Cycling specific heart rate monitor

[li10up]

I currently have a Polar S120 and a separate bike computer. On my ride this morning one of the guys recommended I get a Polar CS400. He says it can display your heart rate as percent of max HR so you know your effort without having to try to do math while in oxygen debt. Is this a worthwhile feature in your opinion?

So what do you use and what features do you like most about it?

Thanks in advance.

[bluebug32]

Not familiar with the Polar HRMs. I use a Garmin Edge 350 which has lots of bells and whistles. I mainly like it for it's ability to measure grade and how much climbing I do. I don't display percent of max HR, as I usually just glance at the actual number and can tell generally how hard I'm working and in what range I'm in. It makes it easier if you know your lactate threshhold. Then you can see if you're training above or below it. I'm not religious about HR zones because they are only a jumping off point (ie:can misread on really hot day, nerves, etc.).

[NoNo]

I have the 400 and I love it. One of my favorite features is the altimeter; it's very cool to look at the graphs after I ride and see just how steep that "monster" hill was And then see how much my heart rate spikes on said hill I don't pay much attention to the HR percentages, but I know you can set your own "zones" or use pre-set ones. It also supports cadence, but doesn't come with the sensor, if that's something you're interested in.

[li10up]

I've been reading some reviews online for the CS400 and it seems like a lot of people have problems with this unit. Anyone else have any suggestions/recommendations?

[maillotpois]

Not familiar with the Polar HRMs. I use a Garmin Edge 350 which has lots of bells and whistles. I mainly like it for it's ability to measure grade and how much climbing I do. I don't display percent of max HR, as I usually just glance at the actual number and can tell generally how hard I'm working and in what range I'm in. It makes it easier if you know your lactate threshhold. Then you can see if you're training above or below it. I'm not religious about HR zones because they are only a jumping off point (ie:can misread on really hot day, nerves, etc.).

I use the Edge for the HR zones. Plug in the zones based on LT testing, and then you can see right where you are. It has really allowed me to push myself harder than I otherwise might have through either (1) perceived exertion or (2) looking at the HR and trying to remember exactly what the zones are. I can just look down and see I am in zone 3.5, 4.1, etc.

[TrekTheKaty]

I use a Garmin Forerunner 305. I chose it because I can also use it for hiking and skiing (you wear it on your wrist--I loop it on my handlebar). It has a heart rate monitor and optional cadence counter. I mostly use the heart rate monitor to track that I'm riding farther, faster and hillier (?!) routes with a lower heart rate. I've also confirmed my approximate max HR is 182--that's about where I was at the top of my "heartbreak" hill and wanted OFF my bike!

[OakLeaf]

I have a Garmin Edge 705 and an old Forerunner 301. The Forerunner series have a software package that calculates your HR zones for running only, based on changes in your HR at different speeds over several workouts that include anaerobic intervals. I've never done a true LT calculation but the Forerunner's calculations seem to match my perceived exertion pretty well. Because there are so many variables that affect cycling speed, the software only works on your running profile.

Now, I know that max cycling HR is normally 5-10 bpm lower than max running HR, but I don't know whether the zones translate from running to cycling as well. Anyway I love my gadgets, but I'm a total data geek.