computer / HR monitor

[aicabsolut]

I'm looking for a good Computer/HR monitor. I was thinking of the Polar CS200 with cadence sensor, but it seems like it has a lot of useless stuff. And I read some poor reviews. The problem is finding a computer with wireless cadence and HR. For something around the price of the Polar. I've seen some that are wireless speed/cadence but no HR or wireless speed/HR but no cadence.

I'm not sure I'd use the cadence sensor much outside yet, but I'd love to have it for work indoors on the trainer...I assume it'd still work then.

I really ought to have the HR function, though, to have a clue about how hard I'm pushing myself. It looks a lot more expensive to get a watch style HR monitor separately from my main speed, odometer, cadence computer...but it might be good to take a HR monitor to the gym. And the Polar wrist units with cycling features are very expensive and you'd have to add the optional cadence sensor.

Anyone have a computer they really love?

[Grog]

I have a $25 bike computer that's wireless with cadence (the cadence is wired though). Shows time (automatic stop/start), distance, max speed, average speed, cadence (records average), speed, clock, etc.. It's a dbl4w from Filzer but you might not find it under the same brand in the US. It's sold at MEC (the Canadian equivalent of REI). Louis Garneau was selling the exact same thing with its logo on it for $50.

I also have a Polar F4 watch. Quite simple, only records my heart rate, max and average, and the time elapsed. Sometimes I wish I could have a more detailed profile after a workout - when my heart was beating at how many beats/second - but it's really not that important. The F4 retails for less than $100 in Canada.

I much prefer having the two separately, so I can use the Polar for all sports, it doesn't look HUGE and scream CYCLIST to everyone, and if I break/loose one or the other it's cheaper to replace some parts than the whole system. I use the watch as my general sports watch, too.

Your mileage may vary...

[Squeaky]

Hi, I don't have any advice on a computer (looking for a new one myself), but I love your picture! Is this you and your horse? He looks like a really nice jumper. Where was the photo taken?

[aicabsolut]

Thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately, I don't do any other sports where HR matters..though it would be nice to take a HR monitor into a spin class. But breaking one pricey unit would be hard to replace...

Yes, Squeaky, that's me and my horse--well a former horse of mine (couldn't keep him all the way through college). It was taken at a summer show in the Olympic arena in Atlanta, well Conyers, GA.

[RoadRaven]

Things I deem "must haves" on my bikes... distance, time and cadence

Things that are fun to have... temperature and average speed

Things that should be on all bike comps - distance, time and average speed

So I suggest you look for a basic bike comp - dont spend loads of money, and if possible get one that has a cadence counter on it.

[aicabsolut]

Any suggestions of models that are 'basic' with a wireless cadence counter? Most of the cadence models I've seen have waay too many bells and whistles and cost a lot.

[Bikingmomof3]

Sorry I cannot help with wireless. Is there a specific reason you want one that is wireless?
I have a Polar H4 heart rate monitor, works great and was on sale at Target. I use it on my bike, running, and for HIIT. On my bike I have Cateye Astrale 8, which works beautifully and was also not expensive, but it is not wireless. I think I bought both for a grand total of $100.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Any suggestions of models that are 'basic' with a wireless cadence counter? Most of the cadence models I've seen have waay too many bells and whistles and cost a lot.

I am guessing here, but wouldn't a wireless cadence feature automatically make the computer "non-basic" and relatively expensive, regardless of the additional features?

I just bought a Cateye micro wireless, but it doesn't have either cadence or heartrate.
It has the basics such as: clock, time elapsed riding, trip A & B, odometer/mileage, current speed, average speed, highest speed per trip, auto sleep mode and auto start/stop. That's all the info I really want at this point in time in my riding. To me it seems loaded with amazing features, but I guess many serious riders would call it pretty basic. They generally can be found around $40-50.

[aicabsolut]

I am guessing here, but wouldn't a wireless cadence feature automatically make the computer "non-basic" and relatively expensive, regardless of the additional features?

That's what I thought... just wanted some more specifics from Raven.

[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.

[Veronica]

I'm not sure I'd use the cadence sensor much outside yet, but I'd love to have it for work indoors on the trainer...I assume it'd still work then.

I use my cadence sensor a lot when I'm riding hills outside.

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!