus offers far more functions than the antiquated speedometers. The most important features include: barometric altitude measurement, heart rate, cadence, power, temperature, incline, Strava Live Segments, live tracking, turn-by-turn directions, ClimbPro function, emergency warning, weather, MTB dynamics, auto-sync.

The flyweight among the Garmin bike sat navs collects all kinds of data. This even includes the number of jumps and the respective airtime. The ClimbPro function analyses the current ascent and is designed to help you manage your strength correctly. Garmin's mini GPS can also navigate, but only without map material. The route is only shown as a black line on a light-coloured background, other terrain information or paths are missing. In contrast to its larger Garmin Edge brothers, the Edge 130 also does not have a touchscreen. A comparison test of the latest GPS computers for mountain bikers read here.

Garmin Edge 130 Plus: The facts

• Price: 199,99 Euro >> available at Amazon
• Maps: not available
• Touchscreen: no
• Number of buttons: 5
• Display size: 1.8 inch
• Resolution: 230 x 303 / black and white
• Weight: 32 grammes
• Maximum battery runtime (manufacturer's specification): 12 hours
• Memory: 19.2 megabytes
• Connectivity: GPS, Glonass, Galileo, Bluetooth, ANT+, FE-C²
• Connected apps: Garmin Connect

Endurance test: Garmin Edge 130 Plus

The small Garmin Edge also integrates unobtrusively into the cockpit with the mount included in the scope of delivery. However, retrofit mounts from Garmin or third-party manufacturers such as K-Edge or Syncros are more attractive than the rubbers of the standard mount. Setting up the Edge 130 Plus is quicker with the Garmin Connect app than with the competition from Sigma or Lezyne. Komoot and Strava does not exist. Communication with alternative portals takes place exclusively via the Garmin Connect app. Once set up, the automatic data download from the device via Bluetooth works reliably and quickly. However, uploading GPS tracks in gpx format, for example, requires a cumbersome number of clicks and a certain amount of learning. While the menu navigation of the Edge 130 computer is easy to understand, the operation of the Garmin Connect app is less intuitive. You quickly get used to using the buttons and they work well even when wearing thick winter gloves. The small display of the Edge 130 is razor sharp, but tends to reflect in the sun. In riding mode, the data pages can be personalised with up to eight fields each. This personalisation function means you always have the most important data in view.

During our endurance test, which lasted a good year, the small Edge computer had to endure countless mountain bike and gravel bike rides. Around 5200 kilometres and 130000 metres in altitude were covered during the test period. Whether it was an after-work ride, a visit to the bike park or a gravel challenge: the Edge 130 was always there. The navigation function was not necessary during the rides in familiar terrain. Instead, the computer proved to be a reliable training partner and data collector. The connection of a heart rate sensor to the chest strap is pleasingly uncomplicated. Only when connecting to the GPS satellites does the small Garmin device sometimes take a little longer. Once established, however, the connection remains consistently good and does not break off.

Navigating with the small Edge computer without a map

In clear terrain, the Garmin Edge 130's navigation via the black line is also sufficient. If it turns off, the biker can do the same. Additional turn-by-turn directions and optional beeps ensure that no turn is missed. This only becomes problematic in places where many paths meet. As the device only shows the track and no other paths or roads, it is easy to take a wrong turn at confusing junctions. This is where GPS devices with full map material, such as the larger Garmin Edge 530a much better overview. The Edge 130 is also no help when re-planning or re-orientating due to the lack of a map. Here you also need a smartphone with a tour app with a map. The ClimbPro function proved to be particularly useful on long climbs, such as in the Alps or on the edge of the Bavarian Forest. By visualising the ascent and the different gradients, it helps you to manage your energy reserves.

Logically, the lightweight Edge 130 does not have a huge battery. In navigation mode, we recorded an average battery life of eight hours. Compared to other devices, this is not much: the battery of the equally small Sigma Rox 11.1 Evo lasted just under 12.5 hours in our test, while the battery of the Lezyne Mega XL GPS even provided 16.5 hours of power. In addition, the battery life of the Garmin Edge 130 is heavily dependent on the ambient temperature. The battery also lost some capacity over the test period. For example, the small Garmin had to be plugged in after around 90 minutes on a tour around freezing point without sensor coupling and without navigation mode. In addition, the charging socket developed a slight loose contact. However, after around 280 hours of use, these faults appear to be within the normal range.

305-kilometre day trip with the Garmin Edge 130 Plus

The highlight of the Edge 130 endurance test was a 305 kilometre gravel bike day tour from Hirschberg an der Bergstraße to Strasbourg in France and back. The route along the Rhine Cycle Route was planned via the Komoot route planner instead. The GPS track was transferred to the Garmin Edge 130 using the Garmin Connect app. No additional navigation aid was used. Only the Mini-Edge was used to find the way. Thanks to the very easy terrain with long, straight sections of the route, the guidance via the black line was completely sufficient. On the way back, the route was known anyway.

In contrast to many map software programmes, the black line is not disturbed by crossing a national border. In mild temperatures of around ten degrees at the end of February 2022, the battery of the Garmin Edge 130 Plus lasted for ten hours and 27 minutes of movement and 13 hours and 18 minutes of total time. It covered 274 kilometres and 510 metres in altitude. There was no pairing with sensors or a smartphone. The rest of the route ultimately had to be cycled home without navigation.

Test summary by Jan Timmermann, BIKE volunteer

The Garmin Edge 130 Plus is particularly suitable for collecting data. The smallest Edge computer from Garmin is the perfect companion for short after-work or training laps and also works completely without smartphone pairing. In simple terrain, navigation without a map is perfectly adequate. Operation with the Garmin Connect app requires some familiarisation. The endurance test revealed problems with the battery life.