Fifty Plus (50+) - Heart Rate Monitor ?

I am looking for a HRM. I know nothing about them so help me out. I don't have a ton of money to spend but would like something that will do the job.

My digital watch and a fingertip against a carotid or radial artery seem to work fine. :) (OK, I do admit an HRM would be kind of fun, but it is not a necessity.)

Nshbar and Performance have some that are less than $40. Might not work so well in a group ride due to "cross talk." Might be worth the cost of a couple of good bottles of wine to see what they will do for you and how you like them. If you know or can establish your LTH and can remember 5 numbers, that is all you really need.

You can spend a fortune on HRM's but all I really want to see is current heart rate. Anything else to this is superfluous so why bother. Says me that has a singing and almost dancing one. Over the years I have had a variety of HRM's but have always been pleased with Polar's. Well made and good. On Cross Talk- Otherethan on the Tandem where I am close to the sensor of my co-rider, Cross talk has not occured. I have had more trouble from Wireless computers affecting the reading.

I just use the lowest model Polar I can find. I just need a Tachometer not all the bells and whistles.

My digital watch and a fingertip against a carotid or radial artery seem to work fine. :) (OK, I do admit an HRM would be kind of fun, but it is not a necessity.)And you do this while climbing? Not very practical. I use the HRM to gauge whem I'm going to redline and keep within my limits before blowing up.

As everybody has said, you can go for the lowest level monitor and they are not expensive. I prefer the type with the chest band. They sense the electrical impulses from the heart which I think is an accurate method. If memory serves, you can pick up a decent enough monitor at Sports Authority (this is not a plug for them but they have a bunch of outlets and it is nice to be able to see something before you buy it).

Timex.

And you do this while climbing? Not very practical. I use the HRM to gauge whem I'm going to redline and keep within my limits before blowing up.

That's why I got mine and I bought it at Wal-Mart for $50, Polar.

Cheap Polars work great.

The Polar CS100 at about $80-100 combines the cycle computer and the HRM in one unit. I really like mine - mounts on the stem - looks great too.

Jim

I got a cheapie from nashbar about 5 years ago. Has basic functions but won't download to the computer or make charts. It's still going strong. I didn't want a Polar due to the battery changes, although I hear you don't have to send it back to the factory if you're willing to give up your warranty.

Since I had a FlightDeck, all I needed was a basic HRM. I went with a Polar S120 a couple of years ago. I mount it on a handlebar mount right next to the FlightDeck and it tells me what I want to know, my current heart rate. At the end of the ride I can get the max and average heart rate for the ride. Reasonable cost, good quality. Works for me.

Ride on! Thump-thump.
-Spoke

I got interested in an HRM after talking to a man in Germany who had lost more than 40 pounds using an HRM and keeping his pulse at about 60 to 70 percent of maximum. He encouraged owning an HRM as a good investment.

An HRM can be used to keep from exerting yourself too much. It will tell you when to back off a bit so you can save yourself for another day. It can also be used to exercise in a specific range for building endurance. It depends on what you want to accomplish.

I saw a Sigma HRM on a big discount through Bike Nashbar, but decided to pass on it. Sigma has come out with new HRMs that send information digitally and are not prone to electrical interference. The older units on sale are not digital.

A MIO watch HRM works well, too. They are inexpensive at Wal-Mart.

After a while, you can pretty well guess your HRM by your breathing.

Thanks Found what I was looking for.

I am looking for a HRM. I know nothing about them so help me out. I don't have a ton of money to spend but would like something that will do the job.

Others have advised about a brand/model, I'd like to make another point. If you are going to buy a HRM, do the research in order to understand just what those numbers mean. There is a lot of misinformation out there when it come to training via HR.

Educate yourself, and use the HRM right, or it's really just a useless toy. :) FYI, Sally Edwards has a great book.

... Brad

Timex.

+1

I have one that I bought from Campmor for maybe $30 - $35. Works fine. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it gives me my HR at a glance, which is all I need.

+1 on what Bac just said......

I have used cheap Polars for years......HR monitors are a great tool....

Bill J.

Hey Guys I have a question. I'm pretty new to cycling and would like to improve myself and my riding. I see many a post about HRM's but not many that describe how you use them to improve your cycling. Any info or a link to a good article would be appreciated.
Thanks Jason

Jay...here is a good basic place to start: http://www.polarusa.com/consumer/cycling/getstarted.asp

Bill J.

Thanks Bill. That is what I was looking for.

tntom, which model did you pick in the end?

Sigma PC7 When I get the money. Right now I want some lights so I can ride to work.

Thanks Found what I was looking for.

Now the problems begin. Find out what your max HR is- Or what it could be using the formula 220 less your age (220 -60 = 160 for me, but I treat my max as 165.)

Then work out what You are comfortable riding at. For me this year that is 135 to 140. Less than 135 and I am not working and 140 is very comfortable. Then I know what I can get to to ride hills with ease and that is 150 and I know I can exceed my max at the end of a hill or for that steep bit in the middle. And if I see 175 then it is get off the bike and lie down before I fall down.

Don't be a slave to the monitor. Use it to find out your ranges and to keep yourself in the working zone on the bike. My working zone is 140 to 145. But the difference between 130 and 135 is not much and I do get lazy and ride at 130 occasionally.

Good training tool. You can get a reliable monitor from a company called Polar, but watch it, some don't do well with bikes. If you want to spend a little more, the Garmin models are very good. I think the Garmin 301 forerunner,and Garmin 305 forerunner both work with bikes well Talking speed and distance not just heart rate. I would use Walmart.com to buy, best prices. The 305 comes with software tha will let you look at different routes, what your pace is etc, on your home computer, lots of fun. Has a gps.
timtruro