Training & Nutrition - Trainers/ HRM/ Software

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rhputt
08-10-05, 10:57 AM
I have biking for many years and I never had a winter training program because I have never had a trainer. (I live in MI) I have finally graduated college and have money for a trainer, HRM and software stuff that will help my performance.

Whats the best stuff that works with each other?

-I heard that fluid trainers are better?

-Is it best to get Trainer with it's own HRM? Or would it be better to get a trainer with the HRM separate?

-I wanted to get a HRM that downloads to a computer so I can monitor my performance, does anyone have good suggestions on those?

Polar HRMs?
Sunnto HRMs?

Any help would be great!

operator
08-10-05, 11:07 AM
HRM that downloads to computer and are cycling specific
Polar cs100/200s, they start from $100USD which is a great deal IMHO.
joelpalmer
08-10-05, 11:58 AM
HRM that downloads to computer and are cycling specific
Polar cs100/200s, they start from $100USD which is a great deal IMHO.

second that, i have the cs100 and it works great. never bothered to try and sync it with my computer though, i just use activebody.org to record my ride info by hand. (and now im waiting for the cadence sensor to some in, so i'll have a new toy to play with...excuse me, new tool to use :D )

rhputt
08-10-05, 02:50 PM
is it worth getting software with watts and cadence and all the plugs or just the basics to start off with?

Has anyone tried www.cyclistats.com? I looked at it and it seems pretty cool but is it worth it?
SSP
08-11-05, 01:07 AM
is it worth getting software with watts and cadence and all the plugs or just the basics to start off with?

Has anyone tried www.cyclistats.com? I looked at it and it seems pretty cool but is it worth it?

As the author of CycliStats (http://www.cyclistats.com) I can assure you that it is worth it...but, I'm 100% biased :D.

That said, I do think it's one of the finest ride training diaries on the market today. It tracks all of the standard ride data, plus bike maintenance, personal health (weight, blood pressure, etc.), plus seasonal cycling goals. It also comes with a bunch of built-in cycling-specific tools, graphs, statistics, and a calendar.

Compared to web-based programs, CycliStats is much quicker when entering your ride data, and if you use a Polar HRM, you can import your rides by simply "dragging and dropping" your Polar .hrm files onto the CycliStats calendar.

But, don't just take my word for it...you can download a free, fully functional 30-day trial version from the website to see if it meets your needs.