Heart Rate monitor or not??

velomanct

not any more. i train with a powertap and that's it. the biggest reason i don't use a HRM is because the strap is uncomfortable, especially when i put it on, its cold.(yes i am a sissy at times)
after 5 years of riding, i can tell how hard i am working, i don't need a HRM. using a powermeter is excellent for tracking progress.

mitosis

I used a hrm for so long that i knew how i was training so i left it off. I recently wore mine just for novelty value for the first time in a year and found that i wasn't hurting myself enough, despite being competetive as ever in races.

I've since reset my envelope of comfort.

Even if you think you know how you are training it doesnt hurt to wear the hrm occasionally to confirm your feelings.

closesupport

mine was given to me after helping a friend with his fitness levels whilst training for the paras.

dazzle96

I have a sigma fitwatch.
records Ave/ Max/ HR, Time in any 3 adustable zones, Total training time, Recovery HR ove 5 minutes, Kcals, and has a Rockport fitness test (which is bollox).
Not bad for £65 (less than a Polar A5)

dhk

Took my Sigma PC-3 off yesterday for a metric Century. First ride I've done this year without it. We had good weather, so figured I'd just go out hard with the lead pack and see how long I could hang with them. Ended up finishing the whole ride without dropping off; in fact, beat up on a couple of my riding buddies who joked I'd been sandbagging them all season.

I probably was over 85% of max HR for most of the 62 miles, but it was big fun to hammer for once with the pack and not worry about the redline. I'm taking a couple of days to recover, and will have the HRM back on for my training ride on Thursday.

closesupport

i went into blackurn on sunday through standish\camelot\euxton\buxton clayton le woods back around to edgerton and belle mount, do you ride around there???

dazzle96

Not really. If I'm on the road bike tend either to do repetetive laps round part of town or head for the Ribble Valley.
Although sometimes I might pootle down the canal on the mtb and end up at haigh hall.
Never really thought of heading that way on the roadie, which is strange as I used to work in Leyland, so I know the area quite well.

billovitch

So it looks like I am the only Cateye user here. This (CC-HB100) is a very convenient combined bike computer and monitor in one casing - cost less than $100 at the time too.

By the way, for European riders, the German Aldi supermarket chain has something similar (Bikemate) on special offer - though not quite as neat, for 19:50 Euros! This includes a wireless wheel pickup and the wireless chest strap - very easy to fit.

davflo

I use a Polar A3, its simple and easy to use but does lack the functions of a more expensive Polar model. My only frustration is it doesnt always tell me what I want to see.

Dave

__________________
Dave

closesupport

i like riding in euxton and around buxton area the roads seam alot smoother i dont think i saw a set of trafic lights for miles, although i did come across a numer of round abouts,

i used to run that length of the top lock haighhall to edgerton stretch, so i know where you mean, if memory serves me correctly, from the final lock at wheelton to blackurn is another 16 miles.

i usually go into haighhall when its raining, just to spin from the gates to the hall since the best part o the path is under tree growth, then sprint around to the main gates.

cyclwestks

I got a Sports Instruments Circuit 7 on clearance; maybe not a popular brand, but lot's of options & had it for 2-3 yrs & it still works; guess that's all that counts.

wyllisx2

Just got a Cardiosport Impulse 12 from performance for $40.00. I'm cheap & I know it.

Used it for the first time yesterday & I liked it. Seems I've been riding in my right zone naturally but do plan on picking it up a notch or 2 next week.

closesupport

they are helpfull the Tz as long as you don't encounter hills or traffic lights thats when the beep gets annoying.

WINGNUTT

HAC4 w/ cadence