computer functions...what do i need?

mr_sj

at the moment ive just been using my running watch on the bike (garmin forerunner 205) but keep reading loads about cadence and wonder if i really need to get a computer that will display my cadence ?

is cadence essential to know adn what other functions would i need in a watch ? i would only be looking at spending 30-40 max so for what im likely to get for my money is it worth it or should i forget the cadence and just stick with my forerunner ??

danowat

I use a Forerunner 405, and have a cadence sensor for it, ultimately for me, the data I get off it isn't really that usefull.

mr_sj

so do you not find knowing your cadence isnt essential or even useful ?

at the moment i display time, distance and average speed

danowat

I suppose its nice to have post-ride data showing how fast I am spinning, but to be honest, I pretty much know when I am riding if I am spinning or grinding......

Its something I never look at, or have never felt the need to look at whilst riding, others may have differing opinions on it though.....

rhext

It's got to depend on what you want to do and how you see yourself using it surely.

You might be better off going into the training forum and asking what people use cadence sensors for. Then if you have no intention of doing that sort of training, it'll be of no use to you.

It'd certainly be as much use as a chocolate fireguard to me!

mr_sj

i suppose im just used to constantly monitoring my garmin when im running, keeping an eye on splits and pace and im in that same mindset when riding but in saying that im still new to riding.

think ill stick with the garmin for now and see how it goes.

rich164h

I use the 405 with the cadence sensor and I do find it useful. Personally post-ride analysis I find has little value except perhaps the average for the ride, but during the ride itself I find it invaluable. On the 405 I normally display cadence, speed and distance travelled. Since I started using it my technique has now changed such that my average cadence is now 90-95 whereas before it was 75-80. The higher cadence does make a big difference to the comfort of the ride and for sustaining speed for longer. I guess it's a measure of an improved technique (but not the only one of course)

Post ride however I use heart rate, elevation, speed etc in a more meaningful way to see where I need to improve on the next ride orwhere things have got worse after a few weeks away from the bike.

If you can connect the garmin cadence meter to the 205 (I have no idea if you can or not) then got for that to keep your set up simple (I picked one up on ebay for about £20), however if it's not just get a cheap cadence sensor and use it alongside the 205. I certainly wouldn't bother upgrading the 205 just so that you collect that data stream alongside the other data streams.

Buckled_Rims

It depends on how serious you are at training. To me, a cadence computer is best on the turbo where I can easily maintain a controlled training session. On the roads, all I get is traffic, pot holes, hills, wind, traffic junctions etc and trying to keep to say 85 rpm becomes a nightmare rather the a pleasure training ride.

The only real data I like to use on the bikes computer is distance and a stop watch. Other then that average trip time, max mph and all the other bumpf is useless data because I can rarely reproduce the same conditions again. Maybe if I lived in Tenerife where the weather is nice and warm most of the year it'll be more useful