Heart Rate Monitors?

[Skierchickie]

Does anyone else have trouble with the chest strap losing contact while biking? I have a Timex one, which is great for skiing and running (I chose it because you can change the batteries yourself, and it had features that would have cost an arm and a leg on a Polar), but it seems to not like the biking body position, or something. I quit using it biking, because it would just drop to 30bpm, or it would jump to 300 (probably picking up the signal from my computer), or lose the signal completely. I'm assuming it gaps in front sometimes, due to body position, and loses body contact.

[sundial]

I had a Polar CS200 and it worked ok until the battery went out in the cadence sensor. Then I had to ship the entire thing back to the company. It cost me a min. of $25 to change out a $2 battery and it took them at least 2 weeks to return it. I went with a Garmin after that.

[wildeny]

Does anyone else have trouble with the chest strap losing contact while biking?

Occasionally because I didn't tighten the belt.

Mine is Sigma Onyx Fit, which is digital encoded.
surgtech1956, you need to think about what kind of functions you want in the HRM. That also depends on how you want to use your HRM (for instance, training). In my case, three HR zones & digital encoding are the must. I also heard that some models do not have the average heart rate function, which is very odd to me.

[OakLeaf]

Does anyone else have trouble with the chest strap losing contact while biking?

Not particularly (I have more trouble with it losing contact because it's too dry, too wet or too dirty), but the sports bras I wear have a wide band and a sort of pocket between the breasts where the business end of the strap tucks in nicely. So it gets held pretty steady.

The instructions on my HR strap said that cyclists may have better results wearing the strap backwards (with the contacts on your back). You might try that.

I use Garmins. But aside from the mapping and distance recording, I just love gadgets and definitely don't put the HRM to full use. What are you looking for in particular - zone training? You can manually enter zone limits in the Garmin units (five zones). It will auto-calculate running HR zones, but since there are so many variables that can radically affect cycling speed, it doesn't do that for cycling.

[Cataboo]

I have a suunto t3... it works pretty well, I haven't had any problems with it losing connection to the chest strap.

I have flattened handlebars on my bike, so I just strap the watch to my handlebars.

I don't use it all the time, because I find it a distraction... but every so often, I'll put it on and get an idea of what I'm really doing... I'd originally bought it because it was on sale and I'd been arguing with the bf about how hard I was actually working...

[Karma007]

I have a Polar F7 that I bought mostly for other excersizes. I love it! I was able to get an adapter so I can put it on my handle bars, which is nice.

[surgtech1956]

What about the Sigma models, either Performance Bike or Bike Nashbar(don't remember which one now) has a Sigma Sport PC14 or PC15 on sale? I don't think I like the Polar because of not being able to change the batteries. I see some recommendations for the Garmin 305 Forerunner. I would like something that I would be able to use for both running and cycling. I was just checking out www.pricepoint.com and they have their brand Sette, pretty inexpensive, but looks like alot of features. Not really sure what I need in a HRM, so I don't know if I should buy an expensive one.

[ridenread]

My DH bought me a Garmin forerunner 305 for my birthday. It has a lot of nice features,and is very easy to use. I am having fun with it. It can be easily used for running and cycling. The only downside I have found so far is the wrist "watch" piece is huge and takes some getting used to. I have a very interesting tanline on my wrist

[surgtech1956]

Thanks. Does it come with a handlebar mount?