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1. st - Member 

   After a year or so of using a Garmin Edge 520 I’m looking at trying a watch instead.

   It turns out that I don’t use the navigation functions at all, not fussed about strava live segments and all that but it’s great for recording rides and strava is a convenient place to store them.

   I’d like to use it for a bit of running as well as riding but not sure what to go for.

   To match the functions of the 520 the Garmin Forerunner 735xt seems the right one but it’s a lot of money (as was the 520) given my limited requirements.

   So any better suggestions?

   I’d like to track rides and ideally copy over the strava and I do find the phone notifications handy too. I’m guessing one option is a cheaper Garmin as this should still transfer my rides from Garmin Connect to Strava?

   Posted 13 hours ago #
2. jam bo - Member 

   35 or 235 depending on budget.

   Posted 13 hours ago #
3. chestrockwell - Member 

   I have the 35 and can highly recommend it. I use it for out door running, treadmill running and cycling and it does exactly what I require. Plenty of other features on the great garmin app of which I especially like seeing how much sleep i’ve had and seeing how often my 4 year old got up!

   Automatically links to strava too so no need to carry your phone about. Can’t really see what the more expensive watches would improve for me personally.

   Posted 13 hours ago #
4. dissonance - Member 

   I’m guessing one option is a cheaper Garmin as this should still transfer my rides from Garmin Connect to Strava?

   
   As far as I aware thats purely inside Garmin connect rather than the device. So if you upload it it will can transferred. Before I upgraded had a truly ancient one which was reflected in strava just fine (well once I persuaded it to upload to garmin).
   If you are mostly using for recording then I would have thought the 735 would be a bit overkill.
   Any of the gps watches would do the job. I like the 235 I have but that does the daily heartrate etc.

   Posted 13 hours ago #
5. thecaptain - Member 

   My wife just upgraded from 230 to 735 partly for the optical HRM and also better swimming functions etc. So if you don't care about the optical HRM you can buy her 230 on eBay

   Posted 13 hours ago #
6. richardk - Member 

   I have a 520, and a Forerunner 35

   The wrist based heart rate on the 35 isn't as accurate (for me) as the chest strap on the 520
   Winter riding is done 'blind', if you want to keep the heartrate then the watch will/may be buried under your glove or sleeve to keep you warm.
   Depending on your eyesight, the Forerunner display fields are smaller than the 520's fields.

   That said, the 35 is a really good device to track running and cycling at a simple level. I've worn it for both with really good results (apart from HR noted above), it picks up GPS easily, and gives you all the data you need. If you aren't following a specific training plan, then the 35 is all you need. The advanced ones such as the 735 or 920 are great for adding in swim metrics, multisport sessions (including transitions), and advanced run metrics. They're also a lot bulkier compared to the 35.

   Posted 13 hours ago #
7. lunge - Member 

   As above, an FR35 will see you right. And richardk, you can get it to pair with a chest strap if you want a more accurate heart rate.

   Posted 13 hours ago #
8. st - Member 

   Thanks all, looks like a good chunk of cash saved.

   No worries about the HRM, I don’t use it on the 520 and haven’t had a Polar for nearly 20 years!

   Posted 13 hours ago #
9. ampthill - Member 

   Suunto do some good watches.

   Best way to see a watch on a bike is a foam lump so you can put it round your bars

   From my pc my ambit 3 run is spot on. Just clip it to the PC and it's all on Strava

   Prices are all over the place I paid £125. They have now gone backup to £170. Crazy as the more featured sport is £160 on wiggle. That includes a hr strap.

   The watch is a bit of a plastic lump with an antenna along the strap line. But the upside is that the gps is more accurate than garmin. They also lock on fast with a data base of satellite data that is sinked every time you connect

   Mine sinks with my phone too fine. But some complain that the app doesn't work on all phones. But I wouldn't miss it as you have to charge via USB anyway

   Posted 13 hours ago #
10. hainman - Member 

    I have a Tomtom spark which I got cheap on their discount page
    Does the job well
    Tracks my rides with strava no problem

    Posted 12 hours ago #
11. Jolly Green Giant - Member 

    Another recommendation for the Tom Tom Spark. Just works with minimum of unecessary gimmicks. Use mine mainly to log runs but also on the bike and for swims.
    Paid £65 for mine via the Tom Tom store.

