Training & Nutrition - Which HRM?

Ive decided to finally suck it up and buy a HRM to better train this winter. The question is, which? At the moment I am looking at the Polar A5 because it looks to be a pretty good bang-for-the-buck. Any suggestions? Keep in mind that Im a poor college student, so none of the $300 models, please ;)

/me eagerly watches this thread as he is in the same boat

I got a cheap one on eBay for like $20. It doesn't have a whole lot of features, just heart rate, the time, alarm, and stuff like that. It doesn't come with software or anything, but it gets the job done. I guess it depends. Do you want to know your heart rate or do you want a bunch of extra toys?

When I first started thinking about HRM's, I didn't see the point of being able to log the information. I figured seeing my heart rate while riding was enough. While the S725 may be overkill for me, I got it and I'm glad I did. I rarely look at it while riding. If I'm riding hard enough that I want to know my heart rate, I'm usually pushing too hard to be able to take my eyes off the road. It's cool to be able to download that info when I get home and see where I was pushing myself and where I let up. If nothing else, I'll be able to easily compare this data to see any improvements down the road. Knowing my altitude and cadence at those respective points is pretty neat too.

I got a cheap one on eBay for like $20. It doesn't have a whole lot of features, just heart rate, the time, alarm, and stuff like that. It doesn't come with software or anything, but it gets the job done. I guess it depends. Do you want to know your heart rate or do you want a bunch of extra toys?

Well.. what is it... brand/model...?

Any suggestions? What should I look for in a HRM for cycling training?

Hi,
Here it is... http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19022&subcategory_ID=4115

You wanted cheap, that is cheap but still reliable. You will need some electrode gel (medical supply house) and...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1931382042/qid=1096926386/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/002-5977682-5451219?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
Get the logbook too, it's a good one.

My heart rate monitor is an Omron Body Logic HR100. Pretty cheap, but it works.

Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15277&item=7105920918&rd=1

Cateye's are apparently really good, and i bought a new one for $60AUS. It depends what features you want. Mine is basic.
-clock -speed - max speed- trip distance- ODM distance - trip time - average speed

Your LBS should have few.

I have the A5 and like it. I wish it recorded MHR during a workout but in all actuality when I feel pushed I'll simply check the current display and remember the number.

Cateye's are apparently really good, and i bought a new one for $60AUS. It depends what features you want. Mine is basic.
-clock -speed - max speed- trip distance- ODM distance - trip time - average speed

Your LBS should have few.

umm does it tell you heart rate?

umm does it tell you heart rate?

......... LOL

Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15277&item=7105920918&rd=1

Only ships to U.S :/

Well, I ended up going with a Polar S120. Found one for a pretty good price, and it seemed to have a pretty good feature set. Cant wait for it to come...

My heart rate monitor is an Omron Body Logic HR100. Pretty cheap, but it works.

How well does it do its job? Conk out? Receiver sucks? Inteference? If it's not that great i'm going to save up for a polar something or other.

umm does it tell you heart rate?

of course it does. duh :rolleyes:

The heart rate monitor does its job just fine. I haven't experienced any interference or anything like that. It's been worth the money to me.