Do you use a heart rate monitor?

[Godwin_Austen]

Re:

Have used both a polar watch (rowing) and garmin (cycling). To be honest the Garmin has completely transformed the way I ride - it's almost like having a personal trainer. Once you've figured it out and set it up properly (a bit of a faff granted but there are videos on youtube) it really is excellent.

Plus when you get home you can download your ride onto garmin connect and it will show you your ride on a map, your heart rate, speed etc throughout the ride so you can see what happened at what point on the route.

I have an edge 810 which is the one with the integrated maps on screen - to be honest a bit unnecessary - the 510 would do everything you want. They're not cheap mind (£180 if you shop around) but you might be able to pick up a second hand unit on ebay for a lot less.

 

[half cog]

Thanks to one and all.Lots of info to consider.As I am buying two of these it may well not be the £180.00 edge 810. I would be quite happy with something simple but reliable.For our use we need to be able to set a max rate with a very audible alarm when exceeded. Thats probably the main criteria above all else. That would give us our heart rate for training and also make sure good lady stoker does not blow a gasket on the hills.I like hills.They put meaning into a ride. I am however becoming more and more aware of heavy breathing down my neck from behind and thats a bit of a concern.So. One final question please.Which make has the loudest or easiest to notice alarm?Thanks again for all the info .Fantastic response and much appreciated
Peter

 

[Godwin_Austen]

Re:

Prob the garmin to be honest. But you'll hear a polar HRM - you get get mounts to put the watch unit on the handlebars (in fact I have one I don't ned any more and am happy to post to you for free if you end up getting a polar - pm me if so). Prob best to do that as if you wear the watch on your wrist the beep might get muffled by your cuffs.

 

[half cog]

Thats very kind of you. Thank you.Must confess I have not got as far on with this as I had hoped as other things going on as well. It is to do though so watch this space as they say.Thank you for all the replies
Peter

 

[half cog]

After what seems like for ever pouring over various makes and specifications I finally came down on the side of a Mio Fuse.It does everything we need it to and you dont need to use a belt with it. Straight on the wrist and away you go. You set the spec through your computer with an app.The alarm is a vibrator so if you go over spec it buzzes on your wrist. No peering at screens or straining to hear beepers.Battery is rechargable through a usb port so no batteries to buy either.Just got it today so all being well we are sorted.Just out of interest I bought it at Chevin cycles at Harrogate.The assistant manager was excellent.He was running up and down the shop stairs at one point to get his heart rate up to activate the buzzer.You dont get service like that everywhere.I have dealt with that shop before and they are probably the most helpful bike shop I have ever dealt with.Top marks.Thanks to everyone for all the input. Most appreciated.
Peter

 

[half cog]

Life is never simple.Told I can program it from my computer and it aint happening so its back to the shop in the morning . G night all
Peter

 

[Matt_wood55]

I am a Garmin convert. That coupled with Strava means that even going out on your own turns into a bit of a competition (especially when it's windy!).

Seriously, if you want a HRM and a computer, just go for the Garmin and get the benefits of satellite thrown in for not much extra. Plenty of 500's on Ebay constantly.

Matt

 

[hamster]

The gold standard fro HR measurement remains the chest strap. Wrist sensors are less accurate and need the strap tight to exclude light.

 

[half cog]

Re:

Hi.
Returned the Mio fuse today and a full re fund as promised.So. Here we go again.Now looking at garmin e.t.c. Will post up when I finally sort it out. Many thanks for the comments
Peter