Bike computer....... For my wrist

bigtallandheavy
bigtallandheavy Posts: 40
edited September 2012 in Road buying advice
.... Is there a bike computer / watch with all of the usual features you get with a cateye that I can get for my wrist.......... Any ideas?

Thanks

Comments

  • jordan_217
    jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    edited September 2012
    (Some) Suunto HRM's can be linked to add-on speed and cadence 'pods' which will allow you to track and record speed/distance/cadence etc via the watch unit. e.g:

    http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/suunt ... nitor.html

    Not sure how well these work when worn on the wrist, rather than mounting to the handlebars (from a signal perspective).

    I've had the above model for 2.5 years and it's been faultless but I've never used any of the add-on pods.

    EDIT: I couldn't see any benefit of doing this over using a bike specific computer though, unless you wanted to track HR too. IME trying to view the watch display whilst it's on the wrist is a pain when you're riding, especially when you're on the drops. I only worn mine on the wrist when running, then mounted it on the bars when riding.
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    jordan_217 wrote:
    Not sure how well these work when worn on the wrist, rather than mounting to the handlebars (from a signal perspective).

    I've tried that with a GPS wristwatch. That worked well enough (eg picked up the cadence signal - after all, your wrist isn't that much further from the sensor than the stem) but the problem is that it is really hard to actually usefully see in real time what is being recorded safely. Admittedly my GPS watch doesn't have the clearest screen but I think it is a pretty bad decision to choose to wear one on the wrist rather than use a mounting block.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • jordan_217
    jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    Rolf F wrote:
    jordan_217 wrote:
    Not sure how well these work when worn on the wrist, rather than mounting to the handlebars (from a signal perspective).

    I've tried that with a GPS wristwatch. That worked well enough (eg picked up the cadence signal - after all, your wrist isn't that much further from the sensor than the stem) but the problem is that it is really hard to actually usefully see in real time what is being recorded safely. Admittedly my GPS watch doesn't have the clearest screen but I think it is a pretty bad decision to choose to wear one on the wrist rather than use a mounting block.

    Yes, I agree. I've just edited my post too.
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • richh
    richh Posts: 187
    Just curious, why would you want to do it this way? I'm not sure I can see any advantages over a bar mounted one.
  • Jezzag
    Jezzag Posts: 11
    I can think of an excellent reason - combining sports (in this case, cycling and running). Also, some riders might not be too bothered about data on the road but want to capture performance data for afterwards. Personally I'd put it on the bars rather than the wrist when riding and, if it had GPS, I'd buy it (yes I know they make a GPS model but its £400 with the cadence module).
  • bigtallandheavy
    bigtallandheavy Posts: 40
    As per poster below - keen runner too.

    I may just go for a cheap cycling computer - any suggestions? Garmins are waaaaay out of my price range at the mo
  • craker
    craker Posts: 1,739
    I've got a Garmin 405 which is great (if flawed by the touch sensitive bezel). There are cheaper versions - get a 305 off ebay which is just as good as my 405 if a little chunkier. And there are pricier versions (need it while you swim?). IMO they are the market leaders for GPS watches.

    BTW I got junk mail from Deal Extreme today and ended up looking at their range of GPS devices. Cheap certainly - there might be something that fits your bill.
  • rollemynot
    rollemynot Posts: 436
    I have a garmin forerunner 410 with gcs 10 speed cadence. Works great and you can restrict the screen views to give as much or as little in ride info as you want. I strap it to my bars and have no problem seeing the info. Bought off amazon watch was £130, speed/cadence £30. I like the portability - went on holiday and recorded my rides on rented bikes. Can highly recommend.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Jezzag wrote:
    I can think of an excellent reason - combining sports (in this case, cycling and running). Also, some riders might not be too bothered about data on the road but want to capture performance data for afterwards. Personally I'd put it on the bars rather than the wrist when riding and, if it had GPS, I'd buy it (yes I know they make a GPS model but its £400 with the cadence module).

    Yes, but that's the point. You put the watch on the bars rather than your wrist.

