I navigated an epic coast-to-coast Spanish ride using an entry-level Garmin Edge 530, a computer so cheap it's almost being given away, even though Cyber Monday has passed - this deal can't last much longer!

Tech Editor Simon Fellows rode solo from Bilbao to Barcelona using just an inexpensive Garmin Edge 530 to guide him. It worked faultlessly.

Garmin Edge 530 in front of a Spanish map
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tech doesn’t have to be expensive. Last September I loaded my steel Wilier Jaroon gravel bike with bedding, spares and sweet treats, boarded a ferry from Southampton to Bilbao, then set off across the pre-Pyrenees to Barcelona. To find my way, I relied on nothing more than the navigation on my Garmin Edge 530’s 2.6inch (66mm) screen. No paper maps, no phone - I was concerned about battery life - and no fellow travellers who knew the way. Just me and my little Edge 530.

It performed flawlessly. Not only did I make it to Barcelona without once getting lost, I then caught a second ferry to Palma, Mallorca, crossed the island and spent a week touring the magnificent Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Again, the little Edge 530 worked a treat.

Garmin Edge 530 GPS bike computer: Was $299.99 now $199.99 | Save 33% at Amazon

Garmin Edge 530 GPS bike computer: Was $299.99, now $199.99 | Save 33% at Amazon

This is an incredible deal, for one of our favourite bike computers. Small, light and feature-packed, the Garmin Edge 530 is a very capable little head unit.

Garmin Edge 530 GPS bike computer: Was £249.99,now £169.49 | Save 32% at Amazon

Garmin Edge 530 GPS bike computer: Was £249.99, now £169.49 | Save 32% at Amazon

It's hard not to fall in love with the little Garmin Edge 530. Immensely capable, it's a David among Goliaths. It may not have a touchscreen, but it does have tactile buttons, which is an advantage in poor weather conditions.

Garmin Edge 540 GPS bike computer: Was $349.99now $290.77 | Save 17% at Amazon

Garmin Edge 540 GPS bike computer: Was $349.99, now $290.77 | Save 17% at Amazon

The Garmin Edge 540 is a similar size to the Edge 530 but has been slightly enhanced. ClimbPro operates on any significant incline at any time, not just while navigating a course. The GPS is now multiband GNSS and the battery life is longer.

Garmin Edge 540 GPS bike computer: Was £329.99now £277.99 | Save 16% at Amazon

Garmin Edge 540 GPS bike computer: Was £329.99, now £277.99 | Save 16% at Amazon

The Edge 540 has a slightly improved feature-set over the Edge 530. ClimbPro works at any time, not just while navigating a course. The GPS accuracy is marginally better - the Edge 530 is hardly inaccurate - and the battery life is longer.

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Andy Carr
Tech Editor

Tech Editor, Andy Carr came to cycling journalism after ten years in the cycle trade, writing blogs and content whilst designing award winning bikes, for his own custom bike brand.

A life long cycling fan and rider, he left the City life in 2015, moving away to the Alps, where he worked as a ride guide, running pro-camps, and eventually started designing and building custom bikes.

Over a decade, that escape grew into a business, and Andy’s bike designs became well known in the industry.

He has always used his platform to champion higher standards in fit, design, and fabrication and his own products won awards and five star reviews in most of the major magazines.

Having run a bike shop, workshop, and award winning paint shop, producing custom bikes in metal and composite for customers all over the world, Andy has real life experience of the processes and work that go into producing great bikes and components; from desk work like FEA and CFD to physically testing products in wind tunnels, opening moulds for composite work, and getting products out of his head and into stores - alongside some of the insider processes few get to see.

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