    Posted 11 hours ago #

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12. wilburt - Member 

    I went through a similar process and used just a watch for a while but found myself missing the Garmin out front on the road bike.
    Less so off road when for me a watch is fine.

    I do tend to ride to HR though which if youre not bothered for maybe makes all the difference.

    Posted 6 hours ago #
13. wilburt - Member 

    I went through a similar process and used just a watch (basic Garmin) for a while but found myself missing the 520 out front on the road bike.
    Less so off road when for me a watch is fine.

    I do tend to ride to HR though which if youre not bothered for maybe makes all the difference.

    Posted 6 hours ago #
14. Trailrider Jim - Member 

    Can't fault my TomTom. Had it for three years and counting.

    Posted 3 hours ago #
15. richmars - Member 

    TomTom works for me. The newer ones also have text notification, but I don't get any so can't say if this works. Sync to the phone is fine, which then uploads to Strava.

    Posted 1 hour ago #
16. Hob Nob - Member 

    I had a stem mounted Garmin for years but think I used the mapping once.

    And it annoyed me as tabs would break, mounts got & wouldn't play nicely with certain stems, etc.

    So I've had a Fenix for coming up 3 years now & it's great. Wouldn't go back to a non wrist based product again

    Posted 1 hour ago #
17. jeffl - Member 

    Another vote for Tom Tom. Got the spark cardio back in August for around £70-80. Quite a few options here https://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/outlet/.

    If you're not fussed about HRM then the basic Spark at £69 should do the job. Only limitation I've found with mine is that it will only record activities for 4-5 hours if HRM is enabled but read that it will do around 10 hours without HRM enabled. If not doing any activities I normally charge mine once a week.

    As noted above a firmware update allowed it to notify you of text messages as well. Looks a bit noddy/basic compared to a Garmin but does the job.

    Edit: Only annoyance for me is that it has a propitiatory charging cradle, you can't just use a standard USB.

    Posted 1 hour ago #
18. UrbanHiker - Member 

    I've got an old, but perfectly functional, Ambit 1 for sale. Perfect for what you're after, and cheap. Though doesn't do phone notifications.

    Drop me an email if interested. UrbanHikerEmail@gmail.com

    Posted 1 hour ago #
19. gingerbllr - Member 

    So I've had a Fenix for coming up 3 years now & it's great

    I just got a fenix. Should have bought one years ago!

    Posted 50 minutes ago #
20. meesterbond - Member 

    I've had a 735xt for a year or so. Bought it for triathlons and it does everything I need really well. Probably overkill if you're not going to swim.

    That said, the damn thing died yesterday so I'll get a chance to experience Garmin's customer service. Given how unreliable my 520 was, if they don't replace the Forerunner then I'll be looking elsewhere - probably Sunnto.

    Posted 37 minutes ago #
21. crashtestmonkey - Member 

    Look at ebay and FB marketplace sites for used, recent models (as well as those posted here). Triathletes make mtbers look frugal and plenty of people are upgrading to new models in time for the upcoming season. I wanted a watch for CX racing (regular bike swaps, and I don't have the time or fine motor skills to swap a head unit!) and just picked up a mint Fenix 2 for £60. The seller bought a new Fenix 3 because he wanted wrist-based HR. I'd just missed out on an Ambit 2 for a similar price. It does everything my Edge 500 does and a whole lot more.

    The only issue for older units is battery life, but as my seller had just completed an Ironman he had the data to show it lasted (at least) 12hrs in use (I think Garmin claim 15).

    Posted 14 minutes ago #
22. dragon - Member 

    Garmin Forerunner 25 can be had for under £90 without a HR strap, and does all the basics well. It is very similar to the Garmin Edge 25, but in watch form.

    Posted 11 minutes ago #

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