Originally Posted by
HC203
I'm in the market for an HR monitor as mine just died, replaced the battery not too long ago, probably see if that's it first. I would also like a bike computer with cadence, particularly as now I'm doing a lot more indoor training than out and it's based on HR and cadence.
I already have a GPS so not sure I would want to plunk down the cash for a Garmin 705. It's all very tempting but I feel that I need to do a bit more riding to justify it all.
I looked into Polar bike computers but if by chance I take this training and racing thing serious then I would probably want a power meter, most likely the i-bike aero. So back to the Garmin which will display the power data from the i-bike.
I really don't mind bringing cue sheets and not so interested in the navigation feature. When I first started riding back in NJ about twelve years ago the biggest thrill was just getting lost and then when I eventually got home I would pull out the county map and go "wow" I was all the way over there?
On Ocean City-I would have to swing something like meeting my family out there. Sounds like an epic ride that I would like to do, without the potential Death Race 2000 with the truck and the Jersey rail.
Honestly I would just pick up an Edge 305 if you wanted to go the GPS route. I have been very happy with mine since I got it. The benefit I could see with the 705 is that you could literally just start riding and still find your way home. As I generally plan my routes I just map them on the computer and convert to a route. Then the breadcrumb is good enough for me. Even if I get lost you can point yourself in the general direction to get back to the start.
I also question the merits of the 705 gathering ibike data. I mean I can understand using the edge 705 as a head unit for a powertap or quarq. But with the ibike you still need to have the ibike on your bars as well.
If you want to go the ibike route you can have mine. I upgraded to the Gen 3 and the upgrade allowed you to keep your Gen 2 unit. You would need to buy a wireless mount, sensors and HR strap for it.
-D