Best sensors and computers on a budget
 

Hey,

I live in Canada and I'm looking for speed, cadence and heart rate sensors along (possibly) with a bike computer for my road bike.

Initially to be used with my PC and an app for winter training on my trainer, but then either bike computer or Android phone for outdoor rides next summer, so sensors will need to be Bluetooth and ANT+.

Are all sensors created equally? Which sensors/computer do you have? Which would you recommend? I'm hoping to spend as little as possible, but still want something accurate and reliable.

I'm also interested in a watch that would pair with the same heart rate monitor and give me continuous heart rate readings for other training sessions (currently trying to identify what causes me to black out whilst exercising, so want to closely monitor heart rate).

I did a search on Amazon.ca. The Wahoo RPM Speed and Cadence Sensors get good reviews. But the Magene sensors, for example, are much cheaper.

I don't know which heart rate sensors will pair with which watches though. I get the impression that Polar heart rate sensors have been coded to particular watches and can't be read by other devices. Is this right?

I'm confused. Please help shed some light

Thanks

wahoo blue sc i think are the cheapest of the bunch and work fine. The wahoo tickr is also highly rated. You can pair with your phone. If you want a dedicated computer i think the lezynes are the best bang for the buck currently out there

I would definitely get magnetless speed/cadence sensors. Messing around with those stupid magnets is annoying and they always got misaligned on me when I was transporting my bike.

Is is a tradeoff, the wahoo rpm sensors lag, especially the cadence sensor. I've run them next to each other to compare

I have a SunDing Bluetooth speed and cadence bought from Amazon for $12. Even though it's cheap, it works great with Runtastic Road Bike Pro app on the iPhone ($4). I also have Polar HR paired with the same app.

$12 SunDing (Amazon)
$10 generic iPhone holder (Amazon)
$40 Polar HR (eBay)
$4 Runtastic Road Bike Pro IOS app

I like the price of the SunDing, but worry that it's not ANT+. Should that be a concern?

If you are connecting to the computer for Zwift (not sure what program you're using...) you need Ant+ OR BT not both.

I'm thinking Ant+ when I connect to my PC, or bike computer. Or Bluetooth when I connect to my Android Phone, which doesn't have ANT+

Agreed. I have BlueSC and the magnetless RPM sensor, I didn't like the RPM, as I found it both lagged and had a tendency to experience odd dips in cadence when I clearly wasn't changing my peddling.

The RPM is sitting in a drawer (it got replaced by a crank arm power meter which works a lot better for cadence), but my BlueSC still has pride of place on my other bike, going strong.

Anyone heard of, or used, Onlydriod sensors? They're on Amazon and look ok on paper, but no reviews

Probably worth a punt for $25. You can always return it.

I've used Wahoo (BlueHR and TICKR) and Scosche HR straps, and had no issues with them.

Wahoo RPM sensors do both Bluetooth and ANT so they will easily migrate between phone or whatever head unit anyone chooses to use.

They don't use magnets.

-Tim-

What about cheap bike computers with heart rate sensors, do these exist? From talking to my local bike shop, I'm guessing not!

What is your definition of cheap?

Polar V650 without heart rate sensor is $188.12 at Merlin. I have purchased one for $156 at Fry's.
The V650 with heart rate is $219 at B&H, much less if you are patient and shop the typical websites daily. -Tim-

It would be an issue if you plan on using an ANT+ computer. Since I always carry an iPhone on rides, it's more convenient for me. Also, it cheap enough for me to replace it with an ANT+ if need arises.

Sorry for the delayed response, I had to wait for 24hrs to be up before I could post again.

I was thinking less than CAD$100 for a bike computer

Bryton 310 or 330 seem options, has anyone had any experience with these? They are just above $100 on Ebay.

A continuous heart rate view is a must (as I figure out dizziness and blacking out)
Speed and cadence would be almost as essential (as I try and control my training to help with above)
GPS would be a nice to have feature
GPS with navigation would be even nicer (I'm not the most skilled at working out where to go! But I have my phone, so this is only a nice to have feature)

Any thoughts on a watch? This could be more versatile than a bike computer as I can also take it hiking, skiing etc.

Is the Garmin 405cx well outdated now? I ask because there's some people selling them online in my area for not too much money ~$30-50.

Thanks

I would suggest the Garmin 25. It has GPS and is available here for about $120. It uses ANT+

For a heart rate strap - the Garmin heart rate strap - the older model not the soft strap. Also uses ANT+ Sold here for about $20

For speed and cadence sensors - the Garmin bundle also ANT+ appx $50

Total for everything appx $200

Yes, I too would suggest Garmin Edge 25. Also, don't bother with Bluetooth devices, they lag, which is particularly irritating when you're at your max heart rate.

Wahoo just released the Bolt Mini computer that is $99 and comes with the speed sensor, after that you just need the HR strap and candence. This unit does not hae GPS but works with Ant+ and bluetooth.

Thanks, there are no links attached to your post to indicate where "here" is. The cheapest I can find the Garmin Edge 25 for is $230CAD, which is above my budget right now :(

Also, I think someone sent me a personal message, but I'm unable to read them as I don't have enough posts yet.

Any thoughts on watches?

Thanks

To the OP - "Here" is my location as shown on my profile, Redlands, California. Here are some U.S. links

https://www.rei.com/product/893355/g...0aAurkEALw_wcB

https://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com...8aAqNDEALw_wcB

https://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com...069-5055975939

Wow, prices are so much cheaper in the USA. Maybe I should go on a shopping trip! :lol:

I will definitely keep my eye open for a used Garmin Edge 25. I can't afford a new one here (Canada).
I picked up a new Bluetooth/Ant+ chest strap heart monitor off Kijiji, which seems to work with my phone :)
I also got a cheap Magellan - Cyclo 315HC off Ebay. I paid less than $20, so just hoping it's ok and will keep me going until I find something better.

I'm still interested in buying a watch though. I would use it for road/mountain biking, gym, hiking and skiing. Again it would need to be cheap (<$100CAD), so maybe an older model that I can get used.

It looks like I can get the old model Garmin VivoActive used for that price, is that any good?

Thanks

I would recommend saving up for a decent one. I have found that with cheap computers, you end up upgrading anyways, wasting more money.

I'm very happy with my Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, I just use the GPS speed, not the speed/cadence sensor, my Stages power meter also provides cadence readout.

I havne't tried their heart rate monitor yet, but I think it is reasonably priced at $50, I'll be buying one of those to try out in a few weeks.

I owned an Edge 25. It worked as advertised and $118 in the link above is an excellent price.

Several annoyances however, helped convince me to upgrade. Chief among these is its use of FIT files instead of GPX or TCX files. Lack of maps makes it more difficult to get back on course if a wrong turn was taken.


-Tim-

It probably does have ANT+

Rarely listed but it is typical to have both.

Take a look at the Wahoo RFLK. It uses the phone for the calculations, the RFLK is just the (very customizable) display. Have to use Wahoo Fitness tho.

Since most people take their phone anyway, it is not a bad way to go.