I used to have a cheapy $50 computer, I used it for about a month then went computer free for about a year. I really could care less about things like MPH and distance. I bought a Garmin Edge 500 last fall though, and I love it. I don't even have my speed or distance set to show up, I use it so I can see my heartrate and cadence and heading. It's also super cool to be able to look where I rode when I get back home. I have a tendency to explore when I go on rides.

The heart rate helps a lot though. I'd rather have it in front of me than on a watch.

i voted yes because i do use one but i like not using one.

FAIL, no make that Total Fail

Not worthless. Just not any better than RPE. Once you know what it feels like to ride at threshold it's not that hard to repeat the feeling.

HR is pretty much worthless for training VO2Max and anaerobic systems.

There is just so much wrong with that statement...where to begin.

used to ride with a computer and HR but i don't do that anymore.
I'am riding naked, without a powermeter having a computer or not having is same ****.
when i finish my rides i go to gpsies to see how many kms i did.

OK I'll bite. Tell me how to train anaerobic power with an HRM.

HRM is only good low-moderate intensity work

I'm only voting because this is in the Road forum and my road bike has a computer while my other bikes don't.

I had one with HR and cadence and used it to see when I was going to crap out and to see if I'm starting to relax too much. I learned what it felt like to get worn out, so I'm kinda satisfied that my current computer gives me cadence but not HR. I may still buy a separate HRM that I can use off the bike, but I don't really miss the one I had.

RPE is completely subjective. Coming down with a cold, a lousy day at work, arguing with your wife, etc., can throw it off.

You have a point with VO2 max intervals, since HR takes a while to rise while a power meter shows the results immediately...but when I do those intervals, I'm too concerned with "Can I keep this @$##^$& pace up until the end of the interval?" to check anything other than the time function. ;)

OTOH, doing intervals above LT but less than VO2 max, HR works fine. It gives you a specific, repeatable, objective measure of how hard you're going. Mine are done within a 4 BPM range, and I have to concentrate to keep my HR there.

No question that a power meter is a better way to do it, but for most of us it's not worth the thousand bucks to get set up for it. HR training is probably an 80% solution, and it's a lot cheaper.

There is an equally long, if not longer, list of items that will throw off HR. For example, my HR riding around these days at 2 degC is significantly lower than in the summer.

I often do 5 min intervals with 1 min rest at 106-8% of FTP, so above LT as you say but below VO2Max. On a typical set my HR quickly ramps up to 154 or so in the first min and then slowly ramps to between 165 and 172 (later intervals HR is higher). If I did these at a constant HR my power would no doubt drop during the interval. I don't know if it would be any less effective but it wouldn't be constant power. Looking back at previous sets my HR is certainly not consistent across intervals or from one session to another.

I've done them often enough that I know what it should feel like and I don't have to look at my power meter very often. If I didn't have the power meter I don't think HR would make the intervals any more effective.
I think I paid around $500 for mine on ebay, about double what a Garmin 500 goes for.

I have a simple computer on my bike so I can tell how fast I was bombing down the really steep hills.

wots your personal best?

I don't keep a log, since I'm not training for anything. I know I've been over 40mph quite a bit. The last downhill stretch before the house is a 39mph hill, but its short and has a stop sign less than a quarter mile from the base.

Maybe I should keep a top speed diary to track my PR.

I use them on all my bikes. If I didn't I wouldn't know that I rode 16 miles today and every other bit of data it gives me. I like the odometer feature. It told me I rode over 1100 miles last year and how many miles my bikes have. Consider a Garmin (FR 305) with HR and GSC 10, then there is no guess even if you just joy ride. They are at a good price too. I know a road rider who doesn't want to use a HR, cadence, or PM. The real reason is because he does want to know how time is taking away his edge.

couldn't


Anyway, time & effort tracking are the only thing that matter to me ..... I don't care about distance, speed etc...

To get back on topic and answer this to the OP, yes, there are apps you can have on your iphone and it will track your riding data through GPS. Two of the best (and free) are Endomondo and MapMyRide. I use both, but my team uses Endomondo due to the other activities you can do from the one site rather than diverting to the other "MapMy" websites.

Yes. Exactly.

This - though I would say closer to 90 %. Heart rate is exquisitely sensitive to the metabolic demands of the body. Work goes up-so does rate.

I'm always checking my Shimano Flightdeck to remind me what gear I'm in. Also I don't record it, but I like to keep track of how many hours my rides are. It also reminds me when to re-lube the chain.

I use a Garmin 60CSx. I would love to have power but I don't race and therefore can't justify that expensive of a setup. So, I could care less about a bike computer.

Haven't used one since 2002, but I'll guesstimate at least 40,000 miles since then. It's not important to me, though. I'm not going to "train" or use data for anything, I just ride and enjoy it.

Thanks, I'll have to try that.

i think BF is sick with powertap addiction and quarq this and garmin that. for all that is holy, when will the madness end?