Lspade

Currently when I train on my bike I use my $10 bike computer to ride a route and then use the data to beat my speed and time the next day in order to push myself harder. This works well but I just recieved a $50 rei gift card and now must choose between 3 upgrade possibilities:

1. Buy a cheap wired computer with cadence
2. Buy a watch with a H.R. moniter which can also be used for running and swimming
3. Buy a quality wireless computer without cadence

So which one will help me train harder? I have never used a heart rate moniter but I assume this would help with swimming, cycling, and running. I know nothing about cadence and am worried that a $50 cadence computer isn't going to be accurate. Or upgrading to a wireless computer will allow me to easily switch the computer to my MTB and track those miles too.

umcade

EDIT: Also, in terms of measuring your performance, speed is pretty irrelevant, so don't get hung up on it!

Wthout a question the HR monitor. Maybe also consider getting a cheap cadence sensor, if you're just starting out. Once I had my cadence sensor for a while I knew what cadence I was doing without looking at it. This might be hard to judge if you've never measured it, though you could print out your gearing zones and tape them to the top tube so that gear + speed could tell you cadence.

afd88

Number 2.
Because i assume you mostly do triathlons and cycling isn't the only component. Second, get one you can add a cadence sensor to later if you want because cadence is very important in my opinion for the longer distances. Some of the watches come with a bike mount BUT those are getting expensive in price. A watch will do.

corynardin

+1 for heart rate monitor.

umcade

I always just strap the watch around the bars. Bam, bike mount.