Garmin Edge 1040 Review – Incredible Battery Life

Why I trust the Edge 1040 for every race and training ride. Full review here.

Garmin Edge 1040 – Review & XC Race-Day Setup

I’ve been running the Garmin Edge 1040 (non-solar) for the past 18 months across every ride, race, and training block — I don’t ride without it. Here’s how I set it up, what I like, and how it’s performed after thousands of miles.

Why I Like It

This thing is a workhorse. I regularly go a full week of riding — including multiple 3–5 hour days — without charging. The battery life is genuinely impressive. I’m totally comfortable putting 20+ hours on it between charges and I’ve never had the battery die on me.

The touchscreen is sharp and responsive, even in rain or with gloves. One of my favorite usability features is the screen lock — a quick tap of the power button locks the screen so mud, sweat, or rain doesn’t accidentally end your ride or change your page mid-race. You can still swipe between screens in this mode, which is super handy.

My Race-Day Setup

On big climbs, I’ll sometimes flip over to the climbing screen. I usually keep the nav screen up during races, with four key data fields:

Normalized Power
3s Average Power
Elapsed Time
Distance

I pair it with:

Garmin HRM Pro Plus ↗️
AXS Power Meter + AXS XO Derailleur ↗️
Phone (for LiveTrack + notifications)

Pairing is fast and reliable — I’ve never had to fiddle with sensor drops or weird bugs during a ride.

Notes

I don’t use features like ClimbPro, Stamina, or Power Guide much — they’re neat but just haven’t dug into those too much.
GPS accuracy has been solid — no issues at all even in forested or mountainous areas.
I recommend picking up one of the silicon cases ↗️ . They don’t weigh anything and it’s saved me from screen from impacts in crashes.

Who It’s For

If you’re looking for a reliable, long-lasting GPS head unit with a big screen, the Edge 1040 is hard to beat. It’s pricey, but I use it every single ride and never worry about battery, sensor issues, or getting lost.

Non-Solar vs Solar

Unless you’re bikepacking for multiple days without power, I’d skip the Solar version. The battery life on the base 1040 is already exceptional. Charging it once a week is more than manageable — even during peak training blocks.

Mounting

I used the “out-front” mount for a while before switching to mounting it to the stem with the o-rings and the little plastic/rubber quarter twist mount. Both mounting options are included.

Garmin 1040 on out-front mount with stuffed unicorn — The out-front mount: not my preferred setup — but apparently it’s a great seat for stuffed unicorns 🦄

I only use it mounted to my stem now because it keeps everything more compact and the out-front mount tends to get in the way of race plates.

Garmin Edge 1040 on stem mount — Stem mount: compact and race-friendly. I always use the included safety tether in case of crashes.

Just make sure to use the provided back-up/safety loop around your bars so that you don’t find yourself back-tracking and searching for your computer at a crash location after you’ve ridden off without it.

🚲 Alternatives Worth a Look

If you’re considering other options in the Garmin lineup:

Garmin Edge 1050 ↗️ – The newest flagship model with a brighter screen and some extra features. Worth considering if you want the latest bells and whistles.
Garmin Edge MTB ↗️ – A new and more affordable option with simplified / MTB specific features.

The 1040 is still my go-to for XC training and racing, but I’d recommend the 1050 if you’re just getting started and want the newest platform.

🔧 Garmin 1040 FAQ

How long does the battery last?

I routinely get 20–25 hours on a single charge — enough for an entire week of XC training and racing. I only charge it once a week.

Does the screen work well in bad weather?

Yes — the touchscreen is responsive in rain or mud. You can lock the screen with a quick press of the power button to avoid accidental taps while still swiping between screens.

Should I get the Solar version?

If you're racing or training in normal blocks, the non-solar 1040 is more than enough. Unless you’re truly off-grid for days, Solar is overkill.

What sensors do you use with it?

I pair mine with the Garmin HRM Pro, an AXS power meter, the AXS derailleur, and my phone for LiveTrack. All work flawlessly.

How is it for executing structured workouts?

Excellent - the workout screen is super straightforward and customizable. It's easy to see where you are in the workout and go back and forth between blocks.