Bike Computer v Garmin....Help

nick300zx

Hi, I need some advice please.
I'm fairly new to road bikes but really getting into it (pretty much obsessed). I'm mostly training, riding with friends and hopefully doing a few sportives.
I want to upgrade my standard computer to one with cadence and maybe heartrate sensors.
I found a sigma sport one that does both for about £65.
My question is do I go for that or get a Garmin 500 for about £180. Is the Garmin worth payng 3 times as much and if so why.
Money is fairly tight but i dont want to get the Sigma and regret it a few months later.
Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

kev77

If it is any concelation, i went straight from a sigma sport BC1001 to a garmin 800 ( money was tight also for me )

But like you did not want to buy something i regretted

If you are a tech geek and are into facts and figures you will love the garmin brand

Duncanandthemachine

I got into road bikes about 7 years ago, first I bought a £40 Cat Eye...it died. Then I bought a £80 Polar, after a year the HR strap started dropping out and giving dogy readings regularly. Then I bought a Garmin 500. I've never once regreted it, incredibly simple to use, give all the data you could ever want, and whilst I don't do much post ride analysis, I don't feel I need to because you can set up parameters within which to train so all the monitoring is done out on the road. Additionally If I decide to get a power meter it'll slot straight into the garmin.

They are expensive, so think about what sort of training your doing, the big thing for me is do you need to be able to record time spent in different HR Zones?

nick300zx

Thanks for the quick replies.
I love tech (don't we all). Not having used a HR strap before I'm not sure about HR zones but hey another gadget to play with. Think I'm swaying towards the Garmin.

StorckSpeed

First off, Sigma computers are brilliant, good quality and reliable. In a recent C+ review 2 sigma computers were given 5 stars. My last Sigma computer lasted for years and I got rid of it cause it was lacking the functions of modern computers.
The basic Garmin Edge 500 is priced around £180 but with cadence and HR sensors creeps up to around £225.
SO - can you afford to buy the Garmin ? If not then stick to the Sigma, it will give you all the feedback you need to gradually improve your cycling.
If you can afford it then don't think twice, you won't regret getting a Garmin and all the data analysis you can shake a stick at.

The Bryton rider 35 also provides cadence and HR and loads of data analysis and without sensors can be bought for £99. Hr sensor £45, cadence sensor £32 - all up price, £176 nearer your initial GPS price.

http://www.bikescene.co.uk/Bryton-Rider ... 5-0-0.html
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bry ... t-ec027794
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bry ... r-ec027795

dabber

You could also consider the Holux GPSport 260 Pro Plus which comes in at £139.95 including HR Belt and Cadence sensor plus a second bike mount.
http://www.holux-uk.co.uk/holux-gpsport-260-pro-plus.php?it=354&ca=53&p=1&so=0

Without the HR belt and cadence sensor but still with the ANT+ capability it comes in at £99
http://www.holux-uk.co.uk/holux-gpsport-260-pro-basic.php?it=341&ca=53&p=1&so=0
I bought one a couple of weeks back and so far I'm very pleased.... it provides similar function to the Garmin 500.

nick300zx

There seems to be a load of choice. Think I'm gonna bite the bullet and go for the Garmin. Main reason is Halfords are doing for £174.99 with HR & Cadence at the mo. offer ends Tuesday. Think I better do it quick at that price. Thanks again for all the advice.

nick300zx

Stanley222 wrote:

If you can stretch your funds go for the Edge 800 - Handtec are usually the cheapest stockist, might be worth checking their price for a 500 too

, I just broke the bank going for a 500, think the 800 will have to wait for a while. Handtec dearer for 500 and out of stock.

mikeabanks

That's a great price for the 500 with the extras, snap their hands off

Make sure the cadence sensor on the pedal is fixed on well though, I lost mine this morning.
Good thing is I knew exactly where it was as that's when it stopped reading so was able to drive back later :shock:

I think it only fell off as this was my first ride clipless and I must have knocked it off unclipping when stopping for a jelly baby

nick300zx

mikeabanks wrote:

That's a great price for the 500 with the extras, snap their hands off

Make sure the cadence sensor on the pedal is fixed on well though, I lost mine this morning.
Good thing is I knew exactly where it was as that's when it stopped reading so was able to drive back later :shock:

Thanks just ordered it.
Thanks for the tip as well, I usually manage to lose or break things so I'll take extra care.

Tsamba

nick300zx wrote:

mikeabanks wrote:

That's a great price for the 500 with the extras, snap their hands off

Make sure the cadence sensor on the pedal is fixed on well though, I lost mine this morning.
Good thing is I knew exactly where it was as that's when it stopped reading so was able to drive back later :shock:

Thanks just ordered it.
Thanks for the tip as well, I usually manage to lose or break things so I'll take extra care.

You wont regret getting a garmin!! you'l love it

Pigtail

I've a Garmin 500 and love it. I started with the basic computer and added the cadence sensor at Christmas. I also managed to lose the magnet on about the 4th ride, but following a tip on here I've bought some rare earth magnets from Ebay. I've stuck it on the end of the pedal axle, don't need a cable tie, and it's working like a charm.

seanoconn

nick300zx wrote:

There seems to be a load of choice. Think I'm gonna bite the bullet and go for the Garmin. Main reason is Halfords are doing for £174.99 with HR & Cadence at the mo. offer ends Tuesday. Think I better do it quick at that price. Thanks again for all the advice.

Thanks for the tip nick. I had £80 of vouchers for Evans, they did a price match with Halfords. Cheap as chips Garmin Edge 500 With cadence & HR. Result!

nick300zx

seanoconn wrote:

Thanks for the tip nick. I had £80 of vouchers for Evans, they did a price match with Halfords. Cheap as chips Garmin Edge 500 With cadence & HR. Result!

Good for you. I've used Evans price match a few times and they've always been pretty good. Mine's ordered as well but can't collect from my local Halfords till Friday. It's like Christmas again.

nick300zx

Pigtail wrote:

I've a Garmin 500 and love it. I started with the basic computer and added the cadence sensor at Christmas. I also managed to lose the magnet on about the 4th ride, but following a tip on here I've bought some rare earth magnets from Ebay. I've stuck it on the end of the pedal axle, don't need a cable tie, and it's working like a charm.

Thanks for that tip. Just ordered magnets from ebay cos i'm bound to lose the original one and i'm guessing it will look neater as well.