Find activity files, place the finished segment on your Garmin Edge, and review common questions and privacy details.
Device guide
Tested on a Garmin Edge 530. The tool is expected to work with Garmin Edge devices from the 530/830/1030 generations onward, but compatibility with those models has not been extensively tested.
Segment compatibility
New segments: This creates a new segment, not a modified Strava segment. It remained available through multiple test syncs; check that it is still on your device after your first sync.
Modified segments: A modified segment file is temporary. Add it just before your ride; the next sync with a new ride restores starred Strava segments to Strava's values.
Get an activity FIT file
You need an original FIT file for each ride you want to use. The easiest option is usually to
download it from Garmin Connect or Strava. You can also copy it directly from your Garmin Edge.
-
Garmin Connect
Open the activity on the Garmin Connect website, select the gear icon and choose Export File.
Open the downloaded ZIP file and extract the .fit file inside.
Garmin Connect export instructions
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Strava
Open the activity on the Strava website, open the ellipses menu and choose Export Original.
Select the downloaded file only when it ends in .fit.
Export Original returns the originally uploaded format, which is often FIT but may be another format.
Strava Export Original instructions
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Connected Garmin device
Connect the Garmin Edge with a data-capable USB cable and select an activity file from
GARMIN/ACTIVITY/.
Use the original FIT file. GPX and TCX exports are not supported. If the download is a ZIP file,
extract it first and select the .fit file inside.
Activity FIT files contain your recorded rides. A segment FIT file is different. When you use
Modify existing segment file, copy that segment file from GARMIN/SEGMENTS/ on your Garmin Edge.
Do not select segment_list.fit. Choose one of the individual .fit files from the SEGMENTS folder instead. segment_list.fit only contains a list of the available segments.
Find the correct files
- Existing segment FIT files are found in
GARMIN/SEGMENTS/.
- Do not select
segment_list.fit. Choose one of the individual .fit files from the SEGMENTS folder instead.
Choose Create or Modify
Create new segment defines a new segment from part of one of your rides.
Modify existing segment file replaces the pacing targets in a segment that is already on your Garmin.
Put the file on your Garmin Edge
- Connect the Garmin Edge with a data-capable USB cable.
- Copy the downloaded FIT file to
GARMIN/NEWFILES/.
- Safely eject the device.
- Allow the Garmin Edge to process the file.
- Verify the segment and targets before riding.
Check after syncing
Modified Strava segments may be restored to Strava values after a later sync.
Newly created segments remained available during testing, but you should verify them after the first sync.
FAQ
What does this tool do?
It lets you race against a specific previous ride on a Garmin segment. You can create a new segment or update an existing one with up to six pacing targets from your own rides.
What is a target ride?
A target ride is a previous effort whose real pacing is stored in the segment file. When you ride the segment, your Garmin compares your progress with that effort.
What is a pacing target name?
The pacing target name is the custom name you give that ride, such as a date, ‘Mud’ or ‘Dry’. It is separate from the Garmin slot type.
What is Garmin slot type?
The Garmin slot type controls the fixed label Garmin uses for that pacing target. You can choose Overall, Personal Best, Connections, Group, Challenger, KOM, QOM, PR, Goal, Carrot, Club Leader, Rival, Last, Recent Best or Course Record. It does not change the pacing data of the selected ride. Goal is used by default.
Which files do I need?
To create a segment, start with an original activity FIT file downloaded from Garmin Connect or Strava, or copied from GARMIN/ACTIVITY/ on your Garmin device. You can then add more activity FIT files as pacing targets.
To modify an existing segment, you also need its segment FIT file from GARMIN/SEGMENTS/.
If a downloaded activity arrives as a ZIP file, extract it and select the .fit file inside.
Are my ride files sent anywhere?
No. Your FIT files are processed inside your browser and do not leave your computer.
The map may load background tiles from OpenStreetMap, but your FIT files and ride data are not sent with those requests.
Can the tool change my original files?
No. Your original FIT files are only read. The tool creates a separate new file for you to download.
Should I choose Create or Modify?
Choose Create new segment when you want to define a new segment from part of one of your rides.
Choose Modify existing segment file when the segment already exists on your Garmin and you only want to replace its pacing targets.
Why can I add only six target rides?
Garmin shows at most six selectable targets for a segment on the tested Edge 530, so the tool never writes more than six.
What does Default target on Garmin mean?
It is the pacing target stored as the default for this segment on Garmin. It does not have to be the fastest ride, and it is independent of the Garmin slot type.
Why can’t the tool find an effort in one of my rides?
The ride may not pass close enough to both the start and finish of the segment, or there may not be enough usable GPS and timing data.
Try another ride or adjust the segment boundaries.
Why do I see more than one effort for the same ride?
The ride crossed the segment more than once, for example during a loop or repeated attempt. The tool shows each matching effort so you can choose the correct one.
Will Garmin or Strava replace my custom targets after a sync?
A modified Strava segment may be restored to Strava’s original targets after a sync containing a new ride. Keep the generated file on your computer so you can copy it back to your Garmin before a ride.
Newly created segment files remained available during testing, but you should check that the segment is still present after its first sync.
Which Garmin Edge models should work?
The tool has been tested on a Garmin Edge 530. It is expected to work with Edge devices from the 530/830/1030 generations onward, but those models have not been extensively tested.
Where do I put the downloaded file?
Connect your Garmin Edge with a data-capable USB cable and copy the downloaded FIT file to GARMIN/NEWFILES/.
Safely eject the device, let it process the file and check the segment before riding.
Do I need an internet connection?
Your FIT files stay on your device and the tool continues to work without an internet connection. When online, Segment Pace may request OpenStreetMap background tiles and send a small anonymous count after a generated FIT download is started. Neither is required for FIT processing or downloading.
Can I try the tool without using my own ride files?
Yes. Start the demo to explore the complete workflow using prepared sample rides. The demo does not read files from your computer.