Well a guy on my team can get deals on Polar stuff. So he says he will order me up a basic HRM. Now here is teh question, it is NOT a cycling specific monitor. I already have a computer so I didn't need the other stuff. My question is, can I mount this easily to my bike? Or am I better off paying some more cash and getting a bike specific one? I am confused as to what I should buy, I don't REALLY want two thiings up there. I just don't know what to do.

Kyle

Well a guy on my team can get deals on Polar stuff. So he says he will order me up a basic HRM. Now here is teh question, it is NOT a cycling specific monitor. I already have a computer so I didn't need the other stuff. My question is, can I mount this easily to my bike? Or am I better off paying some more cash and getting a bike specific one? I am confused as to what I should buy, I don't REALLY want two thiings up there. I just don't know what to do.

Kyle

First some caveats. All wireless HR monitors that come with a chest strap sense electrical heart activity and then relay that information (heart rate) to a sensor on the wrist or handlebar, etc. If you are riding in close proximity to others with similar models, these can cause interference and render the results inaccurate (happened in a recent professional road race).

Second, if you have a PACEMAKER or other implantable electronic device it CANNOT be used as the device's electrical activity will interfere with the chest sensor (found out the hard way but got a refund).

Having said that, I don't know that a bike specific one provides any adavantage, plus it cannot be used for other activites (walking, jogging, etc.). If it's your only HR monitor, I favor a general purpose one that can be used for cross training. If you ONLY will use it for your bike, then go bike specific.

Polar has a handlebar mounting kit that allows you to strap the wristwatch sensor to it, so that it is easily readable. Then you can easily take the wristwatch off the handlebar mount (it attaches by the wrist band, just as it does to your wrist) and it is now available for use in other activites.

The Polar M61 (http://www.paragonsports.com/Paragon/Shop?DSP=40001&PCR=1:101:1017:10188:100758&IID=5203-190021676&brand=Polar&brandspage=Polar) has an optional bicycle mount, for instance.

This is the best of both worlds, IMHO.

If you don't use the HRM for other activities and don't need real fancy information, a combination HRM and bike computer will do. Most combination units are more susceptible to stray signals than the Polar would be. I use a Vetta and it picks up the same stray signals in a couple of areas on every ride. The HR displays goes up to 205 and stays there until I'm out of range of the signal.

If you're real serious, you might want more info than just the time above and below a selected range and the average heart rate that most combo units provide. I'm not a racer and don't have a training plan, so it's not important to me. I just ride hard and try to stay below 90% of my max. hear rate.

Well a guy on my team can get deals on Polar stuff. So he says he will order me up a basic HRM. Now here is teh question, it is NOT a cycling specific monitor. I already have a computer so I didn't need the other stuff. My question is, can I mount this easily to my bike? Or am I better off paying some more cash and getting a bike specific one? I am confused as to what I should buy, I don't REALLY want two thiings up there. I just don't know what to do.

Kyle

It doesn't need to be fancy, but an "avg. hr" feature is required (to determine LT from TT efforts).

Well I got a basic Polar unit with a bike mount for $60 it has avergae HR and a few more bells and whistles. I just did not see the need to pony up the extra cash for a new computer when I already had one.

Kyle

[QUOTE=CoachRob]

Second, if you have a PACEMAKER or other implantable electronic device it CANNOT be used as the device's electrical activity will interfere with the chest sensor (found out the hard way but got a refund).

I have an implanted pacemaker, 1 1/2 years old. Are there any heart rate monitors that will work with a pacemaker?
Thanks, Dewolf

First some caveats. All wireless HR monitors that come with a chest strap sense electrical heart activity and then relay that information (heart rate) to a sensor on the wrist or handlebar, etc. If you are riding in close proximity to others with similar models, these can cause interference and render the results inaccurate (happened in a recent professional road race).

That why Polar also has versions that transmit a coded signal.

I think there are only two types of HRMs that are worth buying: The really simple model and the uber model with everything plus data recording. I don't see that anything in between is worth it.

If you don't want to throw down a few C-notes, then get the basic model.

Even though my S710 has all the cycling functions, I use it and a cyclometer; but I'm strange and don;t mind two units on my handlebars. They balance each other and even out the weight. :-)