TheRCF

I'm thinking of getting a new computer setup for my bicycle. Right now I have the Vettea V100HR. It is a wired system which I think is better for me because of electrical interference. The HR part is wireless.

Right now the cadence part rarely works so I thought I might just leave it on my old bike and get a new system. I need the usual stuff, and definitely cadence. I wouldn't mind having a decent altimeter with it. Also, some sort of backlight that comes on for a few seconds when a button is pressed would be nice because I ride at right.

If it includes the HR stuff, I would want it to be as resistent to electrical interference as possible.

But this brings up the second possibility - would there be an advantage in having a computer that does all the normal stuff, but have a separate unit just for HR stuff? I know there are some wristwatch and armband type stuff but I guess anything I get would also need to have a mount to attach to a bicycle so I can read it while riding easier.

Comments? Suggestions?

OPC

Take a look at the Garmin Edge 305. Units are available with HR, Cadence, or both. GPS tracks speed, altitude, %Grade, and other stuff. It can also operate with the GPS turned off for indoor training.

The interference thing may be just electrode contact with the skin. Performance Bike carries an electrode gel (H.S.E.) that has made a world of difference for my HRM. No more wiggy 200+ BPM readings.

There have been several threads on the Garmin unit over in the Road Cycling forum. A little search will do you.

-José

TheRCF

As I understand it, a GPS for measuring speed can be less accurate if you do much turning so I think I'd like a more normal way of measuring that - though a GPS has some nice things on top of that.

As for the interference, I know some of it comes from my headlight because of many tests. If I turn off the light, the readings seem to make sense. If I turn it back on, the numbers steadily increase every time. I use foil to make this problem more intermittent, but it still happens.

Then there are some spots where it consistently gives false readings even with the light off. Since it seems to be in the same area each time, it seems there must be something in that area doing it rather than a problem with skin contact. Still, I can see that getting the stuff you mentioned may be of help. Thanks for that info.

OPC

For what it is worth, the cadence unit doubles as a speed senor. It uses two magnets, one on the rear wheel spoke, one on the crank. I do not know if the GPS has to be disabled to use it for speed monitoring.

Yeah, my HRM usually bugged out in the same part of my ride. But only early in the ride before I got a good sweat going. Water just did not seem to do the trick. This is probably why the gel helped me out so much.

Good luck with the search.

-J