Pathung

I'm a relative newbie to road-biking, and just got the Rox 5.0 computer; I have questions on some of its functionalities, if folks can help me:

1) HEART RATE ZONES: the computer shows three setups: individual, fit zones (four zones, in %'s), and fat burn... I'm not sure what that all means, and the manual does not explain them.

I have gone to the American Heart Association's website to find the following for a person of my age:

Age:45 years
Target HR Zone (50%-85%) 88-149 beats per minute
Maximum HR (100%): 175 beats per minute
*does this mean that my heart shouldn't beat faster than 85%/149 bmp for training purposes? Why not?

If someone can explain this briefly and has experience with how to set the computer up so that I can train at various aerobic/intensity "zones", it'd be much appreciated.

2) LAPS: the computer seems to think that however far I ride for the session is one lap, as ride distance and lap distance seem to be always the same (is GPS required so it'd know that I'm doing the same loops over and over again?). When is the Lap functionality used, and how is it set up?

Thanks for any pointer on the above two questions.

Pathung

Is there a better place to post these questions?

howellhandmade

I have the Rox 5.0. It's a pretty basic computer, despite all the buttons. In order to register a lap you have to hit the lap button. Then it will start recording a new "lap," while the total continues to accumulate. I never use the lap function. The Rox 5.0, with no GPS, has no idea where it is and whether you're riding a loop so you have to push the button.

When I'm riding on the road I don't find it all that easy to adhere to heart rate zones. I have kind of an idea of the sort of workout I want to have, but the way I use the function is to leave it set on "fit" and then look after the ride to see how I did. The computer sets the zones according to the age you enter. If I want, say, a long zone 2 workout I just keep half an eye on the HR number and try to throttle back if it gets higher than it should. I don't find the zone beeps very helpful. Either they are unheard because of road/wind/traffic noise or they are annoying because they tell me something I already knew. I agree that the manual is lacking, but it may be that a lot of things are not configurable. Sorry not to be more help; I bought the computer because I wanted to see HR, cadence, elapsed time/distance, and speed during the ride, and REI had it on sale.

pvillemasher

There's a much better manual online than the one you get in the box.

Pathung

Thanks to both who replied. I'll look for that manual online.

RonH

I just got one of these after my Sigma BC1909 broke. Seems fairly straightforward.
Here's the manual. --> https://www.sigmasport.us/us_media/pr..._Manual_US.pdf

howellhandmade

Indeed, the online manual is VASTLY better than the 10-language road-map-folded mess that comes in the box. Thanks!

https://www.sigmasport.com/us_media/p..._Manual_US.pdf

BlazingPedals

Before setting zones on the computer, you should first determine what your REAL MHR is. The formula, 220-<your age> isn't much better than a ballpark estimate and could be off far enough to completely nullify your training attempts.