[mtbmeister]

Being that I live in Canada and really don't do any winter riding, I have invested in a trainer and am now looking for a heart rate monitor to complement my off-season training regimen. I have scoured the reviews and can't seem to locate any clearcut value in a monitor. I don't necessarily need the most expensive one available, but I would like quality and functionality to be to be prevalent when using. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

N.

 

[iJaz]

I think Polar make some of the best ones out there, they have a large range of HRMs for all type of needs.
I've got the S625X which have a foot pod for running measurements and I have bought a cycle sensor. It can upload the data to a computer for analyses. I really like it.

 

[glupi_glon]

Hrm

Yes, but polar 625x and also 725 aren't only HRM but also speed sensor, altimeter, cadence sensor. That is why they are so expensive. I think the best HRM is polar 610i, that I actually have.

 

[consumerbydesign]

get alarms

My Polar has no alarms you can hear. The high dollar downloadable stuff is over kill for most . I just wish I had alarms to keep me in the zones.

 

[Jdub]

My Polar has no alarms you can hear. The high dollar downloadable stuff is over kill for most . I just wish I had alarms to keep me in the zones.

What Polar model do you have? My 720i has audible alarms on it. I love the Polar HRMs, compared to the other couple of brands I've had in the past this one is incredible.

The downloadable stuff may be overkill, but it is REALLY nice to use in conjunction with a program like PCCoach that automatically sets up your workouts and downloads them to the unit. Especially nice when you are doing interval type workouts on the trainer.

Not cheap, but IMO the best.

 

[goat]

nike triax 3x

Being that I live in Canada and really don't do any winter riding, I have invested in a trainer and am now looking for a heart rate monitor to complement my off-season training regimen. I have scoured the reviews and can't seem to locate any clearcut value in a monitor. I don't necessarily need the most expensive one available, but I would like quality and functionality to be to be prevalent when using. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

N.

Try the nike triax 3x. Cheaper then most. Zone alarms. Does not have all the fancy stuff but you don not need that if you got a cyclo meter. If you do want all the fancy stuff then you probally want to get the polar mentioned above.

 

[jimmy]

610i

I like this one after trying a 410. I skipped the cycling functions due to additional complexity & the fact I focus training ( if you could call what I do training ) on time in zones, plus I already have a computer on my bikes, plus I train on the road mostly & don't want to buy another bike sensor for the mtb, plus I hear the cycling functions are fussy to set up & keep in tact. I like the IR function a lot & keeping multiple files on the wrist unit at one time--meaning you can store a bunch of workouts before having to download to the computer. I now load my stats on all workouts, ice hockey, running, back country skiing, & cycling.

 

[walkman]

I got the Polar 625x and use it for biking and running. I mainly got it because I wanted my buddy to get one too (he has no sense of pace). Turns out I LOVE IT! It is incredibly helpful in managing effort level.

One of the best features of the 625 is that it can track altitude. It is a lot of fun to plot the climbing on the computer later.

 

[The SS Boz]

Polar S120 - if you already got a bicycle computer

HR with basic training tools/alarms, and its cheap

 

[badbillys]

I have tried a few Polar units, 3 to be exact all not working, dead with good batterys..but found the best bang for your buck. The Garmin 301 It's a GPS totally wireless, and it does it all, download to you PC and get more info than you can imagine. The GPS is awesome, You log HR, altitude , pace, speed and more. It make you want to go out and ride hard. Best bike part I have bought all year, The 301 model can be found for $200 on eBay, The new 325 is due out in January..

 

[mtbmeister]

Thanks for the feedback

I have tried a few Polar units, 3 to be exact all not working, dead with good batterys..but found the best bang for your buck. The Garmin 301 It's a GPS totally wireless, and it does it all, download to you PC and get more info than you can imagine. The GPS is awesome, You log HR, altitude , pace, speed and more. It make you want to go out and ride hard. Best bike part I have bought all year, The 301 model can be found for $200 on eBay, The new 325 is due out in January..

Thanks for all of the good feedback. I am still not sure what I can get due to my budget. It seems you can break the bank or get something reasonable that is fairly functional. I race recreationally for the most part, but I am looking to take my riding to a new level (for me) this season. I am not sure having computer downloads is where I am at yet...

N.

 

[Adman]

Are interested in downloading your workout results to a PC? If so give the Timex Bodylink series a look. My original Bodylink (purchased 2+ years ago) was lost recently in checked luggage, and I'm replacing it with a newer Bodylink Trailrunner system.
Bodylink HRs are modular, meaning you can start with just the HR and wrist unit and add GPS and data recorder over time. It works fine for tracking winter activities here in the northeast: spinning class, running, XC skiing, etc. You can find new Bodylink systems on Ebay for much less than retail.

I've also owned an entry level Polar HR and had great luck with it. Any gym usually has cardio equipment that read HR data from the Polar strap.
My experience with a Suunto X6 HR was less than ideal-it just never seemed to work that well compared to the Polar and Timex units.

-Adam

Being that I live in Canada and really don't do any winter riding, I have invested in a trainer and am now looking for a heart rate monitor to complement my off-season training regimen. I have scoured the reviews and can't seem to locate any clearcut value in a monitor. I don't necessarily need the most expensive one available, but I would like quality and functionality to be to be prevalent when using. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

N.

 

[LBmtb]

Mine's the s150. It has a cycling computer and zones with alarms. When I was using the trainer (been too busy lately) it helped out my cycling a lot! The challenge is not getting bored while you pedal and not get anywhere for an hour or two. I limit myself to an hour and a half, not because I can't go longer, but because it gets too boring. Get yourself in front of a tv, get a book holder, or an mp3 player.

 

[grnxb]

I need some help in selecting an HRM. I would need an HRM that you can adjust or program it to sound an alarm if you meet or exceed a set heart-rate. Is that standard for HRMs? I have a defibrillator and it is set to fire at anything above 220bpm, so I would need something that could warn me if I get close to that.


thoughts?