HRM monitor - what to do?

gabriel959
gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
edited April 2013 in Road buying advice
I am going to France in the summer for some cycling and I have a Garmin Edge 200.

I have never done big hills so pacing will be important for me. I have been thinking about getting a HRM for when I go there. Is it worth spending £180 for a Garmin Edge 500 with bells and whistles or should I just get a basic Polar HRM for £30?

I don't use cadence.

Cheers,
Gabriel
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra

Comments

  • rich164h
    rich164h Posts: 433
    Depends on how you want to use it. If it's just for a live HR figure whilst you're riding and you don't mind having an extra display on your bars/stem then go for the cheaper option. If you want to analyse the data you've collected after the ride and have all of the speed, distance, hr etc data all in one perfectly overlaid file, get the edge 500.
  • You can pre-order a Garmin Edge 500 from Wiggle for £119.

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-noh-edge-500

    I got mine from Amazon 18 months ago for £100 when, I think, they temporarily made a mistake with the price. I'm tempted to get a second one for £119...
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    That is the unit only with no HR strap which I will need to buy and they cost considerable amount :(
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • Ride hard
    Ride hard Posts: 389
    If you're up for a change...(takes deep intake of breath)...you could go for a Bryton Rider 40 with HRM.

    It's got the same features as a 500 (plus a few more) and is a good bit of kit. I got one last week for £134.
    Reporter: "What's your prediction for the fight?"
    Clubber Lang: "Prediction?"
    Reporter: "Yes. Prediction"
    Clubber Lang: "....Pain!!!"
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    Ride hard wrote:
    If you're up for a change...(takes deep intake of breath)...you could go for a Bryton Rider 40 with HRM.

    It's got the same features as a 500 (plus a few more) and is a good bit of kit. I got one last week for £134.

    I love my Garmin Edge 200 to be fair, only reason to upgrade is the HRM.

    And I am an addict to Strava and the integration between both is great.
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • Ride hard
    Ride hard Posts: 389
    gabriel959 wrote:
    Ride hard wrote:
    If you're up for a change...(takes deep intake of breath)...you could go for a Bryton Rider 40 with HRM.

    It's got the same features as a 500 (plus a few more) and is a good bit of kit. I got one last week for £134.

    I love my Garmin Edge 200 to be fair, only reason to upgrade is the HRM.

    And I am an addict to Strava and the integration between both is great.

    Haa. Yeah, I know there is many a Garmin fanboy/girl on here as I know they’re good.

    I’ve never used a Garmin before so can’t compare its Strava integration with that of my Bryton (@ Rolf F seems to be your man/woman for that level of knowledge), but I know its pretty simple on the Bryton ie upload to the website then send across to Strava.
    Reporter: "What's your prediction for the fight?"
    Clubber Lang: "Prediction?"
    Reporter: "Yes. Prediction"
    Clubber Lang: "....Pain!!!"