By Jack Evans

Published: Thursday, 07 April 2022 at 12:00 am


Giant and Stages have unveiled the Dash 200 GPS bike computer, which shows up to 14 data values on each screen.

The colour-screen Stages Dash 200 has been designed with Giant and follows the Dash L50 and Dash M50.

Giant says the Dash 200 “unlocks the secrets of becoming KOM, QOM or maybe just the local legend by allowing you to connect, customise, train and explore more easily than ever before”.

The best bike computers, such as the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, display a maximum of nine data fields per screen compared to 14 on the Dash L200 and 10 on the Dash M200. The Garmin Edge 1030 Plus can show 10, up from six on the Garmin Edge 1030.

The Dash 200 can be paired via ANT+ and Bluetooth to power meters, heart rate monitors, smart trainers and smart lights such as the Garmin Varia.

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Graphs convey live data variations as you ride.
Stages

Battery life is a claimed 10 hours while navigating a route and with one sensor connected, or 18 hours when not navigating.

The StagesLink app, available on iOS or Android, can be used to set up the device and select your preferred data values to display on the head unit.

This software can also automatically upload completed rides to third-party apps, such as Strava or TrainingPeaks.

Giant and Liv electric bikes can connect via ANT+ to show motor mode, power assist output and battery life on the Dash 200 screen.

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The motor mode and battery life on your electric bike can be tracked on the head unit.
Giant

The head unit comes in two sizes – the M200 has a 2.2in screen and is claimed to weigh 77g, and the L200 has a 2.7in display and is claimed to weigh 105g.

The M200 costs £239.99 / $279 / AU$424.95 / €280 and the larger L200 increases to £289.99 / $329 / AU$499.95 / €340.

The Dash 200 is available to purchase from Giant or Stages with either company’s branding but identical functionality.

The Dash L200 and M200 come with a quarter-turn out-front bike computer mount. 

Giant-sponsored WorldTour team BikeExchange-Jayco have ridden to victory with the Dash 200 on their bars this season.

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Not a Garmin in sight at the BikeExchange-Jayco training camp.
Luis Angel Gomez ©PHOTOGOMEZSPORT2021

Stages says it worked with Giant on its range of indoor bikes for years before diversifying the partnership into head units.

Pat Warner, from Stages, says Giant contributed “product development and industry experience, and Stages brings training and software expertise”.

Screen and display

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The smaller M200 is a similar size to the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt.
Giant

Both models have a Stages EverBrite full-colour screen with a 240×320-pixel resolution. The Dash 200 can be flipped to display in landscape or portrait mode.

The Dash 200 does not feature a touchscreen, but Giant says the device’s five buttons can be pressed even when wearing long-finger cycling gloves.

The backlight automatically dims or brightens according to ambient light, or can be adjusted manually, according to Giant.

The Dash 200 is also claimed to be water- and dust-resistant, with an IP57 rating.

The larger Dash L200 measures 94x60x22mm and the Dash M200 is 81x51x22mm.

Training features

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More than 30 data screens can be set up.
Giant

The Giant Dash automatically builds screens and data fields based on the sensors you have connected, and you can personalise what you see in the StagesLink companion app.

Giant says you can also connect the Dash 200 to any smart trainer via ANT+, then select trainer modes, such as ERG.

For outdoor sessions, you can download planned workouts as .FIT and .GPX files, or make one in the StagesLink app then upload to the Dash.

Whether doing intervals or not, the Dash 200 can display live graphs of power, heart rate, cadence, speed and elevation.

Post-ride, the StagesLink app enables you to analyse your data. If you train with a power meter, these will include ​​TSS, IF and normalised power.

Giant says the Dash 200 estimates your FTP and calculates your power and heart rate training zones, based on your performance in training.

Lights on the top of the device can be customised to show colour-coded power or heart-rate alerts.

Maps and navigation

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The Dash 200 is ready for off- and on-road adventures.
Giant

The Dash comes with OpenStreetMap installed, which colour-codes road types and surfaces. It highlights cycling points of interest, such as cafes, pubs, bike shops and toilets.

Both models have 16GB of built-in storage and are capable of turn-by-turn navigation with .FIT, .GPX and .TCX files.

When following a route, you can scroll through the cue sheet and see a colour-coded gradient profile of the day’s climbs.

Strava live segments can be enabled too.

Giant Dash L200 & M200 Key features

• Larger 2.7in screen on L200 and compact 2.2in screen on the Dash M200

• Stages EverBrite screen 

• Screen automatically adjusts brightness to optimise visibility and run time in variable light

• Five control buttons

• IP57 water- and dust-resistant

• GPS connection

• Built-in barometer provides real-time data by cross-checking with GPS

• Integrated thermometer displays real-time temperature changes, such as when moving from mountain peaks to valleys

• Up to 18 hours of battery life in energy-efficient mode, and up to 10 hours displaying maps with one sensor connected and the backlight at 100 per cent brightness.

• Quarter-turn mount 

Battery

Battery life is a claimed 10 hours of typical usage or up to 18 hours in its low-power setting.

According to Giant, the Dash L200 recharges in 3.5 hours and the M200 takes 2.5 hours.

Mounting

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The Dash 200 fits aero mounts for integrated stems.
Giant

The Dash M200 and L200 are supplied with their own handlebars fittings – the Dash M or Dash L computer mount.

A universal computer stem mount, Giant Propel stem mount and an integrated mount for the Giant Contact SLR stem (as seen on the Giant TCR Advanced SL Disc) are available to purchase separately.