Garmin Edge 1040 [Rider Review]

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for.

Read about our customer's in-depth review of the Garmin Edge 1040 bike computer, perfect for all types of biking. Discover its features, battery life, and integration with Garmin Connect and other devices.

Overview

Let me start this review off with two truths and a lie. One: I bought the Garmin Edge 1040 bike computer with gravel biking in mind. Two: I have better hair than Jeff. Three: I love this little bike computer. You guessed it—I definitely do not have better hair than Jeff. But I do love the Garmin Edge 1040 for my gravel biking adventures. With its larger screen, customizable metrics, and seamless integration with Garmin Connect, my Fenix 7 Sapphire watch, and my heart rate monitor, this bike computer has become an essential part of my gear.

Perfect for Gravel and Road Biking

The included out-front mount is ideal for gravel and road biking. However, it’s not the best choice for mountain biking due to the risk of crashing and damaging the computer. For mountain biking, I recommend using the standard mounts secured on top of the handlebar with rubber O-rings. I also purchased a cap mount from Amazon that is Garmin compatible, which cost me less than half of what a K-Edge mount would.

Impressive Battery Life

The battery life of the Garmin Edge 1040 is outstanding. On 50+ mile rides, using navigation and multiple data screens, I still have over 90% battery remaining. The large screen is excellent for gravel riding, and having both the map and customizable data fields is incredibly useful for mountain biking. Customizing the data screens with fields like power output, speed, and elevation helps me manage my fueling and hydration effectively.

Screen Quality and Auto Stop/Start

The screen offers good color and auto-adjusts brightness, though it appears less vibrant than the marketing images suggest. This minor issue doesn’t bother me much. One area needing improvement is the auto stop/start feature. It pauses correctly when I stop but hesitates to start when I resume pedaling, even with the MPH setting adjusted. The solutions I’ve found include manually controlling this feature or using a speed sensor from Garmin.

Data Fields and User Information

Garmin could improve by providing more information about individual data fields. For instance, the Grit and Flow metrics appear on the mountain biking data screen without any explanation. I’ve had to look these up online during rides, which is inconvenient. Including this information in the device would enhance the user experience.

Final thoughts

I know that there are extra apps or add-ons that can be downloaded, including Trailforks that allows you to search for trails directly on the Edge. Options like this are great if I explore somewhere I’ve ridden but am not familiar with, like Lefthand or Buffalo Creek. This is a fantastic bike computer and I’m very happy with it as my first. It meets all of my needs, and with more toying I am sure it will meet the wants I didn’t know I had. I highly recommend it for bikers, especially those who are curious about metrics and data, exploring, or enjoy different areas of cycling.