Best bike computer/heart monitor?

**e.e.cummings** · 09-02-2009, 05:03 PM

Any recommendations? This is my first time looking at getting a really nice bike computer - it will be a gift for my husband. It would only be used for cycling, not transferring to other sports. I would appreciate any advice. (If he likes it I will probably end up getting one for myself).

**wildeny** · 09-03-2009, 04:30 PM

What's your budget? That would define which one has the best value.

**e.e.cummings** · 09-06-2009, 03:18 AM

To be honest I am not really sure - I have not even been out in the stores to start comparing yet. I had a friend recommend the Trek Ach Digital - 2.4 ghz which I see on-line retails at $189.99 US. I am okay with that price, of course, if there is anything just as good for less, I am always interested. But I don't mind spending that or a bit more for something has good features.

**roadie gal** · 09-06-2009, 05:29 AM

What features do you want? Do you need/ want cadence, wireless, GPS, altitude, etc? Wireless, in general, will cost a little more than wired. Cadence is extra. Some computers will allow you to add a cadence monitor later if you're not sure you want it.

Once you decide what you want look through a bunch of different sites or do a search. The prices can vary widely for the same unit.

**e.e.cummings** · 09-06-2009, 10:16 AM

I would like heart monitoring, cadence, wireless - I also heard that one shows you how many calories you have burned, which sounds pretty cool. Since I am at the beginning of my search I am not familiar with everything available. I planned to go to my local bike shop today to have a lot at what they have and talk to a salesperson.

My friend has one that he tells me has all of the above, but the one feature he does not like is that there is no automatic on/off of the monitoring - sometimes he will forget to shut it off right after his workout. So I guess I would want to have the auto on/off as well.

**Eden** · 09-06-2009, 11:04 AM

I'd say don't put calories burned on your must have list - in general it is very inaccurate...

As far as brands go, I'm partial to Sigma. They seem to be the most accurate HR monitors going and the products are generally well designed and easy to use.

**tctrek** · 09-06-2009, 11:53 AM

I love my Garmin, but that's a $$$ investment. The 305 Edge runs around $300 and the 705 Edge runs around $500. If he's a data geek (which I am!!), he will love being able to see Miles, Speed, Elevation, Cadence, Heart Rate, all on one device.

**wildeny** · 09-06-2009, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by e.e.cummings

My friend has one that he tells me has all of the above, but the one feature he does not like is that there is no automatic on/off of the monitoring - sometimes he will forget to shut it off right after his workout. So I guess I would want to have the auto on/off as well.

How can a heart rate monitor has auto on/off? How does it know when to start/stop?

Mine does turn it off after some time without signal. Some people don't like it because they forget to turn it on.

I don't have all functions in one device. I have Sigma BC1606 (wired) with cadence & Bike 2 options (I have two bikes). Since it's wired, it automatically turn on when the wheel move. I like it wired so that the data can be more accurate.

I have Sigma Onyx Fit for heart rate monitor.

To me, these two provide the best value of my needs under my budget.

I do love to have one with GPS/altitude etc. But at that time I didn't know how serious I'm in the training. Next time when I upgrade my bike, I would consider one like Sigma Rox 9.0 (or the new Garmin Edge 500).

**szsz** · 09-06-2009, 04:23 PM

I love my Garmin too. When I got the 305 it was at such a wonderful black Friday sale price that I got one for the Mr. too even though he had not expressed interest. Boy, was he happy to have all that data! He had been overtraining. And, he loves the maps and the satellite views and the street views and he spends more time with my ride data (and his too) than I do!

**e.e.cummings** · 09-07-2009, 04:59 AM

I am getting a lot of feedback about the Garmin from friends who love them. Regarding the on/off, my friend has the 305 Forerunner and says that they 405 has an auto on/off, that it only captures data when you are moving. I am just learning about all of these things now, I don't have enough knowledge to argue him on this (but I bet all of you do!) Right now I am on a very steep learning curve.

Also, do you think it is okay to order these on-line? I am having a challenge finding local bike shops that are carrying a decent selection right now. Have taken to calling ahead because it can be a long way to drive only to find out that they only have the basic computer that he already has or nothing at all.

**tctrek** · 09-07-2009, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by e.e.cummings

I am getting a lot of feedback about the Garmin from friends who love them. Regarding the on/off, my friend has the 305 Forerunner and says that they 405 has an auto on/off, that it only captures data when you are moving. I am just learning about all of these things now, I don't have enough knowledge to argue him on this (but I bet all of you do!) Right now I am on a very steep learning curve.

Also, do you think it is okay to order these on-line? I am having a challenge finding local bike shops that are carrying a decent selection right now. Have taken to calling ahead because it can be a long way to drive only to find out that they only have the basic computer that he already has or nothing at all.

Garmin always captures heart rate, even when you are standing still. The Auto-pause feature is so that the Garmin doesn't calculate in extremely low/no speeds into your average mph. For example, if you walk your bike across some sort of obstacle at 1 mph, if you have Auto-pause set at 1 mph, the Garmin will stop calculating during that time. But it will still show your heart rate.

**Trek420** · 09-07-2009, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Eden

I'd say don't put calories burned on your must have list - in general it is very inaccurate...

But the option that suggests recipes for the recovery meal and prints out a shopping list is nice.

**szsz** · 09-07-2009, 08:07 PM

Maybe someone can help with a 305 (Forerunner) Q. When I had it set to running, I was able to set the auto-pause. Now that I have it set to cycling, there is no auto-pause option. Has anyone else experienced this?

But yeah, the heart rate is constant. It's nice. I'm finally getting in better condition; it's nice to have the date to substantiate this!

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