Combo cycle computer and HRM

karun said:

Is it better to get a combo cycle computer and HRM (such as Specialized's P.Brain, cicolmeter's cicosport 436 , or Vetta's model) or seperate units? Better to buy a cheap/basic unit first, figure out what I want, and then upgrade (or just take the plunge)? What cycle computer features can you not live without? I don't use either the computer or HRM at the moment...what am I missing?

Thanks!

I have both (but only because i bought a cateye with cadence reader b4 getting a HRM). If you can afford it, I would go straight for one of the Polar models. Advanced models (ie above S150) have optional cadence which (depending on your training) is highly recommended. As well your bars are not so cluttered with tech and more space to move around. Cycle puter features worth having are obviously speed, average speed, max speed, duration etc. If your into cadence training i would recommend a cadence watch that calculates average cadence as well.
Cheers

Quoted message said:

If you can afford it, I would go straight for one of the Polar models. Advanced models (ie above S150) have optional cadence which (depending on your training)

Yikes! By the time the cadence monitor is added looks like a lot. Software and computer connection also looks extra.

Thanks. Wish I knew more to ask.

karun said:

>If you can afford it, I would go straight for one of the Polar models. Advanced models (ie above S150) have optional cadence which (depending on your training)

Yikes! By the time the cadence monitor is added looks like a lot. Software and computer connection also looks extra.

Thanks. Wish I knew more to ask.

Even if you don't want the cadence i would still recommend a polar. They sell brand new ones on ebay for (S625X)$497AUD or $388USD. That price should include the software to upload data. But to be honest if you want a HRM with cycle computer functions that is still a good buy, i would get the S150 ( i have one myself) they are around $300AUD or $230USD. Does everything i want (cept cadence) and haven't had a problem with it.
Cheers

[font=Times New Roman]Based on your reaction to the price, etc…[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]I suggest that you start with the Cateye Astrale 8 (it has wired cadence) and a separate cheap HRM. They maybe all you ever need. And in the future, if you are motivated to change, then I’d go with the Polar 720. What’s on my bike? The Polar 725 and the power kit. I used the Cateye Astrale 8 for 1 year. Now it’s going to be installed on my mountain bike. [/font]

[font=Times New Roman]Maybe something like the Polar A3[/font]
[font=Times New Roman]performancebike.comprofile.cfmOpen ↗[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]polarusa.comA3.aspOpen ↗[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]The Cateye[/font]
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I tend to side with bikeguy. What's on my bike is the Cateye Astrale8 and the SportsInstruments Pro9. I get cadence (most important), distance, etc. from the Cateye, and my time in all 5 "Friel Zones" plus intervals from the SI. (Both will soon be replaced by a PowerTap SL, but that's another story.) I think the answer to your original question depends on what you want to use the information from your HRM/computer for. I work with a CTS coach, and virtually every workout is based on cadence and HR, often with specific intervals thrown in. That's why I consider the cadence feature of the Cateye my most important computer info. Similarly, the SI tracks time in all the training zones, so I can analyze my workouts. As a last comment, I think the Polars are overrated on most forums, largely because they spend more on advertising than other HRM brands. They are very good HRMs, but I think the Sports Instruments pro line is better thought out for training, and of equal quality. Last thought - the Pro 9 can be found for around $110, the Cateye for around $30, so the whole package is under $150.

[font=Times New Roman]I’m not sure about the PowerTap system, but I have about 5 rides completed now with the Polar power kit. I like the ability to graph on my computer, everything my Polar is measuring; HR, speed, cadence, power and altitude. I like it…. Good luck with the PowerTap.[/font]

Here is a vote for the Vetta100HR with cadence sensor. No computer interface but it certianly does everything I need it to do. I like the fact theat hr, cadence, and speed can all be displayed on one screen. Plenty of other options and a clean looking install too.

I got it on Ebay brand new unopened box for a lot cheaper than local stores or catalogs were selling it for.

SUPERGO has a combo for about $40. It's a good setup for the money.

I'm back....still haven't made up my mind but I'm slowly figuring out what features will steer me towards different models. A few questions:

1) Some people seem to like the cycle and HRM info all in one location, others like the cycle computer on the bike and the HRM on the wrist. Pros/cons of each? I'd plan to continue doing triathlons if that colors your response. Right now I don't use a HRM so I might not "miss" it on the run or swim. I dunno.

2) I looked into the Polar. Basic unit price doesn't seem as bad as I thought (and I don't need/want the power module). However the watch unit has been described as big and ugly. Too big/ugly for a girl? Feedback from the ladies?! Lots of posts on interference for the Polar units....how bad is it really?

3) The cateye TR100 and HR200DW units look like possibilities, anyone use these? I haven't found much information good or bad. Based on features (+price) alone these units are tempting.

while we're at it, any comments on Vetta's v100HR or v100A models?

karun said:

I'm back....still haven't made up my mind but I'm slowly figuring out what features will steer me towards different models. A few questions:

1) Some people seem to like the cycle and HRM info all in one location, others like the cycle computer on the bike and the HRM on the wrist. Pros/cons of each? I'd plan to continue doing triathlons if that colors your response. Right now I don't use a HRM so I might not "miss" it on the run or swim. I dunno.

2) I looked into the Polar. Basic unit price doesn't seem as bad as I thought (and I don't need/want the power module). However the watch unit has been described as big and ugly. Too big/ugly for a girl? Feedback from the ladies?! Lots of posts on interference for the Polar units....how bad is it really?

