Originally Posted by oldcrank
For those of you who use one with a heart rate monitor -- how well does it work? Do the numbers jump all over the place, or are they fairly consistant? I'm thinking of getting one with the HR and chest strap.
Do you ever find yourselves exceeding your recommended maximum heart rate (such as on a steep hill)? If so, what do you do? Just don't worry about it and keep going, or do you lighten up and drop back down? Does it scare you when you see your heart rate getting really high?
Have just tried a Sigma PC14 - not sure if its me or the computer, but I couldn;t even get a reading from it. It would indicate 'activity' but never gave a number. I returned and exchanged, but have now rethought using it since I'm worried that its just not reliable. So its going back to the shop, unopened and I'm gonna check around for another.
I'm looking for one independent of the cycle computer, so I can move it and use it while riding any of my bikes.
I did use the 'CycleCoach' HRM back in the late 80's and early 90s with good success. It was hard wired to a chest strap or a fingerhood. The finger hood wasn;t accurate, the chest strap was. The unit was a bit of bother since it was about the size of a notebook computer...
Exceeding 'recommended' heart rate? Based on what was my age back then, there was a HR 'range' for best aerobic training effect. Greatly exceeding that range and going over the Anerobic Threshold (old term from Conconi days - now called LT) and hitting my 'rev limiter' usually found me blowing up . No possible way to stay near Max HR for any considerable amount of time (measured in seconds).
reason I would worry would have nothing to do with risk of any injury and all to do with not 'blowin up'.
The Cyclecoach taught me a lot about myself, my capabilities and my body reactions to different types and levels of stress.
I'm REALLY lookin forward to getting a 'new gen' HRM. Its gonna tell alot about me, now that I'm in the Geezer club
