computer / HR monitor

[aicabsolut]

Sorry I cannot help with wireless. Is there a specific reason you want one that is wireless?

I have more confidence in setting up a wireless one with the other stuff on my bike, like the bottle cages and minipump. Easier to hide a wireless sensor somewhere out of the way, I think. I'm also a gadget nerd when it comes to everything else I do, so wireless just seems to make more sense to me.

[Grog]

Remember that if you get a 'basic' wireless computer it's probably going to pick up various signals from your riding environment. For example, when I stop over a car-detector at an intersection, my computer goes crazy and records 99.9 km/h speeds.

I don't care too much about this, but I would go wired if my computer came in a wired kit. For some reason, it doesn't...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Remember that if you get a 'basic' wireless computer it's probably going to pick up various signals from your riding environment. For example, when I stop over a car-detector at an intersection, my computer goes crazy and records 99.9 km/h speeds.

I can't wait!!

[Veronica]

I've had my HRM since 2003. They are not easy to break.

It has all the bells and whistles, cadence sensor, speed, altimeter, temperature. I wear it when I swim. It's on my bike when I ride. Yes it was expensive, but I've worn it for for 12,000+ outdoor miles and countless hours swimming or on the trainer.

If you think any of this extra info will someday be important to you, get one with the bells and whistles if you can afford it.

V.

[7rider]

I have more confidence in setting up a wireless one with the other stuff on my bike, like the bottle cages and minipump. Easier to hide a wireless sensor somewhere out of the way, I think. I'm also a gadget nerd when it comes to everything else I do, so wireless just seems to make more sense to me.

Some thoughts for you:

DH has a Cateye Astrale 8 on his flatbar, which has cadance, but not HR and is wired all the way. On his road bike, he has the Mavic WinTech:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true
It's wireless, but it doesn't have HR function.

I used to have a Polar S510, which gave me HR and wireless bike computer support, and I think has a cadence pickup. Unfortunately, I don't think they make the S510 anymore (mine is about 6 y.o.). That has been acting flakey anyway, and I recently replaced it with a Garmin 305 HR/Cadance bundle.
http://www.garmin.com/products/edge305/
Talk about NON-basic and a lot of extra stuff you may not need! It is, of course, a GPS unit, and wicked cool, but pricey and may have more functions than you need.

Summary? Wireless HR and Cadance moves you beyond the range of basic and into the fancy.
Sigh. I just wish there was ONE unit that did everything I wanted it to do...and did it at a reasonable price!!! Could I custom design one? Now THAT would be cool!

[Veronica]

The Garmin 305 doesn't map for you does it?

I use a separate GPS unit for my long rides and touring.

V.

[7rider]

The Garmin 305 doesn't map for you does it?

I use a separate GPS unit for my long rides and touring.

V.

You can upload a route into it (haven't tried it yet), but it doesn't provide "turn-by-turn" directions. It does map out your route to the desktop, although the included software is somewhat limited. There are other options online, such as www.motionbased.com that allow for more detailed mapping.

I'll try to upload a screenshot for you to see how it displays routes.

[Veronica]

That's why I like having a separate unit. It does give me turn by turn directions and beeps about a minute before the turn and right at the turn. It's the only way I made it back to the start/finish on the Davis double.

It's also handy for finding restaurants and stores when you're traveling. We've gotten in the habit of just bringing it along in the car with us.

V.

[aicabsolut]

Detailed directions and beeping would be nice.

I think some of the stuff would really be useful in the long run. I could handle a lot of information on indoor rides right now, so I bet as I improve on the road, some of that would be useful, especially with PC uplinks. I like to keep journals of my training.

A custom product would be nice .

I wouldn't mind paying the money for the higher end all in one wrist units, except I like the idea of a larger display monitor out on the road.. the watch could keep track of HR and calories or whatnot for me to look at afterwards. So all in one computer or computer with speed/cadence plus separate HR monitor?

Thanks for the links!! I'll check them out.

[7rider]

Yeah. Turn by turn directions would be great.

Veronica, What unit do you have and how do you mount it to a bike? (I've been pondering one for the car myself.)

Just another point on the 305 aicabsolut, I recently had to DEcrease the amount of information my 305 displayed. It was way too much information. I could spend more time looking at the display that at the road (Ooo, look, that hill is 8%!)! Definitely a hazard. Better to have minimal stuff displayed and check it out later in the comfort and safety of your home.

Also, have you checked out:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...All%20Products
?

[Veronica]

Ignore how unhappy I look, and look at my handlebars.

I think this is the best picture I have of the GPS on my bike. It's to my left. The mount we have for it rotates, so it could be lower or higher. Next to it is my HRM, sitting between my bag straps and to the right of that is the mount for light.

The GPS isn't cheap. When Thom first got it, I looked at as a toy for him. Now I use it a more than he does!

V.

PS We have the Garmin 60CSx and use a Ram mount. Just got a locking mount for it, so I don't need to be so paranoid when I'm out riding solo and need to use a restroom or go into a store.

[CycleTherapy]

I have the Polar CS200....love it.

[tygab]

Ok, I have the assortment of gadgets, but they've been acquired at different times for different purposes....

-got the GPS years ago for general outdoors use (now on GPS #2, the one in the pic)
-got the HRM a few years ago when I had aspirations of running regularly with it. It's the cheapest one Polar had at the time, very basic. (I didn't use it much after getting it and it sat idle until I started using it this summer after getting into cycling. Was happy the batteries still worked! Now I wear it almost everytime I exercise).
-Got the wireless compu when I got the bike this year (no cadence, now kinda wish I had it, but I am still learning the one I have)

Anyway, two points - I like having the separate devices especially the HRM since I can use it at the gym/spin class. I also think, overall, they do a very good job at what they do. If I were starting without any of these, and with the focus of cycling, I'd probably go the Garmin 305 route.

The second is a question - Veronica how did you rig a mount? Is that a car mount? I am already at a bar space premium, but that still is very intriguing. My GPS use on the bike has so far consisted of stowing it in my seat bag and pulling it out when necessary. I have only done this for out of area rides tho. I could definitely do this on the other bike in any case.

[RoadRaven]

Sorry aica, can't give you feedback on wireless comps, all mine are 'wired'

Sounds like you're getting lots of good perspectives from others though

[Bad JuJu]

I've been eyeing that Polar CS200, but some of the reviews indicate problems with it. Bliss--you haven't had any problems with this model? Anybody else have the Polar CS200? It seems like it's got everything I want at a not-too-astronomical price (like the Garmin), but not if it's only going to be a struggle to use it.