"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Train with Heartrate or Power

Just wanted to see the number of people who actually train using a heartrate monitor or a powermeter. My Timex Ironman HR monitor is on the fritz and I am thinking about plopping down some money to buy the Powertap SL and have a friend build up the wheel for me. The other option is to simply buy another HR monitor, probably upgrading to something more cycling specific. Thoughts?

PT for me.

--Steve

Always by feel. My handlebar is bare and that keeps me happy.

Both depending on situation.

Power for me, although I still have tons to learn.

I train with HR, but would like to start training with power as soon as I can afford a power tap.

One thing I have learned is that when starting a repeat (for example 10 minutes in zone 3) I have to estimate the effort for the first minute or 2 until my HR gets to where I want it. I used to go real hard until I got to the desired HR then back off, but now my efforts are more consistant.

I train primarily with Power, but I also refer to HR quite a bit. So I guess I use both.

I can't afford a powermeter :(

Both, one, none. In that order, depending on what I want to do that day/week/month.

If I'm out to suffer, I'll use both.

If I'm on the single-speed or any other bike besides the primary road bike I may use an HRM only. If it's freakin' cold outside, and I forget to put on the HRM strap while I'm getting dressed, I'll just use the power fuction rather than undress to put on the HRM strap.

If I'm playing around or on a recovery ride, I might not use anything. I find the rides go by faster sometimes if I'm not distracted by my various bike gadgets.

Obviously if I go with the power meter I am leaning toward the Powertap SL. What about recommendations for a good HRM. Any comments about your own monitor and whether you would recommend it would be great. Thanks for the input so far. Ron

Both.

Obviously if I go with the power meter I am leaning toward the Powertap SL. What about recommendations for a good HRM. Any comments about your own monitor and whether you would recommend it would be great. Thanks for the input so far. Ron

Powertaps include HRM functionality so if you go PT you'll have both. It's a good reason to step up to training with power :p

Powertaps include HRM functionality so if you go PT you'll have both. It's a good reason to step up to training with power :p

As does the SRM and Ergomo.

I've been using a Polar 610 HRM with the infrared download on my cross training days, so I can download the data into Cycling Peaks (excellent software and a must have if you're picking up a power meter). Happy with the performance.

I use only a HRM at the moment. I have a Nike Triax C5, very basic but it gets the job done. I'm too poor for a power system right now but I plan to possibly slowly upgrade to one via a Polar S725x and then a power kit later on down the line. An Edge 305 is also tempting but no power :(.

I saw great gains just using HR, but Power is the way to go if you can afford it. The New I-Bike is supposed to be accurate and cheap-ish, just no good for indoor training or TTs. Power (with HR) is the real way to go.

I struggled with the decision for a while, but being a lower-cat type who can still see a lot of benefit from just using HR and knowing that my racing will fall off for a couple years in July, I decided to hold off. I'll probably end up with a 2009 model PowerTap or SRM... Hopefully the prices will be down by then.

Hopefully the prices will be down by then.

yep - i'm waiting until they are cheaper as well. HRM's used to be really expensive for even the most basic model, but look at how they came down.

yep - i'm waiting until they are cheaper as well. HRM's used to be really expensive for even the most basic model, but look at how they came down.

I think Cannondale's OEM deal with SRM is a definite step in the right direction...

Read Training and Racing with a Power meter by Allen and Coggan. It will help you see how you might use a power meter, and decide whether its worth it. Personally, if your going to spend $1000 on something that will make you go faster, a power meter is probably the best bang for the buck.

A power meter is not necessarry, but its a helpful tool , and way more return than things people spend a lot of money on such as CF handlebars, etc.