Handlebar HR display unit

[gbnz]

Have used a Cateye, run of the mill, handlebar mounted HR monitor previously. Not for some years, but must have run it with Polar HR chest straps, without an issue, as had Polar HR watches

Started using a run of the mill, Decathalon HR watch/ chest strap when on the bike, back in January. Has been excellent, had forgotten that when doing a quick spin for exercise, seeing the data actually motivates one to put a little more effort in. Isn't a handlebar mounted one, but straightforward to make an ad hoc arrangement, will have been about £25 (Nb. Only bought it, as none of the gyms cardio HR stuff seems to work anymore - seriously thinking of simply binning the gym membership............as they're now full of non active, smart phone, gym users, no one seems to move, so heating always seem to be on full blast. 90 minutes on the bike, has proved far more effective)

[axel_knutt]

seeing the data actually motivates one to put a little more effort in

That's why I stopped using mine eventually, it's like having a little Regimental Sergeant Major sat on your shoulder bending your ear, even when you're not actually looking at it.

[gbnz]

seeing the data actually motivates one to put a little more effort in

That's why I stopped using mine eventually, it's like having a little Regimental Sergeant Major sat on your shoulder bending your ear, even when you're not actually looking at it.

Though I wouldn't use a HR Monitor on lengthy day rides, it's superb for the quick 22 - 30 mile spin, where aside from the ride, having a quick work out is of benefit. Routinely have a quick 22 - 30 mile spin, which c/w a HR Monitor is more beneficial if taken an speed

And a HRM Monitor? Once the heart rate drops below 75-80% Max HR, an intuitive/learnt approach results in more effort. Has been notable within 5-6 weeks, how that 30 mile spin is simply flying by, at speed. Have had a significant increase in muscle, who knows, aside from a day at 85/85 miles last summer, doubt if I had a ride over 56/65 miles. This summer? Back over 100+ miles for a decent day on the bike?

(Nb. May be partly due to having put the Spa in storage, 01 January. A slow, plodding old mans bike, probably reduces even a 52yr old, to an old mans cycling approach, had totally forgotten the pleasure of a ride, at speed)

[mattheus]

Making sure you don't slack off is most definitely NOT the only way to use an HRM!

It's just a number - the HRM doesn't say "MORE! MORE you lazy little sod. MORE IS GOOD".
(well, unless you've setup your phone app to do that, I guess ... )

I use mine (or rather did) just as much to keep my effort down in the early parts of the ride. (this could be the first crazy 5mins of a CX race, or the first hour of a 300km Audax - same issue!)

[gbnz]

- the HRM doesn't say "MORE! MORE you lazy little sod.

Perhaps not, but had 11 minutes online (Nb. Reloaded hard drive, just finished). And...........

- Need to get down the gym........high temperatures, humidity, will only have a window of 75 minutes before crowds start again
- Oh, but bicycle with a HR monitor..........surely a quick 30 mile, perhaps the 22 if rain comes back on heavily, will do (HR motivates !)

Hmm.....have to leave now, need a a quick 60 min's, the 30 mile if rain keeps off, can always cut down to 22 short spin, if rain arrives...

[Nearholmer]

Yes, the real usefulness of an HRM is to help one control effort down, not up!

I don’t bother much with it these days, because I’ve got somewhat attuned to what effort levels correlate with what HRs, and have learned to back off the throttle near the beginning of a ride where I’ll need petrol in the tank later.

TBH, the greatest use I found of mine was when recovering from Covid. I came across some really good advice on the BC website I think, a doctor giving durations and %HR recommendations for slowly building up over a period of I think four weeks. It saved me doing the zero-hero-zero thing that both a neighbour and my son did, both trying to go back to full belt at cycling and football training respectively, and both setting themselves back quite badly.

[atoz]

Your call, although it truly isn’t a difficult app to use, but I am mystified by how you read the data from the monitor now if not onto a phone.

Does it download to a desktop PC?

I have a nasty feeling that the device you need is a polar watch, or something like a garmin, mounted on the bars, but that could work out both more expensive and more difficult to use than a smart phone.

I agree. Entry level smartphones are quite cheap now. My ageing Moto G7 is still ok for this. Don't buy older phones as phone operating systems and their apps date quickly.

[axel_knutt]

Making sure you don't slack off is most definitely NOT the only way to use an HRM!

They have a minimum HR threshold with a bleeper, and training programmes specify lower as well as upper limits on the zones for precisely that purpose.

Yes, the real usefulness of an HRM is to help one control effort down, not up!

Only if the correct effort can be defined in terms of HR.

I came across some really good advice on the BC website I think, a doctor giving durations and %HR recommendations for slowly building up over a period of I think four weeks. It saved me doing the zero-hero-zero thing

It was following a training programme aimed at complete beginners who had never exercised before that finally saw me off.

In 2011 I'd managed a 1400 mile tour ok at an average of 6hr a day, 8.5mph, and 99bpm (59% of MHR), but the beginners' programme published by Chris Sidwells in The Complete Bike Book was too much after less than four weeks doing 45-60 mins at 70-75% MHR 5 days a week.