stapfam

There are two types of HRM. The ones that utilise a chest strap send a signal to the monitor all the time so that you get a current reading of the heart rate rate permanently displayed. There is another type that does not use a chest strap and they require you to push a button to display the heart rate. They work off the wrist pulse and are not the best for cycling. One hand twisting so you can reach the button with the other hand does not make for accurate steering and it only displays the heart rate when the button is pushed.

I use a Garmin edge 305 now and the monitor is on the bar stem and it utilises a chest strap. Previous to this I had a polar and the monitor is like a wrist watch. Mounts are made for mounting on the bars so you can permanently see the reading- but I used to have it on my wrist as I had one of the later bar mounts that I did not like.