3) The cateye TR100 and HR200DW units look like possibilities, anyone use these? I haven't found much information good or bad. Based on features (+price) alone these units are tempting.

Yes the Polar units are pretty bulky when worn as a watch, but keep in mind that if you want to record bike speed and cadence, then Polar recommends that you mount it on the handlebars during the session. Otherwise, if you were to raise your hands up high enough, the unit will lose contact with the speed and cadence sensors, and stop recording those measurements.

If you are serious about training and want to take the time to analyze your workouts after the fact, then I recommend the Polar s720i. The unit performs well and the graphing software is excellent too.

If you are really not sure about whether you are going to bother analyzing ride data, then I would follow the advice of Bikeguy2004 and start off with the Cateye Astrale 8 (or even the original Astrale which can be found for $19 USD) and a cheap ($50) basic HRM. The Astrale's are great cyclocomputers with cadence - I use both of them. I have had good luck with an inexpensive HRM also.

If you were buy the basic products at a place like www.nashbar.com that has a great return policy, you could try out the basic units for a month or so and then if you are itching for more data, you could return them and get the Polar instead.

Personally, I like using both the Astrale and the Polar together, as the display on the Astrale is easier to read.

Good luck.

interesting...that pushes me in the direction I was headed: a good cycle computer and a seperate HRM (at a later date). Now, if I get rid of the HRM feature, I'd like to have both cadence and altitude info. along with autowakeup in the cycle computer. Best product with those features?

another thought...

now I'm thinking I can live without altitude info (since they're not terribly accurate and I can probably get that in HRM watch unit letter on). Cadence function is still a must. So, I'm deciding between

a) Cateye CD300DW or the Ciclosport 434

or if I must have PC download capability

b) Cateye TR100 or the Ciclosport 436m

Any comments on these specific models? How much do YOU look at your downloaded data?

karun said:

another thought...

now I'm thinking I can live without altitude info (since they're not terribly accurate and I can probably get that in HRM watch unit letter on). Cadence function is still a must. So, I'm deciding between

a) Cateye CD300DW or the Ciclosport 434

or if I must have PC download capability

b) Cateye TR100 or the Ciclosport 436m

Any comments on these specific models? How much do YOU look at your downloaded data?

[font=Times New Roman]Not familiar with any of those models.[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]> How much do YOU look at your downloaded data?[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]I review every ride. The Polar software stores the data in a calendar format so the data is also building a history of your rides. [/font]

karun said:

How much do YOU look at your downloaded data?

Last year I didn't have the Polar, so I was logging basic ride data (Time, distance, AVG speed, temperature and wind speed) into an Excel spreadsheet and creating some simple graphs. While the data was limited, it was very motivating to get a graphic view of my improvement through the year.

Now with the s720i, the graphing is more detailed and there is more data to work with (addition of Cadence, altitude, and HR) I am expecting to use the data for two things, 1) track weekly and monthly data, to ensure that I am sticking to the training plan, and 2) look at individual ride data to better understand what is working and what is not - answering questions like, what is my optimum cadence, what happens when I start out slowly or start out riding hard, and determining my Lactate Threshold more accurately, then establishing training zones around that.

Here's a copy of a new thread I made. Am I missing something?

I'm looking for a bike computer and based on lots of reading and various inputs (some from this forum...Thanks!) I've decided I'll get a separate HRM (later). That said I really want candence info and really want to be able to download my trip to my computer so I can look at it afterwards.

Am I missing something or are there very few bike computers which allow the data to be downloaded to the computer?

Cateye seems to only have the TR100 (go figure, includes a HRM)
Ciclosport seems to only have the 436m (go figure, includes a HRM)
Vetta--no download
Specialized--no download except the P.brain model (and I haven't seen any good reviews on those).
Shimano Flight Deck--don't know, don't care, have heard too many bad things.
And then there's Polar.
Know of anything else????

I'm an engineer and data hog. It's hard to believe they make these nifty little guys and no way to extract the info.

Quoted message said:

I'm an engineer and data hog. It's hard to believe they make these nifty little guys and no way to extract the info.

Well you should have mentioned this in your first post…

Then by all means, get the Polar 720. And go right to the power unit too. If you buy the power unit, you don’t need a cadence unit, since the power unit measures cadence and speed. And if your computer does not have an IR interface, don’t forget to get one too.

I know it’s a lot of money… but a long long time ago I got my mechanical engineering degree. And let me tell you, the Polar software and data you get is sooooo much better than just a plain bike computer.

Now I’m researching how to use power as a basis for bike training.

Go for the Polar. And I you can’t go with the power unit, get the cadence unit. The Polar 720 can be used on 2 bikes, so when you do get the power unit (and you will) you can install the speed and cadence unit on one bike, and the power unit on the bike you ride the most.

Really???
I keep hearing that the Polar is a HRM with a less than great bike computer. Sounds like their software is better than Ciclosport's.
I was hoping/wondering if Cateye's TR100 would be a great bike computer with good/great software.

Uuuugh. Just got off the phone with someone at Cateye's 1-800 number. Apparently the TR100 won't be available till Jan. or Feb.
What a tease! (Mind you this is the 3rd time this month I've set my eyes on some latest/greatest gadget that finally had all the features I wanted only to find out it's not ready yet).
Guess I might get a Polar.