Using a Garmin Edge on rollers??

rohloff-rich

I'm planning on getting a set of rollers to use for interval training. Not keen on the idea of plashing out on an additional bike computer just to use on the rollers so I was wondering about how useful the Edge can be in a static situation??

I have heart rate and cadence so I can record and see some information. As far as I can tell I'll just be missing out on the distance and speed? Or will the latter be handled by my cadence sensor??

Advice much appreciated - including what cheap computer to get for roller use if the Edge is effectively useless!! :roll:

domtyler

I haven't got the cadence myself, just the HRM but in the book it says that there should be a speed sensor and spoke magnet if you have the cadence bits. Do you not have this?
________
Love quotes advice

rohloff-rich

domtyler wrote:

I haven't got the cadence myself, just the HRM but in the book it says that there should be a speed sensor and spoke magnet if you have the cadence bits. Do you not have this?

Yup, got that - so I guess speed, cadence and heart rate are covered, so using it on the rollers will give me enough info to train effectively?

stevejmo7

With rollers there is no resistance so all you do is pedal like mad with comparatively little increase in heart rate and can be difficult to control - my first time on rollers was really scary - just letting go of the freezer to put both hands on the bars was bad enough. They are great for post race to ease the muscles out and for pracitising balance, but you need resistance for intervals - something like a Tacx - they are really good with seven levels of resistance (but get a good fan).

PhilBixby

I use the Edge (with HR and cadence) on a Cycleops Magneto turbo, and it's excellent for interval work. In this situation you're not really interested in speed, just HR and maybe cadence. You'll get a speed reading (assuming you've got a rear wheel magnet) but it's pretty meaningless as a comparison with road riding. With even the pretty basic Garmin software, you can overlay graphs from workouts to compare one session with another.

As Steve says tho, get a b****y big fan, and whatever it takes to protect furnishings and fittings from sweat!