What computer should I get?
 

I decided I want a computer, but I'm not sure which one I should get. The Cateye double wireless seems to cover most of the features I want, but should I get something with a heart rate monitor? A Garmin would be cool, but I don't want to spend that much and it seems like information overload with all the data it tracks. I'm going to start training more and eventually I want to race. What do you use, and what do you like/dislike about your setup?

I know they are expensive, but I have a Garmin 705 and I think it is great. I can see multiple data fields at the same time. The display is large and easy to see even at night. I use two screens. One screen has mph, heart rate and cadence. The other screen has time, average speed, miles traveled, time of day and grade. I could have eight fields on each screen if I wanted but I don't really need it. Now that I have had a Garmin, I wouldn't want want to go to another bike computer. To me, it is worth the price.

I think the Garmin 500 is more reasonably priced.

Sigma BC 1909

If you want to race get a HRM.

Cateye Astrale 8 it's basic, speed, cadence... I like it. I don't race so my needs aren't very high. I think a Garmin some day would be cool to have but I also know I'm too lazy to use its data mining capabilities (I also run during the winter and spring months and can't even manage to keep a spreadsheet log, connecting a head unit to a computer, downloading and then mining that data is not going to happen).

At some point I might move to a wireless computer just to clean things up.

shopgirl, I started off with a Cateye Astrale 8 last year and found it to be minimally useful. I am in the same boat, at some point I would like to compete as well, although the Cateye is not going to cut it. To save on some cost I got a Timex Ironman Men's Road Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch (link). It's a wristwatch with heart rate monitor. It works great. I can use it for both running and cycling. BUT, to be honest, I should have started with a Garmin 500 or 708/800. This is the way to go. If I had the knowledge then that I have now there would be no second thoughts.

if I had the cash, the Garmin 500 would be my choice... personally i don't think you can have to much data about your training... even if its just for fitness...

Just buy this Garmin Forerunner 305 at Amazon. That pages shows the "Frequently Bought Together" which has the cadence sensor and the bike mounting kit. This is what I am running and for under $200 you have a fully functional Garmin with fully customizable data fields and you can even use it running (if you are also a runner). I keep on trying to talk myself into a Garmin 500 but my 305 works so well I see no reason to change.

I started with a Cateye v2c. It was fantastic for what I paid on ebay for it. Then I decided to upgrade to a Garmin Edge 500. It has improved my riding completely. I too thought that it might be info overload, but you can customize the screen to only show what you need. The HRM and Altimeter has made me more efficient in how I use my energy on hard training rides and longer group rides.

I required HR and cadence as well as the usual stuff, but ride in areas with lots of interference (my Polar and cateye double would be useless in parts of rides). So I paid a bit extra and got the Cateye V3 and am super happy with it. Never had interference and does exactly what I want.
http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/460

I did not want to spend the money one a Garmin, but wanted a full featured cycle computer. My solution was the Bontrager Node2. It comes with a HR strap. You add the sensors you need or it will used any ant+ sensors. I have it set to display Current Speed, HR, Cadence, and elapsed time. It will also work with a ant+ power meters. Less than $200 for everything you might need. If you need down loadable data or mapping the Garmin is the only way to go.

OP "but I don't want to spend that much and it seems like"

How much in $ is not that much?

I love my garmin 800 sooooo much. If you like technology and cycling you cant beat it

I'm kind of in the same boat. But, I have a cateye laying around that I just put on the bike. I still find myself using my phone for mapmyride app as I like having more info. I think I'm going to save up and get a garmin 705. Seems like best bang for buck to me...

Garmin 500. Versatile, cheap-er, elevation, map recording, HR, cadence, speed, and if you ever want it's probably the cheapest computer that can track power (if you already have a wireless transmitting device.

From what you described I think you'll be happy with any wireless solution that can track time, speed, and distance. You'll 'need' a HR monitor and preferably a cadence sensor once you start training for races. If you really become serious with training you'll want a power meter. I know I'm leaning toward power, but he cost is prohibiting me.

If you can, I recommend buying a used PowerMeter. It's really been a magic bullet for me. Heart rate is nice, but if you're a data nerd, you tend to find it lacking. I have a Sigma 1909 HR that you can try before you buy if you'd like. Shoot me a pm if that's something you'd be interested in.

Hi,

As others have said, if you're going to race a Garmin Edge 500 is a great way to go. I had the Edge 305 (still have it, it's broken) and I have the Edge 705 and 500. The GPS functionality of the 705 is useful -- especially if you're riding in an unfamiliar area -- but the 500 collects all the data you'll need as a racer.

An especially good thing about the 500 (and 705 / 800) is that because it is ANT+ compatible you can use it to record data from most power meters without having to buy a head unit for the power meter.

Hope this helps.

I'm using a Sigma Sport BC-2209. It's okay, with altimeter/HRM/Cadence etc., but I wish I had spent the coin on a Garmin. The Garmin 500 and 705 just have nice big displays and the ability to download your route would be nice.

That is a *lot* of aero-drag when open, but if you have the handlebar space, I'd say go for it!:thumb:

The advantage of this is that you can load a riding simulation video to watch while you ride. :lol:

I keep trying to convince myself I need this, but I'm sure I'd soon find the "need" to upgrade again to something like the garmin. I do tend to enjoy riding for the point of getting lost, but then sometimes am not sure how to get back home, so something with a gps map might come in handy.

You can find Garmin 500 bundles with cadence and HR for a bit more than $250.

I would recommend an Edge 800 and an SRM

Yes. Although it feels tough when you have some fatigue in your legs the computer suggests you're not working that hard and can dig deeper. It also suggests when you're overdoing it on a recovery day and should back off. Changes in resting heart rate can suggest over-training.

You want a computer download capability of second-by-second samples from rides. You can identify situations where your pacing was off (started hard and faded, held back and had a strong finish), track training stress, and find parts of routes you're riding for other reasons (ex - commuting) which will let you ride uninterrupted intervals. You can apply feedback to your training plan - maybe you need more rest time, maybe you can sustain a higher ramp rate than what you started with. This needs to be compatible with your preferred training software (I like Golden Cheetah which is free and runs on Windows/linux/Mac).

You want enough data displayed at once. Current power if available, average power or heart rate over the interval, interval time, heart rate, and cadence. That's four or five fields. Add speed, distance, and lap distance if you find those motivating or interesting at the same time and the total is up to eight.

If you'll be riding in the evening or before dawn you want a back light which can be configured to stay on.

You want compatibility with ANT+ power meters. Using heart rate as an approximation is better than nothing, but it drifts upward so you don't work hard enough, lags behind so you spend your anaerobic energy reserve early, doesn't reflect effort on shorter intervals, doesn't lend itself as well to setting target intensities as power with a critical power plot, etc. Power meters are coming to the masses the same way that heart rate did decades ago.

The Garmins do all that, with the Edge 500 not costing appreciably more than computers that don't.

I got a Polar CS200CAD with heart rate and no download after I decided to be more methodical about riding. All training got logged manually, I only had averages, the back light wasn't good, hitting stop twice cleared the ride, the 5Khz wireless sensors glitched around power lines/street lights and threw off the averages, etc. I replaced it with a Garmin Edge 500 and added a used Powertap (I figured that if training with power didn't work for me I could resell it for what I paid. Worked great).

The Garmin does everything right apart from the software sometimes crashing when I hit the lap button and am using the Powertap; hopefully that goes away when I upgrade the firmware.

The Joule is similar, but more expensive and lacks GPS telling you where you've been.