    And you don't need to pay £400 for a GPS watch. £100 plus £30 for the cadence sensor more like.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • bigtallandheavy
    bigtallandheavy Posts: 40
    Thanks Rolff I'll look into the garmin 410 - I assume innocently that the cadence sensor will work with any type of road bike....... New to the road
  • rollemynot
    rollemynot Posts: 436
    bigtallandheavy wrote:
    Thanks Rolff I'll look into the garmin 410 - I assume innocently that the cadence sensor will work with any type of road bike....... New to the road

    Sensor ties to the chainstay with magnets on the crank and rear wheel. Best of all it works when you put the bike on your turbo oh and you get the premium HRM strap as well........
  • bigtallandheavy
    bigtallandheavy Posts: 40
    Any recommended retailers guys? 220 - 249 on garmin website - is the heart rate sensor recommended??
  • rollemynot
    rollemynot Posts: 436
    Now £153 on amazon
  • bigtallandheavy
    bigtallandheavy Posts: 40
    Rollemynot - cheers mate you've been really helpful. How do you find it for cycling??? Just checked some of your other posts, I am about to put pennies down for a cube, a peloton sl 2013 as opposed to your agree. I'dcappreciate your thoughts on that too seeing as you are being so helpful!! Thanks again
  • Jezzag
    Jezzag Posts: 11
    Thanks for the comments. Hadn't thought of linking the Garmin watches to the sensors. Plenty of people I run with use Garmin 110s and 405s. I presume you could use the combined cadence /speed sensor too? - one of my concerns about the cheaper bike GPS computers is lack of accuracy when only tracking from satellites. I often find my iphone to be more accurate than the wrist Garmins because it also uses the cell towers for triangulation.
  • rollemynot
    rollemynot Posts: 436
    bigtallandheavy wrote:
    Rollemynot - cheers mate you've been really helpful. How do you find it for cycling??? Just checked some of your other posts, I am about to put pennies down for a cube, a peloton sl 2013 as opposed to your agree. I'dcappreciate your thoughts on that too seeing as you are being so helpful!! Thanks again
    I find it great for cycling - screen one is basic speed and distance, screen two I set for cadence and HR for interval training. The virtual partner is handy for motivation while your out and finally downloading data to garmin connect/strava couldn't be easier.

    The peloton sl will be great, I was v keen on one until I got the GTC, bargain 2011 model from winstanley (you already knew that from my old posts). Usual Cube sizing issues try before you buy. Build quality has been great the only things I have changed is the tyres, the roads round me are awful had 5 punctures in the first 250 miles. Changed to rubino pro's and have had 1800 trouble free miles. I think cube offer some of the best value kit out there and if you like you bike looking a bit bling you will be well chuffed.

    Good luck
  • Mike39496
    Mike39496 Posts: 414
    I wouldn't recommend the 405 to anyone, the power save mode on it is rubbish and you can go to it and just be greeted with an unresponsive watch. Go for one with some kind of on/off button if you can. I have an Edge 500 now which is brilliant.
  • Jezzag
    Jezzag Posts: 11
    Fair enough. My running friends like it, though the 8 hour battery life seems a little low for long days in the saddle. Anyone have experience of the 410 or Forerunner 305?
  • richh
    richh Posts: 187
    Jezzag wrote:
    I can think of an excellent reason - combining sports (in this case, cycling and running). Also, some riders might not be too bothered about data on the road but want to capture performance data for afterwards. Personally I'd put it on the bars rather than the wrist when riding and, if it had GPS, I'd buy it (yes I know they make a GPS model but its £400 with the cadence module).
    Yeah that was my point really, I can see why having a watch mounted on the bar works (indeed I've got a forerunner 405 that I used in that way before I got an edge 800) but I read (inferred perhaps) from the OP that he didn't want anything on the bars and wanted it on his wrist, that's what I couldn't understand.
  • knack-knees
    knack-knees Posts: 56
    Jezzag wrote:
    Fair enough. My running friends like it, though the 8 hour battery life seems a little low for long days in the saddle. Anyone have experience of the 410 or Forerunner 305?

    i've got the 305 forerunner. Bought it for running then converted over to cycling and use a handlebar adaptor to strap the watch on. Used it for 3 years now, battery is okay for 12-14 hours IMO.

    The watch allows to you to switch between sports, different screens I suppose but you can tailor them. So mine shows, HR, miles, time elapsed & avg speed. But you can choose from all sorts inc HR zones etc etc etc.

    It's not as fancy looking as the latest and greatest Garmin's but they're cheaper. Remember I used to wear this on my wrist and look like a Star Trek extra!! I also bought as refurb for about £125, can't remember which site.

    Comes with HR band and you can buy a cadence gadget if you want, I haven't.

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  • Jezzag
    Jezzag Posts: 11
    Great. Thanks.

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