Bike Computers

[snpdragn]

This is a little cheesy.
I need to know more about bike computers myself for my soon-to-be purchase of my new bike...
but, at this moment I want to buy a wireless for my bf's bike to show him how proud I am for doing the local MS150, which was his goal when he started biking, that up until recently, we weren't sure he'd be in shape for.
But he is and I'm proud.

So, my question is this. For those of you that know wireless computers, what should I look for?
And for me... what makes the difference with them. And when they say they measure heart rate, how accurate are they, because otherwise I'm going to have to wear a monitor from my cardiologist.

Thanks!

[Nanci]

I just got this one, and I love it. No problems so far. http://tinyurl.com/9daas I even managed, somehow, to install it myself!

The accuracy of HR monitors varies- you can usually find out on the manufacturer's web site what that accuracy is.

If it were me, I would get separate things- a cyclocomputer and a HR monitor, because you might want to use the HR monitor for running, and you might lose interest in tracking your HR while biking.

Nanci

[snpdragn]

I'm not allowed to run per my cardiologist, but that may change if I can work up enough good stuff in my heart! I hadn't thought of that! So... I believe I will! Thanks!

[bcipam]

I just got this one, and I love it. No problems so far. http://tinyurl.com/9daas I even managed, somehow, to install it myself!

The accuracy of HR monitors varies- you can usually find out on the manufacturer's web site what that accuracy is.

If it were me, I would get separate things- a cyclocomputer and a HR monitor, because you might want to use the HR monitor for running, and you might lose interest in tracking your HR while biking.

Nanci

I agree get a separate heart rate montior (Polar makes many nicely price montiors) and then a cyclo computer. If you want an all in one - Ciclosport makes the best but they are pricey - around $300 - 400. I would get a nice Flightdeck computer (if you run Ultegra or Dura Ace on your bike) which has cadence, mileage, distance etc and even shows you what gear you are shifting in, and then a cheak Polar monitor. You can get one of those for around $30.

[snpdragn]

I think I will look into the two seperate. I'm not going to be into the sport enough to need every feature. That would be nice, but my heart can't take the racing and stuff that he is getting into. If I start buying a computer that measures all that, I'll just want to go faster, I'm so competitive and not used to these new limitations!

But, for him, he already has a basic cyclocomputer, but it's got wires, and I wanted to get him a nifty wireless upgrade.

[caligurl]

uh oh! i have to disagree with pam for a change! lol! hubby had a ciclosport (hac4 plus) and didn't care for it that much.... got a polar s720i instead and LOVES it!

i have a polar s720i too (well.. that's why he got one... cuz when i got my new bike that is the one i wanted/got... so he had to have one too cuz he didn't like his ciclosport!)

i actually prefer one unit (comper and hrm combined) which is what the s720i does! why have two different "monitors" on your bike (or one on your bike and one your wrist?)

[Nanci]

My BF has the 720i and it is always causing trouble- not turning on for the bike leg of a triathlon, not recording speed, only miles and HR, stuff like that. I don't trust it at all. Cool software, though.

[bcipam]

That's why I have a cheapo Polar HM and then A Flightdeck. Both work great and without hassles or problems.

[runner2]

I don't need the heart rate monitor to tell me my heart is working, sometime I don't even wear my stop watch when I run, just do whatever I feel comfortable, but if I'm in serious training for a big goal, using HR monitor is a smart way to avoid over-training.
By the way, I have wireless cycle-computers on all my bikes, they are great and neat, and remember when u not use it, take it off from the bike, don't keep it on the bike.
happy cycling!