Fastfwd

I need to get back in shape and I really love gadgets. I decided on the cs200cad because I wanted everything in one unit.

Installation was very easy. I sat down next to the bike while the news were on the TV. It took me maybe 30 minutes. I installed cadence sensor first and then speed sensor. I tried the rear wheel but for it to work I would have to move the computer to the middle of the bike. I finally decided that I prefered not having speed readings during the winter and not having to change the sensor and computer placement ever. The computer was placed on the handlebar stem.

I did a quick test of cadence, speed and heart rate and all works really well.

I went to sleep with the HRM to try to get a lower reading on my HR. I get about 72 when sitting doing nothing. I woke up in the middle of the night and got a reading of 53 that quickly went up to 55 and then 60ish.

Polar says to use the sitting rate as a lower boundary, not sleeping HR. So I guess that's 72 for me. I will do the polar own zone test tonight and start training in my zone. I still have to test the computer connectivity features and polar web site features.

I'm currently 5'8 and 172lbs. I expect to keep the same height
My BMI tells me I'm 12lbs overweight. I'd like to lose that in 3 months.

After that I'll get started on going faster and longer instead of losing weight.

DRLski

so what you're saying it the speed sensor has to go on the fork? Have you tried hooking it up to the computer yet? I'd be interested to see if it tells you what all your heart rates were during the night!

Fastfwd

I did a search on the web and some people have been able to make it work on the rear wheel by changing a jumper within the speed sensor. I figured I wanted to keep the warranty at least for now and having speed on a trainer is not all that useful unless I'm sure I can dial a resistance that's equal to being on the road.

I'll try the computer thing tonight. I already have a 5 hours log from yesterday night when I slept with the heart monitor chest belt. I think it only keeps average and max heart rate, not all the changes during the period.

lillypad

I can't imagine a HRM with all of the features that you speak of wouldn't supply the wiring necessary to reach the rear wheel for a speed reading. Try reaching them and asking if they don't supply a rear pickup with a longer wire if you are really facing this problem.

If you don't have any luck with them for some reason, it is worth getting yourself a separate computer like a Cateye or something to track your speed and average speed. Average speed for an entire ride is one of the best ways of measuring your total effort and being able to increase your average speed for a given distance is a great way to measure your improvement. Average speed is what eventually determines how fast you are completing a ride out on the road and for pacing yourself for longer distances.

F1_Fan

It's a wireless unit.

lillypad

If it is a wireless unit then the signal on a Polar should be strong enough to reach from the rear wheel to the main unit on the handlebars. Read through all of the paperwork that came with the unit and if your question is still not answered then contact the customer service department. I have dealt with them before and they have a good one.

erhan

Unfortunately CS200 speed sensor can not be mounted on the rear. Signal is not strong enough to reach the main unit if it's mounted on the handlebar. It also has a different sensor than the other models so there is no chance to change the jumper. HERE is a discussion about it.

lillypad

Maybe return it and get a different model?

Fastfwd

I really don't care much about speed on the trainer. I'll just train using heart rate zones. I will also be able to train myself to stay with a good cadence, something like 90rpm.

I'll get speed this summer when the front wheel turns.

Jutlin

I just got one too, and it's really amazing. It says you can't have the speed sensor more than 50 cm from the puter if i recall correctly, so i don't think the rear wheel would be an option. the cadence sensor has to be no more than 80 cm too i think.

Anyhow, setting it up was easy, and trying it out was super fun. Going from a cateye simple 20 dollar gadget to this thing was like getting hal 2000 attached to my bike. I love the lap function, the little bars for heart rate and speed, the file summary function, and then the cool wireless transfer to your puter through the speakers!!! that's just insane, really.

My only problem has been trying the "ownzone" thing. I can't get it to record past the third bar on that, it always goes right into a lap program after 3 minutes. anyhow, i can just use the actual hr number to compare with my zones and work it from there.