grolby

Hey all. I'm thinking about getting a decent HRM to base my training around for the coming season. I'd like to be sure that I can stick to a training plan before laying out the cash for a PM. Anyway, the Polar bike-specific HRMs look pretty good, but one of my major concerns is water resistance. I've been very spoiled by my Sigma BC1606L and how impervious it is to rain and water. Obviously, if the Polar computers are less robust I can find ways of getting around that problem, but it would be good to know BEFORE taking a $150 cycling computer out in the rain.

Oh, yeah, and reviews of the features, interface, HRM strap etc etc would be nice, too.

mikerhymeswith

low end polar wrist hrm works great - no probs; took a polar bike computer back because it worked intermittently; got a power tap; exceptionally more expensive and exceptionally more useful that HRM

grolby

I've used the wrist band style HRM. I'm not a big fan. Any other feedback on the bike-mounted variety?

ridethecliche

You can use the wrist strap to wrap the HRM around your bike.

Have you thought about just swinging for a garmin so you can get a wireless PM eventually and just use that for a computer?

Might make sense.

If not, the wrist strap ones should suffice. Just get a decent one.

Also, if you don't have the cyclists training bible, get it. My head is being blown apart as I'm reading it!

grolby

I know that I can use the wrist strap, it just sucks. It sucks less than keeping it on your wrist, but still. And the HRM I have is next to useless (though it does okay in rain), so I'll need a new one anyway. The Garmin thought is interesting, but I have to admit that I don't know that I'll really use the GPS functions enough to justify it, and the idea of racing with a $300+ cycling computer on my bars gives me the willies. I'll be making decent money as grad students go, but that doesn't mean I'll be rich, only that I won't have to eat ramen.

Also, have the training bible. Great book, I'll be referencing it quite a lot as I plan out my training for next season.

EDIT: A $500 cycling computer! Though I've seen it at $400, it is still really, really expensive. I could get a wired PTap wheel from Competitive Cyclist for ~$650, remember...

ridethecliche

Might as well get the wired PT.
It does wireless HR.

grolby

Heh, yeah, because I would totally still use HR if I had power.

ridethecliche

It's helpful, although I never use it.

I might, as Friel recommends both.